Fender Fullerton Reissue club

[Mikaelbass]

This baby has been loved. With this neck wear, are the frets original? How well it plays?
These Fullerton RI are great basses. A friend has a JB, that's the best J I've ever had in my hands.

Unsure if frets are original but plenty of life left. But a bass that is played that much surely would be a good. Sadly I won’t be able to play it first.

Jeez. Did the previous owner ever wash his hands?

I suspect with sweat like that they’re not around to be asked.

I wonder how baked in it is, if cleaning would even be a good idea?

 

[yodedude2]

not having the original case is sad but not bad. not having the original pickup, that could be bad...these puppies had the 'raised pole' pickups iirc.

 

[krfoss]

not having the original case is sad but not bad. not having the original pickup, that could be bad...these puppies had the 'raised pole' pickups iirc.

This model did. I wonder if fralin or similar could replicate one of the original pickups, but they prob have something already just as good.

 

[blr2]

Unsure if frets are original but plenty of life left. But a bass that is played that much surely would be a good. Sadly I won’t be able to play it first.

I suspect with sweat like that they’re not around to be asked.

I wonder how baked in it is, if cleaning would even be a good idea?

Well, some mojo is a good thing, but looking at the back of this neck, I would feel unclean by just touching it. If the lacquer is gone, this grime is pretty much baked in, and would be very difficult to clean. The absence of the original PU is another disadvantage. Looking at it again... I don't know man, I'd probably pass.

 

[Mikaelbass]

The bass to my understanding currently has an AVRI 57 pickup of some kind in it. With the raised A pole piece.



The bass is featured in this video, although at this point in time it had an SD pickup.

I don't necessarily mind how much mojo the bass has....I kinda like that more than "immaculate" or closet classic style basses.

Again, with the market these basses are now in, I dont want to spend excess of $5k AUD on a bass. And the only ones I see are all 7+, and I can do a trade in this instance which is more than helpful.

 

[yodedude2]

The bass to my understanding currently has an AVRI 57 pickup of some kind in it. With the raised A pole piece. ...

next best situation for collectability ~

 

[jmpiwonka]

The bass to my understanding currently has an AVRI 57 pickup of some kind in it. With the raised A pole piece.



The bass is featured in this video, although at this point in time it had an SD pickup.

I don't necessarily mind how much mojo the bass has....I kinda like that more than "immaculate" or closet classic style basses.

Again, with the market these basses are now in, I dont want to spend excess of $5k AUD on a bass. And the only ones I see are all 7+, and I can do a trade in this instance which is more than helpful.

i would jump on that bass if a trade was an option and had a bass i wanted to move. The neck might be kinda grimy but scotchbrite or something will prob clean it up.
Since it’s got a replaced pickup already you can swap in whatever. One of my favorites when i was swapping them in a parts bass was a seymour duncan Antiquity II.

 

[Mikaelbass]

i would jump on that bass if a trade was an option and had a bass i wanted to move. The neck might be kinda grimy but scotchbrite or something will prob clean it up.
Since it’s got a replaced pickup already you can swap in whatever. One of my favorites when i was swapping them in a parts bass was a seymour duncan Antiquity II.

I have secured the deal. It will be on its way to me soon!!

Ill porbably just leave the filth, unless its literally a physical build up. But with the neck finish being so checkered I am hestitant to do anything other than just rub it down with a dry microfiber cloth.

Yeah thats exactly right, and since its a high value bass I can justify looking at the ultra boutique pickups to suit.... But if it has the magic when I get it, I won't touch it. It currently has TI's on it which are nice, my fav flats are Fender 9050's, but never estranged from rounds on a P either.

 

[yodedude2]

i just put cobalt flats on my '57 f.r.i. and really like them much more than i expected ~

 

[Mikaelbass]

So this bass is the best Fender/pbass style bass I have ever played. The exact pickup is unknown other than it is an AVRI 57.....could probably investigate this further...but it is one of the smoothest sounding basses I have ever heard. With the tone rolled off it is like BUTTER.

The neck patina is amazing in person, and there is not any friction to speak of. I can't imagine playing anything else.

Still sorting the set up 100%, and unfortunately it has 1 or 2 high frets (17th, 20th) that I might have to tend to, but its not such a big deal as it only affects a few notes/strings. Not in a rush to put the bass under the knife just yet.

Had to tighten the tuner plates down a little bit, not big deal, didnt over tighten, once it felt snug that was good enough.

Unfortunately the pickup ashtray cover wont fit over the current pickup at its current height for whatever reason? Not too concerned.

Anyway TLDR; fantastic bass, the wear on the bass is earned, it is an astounding instrument. Even with the TI flats it 'sings'. I am sure some nice rounds on it would be good too, but this bass came with the TI's and I have no real reason to change them.

I also found then when I removed things from the signal chain (darkglassb7k which was usually an always on pedal in clean mode), the sound improved. Less was indeed more.

Still run it with a drudgetone angler, sounds so fat and tubey, with a lot of low end and clarity.

I will get more photos soon for everyone.

 

[krfoss]

What roundwound strings are you all using on the 62 p? I’m using TIs, but thinking of switching to the other side.

 

[patzilla83]

What roundwound strings are you all using on the 62 p? I’m using TIs, but thinking of switching to the other side.

DR Sunbeams. Sound great out of the box and even better after they’ve settled.

 

[Mikaelbass]

DR Sunbeams. Sound great out of the box and even better after they’ve settled.

I have enjoyed Sunbeams a lot in the past. I am loving my bass at the moment. But I primarily play at home to a wide range of music. I am wondering if perhaps a set of warm, fat, thick sounding roundwounds might be better. Roll the tone off if I want more old school sound?

I tend to not have the tone knob all the way up with the TI flats unless I am trying to get a "roundish" tone....but that doesnt work out all that well.

 

[Whale]

Following on the coattails of the comparison video above...

I have two Precisions: a 1984 Fullerton 62 AVRI and a 1984 MIJ JV 62. There is a fair amount of confusion regarding the JV model and rightfully so, but if anyone is interested in a side-by-side comparative review of the two, I'd be happy to throw something together.

 

[krfoss]

Following on the coattails of the comparison video above...

I have two Precisions: a 1984 Fullerton 62 AVRI and a 1984 MIJ JV 62. There is a fair amount of confusion regarding the JV model and rightfully so, but if anyone is interested in a side-by-side comparative review of the two, I'd be happy to throw something together.

I’d watch that.

 

[Whale]

Sadly, I don't have time to put together a video. Sorry. But I can give a somewhat detailed review of my AVRI 62 P Bass and my MIJ JV 62 P Bass.

I have been playing bass fairly steadily since 1977. During that span of years I have owned at least 100 different basses. I also worked as a luthier for a dozen or so years building basses and guitars. I'm not vain enough to think that I can offer the final word on anything, but I do have more experience than most.

With regard to my two '62 reissues, the first is a 1984 AVRI Precision and the other is a 1984 MIJ JV Precision. Before I get into this too far, I should add that there is A LOT of confusion regarding MIJ instruments. AVRIs came in one specific configuration. There were no options. Conversely, each MIJ model was/is offered in a variety of configurations or tiers. In this instance, my JV was the most expensive model available. It came factory equipped with USA pickups, USA pots, and USA tuners. Other JV 62 P Bass models of the same year were offered with Japanese hardware, basswood bodies, and polyester finishes. All of this means you cannot make a blanket statement when referring to a MIJ instrument. You must have a clear definition of the actual MIJ model to make a fair and valid comparison.

Visually, the two basses are very similar but have several notable differences. The AVRI has a tug bar and pickup/bridge covers. The JV does not. The burst finish on the AVRI is brighter while the JV has a darker, more golden-brown hue. The tort pickguards have different hues, as well. The AVRI pickguard is brighter (spaghetti) and the JV is more brown-ish and ugly by comparison, if I'm to be candid.

The bodies are exactly the same shape and the various carves are pretty darned close to identical, too. The JV does not have the router hump, however. Both bodies are made up of three pieces of alder and both are finished in nitrocellulose. Interestingly, the seams of both are in the same locations. The AVRI is heavier at 9lbs 3oz. The JV weighs in at 8lbs. 9oz.

As far as hardware goes, everything appears to be exactly the same. The pickups on both have almost identical resistance values, the same color bobbins, and the same sized poles. The pots look to be the same, but have different date codes (AVRI = 1378330. I can't read all of the JV code but it starts with 13783xx). Bridges are the same, but the AVRI has threaded saddles. The JV has smooth saddles. I haven't removed the tuners , but they look to be the same.

Both necks are awfully close in construction and feel. The JV has a much darker fretboard. It almost looks like ebony. Feel is subjective, but for my hands the JV is ever so slightly more comfortable. I can't say why though. It just feels better. Frets are the same and both have the hootenanny button. The neck on my AVRI previously had a ski-jump issue, but that was ironed out (literally) and plays like new now. The neck on the JV has been solid as a rock. The fretboard ends on the headstocks have a very similar shape, too. Both are curved (not a square 90 degree cut). Lastly, the finish on the AVRI has aged more darkly. The JV is still more blonde-ish.

Sound-wise, they have different personalities. They both have the same flat wound Thomastik JF344 strings and same set ups. Both hit with authority. By that I mean, the notes pound into your chest more than my other P Basses. The AVRI is more growly and aggressive. The JV is noticeably more "thumpy" and punchy. The notes seem to blossom very quickly. The AVRI reacts a little better when slapping or when using a pick. The JV has that Jamerson sound in spades. (This being said, I'm not sure anyone else would notice the differences. I only do because I have been playing both for so long and have an "intimate" relationship with them. A person with less acute hearing would very likely say they sound much the same.)

As far as workmanship goes, it's hard to say because they're both used basses. Apart from the ski-jump on the AVRI neck I haven't had a lick of trouble with either. Both stay in tune amazingly well, both have super-tight neck pockets, both have thin nitro (which tends to dent and wear easily), and the wood on both is perfectly adequate. The AVRI has the original "duckbill" tweed case. The JV has the original Fender gig bag (which is fine and does a decent job of protecting the bass, but it's still a gig bag).

So which would I take if I could only keep one? Probably the AVRI. Why? My decision would have nothing to do with playability, workmanship, or the sound. The two basses are so close in every possible respect that the differences are really quite small. Apart from a few items (pickguard colors, pickup/bridge covers, etc), they could be twins in almost every way. In fact, the Fender Japan catalog specifically states that the various parts are USA made. I'm not sure if this allows me to say Fender shipped hardware from the same bins/lots to Japan, though.

The AVRI models, however, have a stronger reputation and will probably appreciate in value as the years pass. The high-end JV bass is certainly rare and sought after. It is an excellent bass that is, without any doubts, heads and tails better than my three Custom Shop P Basses. But the models/years are steeped in confusion and unless you know what you're buying, you could easily end up with lesser model that is no better (or worse) than a MIM, for example.

So yeah... I love both basses. They're keepers in every way. And if I'm to be 100% honest, I was kind of hoping I could say the AVRI was better in some tangible way. Maybe it's the American in me or maybe I wanted the more expensive bass to prevail or maybe I drank a little bit of the kool-aid that suggests MIJ basses are second rate to American versions. But I have had a dozen or more fellow bassists do a detailed side by side comparison of the two and every last one has come away saying they're all but equal. (We even tried a blind test and apart from the weight of the two basses, we truthfully could not tell the difference in feel or sound).


One last item to share, a friend has a 1985-ish SQ serial number MIJ 62 reissue bass. It is the mid model. It does not sound or feel like either the AVRI or the JV. It is good and I certainly don't want to infer that there is something wrong with it (I hope you're reading this, James), but it doesn't have the same personality.

For those who do not know, JV serial number models were the first to be built by Fender Japan (from 1982 thru 1984) and were intended for the Japanese domestic market alone. They were never intended to be distributed or sold outside of Japan. The JV stands for Japanese Vintage, BTW. Instruments carrying the SQ serial numbers and all models that followed, were made to be distributed throughout the world.

Sorry for the long rambling post. I tried to be detailed, but that seems to have come at the cost of being somewhat verbose. I appear to be one of the few who own both basses so if anyone has any questions, I'd be more than happy to answer them.

 

[rmarshall]

TV

Ditto on Pepperoni.

woody j,

I am a distant relative of Paul Goddard (his sister, Nan, is my wife’s aunt. My sonbis a musician (amateur). I’d love to talk to you about Paul’s bass. My e-mail is [email protected]. Hope to hear from you.

Ditto on Pepperoni.

 

[Johnny Alien]

This is absolutely the wrong place to deal with this BUT I have some questions about the late 80's first Corona reissues. Does anyone have one of those? I am most curious about the earliest that often had some Fullerton parts on them. Like 02-03 serial numbers. I am wondering what the pickups were on those. I have one and am trying to identify if the pickups are original. I didn't seem to find where they had their own thread and since there are so few of them I assume if they did there wouldn't be much action.

 

[J-Bass RMR]

Coming “full-circle” with the Fullerton Vintage Series re-issues

(just finished reading through this thread for the 1st time)
I recently acquired my first Fullerton Vintage Series - an 1983 ’62 P, from another TB member, and at a very fair price.
They’ve been on my “hit-list” for a while, but for whatever reason, I never got around to one (and am now wondering “why did I wait so long”?!)

This one would be considered “players grade” as the pickups, pots, pickguard and bridge had been replaced (with really nice counter-parts),
but the “bones” are all there; original neck & body – that has some nice player’s wear - and it does “PLAY”! - and weighs in at ~8lbs.

I’m not much of a fan of “modern” Tort pickguards that are not vintage celluloid nitrate, so not having the original wasn’t a big deal to me.
I swapped out the (very-nice) supplied Spitfire with an orange-ish Lavaguard, that I think is reminiscent of (or at least a "nod" to) the VS series “pepperoni” guards, but gives it more of an authentic “vintage” look - IMO.

Not having the original pickups "allows the opportunity" to find a pickup that’s the “right-fit” for that particular bass. (something I indulged in during the 1st couple years of the pandemic), and I found the Seymour Duncan Antiquity II to be a great fit!

I have a process I go through with a new bass, so I gave it a full fret dress – only 2 minimally high frets, and drop-filled some mild nicks on the back of the neck – which is now just perfectly smooth!
The fingerboard is superb / flawless, perfectly straight, set to just bare minimum relief and among the lowest action I have.
(which I’ll likely raise before playing it out, as I tend to be a bit more aggressive then)

This is possibly the thinnest neck I have, definitely thinner than my ’64 P, and possibly thinner than my thinnest Jazz.
It’s proven to be incredibly stable so far, through some big weather swings here in a relatively short time.

The tuners work well.
One small detail vs. vintage Klusons I hadn’t noticed mentioned while reading through this thread, was other than the gear ratio, the machine bolt on these is smaller - a #2 head, vs. #3 on the originals (and most other re-issues.)

The bridge also had been replaced with an after-market relic, and there were some marks from a badass (or similar) being installed at one time – but buffed out nicely and is not really noticeable now.
It now sports a lightly relic’d Fender pure vintage bridge.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Full Circle” - A bit of background that all ties back into the Fullerton VS story.

In 1980, I got my 1st electric bass; a 1978 Fretless P.
A local bass player 6 years my senior, had sort of taken me under his wing.
His main bass was his 1960 Oly White P, and he already had an original ‘56/57 SCPB, and a couple ‘60s Jazz basses.
He talked a lot about going to see Larry Hendrikson at Ax in Hand, in Dekalb IL, where a few of his (and another local Bass player’s) basses had come from.
This is where & when my interest in Fender history started!
He had special ordered that fretless P from Larry, but after a year or so, he decided it wasn’t for him.
One day, he points to that bass, and said it would be the perfect bass for me, (having come from upright) and as fate would have it – it was!

He went over the details of that bass with me, (most of which were over my head at the time) and emphasized being careful when choosing any bass, but especially modern Fenders, as the QC had really gone down-hill under CBS in the 70s – and that 60s basses were the ones you really wanted (but would come at a higher cost) So I decided – one day – I would own 60s Fenders! (that day came 3 years later)

I don’t recall if it’s already been mentioned in this thread, but Bill Schultz & John Page traveled to Larry’s shop - Ax In Hand in Dekalb in the winter of 1981. This is where they acquired the vintage Fenders they used as the “blue print” for the Vintage Series:
Reverb Story - Dan Smith (scroll down a bit under the Photo of the '57 P & '61 Strat)
So, that's my small connection to "Fender history".

Fast Forward to 1983
My guitar player and I would go to Ward Brodt in Madison for theory lessons.
While waiting, I’d check out the basses hanging on the wall. One day, I spot a used Jazz Bass hanging below the newly arrived Fenders.
I knew right away it was a 60’-something bass, but $500 for a used Jazz Bass? Prices were getting out of control!
Then I looked at the new Fenders – and (IIRC) they had a $895.00 price tag! I just laughed. Why would you pay that for a modern Fender?!

The sales guy said he thought the used Jazz was a mid-70s something… I asked if they’d take $400, and he accepted.
That ’67 Jazz bass was my #1 for the next 20 years.

I’ve always enjoyed telling that story – with the contrast between the early Fenders and the sub-par basses they were selling back then.*

Back to the present;
I’ve been aware for some time that Bill Schultz had resurrected Fender when the company was bought from CBS in 1985, however, it wasn’t until more recently – while diving deeper into Fender History (especially with all the resources available now), that I really realized the changes at Fender started occurring in the early 80s while still under the CBS umbrella.
*And then It suddenly dawned on me - Those basses hanging there back in ’83 were the new Fullerton Vintage Series!
I never gave them a 2nd look (or a 2nd chance) at the time, but in hindsight, I do recall them being more “vintage” looking - especially having tort guards, which struck me at the time, since I hadn't seen them on new Fenders for years.

Now I know…
(and I'll be on the lookout for a '62 Jazz & "custom" colors)

 

[SJLee]

Coming “full-circle” with the Fullerton Vintage Series re-issues

(just finished reading through this thread for the 1st time)
I recently acquired my first Fullerton Vintage Series - an 1983 ’62 P, from another TB member, and at a very fair price.
They’ve been on my “hit-list” for a while, but for whatever reason, I never got around to one (and am now wondering “why did I wait so long”?!)

This one would be considered “players grade” as the pickups, pots, pickguard and bridge had been replaced (with really nice counter-parts),
but the “bones” are all there; original neck & body – that has some nice player’s wear - and it does “PLAY”! - and weighs in at ~8lbs.

I’m not much of a fan of “modern” Tort pickguards that are not vintage celluloid nitrate, so not having the original wasn’t a big deal to me.
I swapped out the (very-nice) supplied Spitfire with an orange-ish Avantguard, that I think is reminiscent of (or at least a "nod" to) the VS series “pepperoni” guards, but gives it more of an authentic “vintage” look - IMO.

Not having the original pickups "allows the opportunity" to find a pickup that’s the “right-fit” for that particular bass. (something I indulged in during the 1st couple years of the pandemic), and I found the Seymour Duncan Antiquity II to be a great fit!

I have a process I go through with a new bass, so I gave it a full fret dress – only 2 minimally high frets, and drop-filled some mild nicks on the back of the neck – which is now just perfectly smooth!
The fingerboard is superb / flawless, perfectly straight, set to just bare minimum relief and among the lowest action I have.
(which I’ll likely raise before playing it out, as I tend to be a bit more aggressive then)

This is possibly the thinnest neck I have, definitely thinner than my ’64 P, and possibly thinner than my thinnest Jazz.
It’s proven to be incredibly stable so far, through some big weather swings here in a relatively short time.

The tuners work well.
One small detail vs. vintage Klusons I hadn’t noticed mentioned while reading through this thread, was other than the gear ratio, the machine bolt on these is smaller - a #2 head, vs. #3 on the originals (and most other re-issues.)

The bridge also had been replaced with an after-market relic, and there were some marks from a badass (or similar) being installed at one time – but buffed out nicely and is not really noticeable now.
It now sports a lightly relic’d Fender pure vintage bridge.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Full Circle” - A bit of background that all ties back into the Fullerton VS story.

In 1980, I got my 1st electric bass; a 1978 Fretless P.
A local bass player 6 years my senior, had sort of taken me under his wing.
His main bass was his 1960 Oly White P, and he already had an original ‘56/57 SCPB, and a couple ‘60s Jazz basses.
He talked a lot about going to see Larry Hendrikson at Ax in Hand, in Dekalb IL, where a few of his (and another local Bass player’s) basses had come from.
This is where & when my interest in Fender history started!
He had special ordered that fretless P from Larry, but after a year or so, he decided it wasn’t for him.
One day, he points to that bass, and said it would be the perfect bass for me, (having come from upright) and as fate would have it – it was!

He went over the details of that bass with me, (most of which were over my head at the time) and emphasized being careful when choosing any bass, but especially modern Fenders, as the QC had really gone down-hill under CBS in the 70s – and that 60s basses were the ones you really wanted (but would come at a higher cost) So I decided – one day – I would own 60s Fenders! (that day came 3 years later)

I don’t recall if it’s already been mentioned in this thread, but Bill Schultz & John Page traveled to Larry’s shop - Ax In Hand in Dekalb in the winter of 1981. This is where they acquired the vintage Fenders they used as the “blue print” for the Vintage Series:
Reverb Story - Dan Smith (scroll down a bit under the Photo of the '57 P & '61 Strat)
So, that's my small connection to "Fender history".

Fast Forward to 1983
My guitar player and I would go to Ward Brodt in Madison for theory lessons.
While waiting, I’d check out the basses hanging on the wall. One day, I spot a used Jazz Bass hanging below the newly arrived Fenders.
I knew right away it was a 60’-something bass, but $500 for a used Jazz Bass? Prices were getting out of control!
Then I looked at the new Fenders – and (IIRC) they had a $895.00 price tag! I just laughed. Why would you pay that for a modern Fender?!

The sales guy said he thought the used Jazz was a mid-70s something… I asked if they’d take $400, and he accepted.
That ’67 Jazz bass was my #1 for the next 20 years.

I’ve always enjoyed telling that story – with the contrast between the early Fenders and the sub-par basses they were selling back then.*

Back to the present;
I’ve been aware for some time that Bill Schultz had resurrected Fender when the company was bought from CBS in 1985, however, it wasn’t until more recently – while diving deeper into Fender History (especially with all the resources available now), that I really realized the changes at Fender started occurring in the early 80s while still under the CBS umbrella.
*And then It suddenly dawned on me - Those basses hanging there back in ’83 were the new Fullerton Vintage Series!
I never gave them a 2nd look (or a 2nd chance) at the time, but in hindsight, I do recall them being more “vintage” looking - especially having tort guards, which struck me at the time, since I hadn't seen them on new Fenders for years.

Now I know…
(and I'll be on the lookout for a '62 Jazz & "custom" colors)


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Beautiful! Is that an after market guard?