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Fender Custom Shop Club

#1,261
A few years ago, my son and I took the Fender tour in Corona. The guide pointed out a stack of wood pieces that had been sorted and set aside for the Custom Shop. When we got close to the CS area, hoping to catch a glimpse of a legend, I asked if Ms. Ybarra was working. He said she had recently retired.
 
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#1,268
I’m checking some other forums as well. From my research Fender stopped using Brazilian Rosewood in 1966, but there are a few necks with Brazilian Rosewood, that have shown up on Fender instruments later than 66, though it is a rarity and not the norm. The CITES ban is for importing Brazilian Rosewood into the US IIRC, and I think I remember reading Jimmy is using an old piece of Brazilian Rosewood that has been in the US preceding the ban.
 
#1,269
Bottom 4 said:
Check out the description

Fender Custom Shop 1962 Precision Bass Closet Classic Dakota Red Brazilian (398)
Click to expand...

Well there it is--very cool! Definitely a keeper!

This is from one of the better articles I'm finding (and why yours is extra special):
"In 1992, Brazilian rosewood was added to the CITES treaty, strictly banning its exportation. Today, Brazilian rosewood can only be obtained and used for guitars (or anything, really) if it was harvested and exported prior to the CITES ban, or harvested from trees that have fallen naturally—and is accompanied with a certificate of provenance in both cases."
What's the Big Deal About Brazilian Rosewood?
 
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#1,271
SJLee said:
Does it mention anything about pre-existing Brazilian Rosewood already in the states prior to CITES treaty?

EDIT: Never mind, I just read your post and that answers my question.
Click to expand...

This is dangerous for my wallet knowing the Fender CS will still make a Brazilian fretboard and I'm in California about 30 minutes from their factory and thus have no CITES issues to worry about on an original purchase. :D
 
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#1,277
Juice Box said:
Just got this Custom Shop '59 Journeyman Relic Precision Bass that I ordered back in July. It really is everything I wanted it to be. After owning many AVRI P bass, as well as a USA Lakland 44-64, I can honestly say that this is the best bass purchase I have made. The neck is awesome...I ordered with a 60's soft C shape, and it feels great...Especially with the light relic job on it. The pickups are hand wound '62's and they sound huge. I'm not crazy about the tort Fender is using for their Custom Shop pieces, so I'll probably swap it out with a Spitfire in the near future. These basses just have some sort of magic you just can't get in production Fender stuff these days. Im really enjoying it.
Click to expand...
Juice Box,
Is that pickguard the one the bass came with? I love it and would totally buy it from you if you replace it with a spitfire...
 
#1,278
Two CS 59 pbasses, two totally different beasts!

Alder vs ash, maple vs rosewood, fat pino neck vs flatter 59 style...

57C09F53-FE45-4E1D-B7FA-ECD0AD2C7700.jpeg
 
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#1,279
Well I was able to find just the preamp from an American Elite Jazz along with all of the other electronics (jack, wiring, pickups, etc.) and pickguard. I plan on switching out the preamp and control plate that's currently in my CS Custom Classic Jazz IV Special with the one from the American Elite Jazz and therefore will finally have an active/passive switch. The only other thing that has me thinking is whether or not I should switch out the current pickups (it came with Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders from the CS) with the Fender Noiseless ones that I also got as part of the package when I got the preamp. The Quarter Pounders are slammin pickups, but the second I go off of center detent on the pickup blend knob, they get noisy (single coil). Anyone have any experience with the new Noiseless Fender Jazz pickups? Would you switch them out?

Curious to see what experiences and opinions you may have!

Thanks!
 
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