Fender Fullerton Reissue club

[InnerBass]

I bought my '73 S/B J from Umanov, I paid a few hundred over market price at the time (they are a bit pricey but very reputable) but I didn't mind because it was a fabulous light example that played and sounded fantastic).

I doubt they'll budge on the price.

For that money I'd buy a used '59 Custom Shop Fender Relic any day of the week.

If they are a reputable store, then to a lightly informed customer like me the extra $ is worth it, IMHO.

Do '59 custom shops have a C (1 3/4") profile as well? As I mentioned, I played a' 59 MB P by Jason Smith and my left hand almost fell off after 1/2 hr of rigorous playing.

Because I like B profile necks, maybe I should look for a CS P with that profile? Can you order CS from Fender just like a MB?

A B profile CS P sounds really comfy to my left hand. I'm not necessarily a relic guy so cosmetics are down on my list.

I'm assuming not all CS get the relic treatment? It seems the relic models are more $.

Thanks One Drop - super info !

Cheers

RBJ

 

[Johnny Alien]

As far as early 70's P's go, maybe up to 1972 - i sh? That really helps to narrow my search.

IMO I would say up to 73 actually. Like I said there are plenty of good ones in the following years too it's just a matter of actually playing it vs blindly buying and on top of that people want to get "vintage prices" for those years and I am not sure they are worth it.

 

[One Drop]

I forgot about your experience with a MB '59. Personally I'm okay with a C width neck if it's not too thick front to back.

I was disappointed the new AV '58 didn't have a slightly narrower neck like the originals often (usually) did.

If you're set on a Fullerton be patient and one will come along.

That said, if you have $2.5k burning a hole in your pocket, pick up that one, or look for an early '73 S/B J, make sure it's lightweight (under 9lbs).

You might also find a black blocks and binding one, they are killer looking and fairly rare so you'll stand out a bit.

 

[InnerBass]

IMO I would say up to 73 actually. Like I said there are plenty of good ones in the following years too it's just a matter of actually playing it vs blindly buying and on top of that people want to get "vintage prices" for those years and I am not sure they are worth it.

I sure get that JA.

I just saw this on TB. For Sale - Fiesta Red Fender Fullerton '62 Reissue Precision

A J neck on a P (not necessarily this one) might be the way to go for me.

I am on a medical leave until the end of the month and then I start gigging again in earnest.

That's why I may sound like I'm in a rush. Once I start up again, it's hard to find the time to really scour the internet.

In Seattle, the nice Fenders just disappear so fast, and they are usually way overpriced.

Thanks again JA!

Cheers

RBJ

 

[InnerBass]

I forgot about your experience with a MB '59. Personally I'm okay with a C width neck if it's not too thick front to back.

I was disappointed the new AV '58 didn't have a slightly narrower neck like the originals often (usually) did.

If you're set on a Fullerton be patient and one will come along.

That said, if you have $2.5k burning a hole in your pocket, pick up that one, or look for an early '73 S/B J, make sure it's lightweight (under 9lbs).

You might also find a black blocks and binding one, they are killer looking and fairly rare so you'll stand out a bit.

What does your informed opinion think about this TB offering, OneDrop?

For Sale - Fiesta Red Fender Fullerton '62 Reissue Precision

 

[Johnny Alien]

It may be a tad high priced BUT if the pickups are fullerton as well it's likely a great bass. I have played a few of those official reissue necks and they were really nice necks. I always meant to pick one up if I saw one for sale.

 

[Latitude94941]

If they are a reputable store, then to a lightly informed customer like me the extra $ is worth it, IMHO.

Do '59 custom shops have a C (1 3/4") profile as well? As I mentioned, I played a' 59 MB P by Jason Smith and my left hand almost fell off after 1/2 hr of rigorous playing.

Because I like B profile necks, maybe I should look for a CS P with that profile? Can you order CS from Fender just like a MB?

A B profile CS P sounds really comfy to my left hand. I'm not necessarily a relic guy so cosmetics are down on my list.

I'm assuming not all CS get the relic treatment? It seems the relic models are more $.

Thanks One Drop - super info !

Cheers

RBJ

Just to keep things clear: as Narud stated, Fender A/B/C neck designations have nothing to do with the PROFILE of the neck--they refer only to the WIDTH of the neck at the nut. Where things can get confusing is that there is also a common neck profile that is referred to as a C--as in, "that neck has a shallow C profile." Other terms for neck PROFILES are D-shaped, U-shaped, V-shaped, etc. So an early 70s Precision could (and often does) have a U-shaped B neck.

The 59 Custom Shop you played apparently had a C width neck but what was the profile (shape) of the neck? Was it deep or shallow front to back? That has as much to do with left hand comfort as neck width.

And: what kind of strings were on the CS and how was it set up? That usually has a lot more to do with how your left hand feels after extended playing time than an additional 1/8" neck width (nominal difference between B and C).

 

[InnerBass]

Just to keep things clear: as Narud stated, Fender A/B/C neck designations have nothing to do with the PROFILE of the neck--they refer only to the WIDTH of the neck at the nut. Where things can get confusing is that there is also a common neck profile that is referred to as a C--as in, "that neck has a shallow C profile." Other terms for neck PROFILES are D-shaped, U-shaped, V-shaped, etc. So an early 70s Precision could (and often does) have a U-shaped B neck.

The 59 Custom Shop you played apparently had a C width neck but what was the profile (shape) of the neck? Was it deep or shallow front to back? That has as much to do with left hand comfort as neck width.

And: what kind of strings were on the CS and how was it set up? That usually has a lot more to do with how your left hand feels after extended playing time than an additional 1/8" neck width (nominal difference between B and C).

Here is some photos of the exact bass I played.

Can you tell by the photos what the shape of the neck is Lattitude?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Latitude94941]

Here is some photos of the exact bass I played.

Can you tell by the photos what the shape of the neck is Lattitude?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

No way to tell from those photos. Here's a handy graphic to give you some idea of the various Fender profiles (their are many depth variations for each profile):

 

[InnerBass]

Hey Fender Precision Experts!

I have some photos of a '76 P I'm looking at?

Listed as all original.

Looks yummy : )

Opinions?

 

[BritBass 2]

The pickguard is darker than most fullerton pepperoni guards but it's original and the rest of the bass looks to be as well (can't see inside of it of course). It's definitely a Fullerton as it has all of the clear signs and at least one cover is included. The price is a premium for a sunburst BUT it's not horrible for a "guitar store" price. It doesn't say if the case that comes with it is original but if so it's not a bad buy. I would try to get a couple hundred off. It's not uncommon at all for a Fullerton to have the obvious multi-piece body like that but not everyone likes that look.

If you are looking for a Precision sound but don't get along with the wide neck you for sure want to stay away from a Fullerton. The necks are full P width but they are very skinny from the front to back. Going to a jazz makes sense from a neck perspective but again for that price there is no reason you couldn't score an equally good more modern bass with a Precision body and jazz neck. Or get the Precision and get used to the profile.

Given the information ,on four of their other old stock basses "w/ohsc" , in contrast the '82 American Vintage Re-Issue '62 Jazz description is "w/hoc" - therefore I'd assume non original. As the case candy is also absent it would definitely be worth negotiating a price reduction.
It appears the finish in places is missing on the headstock sides / neck rear at the nut . The nitro on these reissues can react badly to various stands so case storage is by far the best option.

 

[InnerBass]

Given the information ,on four of their other old stock basses "w/ohsc" , in contrast the '82 American Vintage Re-Issue '62 Jazz description is "w/hoc" - therefore I'd assume non original. As the case candy is also absent it would definitely be worth negotiating a price reduction.
It appears the finish in places is missing on the headstock sides / neck rear at the nut . The nitro on these reissues can react badly to various stands so case storage is by far the best option.

Thanks Britbass!

I have been scouring the internet for an original Fullerton P or J reissue of any kind in good shape. The pickins are slim - and for good reason.

They are awesome and no one wants to give them up !

That being said, I think waiting patiently until one is available here on TB is the the course of acton, for me at least.

After reading the breadth of collective knowledge you all have, it makes sense to wait for the unicorn to pop up in this awesome TB forum and jump on it - if the price is relatively reasonable.

If the P reissues have necks that are all similarly big, like the one I played, it seems like a J is the way to go for me. I need a comfy neck I can play all night.

I will be waiting, watching and hoping for the best

Many thanks sand cheers!

RBJ

 

[BritBass 2]

Thanks Britbass!

I have been scouring the internet for an original Fullerton P or J reissue of any kind in good shape. The pickins are slim - and for good reason.

They are awesome and no one wants to give them up !

That being said, I think waiting patiently until one is available here on TB is the the course of acton, for me at least.

After reading the breadth of collective knowledge you all have, it makes sense to wait for the unicorn to pop up in this awesome TB forum and jump on it - if the price is relatively reasonable.

If the P reissues have necks that are all similarly big, like the one I played, it seems like a J is the way to go for me. I need a comfy neck I can play all night.

I will be waiting, watching and hoping for the best

Many thanks sand cheers!

RBJ

I'll keep a lookout and let you know if anything turns up.

 

[InnerBass]

I'll keep a lookout and let you know if anything turns up.

Thanks - that would be awesome!

I've heard there are 10 rules in life - patience being the first two.

Still learning that one : )

 

[MetsMan75]

One of the things I appreciate most about my 1982 '57 Precision reissue is the body contours: compared to my other Precisions, the deeper contours on the Fullerton allow the body to sit tighter to my body and the contours put my plucking hand in a better position.

So for those that have had the chance to compare: on the Fullerton '57 Precisions, are the contours accurate when compared to the original instruments?

Compared to my original '57 they were identical.

 

[MetsMan75]

I've heard that about the 60s models but am wondering about the accuracy of the body contouring on the '57s. Would anyone (like @WoodyJ ) who has had access to both an original and a Fullerton reissue '57 care to weigh in on this?

Contours were pretty much identical on my fullerton '57 reissue and real '57.

 

[Latitude94941]

Contours were pretty much identical on my fullerton '57 reissue and real '57.

Thanks for the answers, MetsMan.

This raises the question: why did Leo switch to shallower body contouring on Precisions in the early 1960s? It doesn't seem to make any sense from an ergonomic perspective.

Does anybody have any insight on this, or care to speculate?

 

[MetsMan75]

Thanks for the answers, MetsMan.

This raises the question: why did Leo switch to shallower body contouring on Precisions in the early 1960s? It doesn't seem to make any sense from an ergonomic perspective.

Does anybody have any insight on this, or care to speculate?

I never owned an early '60s p bass but have owned a few genuine '50s p basses at different times and all 3 had the very deep contours the fullertons are known for. I have owned '70s p basses and some were close but not quite as deep. My very first bass, an early '90s p bass has very shallow and chunky contours. I have owned more recent reissues and custom shop and they are also not as deep. The only other bass I own that is similiar to the contours of my '50s basses and fullertons is a late '70s-early '80s blonde standard p bass body. Has the same very deep contours that I love. I really dont understand why the newer reissues don't have them on the '50s style p bass. They are cnc'd now but is it just laziness on their part? I actually wont buy a newer reissue or custom shop anymore because of it. Bothers me. Ive seen squiers with nicer contours than custom shop and some of the more modern p's. With the amount of $ the custom shop charges you would think they would put more effort into something like that. Another interesting thing is the roadworns. I had a 1st year '50s roadworn and later on aquired a more recent one and there was a significant difference in contours. Not that the RW ever had fullerton style contours but the first couple years were more accurate for a '50s bass. Now they are typical shallow chunky contours. Now i buy my own bodies and sand them down to my liking

 

[BritBass 2]

Thanks for the answers, MetsMan.

This raises the question: why did Leo switch to shallower body contouring on Precisions in the early 1960s? It doesn't seem to make any sense from an ergonomic perspective.

Does anybody have any insight on this, or care to speculate?

I can only assume the reduction in contours is one of cost , less time required shaping.

 

[MetsMan75]

I can only assume the reduction in contours is one of cost , less time required shaping.

Yeah well time is $