Fender Custom Shop Question

[kbakerde]

I recently purchased a used Custom Shop Jazz bass, and it is excellent. By far and away the best bass I've ever used and my band agrees. I started getting the itch for another FCS, this time a P Bass. Kept my eye on store fronts and on used basses, while also engaging with a dealer to have a full blown custom bass made and purchased.

I'm still waiting on the details through the dealer on the custom, but I have an idea on the price. I did run across a brand new, in stock at a dealer bass that I am interested in. It is very close to how I was going to specify my custom build, but this also would not be a Custom bass, it is Fender Custom Shop Time Machine series, which is a "mass-produced" FCS line. Now my Jazz was part of a "mass-produced" line and I absolutely love it. Here is what is the same vs what is different:

Same:

• Body Wood
• Neck and Fingerboard Wood
• Same Pickup
• Same Bridge
• Same Warranty

Differences:

• Finish - I was going to get a different color, but I like the stock color
• Relic Level - The stock bass is heavier relic job than I was going to get
• Fretboard radius - The stock is 9.5", I planned to get a vintage 7.5"
• Custom vs Stock - Which is the main question I have to this thread
• Wait Time - As a result of the above, get it now vs wait a year
• Price - I am getting a good deal on the stock, so I think I would save minimum $300 on buying the in stock bass, possibly $600 or more

So what am I asking. This is not a question of if FCS is worth the money, you don't think they are, fine by me don't need your thoughts. I am wondering those who have gotten FCS basses, and have been able to compare the "Stock Production" basses from FCS to a full blown Custom Order, are Customs better? Are they so much better it's worth 8-12 months wait and $300 - $600 more in cost? Leave your thoughts.

 

[deff]

Uhm, really it's the same thing except you pick what you want on it rather than them. Only you can answer if the things you want done are worth it to you. Do I like Blue better or Orange better? Is it worth $300 and a longer wait time? How can anyone answer that for you?

 

[alembicbones]

Given your situation, I think I would go the full blown custom route. Yes it is a bit more expensive and you are going to have an extensive wait. But in the end, you are going to have the bass that has your exact specs.

While not a Fender, I'm about 4 - 5 months away from a custom Dingwall that I commissioned back in November 2020. I could have settled for a used version or an off the rack new bass. However, shortly I'm going to have the exact bass that I wanted. It's going to make the actual delivery even more awesome.

I say proceed forward with your custom order. Then in the interim, pick up a used P bass to prep you for your awesome custom P.

Bones

 

[Ace Of Bass]

I recently purchased a used Custom Shop Jazz bass, and it is excellent. By far and away the best bass I've ever used and my band agrees. I started getting the itch for another FCS, this time a P Bass. Kept my eye on store fronts and on used basses, while also engaging with a dealer to have a full blown custom bass made and purchased.

I'm still waiting on the details through the dealer on the custom, but I have an idea on the price. I did run across a brand new, in stock at a dealer bass that I am interested in. It is very close to how I was going to specify my custom build, but this also would not be a Custom bass, it is Fender Custom Shop Time Machine series, which is a "mass-produced" FCS line. Now my Jazz was part of a "mass-produced" line and I absolutely love it. Here is what is the same vs what is different:

Same:

• Body Wood
• Neck and Fingerboard Wood
• Same Pickup
• Same Bridge
• Same Warranty

Differences:

• Finish - I was going to get a different color, but I like the stock color
• Relic Level - The stock bass is heavier relic job than I was going to get
• Fretboard radius - The stock is 9.5", I planned to get a vintage 7.5"
• Custom vs Stock - Which is the main question I have to this thread
• Wait Time - As a result of the above, get it now vs wait a year
• Price - I am getting a good deal on the stock, so I think I would save minimum $300 on buying the in stock bass, possibly $600 or more

So what am I asking. This is not a question of if FCS is worth the money, you don't think they are, fine by me don't need your thoughts. I am wondering those who have gotten FCS basses, and have been able to compare the "Stock Production" basses from FCS to a full blown Custom Order, are Customs better? Are they so much better it's worth 8-12 months wait and $300 - $600 more in cost? Leave your thoughts.

It really depends how important things like the color , the relic level, and the radius are to you…I wouldn’t mind a heavier relic (that’s actually a more expensive option) …the color does make a huge difference to me..if I love it, great, but I’d really have to be able to live with it otherwise…the radius is a bigger deal…pretty much P neck vs J neck…I don’t think I’d mind too much, but it’s something to really consider carefully at that price point..lots of these end up for sale quick because people don’t want to settle ultimately and they sell them at a discount…to people like me..

 

[Louie400]

I agree with some of the others. Since you already own a CS Jazz Bass, the wait time won't be as agonizing and you'll have a true custom piece in the end.