Fender custom shop

[Ace Of Bass]

Yea I'm going to go up to disney in a couple weeks and I guess the guitar center in Orlando has a couple custom shop basses. I may go to bass central while I'm at it.

Cool....enjoy Bass Central, even though I didn't have the best time dealing with them from a customer service pov.....still a great place to check out....also,if you're going the eBay route, I'd try to find a seller that's ok with giving you a two or threeday approval pperiod to make sure it's your thing...have fun...

 

[mhduffl]

Hi,

I have purchased a used Pino P bass relic last week and it is a VERY EXCELLENT bass in both sound and feel.
I then tried 2 Sean Hurley P basses, a 64 heavy relic P basses, a 60 Jazz bass relic and a Greddy Lee Limited Jazz bass ($$$$$) last weekend in local GC.
I would say that execpt the 60 Jazz relic, other basses are all high quality and consistance. (The 60 Jazz relic sounded not to standard, maybe due to set up)...
Would they "surprise me" - I would say no to be honest...
But I am quite sure that they deliver "that fender sound and feel" especailly the relic basses.....

In terms of price, do they worth the $? I would say used one is more reasonable then the new one....New one is slightly overpriced to me especially the relic - they would feel the same if they are new or used ( I actually like used more as the basses should feel more broken in).

But to conclude, Fender Custom Shop is still the number one choice for 4 strings for both P and Jazz basses, IMHO.....

Good luck,
I do like the gold colour as well!!

 

[Rob L]

I would suggest looking for a used one at a price you are willing to go for. I have owned a few and I really miss the CS 58 relic p I had. It was warm and smooth and I miss it a lot. It was great sounding unplugged and was as gem to play. A nice used one can be found for under the 2000 range.

Is it worth the money, only the player that buys the one they like/liked can make that call.

 

[REV]

I've owned two Fender Custom Shop basses. The neck warped on the first one and Fender wouldn't do anything. The second one had a 1/16" gap between the neck and the edge of the neck pocket. I sent it back and they refunded my money. I have played other CS basses that were really nice but I have also played regular production basses that did the job equally well. I don't think the CS basses are worth that much more than regular production basses.

 

[nilpla]

My CS Jaco Relic is awesome! I`ve had quite a few basses these last 30 years, and the CS is probably the best I`ve ever had. But my ESP Vintage-4 has the same build quality. But then again that`s not a cheap bass. To a certain extent you get what you pay for, but twice the price doesn`t get you twice the quality. In a thread like this you don`t get a conclusion, only opinions

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I've picked up a few and was utterly underwhelmed. Nice - but not "Wow, this is *nice*" kinda nice. I pick up a Sadowsky or a Fodera and get that "WOW" thing. FCS? Nope.
I think that they really are for guys with a bit too much money who want something that might be collectible.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Hi,

I have purchased a used Pino P bass relic last week and it is a VERY EXCELLENT bass in both sound and feel.
I then tried 2 Sean Hurley P basses, a 64 heavy relic P basses, a 60 Jazz bass relic and a Greddy Lee Limited Jazz bass ($$$$$) last weekend in local GC.
I would say that execpt the 60 Jazz relic, other basses are all high quality and consistance. (The 60 Jazz relic sounded not to standard, maybe due to set up)...
Would they "surprise me" - I would say no to be honest...
But I am quite sure that they deliver "that fender sound and feel" especailly the relic basses.....

In terms of price, do they worth the $? I would say used one is more reasonable then the new one....New one is slightly overpriced to me especially the relic - they would feel the same if they are new or used ( I actually like used more as the basses should feel more broken in).

But to conclude, Fender Custom Shop is still the number one choice for 4 strings for both P and Jazz basses, IMHO.....

Good luck,
I do like the gold colour as well!!

Wait...you played a Sean Hurley P? I want one of those!! Where did you play that? Tell us more about it...like, what did you think of the bridge system??

 

[lfmn16]

There are dozens of threads about this already.

And the real answer is always that something is worth exactly what someone will pay for it; not a penny more or less.

 

[cnltb]

So is there anything that makes these basses worth the money? I really like the look or the relic ones.

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5574637599&toolid=10001&campid=5337533753&customid=Custom shop&icep_item=131297854731&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg

I think this may well be quite alright,
3k for a good bass is not too much, especially if it's USD, I think.
I also go by individual bass rather than manufacturer, regardless of wether I'd generally say a fender or who ever else's basses are worth this much or that much.

 

[GregC]

But, if these basses were made by some boutique company at the same quality level, all the haters would be standing in line to pay much more than what the Fender CS charges. You know what they say about opinions...

I haven't played but a couple CS Fenders, so I can't say whether their quality level is equal to that of what I consider to be the Fender-style boutiques--Lakland, Lull, Sadowsky, etc. What I have absolutely noticed, though, is that Fender CS prices have gone up a lot more in recent years than the other shops' have. A typical "standard" Fender CS bass now costs more than a lot of US Laklands and is in the same range as NYC Sadowskys--and much more than the typical Lull. Meanwhile, the boutiques will generally give you more options than Fender CS (not counting the Masterbuilt stuff, which is on a much higher price level), and probably better/more personalized customer service.

That said, I could see myself buying a used Fender CS if it was in the right color, at the right price and I could try it out first. Not sure if that makes me a "hater" or not, but I don't care.

 

[LanEvo]

I've been impressed by the few Gibson and Fender CS models I've played. If the price doesn't scare you off, I would go for it.

On a related note, some of the high-end Japanese basses are essentially CS models. I've seen how Ibanez used to build the original Gary Willis GWB-1 and how Yamaha currently builds the Billy Sheehan Attitude Limited. Very careful not only in selecting the wood, but matching the bodies and necks to create very resonant instruments. You have the benefits of large manufacturing processes (CNC etc) with careful hand finishing and set-up by highly skilled and experienced luthiers. Best of both worlds.

 

[Stealth Fighter]

So is there anything that makes these basses worth the money?...

The same question could be asked about this, and the answers would be just as varied.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[hover]

^^^ exactly.

 

[iriegnome]

IMHO, knowing Larry Brooks from Fender Custom Shop, the answer is actually no. It would not add that much value on the open market. However, depending on who signed the CS bass (neck pocket) it could be worth a bit more. Since a Larry Brooks has worked and designed with Kurt Cobain, Eric Clapton, SRV and others, his signature would boost the price up, but only to those who know who he is. To most of us, it wouldn't matter. However, if you think that $3K on a Fender P CS is worth it, and you have the cash, right on.. Good for you for finding a bass you love

 

[fuzzychaos]

Let's say that fender makes 100 basses at the CS. 100 out of 100 are going to be fantastic instruments (the best quality)
Let's say they make 1,000 basses in the American factory, and 900 of those 1,000 are going to be really good instruments
Let's say they make 10,000 basses in Mexico, and 5,000 of those are going to be really nice
Let's say they make 100,000 squire basses and 5,000 of those are going to be pretty good. There are some good ones, but there are a lot more that are not so great.

IMHO and IME:

Let's say that fender makes 100 basses at the CS. 95 out of 100 are going to be fantastic instruments (the best quality)
Let's say they make 1,000 basses in the American factory, and 950 of those 1,000 are going to be really good instruments
Let's say they make 10,000 basses in Mexico, and 3,000 of those are going to be really nice
Let's say they make 100,000 squire basses and 65,000 of those are going to be pretty good. There are some good ones, but there are a lot more that are not so great

As far as whether it's worth it, that is totally up to you. For me? No, there are other instruments I would pay 3k for, but not Fender, unless it were a very nice vintage instrument (pre to early 70's).

 

[D Bopp]

I've owned a bunch of CS basses. Some were fantastic, and some were just ok. Never played one that was a dog though.
My two favorite basses I own are both Custom Shop. One is a relic 59 P, and the other is a DuoTone 60 Stack Knob Jazz, just like the one @Jim Carr has.

 

[drummer5359]

I've been a working drummer since the 1970's and have great drum gear, but having expensive gear for my primary instrument at least makes some sense.

At this point in my playing I already have more money tied up in basses than any reasonable "drummer" should. I have an American Select P, An American Deluxe Dimension V HH and a Rickenbacker 4003W is on order. I have several other American Fenders and an EBMM Stingray, each of which cost from $1,000 to $1,300 The most that I've paid (so far) for a bass was around $1,800 including tax. I just added up the price paid for my nine "good" basses, and I came up with $12,500. At this point I have not crossed the barrier into what I consider "really" pricey basses, but I have little doubt that I will buy at least one "expensive" bass, just to see what it's all about. Honestly, the thought that I, a drummer and mediocre bassist have twelve grand tied up in basses is sort of sobering to me.

Nonetheless, I'd like to own either a Fender Custom Shop or Lakland USA bass eventually, until I've owned one I won't know if it's worth it or not. If I find one that really floats my boat and I have enough cash in my pocket at the time, I'll pull the trigger.

By the way, three years ago the most that I'd paid for a bass was $235. Thanks Talkbass!!!

 

[mhduffl]

Wait...you played a Sean Hurley P? I want one of those!! Where did you play that? Tell us more about it...like, what did you think of the bridge system??

I played 2 Sean Hurley P basses at local GC in Hong Kong.
actually I played one 2 weeks ago and that one drived me towards P bass . Before that I haven't owned a p bass.
SH P bass is a good bass, slimmer neck compared to my Pino, the la bella string got a good tension and thus the bass is easy to play. The finish is good and the mute is excellent. Easy to mute and un-mute.
I would like to add one to my Pino. But I still like Pino a bit more, my Pino sound a bit smoother, maybe TI flat got that feel.

Hope this help....

 

[Jim Carr]

I've owned a bunch of CS basses. Some were fantastic, and some were just ok. Never played one that was a dog though.
My two favorite basses I own are both Custom Shop. One is a relic 59 P, and the other is a DuoTone 60 Stack Knob Jazz, just like the one @Jim Carr has.

No Pics, no bass, LOL!

 

[ROOTSnFIFTHS]

No Pics, no bass, LOL!

I never tire of staring at that 'duo tone' Jim. Thanks for posting.