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Fender Custom Shop worth the $$?

AaronHuff

AaronHuff

Oct 31, 2009
352
6
Seattle, WA
campfireok.com
#1
My main bass these days is a Mike Lull P4, and I'm in the market for another similar P-bass. The other day I found an amazing looking Fender CS P-bass online, but it's significantly more expensive than, say, getting another Lull. Still, it's pretty tempting. For all those who have played Fender CS basses: Are they worth it? How do they compare to your favorite smaller Fender-style builder (Lull, Sadowsky, Lakland, etc.)?
 
#2
If you can feel and hear a difference that suits you, yes, it's worth the $$.

If you can't feel and hear it, no, it's not worth the $$.

Every 4 string CS I have tried were superb instruments. To my taste, at least...

IME and IMO, a Fender CS compares to a Lakland USA and is better than a Sadowsky. I have no experience with Lull...
 
#3
My humble opinion says yes!
I absolutely LOVE my custom shop Jazz.
I have owned non-custom shop fender, jazz, PJ and P, and the custom shop is lighter and has impeccable craftsmanship.
I currently own a Sadowsky Metro and I feel that the two are not that different, if at all, in craftsmanship. Mine is a '64 Jazz relic in shell pink and besides the relic job added, it has unreal craftsmanship. Frets are perfect throughout the board. It is the lightest bass in my collection. Balances easily without fight. It came from the shop with perfect intonation and string height set up, which is the opposite from some of the regular MIA fenders I have received new.
You will find every custom shop different though. I have played multiples of the exact same guitar and as they are all incredible they are not all the same. Try to get your hands on the guitar you are going to buy and bond with it before you throw down a good chunk of change.
 
#4
I would like to report my experience with a new Am Dlx P, (clear finish, maple neck) 9.6 lbs. It came out of the box very well set up, (and almost perfectly in tune), and the craftsmanship is excellent. I paid 1350 new. I am about to pull the trigger on the Am Dlx Jazz bassed on the quality of the P.
 
#5
P Town said:
I would like to put in a report of my experience with a new Am Dlx P, (clear finish, maple neck). It came out of the box well set up, (and almost perfectly in tune), and the craftsmanship is excellent. I paid 1350 new. I am about to pull the trigger on the Am Dlx Jazz bassed on the quality of the P.
Click to expand...

I own an MIA deluxe as well, its just not comparable to a Custom Shop. The 2012 bases are unreal in quality control. Very consistent. But the Custom Shops are chosen specific for wood qualities which are not the average run of the mill.
 
#6
CS blows everything away, IME!

i went on a day long venture in search of every accessible boutique bass in the SF Bay Area. the last stop was a small vintage shop called "Rockers Guitars". they had several Fender CS's that were freakin' amazing!!!

i won't mention any names, but the same brands that people love to brag about being superior the production line Fenders, were beat down by the CS versions! i never would've believed how great these things were by word of mouth.

play one and be shocked...:bassist:
 
#7
I have two Fender CS basses (a Master Built Jazz Bass and one Team Built P-Bass - both in the Closet Classic finish) - they sound, play and feel incredible
 
#11
WAY back in the day, I wanted a Fender CS guitar. What I wanted totaled near $8,000 more than a decade ago. I'd much rather spend 1/2 as much towards an independent lutheir, get something just as nice,and pocket the rest. Ok, instead of pocketing the $, I'd get another guitar or bass. :hmm:

I've played Fender CS stuff, but nothing screamed worth it to my hands or ears.
 
#14
chef wong said:
I suggest buying something pre 1975 if you want the classic Fender tone. No custom shop can contend with the acoustic qualities of an old wood body.
Click to expand...

tumblr_m4hp0tcGew1qd1tqd.gif
 
#15
Paco..I couldn't help but look up your band on youtube. Is that Justin Timberlake pictured in black and white? You guys jam, btw.

I still above all think buying a blank canvas like an ash Fender Special Run Precison bass, and modding it is best. Another great Precision is the Fender Elite series from the early 80's. I'd much rather have that than any more current super Fender.
 
#17
I'm in the process of ordering a 1961 stack knob jazz.

Last week I played a Custom Shop 1962 jazz and a Custom Shop Precision and everything from the sound to the craftsmanship was totally amazing.

Only trouble is I need to wait 8 months to get it will be so worth the wait.
 
#19
I've got a 59P and a 64J and love them both dearly.
The custom shop stuff doesn't have to be massively expensive though, if you want a fairly stock p or j reissue in a 'NOS' finish, they can be had for around $2k new, not quite double an American vintage, but well worth the extra.

It's once you start optioning them up and getting relic finishes they get expensive!
 

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