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Fender Dusty Hill

#103
Gorn Captain said:
That actually doesn't at all answer my question. I asked if you think that most of the $5000 goes into materials and labor rather than the novelty. I think the majority of the cost is the novelty and rarity of the bass. Yes....things that there are only 50 of are generally valuable.

I don't recall saying it's not worth it to me. I asked a specific question about your opinion of what the $5000 applies to in the cost of of the bass.
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And I thought I had answered that. The materials and components of the bass acount for a fixed cost. I have no idea what Fender pays for them.
They commissioned a pup from SD; they partnered with Dusty Hill for his input and endorsement, they charge for the benchmark that is inherent with being a ltd model from FCS. And they cover overhead, advertising, and then want to make a profit for themselves and the FCS Dealer network.

What's your point? The same tear-down holds true for each and every bass, from the most expensive Fodera or Alembic to the cheapest most mass-produced import!

How much of the $4225 for a Sadowsky J-Bass is a novelty? How about a $9500 Ritter? How much do you think it costs to build a $350 Import Dean or Schecter?

If a player wishes to own a one-of 50 piece bass that is "Dusty Hill" style, or Geddy Lee, or Pino Palladino, or Reggie Hamilton, and he wants it to have the FCS brand...Guess what? That's going to be the price, minus what a Dealer can MAP etc it for.

Not agreeing with the profit margins and pricing structure is one thing, saying the bass is "Not worth it" is ONLY an opinion.
As I said, I guarantee you 50 players will most absolutely think it is worth every penny, and I KNOW it is an excellent bass- As was the Borracho, Porrazo, and the Prec Pro ltd. series.
 
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#105
Classic69 said:
Maybe, or maybe the style of the rhythm section called for more pocket-playing and less upfront fireworks.
Some pretty good tracks from Motown, Hi Records, etc.
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which didnt require up high playing therefore not pushing limits of bridge.... totally agree.

Tried playing all right now on a bridge like that also recently... sounded fine.

But my high fret jazz chording doesnt work without individual saddles... and low action.... so dusty does his thing and the bass is great.

But you can buy a used 1950s precision for less than that... right? Thats where i have an issue.

Also to me the old tele p basses are the weakest design.... not the best.

but damn whatever dusty played on cheap sunglasses is so grindy i would pay well for it!
 
#106
guy n. cognito said:
Can anyone explain why Classic69s opinion on these basses is "fact", while the rest of us with direct experience clearly don't know what we're talking about? Anyone?
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You've correctly identified the point at which he jumped the shark. At first it was, "you don't know unless you've played one." Then, it was, "if you've played one but didn't think much of it, you're wrong." We just have to accept that the guy really personally identifies with FCS instruments, which probably has to do in no small part with their cost and his investment and the personality that produces someone who pursues money enough to make such purchases, spends that much on basses, and is then reflexively defensive about them.

He's probably a nice guy and a good player. But it's personal, not reason, and we're all better off just going back to our preferred basses and not pursuing it. He has a bass he loves, and that's what we all want. Good for him.
 
#109
LanOsb133 said:
I love people who talk **** on Fender Custom Shop guitars, yet have never owned them. (And yes you HAVE to own one for an extended period of time to be able to have an opinion on them.)

Unless you own it, you will never understand why they are worth what they are worth. The craftsmanship that are put into these basses/guitars are absolutely superb, and while their prices are rising (and getting to the point of gibson.) they are still worth every penny, at this point in time. Also don't listen to people who have "played on in stores" because you don't get to know and respect the craftsmanship of the bass/guitar until its been in your hands for a while.

I know, people are still going to say how they are over priced, but tell that to my dad, who had an Original 1956 Strat that he sold, because his Fender Customshop felt better.
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You've just cited the rationale behind justifying the purchase of pretty much any expensive bass - Fodera, Sadowsky, Alleva-Coppolo, F Bass and a host of others. Fender Custom Shop basses are no different, except possibly for a little lower quality than those.
 
#110
Gorn Captain said:
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.
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I think at heart most of us want a bass that is different, unique or novel. That is why some folks are willing to shell out the big bucks for the high end boutique basses. As for me, I'll just keep on playing my run of the mill American Standard, Gibson USA or reissue basses.
 
#111
hsech said:
I think at heart most of us want a bass that is different, unique or novel. That is why some folks are willing to shell out the big bucks for the high end boutique basses. As for me, I'll just keep on playing my run of the mill American Standard, Gibson USA or reissue basses.
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I have a bunch of booteek basses, but I played a Fender at my gig Saturday night. If you want the Fender sound, why take chances with something other than a Fender?
 
#112
Classic69 said:
Okay! So YOU played it & it was nothing special. That settles that!:roflmao:

Uhhhhhhh. No.


BTW- I hate name-droppers!:roflmao:
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Not dropping names. I never met Dusty, he's not very sociable apparently. I just said I played a few of his basses. You asked about my experience with Dusty hill basses, so I'm answering your question. Lol. Omg.


Sent from my iPad using TalkBass
 
#114
(Obvious troll is obvious)
At risk of returning this conversation to the point, could we just ignore polarizing extreme opinions and state just facts about this particular bass?
There is one looking at me at my favourite store since a while now.
I don't have the cash to buy it, but I understand the appeal.
I just want to be informed, so to those who have tried it: What did you like and what did you not?
For the rest: What do you think of it?
Please, remain civilized ;)
 
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#115
theNecatoR said:
(Obvious troll is obvious)
At risk of returning this conversation to the point, could we just ignore polarizing extreme opinions and state just facts about this particular bass?
There is one looking at me on my favourite store since a while now.
I don't have the cash to buy it, but I understand the appeal.
I just want to be informed, so to those who have tried it: What did you like and what did you not?
For the rest: What do you think of it?
Please, remain civilized ;)
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Yes please.
 
#116
theNecatoR said:
(Obvious troll is obvious)
At risk of returning this conversation to the point, could we just ignore polarizing extreme opinions and state just facts about this particular bass?
There is one looking at me at my favourite store since a while now.
I don't have the cash to buy it, but I understand the appeal.
I just want to be informed, so to those who have tried it: What did you like and what did you not?
For the rest: What do you think of it?
Please, remain civilized ;)
Click to expand...
As someone who has actually played one...

It felt like a good seasoned old Fender. Probably a little hotter than a stock split P pickup, with a bit more bite. Played well, good setup. I didn't have a strobe tuner on me to check the intonation...


Sent from my iPad using TalkBass
 
#118
Moot points in this argument.

1. Building a bass yourself: sure I can be way better than a FSC. You don't have to pay yourself labor.

2. Overpriced. Fender thought it would be cool to make a run of basses to Dusty's specs. They have to pay Dusty too. If Sadowsky built a Dusty it would add $2500 to the price too.

3. There are a lot of Fender haters and a lot of Fender lovers in the world. Usually for inane reasons on both sides. Get over yourselves. I think booteek basses look stupid: why would you pay a premium for wood that has fungus in it (spalted)? Only musicians are stupid enough to pay extra for fungus. And don't get me started on the stupid shapes of those basses; although they do go well with the stupid Hawaiian shirts you all wear. :p :D. JK!!!

JK. JK.

4. That's my opinion, but it doesn't make me correct. Just correct in my mind.

This thread should have been shut down after post one. It's just useless smack. However, the voyeur in me is enjoying it immensely. :beaver:
 
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#120
chuck norriss said:
Anyway, this bass is growing on me. I like the gold version. Can't see why Fender don't have a shot of it on their site. Hmmm--Squier 50's bsb hmmm bubbly sound in my belly
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http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2013/0...d-edition-gold-top-dusty-hill-precision-bass/

Posted September no longer on FCS website meaning they either sold all they made to the FCS dealer network, or discontinued the gold-top and limited the run to either black or blonde finishes.
As for the other BS- It's a great bass; play one see for yourself. There are currently (2) on E-Bay at full buck, so the Dealers obviously know that the market is there. Maybe in a year, if they do not move there will be a price reduction, though you won't see them in the bargain bin.

I've played the Porazzo, I've played the Borracho, I own a PrecPro 2013 w/ (2) Duncan SC pups Jazz-wired V-V-T.
One of the best basses I own, and I have some nice ones to compare it to.
 
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