Fender Dusty Hill

[hsech]

Why does any signature model cost so much?

 

[2saddleslab]

I'm sorry, we're talking about bass guitars in a recreational forum. Is there some reason this would cause you to raise your voice?

It has two bridge saddles. You cannot correctly intonate a fretted bass with just two bridge saddles. What is the wisdom of spending $5,000 on a bass that cannot correctly be intonated?

Again: if someone thinks that's a good value, more power to them, and it does not change my opinion. And I'm sure your bass is great, and you believe it is a good buy.

I currently own 3 basses [and have owned many more] w/ 2 saddle bridges that prove you wrong.

 

[jessicabass]

Nope won't do that. But it WILL be built incredibly well, sound awesome, and play like a FCS bass. I think the "street" price would be a little better than 5K; but still not cheap. Let me ask you this: Would you expect a Sadowsky, Lakland, or Mike Lull Bass to do your household chores too?

Yes i would lol
But it is just how i feel.
I know spending big money for an object makes some people happy and if so no complaints from my end if you got it to spend.
But there is a false sense of security that if you pay more your getting a better product, and that is mistake. Maybe not always but sometimes yes.
Ive actually played this bass for maybe 30 minutes as a good friend owns one.
She makes 5x what me and my husband make a year so 5k to her is maybe 1k to me.
Did the bass sound good? yes
Did the bass play great? yes
Was it built fantastic? yes
But to be perfectly honest it was better than some of my basses but not all of them.
And none of mine are worth more than $500 w/ my upgrades.
In the end if it makes you happy and you or your family are not starving because of the purchase i say more power to you.
But with my lifestyle and opinions i stand by my quote.

 

[Gorn]

I wonder, do the materials/workmanship/man hours and so on that go into a $5000 boutique bass also go into the Dusty Hill? I'd think not.

I know high end basses mostly cost a lot of money because that's what people are willing to pay for them, but I'm guessing that the cost of the Dusty Hill is mostly based on it's novelty and not the money that goes into it's manufacturing.

 

[Red Four]

I currently own 3 basses [and have owned many more] w/ 2 saddle bridges that prove you wrong.

Well, I don't think you've proven me "wrong", but I'm sure you feel your basses can always be brought into proper intonation, and if so, that's great. Why do you think the entire bass industry, with only a handful of one-off exceptions like this, avoids the 2-saddle bridge?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a "newer/higher-tech is always better" guy - I tend to be more "simpler is better", honestly. I favor four strings, passive electronics, and bolt-on necks. And I have a fretless bass with a fixed bridge. But it's hard for me to imagine all the variables of different strings, one-piece necks, climate changes, and playing styles magically lining up just right for two strings at a time, always. I've never owned a fretted bass where intonated saddles line up perfectly, especially with changes over time. But if they do, that's great.

 

[JimmyThunder]

Probably 85% of bass players* out there don't have their intonation set up properly anyway...never had a setup since buying it off the wall at GC, or changed string gauges and didn't re-intonate, or whatever. And they never notice. There are also plenty of classic recordings that feature a 2-barrel Fender bridge and nobody's complaining that "Green Onions" is out of tune.

Just look at that thing...."finely-tuned precision surgical-grade instrument" has nothing to do with it. It's about stripped-down classic badassery. And in that context, a 2-barrel bridge is close enough.


*total guess, not a real statistic

 

[2saddleslab]

Well, I don't think you've proven me "wrong", but I'm sure you feel your basses can always be brought into proper intonation, and if so, that's great. Why do you think the entire bass industry, with only a handful of one-off exceptions like this, avoids the 2-saddle bridge?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a "newer/higher-tech is always better" guy - I tend to be more "simpler is better", honestly. I favor four strings, passive electronics, and bolt-on necks. And I have a fretless bass with a fixed bridge. But it's hard for me to imagine all the variables of different strings, one-piece necks, climate changes, and playing styles magically lining up just right for two strings at a time, always. I've never owned a fretted bass where intonated saddles line up perfectly, especially with changes over time. But if they do, that's great.

And I should have mentioned that it's not ALWAYS possible to properly intonate a 2 saddle bridge. Been successful at setting intonation for 30 years with the exception of one, maybe two basses. Many factors involved [strings, string gauge, neck relief, etc], of course. And I will admit to shifting a saddle screw from one side or the other to help in the effort. I can certainly see how that could be an issue for some players, just never been a negative for me.

 

[Dark Horse]

It's priced the way it is because Fender thinks that's what the market will bear.


It always amazes me that so many people complain about high dollar instrument prices for instruments they'd never be in the market for anyway.


:/

 

[jd-ns]

Agreed, a 2 barrel saddle is satisfactory. (*although it would never be my first choice)

In the case of the Dusty bass, it is the bridge that is most appropriate.

 

[RedHotFuzz]

Is the skull included?

 

[harmendebresser]

Where does the dead spot hang out on the fretboard with the reversed headstock?!

 

[Red Four]

And I should have mentioned that it's not ALWAYS possible to properly intonate a 2 saddle bridge. Been successful at setting intonation for 30 years with the exception of one, maybe two basses. Many factors involved [strings, string gauge, neck relief, etc], of course. And I will admit to shifting a saddle screw from one side or the other to help in the effort. I can certainly see how that could be an issue for some players, just never been a negative for me.

Thank you, and I'm glad to know that this can work!

 

[dkelley]

I currently own 3 basses [and have owned many more] w/ 2 saddle bridges that prove you wrong.

Not wrong.... if you are picky or choose string guages different from your preferences then shared saddles are not 100% accurate. I agree with guage selection it can be done but what a hassle.

There is a reason why fender built shared saddles back then (ease of build and cheap cost.... it was better than having NO adjustability like some competition in the older 50s....)

Also a reason why fender moved away from shared saddles asap.... better intonation and compatibility with ALL string types and guages.

They do the job.... but have limitations in higher positions.

I love dusty... but the man doesnt play higher than 5th position. So no worries then.

 

[2saddleslab]

Not wrong.... if you are picky or choose string guages different from your preferences then shared saddles are not 100% accurate. I agree with guage selection it can be done but what a hassle.

There is a reason why fender built shared saddles back then (ease of build and cheap cost.... it was better than having NO adjustability like some competition in the older 50s....)

Also a reason why fender moved away from shared saddles asap.... better intonation and compatibility with ALL string types and guages.

They do the job.... but have limitations in higher positions.

I love dusty... but the man doesnt play higher than 5th position. So no worries then.

I know, I know, please read my follow up. You mean there are notes above the 5th fret???? ;-)

 

[dkelley]

Lol cool

 

[2saddleslab]

Oh, and just for the record, love Dusty Hill, love vintage slab body basses, always been a Fender fan, but that's WAY too much scratch for that bass, imho.

 

[OldDirtyBassist]

I think Robert T. from Metallica has been playing a Dusty Hill signature bass recently.

 

[Classic69]

I've owned three different FCS basses. I've also owned Sadowsky, lull, Lakland, MTD, Pedulla and a host of other high end basses. IMHO, the FCS are quite overrated. In terms of setup, electronics, fretwork, finish quality, etc, fender was always at the lower end of the spectrum.

Where/how in the world did you reach that conclusion??

Sadowsky Lull and Lakland are wonderful- I have owned and played them all:

Sadowskdy NYC
Lakland USA Decade ;Skyline Scheff
Currently, Lull NRT. and of course my FCS.

Of these ONLY the Fender Custom Shop builds the necks and the bodies, and finishes their basses in-house- At the FCS, a separate building/entity from Fender.
Not that there is anything wrong w/ Sadowsky, Lull and Lakland out-sourcing, not at all. The finished products are top-rate, as is FCS.
But-
Your statement that the FCS is at "lower end of the spectrum" is....
Absurd.
And yes, you are entitled to post your opinion!
But it really IS absurd.

 

[Classic69]

I'm sorry, we're talking about bass guitars in a recreational forum. Is there some reason this would cause you to raise your voice?

It has two bridge saddles. You cannot correctly intonate a fretted bass with just two bridge saddles. What is the wisdom of spending $5,000 on a bass that cannot correctly be intonated?

Again: if someone thinks that's a good value, more power to them, and it does not change my opinion. And I'm sure your bass is great, and you believe it is a good buy.

WHAT??? I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!!!!

Oh BTW, I had a Nash PB-55 w/ this I kept it in perfect intonation.

 

[Classic69]

Why does any signature model cost so much?

Maybe Dusty wants a cut??