Fender Fullerton Reissue club

[Whale]

Pics from Norman's Rare Guitars site...

 

[Pontiac Thrasher]

For all of the great basses that we miss out on, it's doubly nice when one happens to fall into our lap.

I couldn't sleep last night so I sat in bed casually browsing the various sites and such on my iPad. One of the sites I happened upon was Norman's Rare Guitars in Tarzana. Normally, everything they have to offer is more than I wish to spend, but amongst their listings was a '57 AVRI that caught my eye. Their ad merely said "Used Fender P-Bass Re-issue Sunburst". They didn't list a year and the photos were hopelessly small. By zooming in with my iPad I was able to see the serial number (which suggested it was a 1983/84).

I called this morning, asked them to send me a photo of the neck date, and what'dya know but it was made on December 10th 1982. Best of all, the bass is pristine, comes with the original case, and the price was very very affordable.

This just goes to show that it's possible to find great basses in great condition.

I'll share more pics as soon as the bass arrives.

View attachment 7118841

That's awesome, is the body lightweight?

 

[Whale]

Dunno. I asked for the weight when I called, but they said they were slammed and barely had time to get the neck date. I figured this was one of those instances where hesitation or a delayed decision could cost me dearly, so I stepped forward and went for it.

Thankfully, my band has been EXTREMELY busy these past two years (123 gigs just last year and 110 the year before). This has given me the the opportunity to afford a few of my dream basses. If this particular bass ends up weighing a ton I'll either use it for studio work or put it up for sale in the TB classifieds to give someone else a chance to enjoy it.

 

[Johnny Alien]

I'm shocked that Norman's had a good price on something. They want $1600 for a Fender Bullet bass

 

[Whale]

I'm shocked that Norman's had a good price on something. They want $1600 for a Fender Bullet bass

Exactly!! They basically had no clue of what they had, nor did they take the time to find out. This is doubly strange since they're in the business of buying/selling rare and upscale instruments.

Of course, with my luck Fate will play some sort of dirty trick like having a steamroller run over me the day after the bass arrives.

 

[Pontiac Thrasher]

Dunno. I asked for the weight when I called, but they said they were slammed and barely had time to get the neck date. I figured this was one of those instances where hesitation or a delayed decision could cost me dearly, so I stepped forward and went for it.

Thankfully, my band has been EXTREMELY busy these past two years (123 gigs just last year and 110 the year before). This has given me the the opportunity to afford a few of my dream basses. If this particular bass ends up weighing a ton I'll either use it for studio work or put it up for sale in the TB classifieds to give someone else a chance to enjoy it.

This is my since new Dec of 1982 57ri, well, what's left of it, the neck, neck plate w serial #, and pickguard. Re-bodied with a 1983 Fender Precision Elite. As new, this bass weighed nothing, I miss that! Now it weighs a ton. The color of the early pickguards was better, I used to work in anodizing and it is an art, I believe they were real picky in 1982 to launch the series.
: )

 

[davelowell2]

Hi, club.

I just want to show off my first Fullerton Reissue to the club that will appreciate it the most.

You've seen it here before, a few pages back.
I was lucky enough to work out a deal with @lala and let me tell you what a treat to deal with he was! Thanks, lala!

I'm very smitten with it.

 

[Whale]

So clean and so beautiful !!!!

 

[Glenn Walker]

That's a beauty! @lala is a fine connissuerr of basses. That is undoubtedly a fine addition.

 

[lala]

Hi, club.

I just want to show off my first Fullerton Reissue to the club that will appreciate it the most.

You've seen it here before, a few pages back.
I was lucky enough to work out a deal with @lala and let me tell you what a treat to deal with he was! Thanks, lala!

I'm very smitten with it.

View attachment 7139135

THX Dave! Likewise! Enjoy!

 

[lala]

That's a beauty! @lala is a fine connissuerr of basses. That is undoubtedly a fine addition.

THX Glenn! YOU TOO!!

 

[lala]

So sad I no longer have a Fullerton.
However, I'm investing my bass sales proceeds into recording gear so I can record the album of my life. So my attention has focused away from basses and towards melodies, lyrics, and recording skills.

 

[krfoss]

Is this the original steal that came with the bass? It came with the bass when I bought it in 2020, but I like my Franklin wide strap. Original or not, it's been sitting in the case for years and was hard, but after three liberal coverings of saddle leather conditioner it's pretty soft now. Really lends the classic look.

 

[xsnrg27]

Traded a guitar that I barely played for this beautiful Fullerton Jazz. I believe it is a 1982 for several reasons..It has Red Bobbin Bridge Pickup: A distinctive
feature found in select early '82 reissues with a Black Bobbin Pickup in the neck position. The Original Electronics: CTS stacked
concentric volume and tone pots, with date codes indicating production in the 7th and 16th weeks of 1982. It also has the Quality control sticker, although it does not have a pencil mark on the heel (known in early 1982 models). The only thing that is weird is it is a V014 (six digit) which usually suggests a 1984 Fullerton Reissue. it plays phenomenally with a great neck. i have included pics for the masses.

 

[porterbass]

Traded a guitar that I barely played for this beautiful Fullerton Jazz. I believe it is a 1982 for several reasons..It has Red Bobbin Bridge Pickup: A distinctive
feature found in select early '82 reissues with a Black Bobbin Pickup in the neck position. The Original Electronics: CTS stacked
concentric volume and tone pots, with date codes indicating production in the 7th and 16th weeks of 1982. It also has the Quality control sticker, although it does not have a pencil mark on the heel (known in early 1982 models). The only thing that is weird is it is a V014 (six digit) which usually suggests a 1984 Fullerton Reissue. it plays phenomenally with a great neck. i have included pics for the masses.

Very nice score! Congratulations!

I wouldn't read anything into the serial number being V014... They didn't go sequentially in the least bit. My 1983 '62 Precision reissue has a V015... serial number with a Dec '82 neck, July '83 pickups, etc.

Does it have the deep tummy cutout on the back? And the slight dimple on the back near the strap button?

They're very special basses...enjoy it!!!

 

[xsnrg27]

Very nice score! Congratulations!

I wouldn't read anything into the serial number being V014... They didn't go sequentially in the least bit. My 1983 '62 Precision reissue has a V015... serial number with a Dec '82 neck, July '83 pickups, etc.

Does it have the deep tummy cutout on the back? And the slight dimple on the back near the strap button?

They're very special basses...enjoy it!!!

it does !!!

 

[davelowell2]

it does !!!

I'm having trouble picturing the dimple, any pics of it?

 

[mikeswals]

All these stack knob reissues have 1982 pot dates. The lot they got was huge and lasted nearly 8 years.

Beauty of a Jazz! It looks great in black.

 

[Allotabass1]

I guy from France is selling his '82 57 Reissue and I noticed something familiar. Both of our basses were made on the same day with the same wonky rubber stamp.
The pickups had different employee numbers but they too were made on the same day too. The pot codes are off by one week. 10th week of 81 for mine and 11th week of 81 for his. I see build dates with my birthday all of the time, but on the same '82 Reissue call for a party.

 

[Rasmusraye]

Hey all, looking to buy a Fullerton AVRI and found this for sale.
The seller says its one of the last to leave the factory in 84.
Does this check the "Fullerton marks"?

Serial number is: V0108xx

Pictures attached but sadly non of the neck taken off.

Hope you can help out!

Best wishes