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Fender Fullerton Reissue club

#1,181
I am always amazed at the values people place on their items. I would be more amazed if anyone was actually purchasing those items at the prices being asked. Perhaps, in another 5 or so years the "Fullerton" basses will have increased to the amount that specific seller is asking. If so, those of us who currently own one will be pleased with the appreciation. But if I'm to be completely candid, I never stop to consider the resale value of my bass in terms of dollars or euros. To me, the real value is in the way it plays and sounds. I've owned upwards of 50 or 60 basses and while some were fantastic and some more expensive, none could replace what I have found in my AVRI. It is everything I could want and more.
 
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#1,182
Whale said:
I am always amazed at the values people place on their items. I would be more amazed if anyone was actually purchasing those items at the prices being asked. Perhaps, in another 5 or so years the "Fullerton" basses will have increased to the amount that specific seller is asking. If so, those of us who currently own one will be pleased with the appreciation. But if I'm to be completely candid, I never stop to consider the resale value of my bass in terms of dollars or euros. To me, the real value is in the way it plays and sounds. I've owned upwards of 50 or 60 basses and while some were fantastic and some more expensive, none could replace what I have found in my AVRI. It is everything I could want and more.
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Yeah I mean maybe collectors are paying those prices but I don’t think people who actually play them would. There are just too many great options out there to justify that price
 
#1,183
Hello my new Fullerton AVS friends... Thank you all so much for all of the information and passion that's gone into this thread over many years! I've read the entire thread when I had time this week. Just finished. A very special shout out to @Whale for that incredible read...your conversation with the ex-fender person. Amazing! Thank you!!!

I'm the proud new owner of an '83 Fender AVS '62 Precision in sunburst. Outstanding condition. I've been looking for a "regular" AVRI '62 P for a while and was lucky enough to come across this bass. I've known the Fullertons were "somewhat" special, but I had no idea about all of this until reading this thread. This bass is truly amazing to play and listen to. It will be a lifer for me. The first thing I did was put on a set of Sadowsky Black Label flats I've been saving. The tone is incredible. I might like this better than my Fender Custom Shop '54 style P bass (with dual Seymour Duncan '51 stack pickups).

I'll take some good pics and post them, hopefully this weekend. I don't think a screw has ever been touched on this except for the truss rod nut, but I removed the neck to check what I suspected was a Fullerton (because of the pickguard). The neck date is penciled in either 2/21/82 or 12/21/82 with the J. Torres stamp. There's a name stamp in the body neck pocket, but I can't tell what it is... maybe "R. MOR..." If any of you can suggest what that name might be, I'd appreciate it. The bottom of the pickups are stamped 21-7-83, so I'm assuming that's July 21, 1983, yes?

Thank you again for all the info posted! I think this Precision has all the details described in this thread.
 
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#1,184
Here are a few photos I took of the neck, the neck pocket, and pickups. I'll have to look at the neck date again vs this photo. I seem to think there might be more of a trace of a 1 digit in from the 2 in the month that doesn't show up well in the photos (the flash photos I took were worse):

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#1,185
Welcome to the Fullerton club! I'm glad (but not surprised) to hear you're enjoying your bass.

It's interesting to see the date codes on your Precision. If all is original - and there's no reason to think that it isn't - the neck and possibly the body, as well, hung around for six months or more until they added the pickups. You figure they would have wanted to get the inventory out the door faster, but that's Fender for you.

Did you get the original case with your bass?

Also, please share more pics !
 
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#1,186
Whale said:
Welcome to the Fullerton club! I'm glad (but not surprised) to hear you're enjoying your bass.

It's interesting to see the date codes on your Precision. If all is original - and there's no reason to think that it isn't - the neck and possibly the body, as well, hung around for six months or more until they added the pickups. You figure they would have wanted to get the inventory out the door faster, but that's Fender for you.

Did you get the original case with your bass?

Also, please share more pics !
Click to expand...

Yes, that's exactly what I thought...the time period between the neck date and pickups seems long for this era from what I've read here. Looking the whole bass over, it is really in outstanding condition with just a slight bit of checking in the finish. Has every marker I've read about on this thread...the router hump, the pattern and color of the sunburst spray, slight curve with the rosewood at the top of the fretboard, the body contours, drilled pilot holes for the bridge cover that was never mounted, etc. And I'm serious about it not looking like a screw has been touched. I felt bad taking off the neck and pickup covers because of this. It even had a couple of educational bass books from '85 or so in the case with it. I'm not sure about the case though...that's a puzzle to me. I don't think it has the "duck foot" pull tab but everything else seems to line up. Had both the pickup and bridge covers in the case. I'll take some pics this weekend and post them here.

I think it's all original, but it doesn't matter to me. It plays incredible and the tone is perfect. I keep reaching for it to play it when I have a few minutes. I don't think I've ever desired to play a bass as much as this. It's kind of weird.

Anyway, I greatly appreciate all of your help and input! I'm not a collector. I just was looking for a player ('62 reissue) that fits me. I had a '63 AVRI in the faded sonic blue but the neck didn't agree with me because of the thickness. I determined the "flatter" neck of the '62 is better for me.

More pics this weekend. Thank you again!
 
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#1,187
Not sure if it is kosher to add a link to a bass for sale, but in the interest of those who are looking for a Fullerton reissue I came across this bass on the Guitar Center Used section. I zoomed in on the serial number and from what I can tell it appears to be within range of the Fullerton models.

The pickups have been replaced, so this assumes the employee at GC who identified it as a 1982 was knowledgeable enough to look for date codes.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#1,188
I called on that GC bass. Replacement pickups and electronics. No case. They can't verify the date on the heel because it's not their job.
Unless it's stock, it's too much and too costly to find the factory parts.

With the prices going bonkers because of some dealers who bought a bunch of inexpensive import reissues a year or so ago are now dumping them with record high costs.
Last year an 82 or 83 was $1700, now it's $3k and for no good reason. I scored a May 82 for $1500 with the pre badge case. An 82 JB $1400 also with the case. There is nothing logical about what were seeing other than who is doing it.
 
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#1,189
I agree. The asking prices for used instruments have become absurd. But then, the same can be said for almost anything that is old and/or vintage.... vehicle prices are a very good example of how insane things have become.

But old items don't have a lock on being over-priced. When I look at the cost of high-end boutique basses, I have to shake my head in wonder. I couldn't justify, much less afford to shell out $4K on a bass.

It can be debated how much they're actually worth, but at least the Fullerton AVRIs are above average in terms of quality, sound, and playability. It's taken me years to find a bass that fits me and my style of play so well, so I wouldn't sell mine for twice what I paid.
 
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#1,190
Whale said:
It can be debated how much they're actually worth, but at least the Fullerton AVRIs are above average in terms of quality, sound, and playability. It's taken me years to find a bass that fits me and my style of play so well, so I wouldn't sell mine for twice what I paid.
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I agree too. I've always been a Jazz Bass guy and I've owned, well.....too many.
I searched for a long time for the right Precision and almost all fell flat for me until I found the best 57 Reissue and put 25 year old flats on it. I'm a better player for it.
Life without it would be meaningless.
 
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#1,192
Funny side note:

Since I found my ‘83 ‘62 reissue p bass, I’ve been playing it around the house exclusively. While I knew I loved the thin neck profile, I didn’t realize how used to it I’ve become. Tonight I picked up my Lakeland 5502 and it felt like a 4x4 in my hands. Not the thickness side to side, but front to back. And I remember it feeling thinner than my fender V that it replaced!

The necks on these fender reissues are special. Now my problem is that I need to find a 5 string bass that has a similar neck profile. GAS is never ending.

Any suggestions for a 5 string bass that has a similarly thin neck?
 
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#1,193
krfoss said:
Funny side note:

Since I found my ‘83 ‘62 reissue p bass, I’ve been playing it around the house exclusively. While I knew I loved the thin neck profile, I didn’t realize how used to it I’ve become. Tonight I picked up my Lakeland 5502 and it felt like a 4x4 in my hands. Not the thickness side to side, but front to back. And I remember it feeling thinner than my fender V that it replaced!

The necks on these fender reissues are special. Now my problem is that I need to find a 5 string bass that has a similar neck profile. GAS is never ending.

Any suggestions for a 5 string bass that has a similarly thin neck?
Click to expand...

Two fivers come to mind that are similarly thin and comfortable, MTD & Dingwall.
 
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#1,194
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porterbass said:
Yes, that's exactly what I thought...the time period between the neck date and pickups seems long for this era from what I've read here. Looking the whole bass over, it is really in outstanding condition with just a slight bit of checking in the finish. Has every marker I've read about on this thread...the router hump, the pattern and color of the sunburst spray, slight curve with the rosewood at the top of the fretboard, the body contours, drilled pilot holes for the bridge cover that was never mounted, etc. And I'm serious about it not looking like a screw has been touched. I felt bad taking off the neck and pickup covers because of this. It even had a couple of educational bass books from '85 or so in the case with it. I'm not sure about the case though...that's a puzzle to me. I don't think it has the "duck foot" pull tab but everything else seems to line up. Had both the pickup and bridge covers in the case. I'll take some pics this weekend and post them here.

I think it's all original, but it doesn't matter to me. It plays incredible and the tone is perfect. I keep reaching for it to play it when I have a few minutes. I don't think I've ever desired to play a bass as much as this. It's kind of weird.

Anyway, I greatly appreciate all of your help and input! I'm not a collector. I just was looking for a player ('62 reissue) that fits me. I had a '63 AVRI in the faded sonic blue but the neck didn't agree with me because of the thickness. I determined the "flatter" neck of the '62 is better for me.

More pics this weekend. Thank you again!
Click to expand...
Fullerton tweed cases are fairly easy to identify, the centre latch is faired, rich brown leather ends , plush red interiors (Corona tend to be orange ) and the duck foot pull tab are easy giveaways. Very early examples don’t tend to have the Fender badge although this soon changed after the Reissues were introduced .
 
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#1,195

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