Fender Custom Shop experiences?

[ToddB1963]

I’ve owned a 2014 CS '59 Journeyman Precision for five years now, and I’d rate it a 6.5 out of 10.

It’s strung with flats, giving it a highly percussive character that sounds very good when played pick-style (88mm is best). The split-coil P tone is classic, but when played finger-style—even with the tone fully open—it sounds darker than I’d prefer. That said, it fits beautifully within old-school genres like singer-songwriter, jazz, blues, R&B, and soul. However, it’s definitely not a rock bass. For that, my Ibanez Roadster RS 824 PJ and Yamaha BB800 are superior.

I picked it up second-hand for about half the cost of a brand-new CS '59 Journeyman Precision. I could never see myself paying full retail price for one. When compared to my other basses, I’d say its true value sits at roughly 60% of what I paid ($3400) AUD.

 

[Mike Vee]

I’ve owned a 2014 CS '59 Journeyman Precision for five years now, and I’d rate it a 6.5 out of 10.

It’s strung with flats, giving it a highly percussive character that sounds very good when played pick-style (88mm is best). The split-coil P tone is classic, but when played finger-style—even with the tone fully open—it sounds darker than I’d prefer. That said, it fits beautifully within old-school genres like singer-songwriter, jazz, blues, R&B, and soul. However, it’s definitely not a rock bass. For that, my Ibanez Roadster RS 824 PJ and Yamaha BB800 are superior.

I picked it up second-hand for about half the cost of a brand-new CS '59 Journeyman Precision. I could never see myself paying full retail price for one. When compared to my other basses, I’d say its true value sits at roughly 60% of what I paid ($3400) AUD.

Sound is subjective ( I like dark with flats, never play "rock") but what about the feel, neck, build quality, etc?

 

[Sparky Mark]

I've owned a handful of pre CBS era Fenders, but these Custom Shop versions of a 62P and 60J are as close as any reissue I've played.

 

[jeffbrewer]

Oh man that’s good to hear. I’m sure it was the same bass. I saw it in a video they made and Anthony was saying how he wanted to buy it for himself haha.

then that's the same one. It's a great bass. It plays wonderfully and has a great neck on it. Very resonate...I didn't plug it up, but you could tell it'll get the job done. Their setup table is directly next to where the basses are displayed in the middle of the store. They take a lot of pride in their PBasses. Every single one I picked up was perfect. Congrats on your first CS.

 

[Mike Vee]

then that's the same one. It's a great bass. It plays wonderfully and has a great neck on it. Very resonate...I didn't plug it up, but you could tell it'll get the job done. Their setup table is directly next to where the basses are displayed in the middle of the store. They take a lot of pride in their PBasses. Every single one I picked up was perfect. Congrats on your first CS.

Woooo got me excited! It arrives Thursday. I’ll be sure to give a full report.

 

[ToddB1963]

Sound is subjective (I like dark with flats, never play "rock") but what about the feel, neck, build quality, etc?

Hi Mike, yes, I totally agree, it’s subjective, but when I say "dark," I mean pitch-black, midnight with no moonlight whatsoever—LOL. Even with the treble cranked all the way up, it’s tough to get any definition in the note when played fingerstyle, which, in my opinion, is absolutely essential for certain styles. That said, it sounds great when picked—just the right amount of point. Not overly bright, with a nice, solid thud. It’s not quite as twangy as, say, a jazz bass on the front pickup à la Joe Osborn, but it’s in the ballpark.

Feel-wise, the neck is comfortable and nicely worn-in, but there’s a slight ski jump at the heel, so I have to keep the action relatively high. I enjoy playing it, though, and the wide nut means adjusting to a slightly different fingering approach down low compared to something with a jazz-bass-width neck.

Tonally, the G string is weak, so I had to raise that side of the pickup to get a more balanced response. The E string, from G down to open E, feels a bit compressed and hollow at lower volumes—pretty typical for most Precisions I’ve played—but it evens out when the volume is cranked. Interestingly, there’s no obvious dead spot on the G between the 5th and 7th frets.

Build quality-wise, it’s comparable to my Ibanez Roadster, but not quite as solid as my Yamaha BB800, which also has a quartersawn neck and feels more substantial. It’s nowhere near as well-built as my other Yamaha basses (BB2000 and BB3000), which are superior instruments and cost me significantly less.

I’ve considered selling it to recoup my costs and picking up an old Tokai Hard Puncher or something similar, which I think would be just as good at a fraction of the price. But honestly, the quirks don’t bother me that much, and it sounds good on gigs—so for now, it stays.

 

[_Obra_]

My CS is far better than all other Fenders I had. There's no reason yours should be any different.

 

[Mike Vee]

It came today and WOW. Amazing feel. Neck and fretwork is damn near perfect. Feels better than American Original for sure (although those are still amazing.) I'll post more tomorrow. I have a set of the new Pino flats arriving, which just came out Wednesday... so I'll give my thoughts and pics on both.

It makes me see what Fender can truly do, and SHOULD do to every American instrument they make. But sadly do not. It’s crazy to pay $2000+ for American Original or American Vintage and not get a perfect neck and frets.

 

[facetsquared]

It came today and WOW. Amazing feel. Neck and fretwork is damn near perfect. Feels better than American Original for sure (although those are still amazing.) I'll post more tomorrow. I have a set of the new Pino flats arriving, which just came out Wednesday... so I'll give my thoughts and pics on both.

It makes me see what Fender can truly do, and SHOULD do to every American instrument they make. But sadly do not. It’s crazy to pay $2000+ for American Original or American Vintage and not get a perfect neck and frets.

Looking forward to see some pics of this bass. I have been eyeballing the Empire FCS basses for a while.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

I have owned one and played lots of them at the workshop.

My experience with Fender CS is that they are generally great, but also hideously overpriced. To be honest, they're not really better than the BEST production model Fenders, but you would have to test a LOT of production model Fender to find those REALLY good ones. CS are far more consistent. I can't remember ever seeing a bad CS (unless it was old/worn/mistreated). With production model Fenders it's a lottery. You basically pay for the extra QC and for options that you can't get with the production models.

Or to put it another way: Fender CS are great instruments, but if you don't need the Fender logo on the headstock you can get similar quality instruments (or better) from other manufacturers for half the price (or less).

Fender CS does have "the WOW factor" though, so if you've got the money and this is your dream instrument, go for it! It will almost certainly be a fantastic bass.

 

[Rocksolid]

Your purchase looks amazing!

I had a 64 NOS Jazz CS. It was nice, but didn't blow my mind to be honest. bought a 60s lacquer Jazz and sold the NOS 64 and never missed it.

My Reggie Hamilton CS PJ5 on the other hand is my forever bass. Love it, and there is nothing quite like it.

Some basses just don't have the mojo and others do. Most CS basses have that mojo I reckon. Plenty of love has gone into them. In saying that, I have Squier VM P5 that I adore also. Cost me peanuts compared to the RH. If its got it, its got it. Your hands, ears and heart will tell you.