Scott apparently just gone one .. seems to be happy with it.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Fender Master Built review out
- Thread starter SamJ
- Start date
- Status
I watched that. More power to those who A) can easily fit that in their budget and B) believe/think/feel that the difference in quality justifies the price (for those who haven’t watched it, $7000 + for a master built bass).
And before someone jumps in and mentions the price of pianos or trumpets, I get it, but you can buy a quite nice bass for under $1000. You can even get one from a luthier for under $4000.
And before someone jumps in and mentions the price of pianos or trumpets, I get it, but you can buy a quite nice bass for under $1000. You can even get one from a luthier for under $4000.
Last edited:
So I take it you really wouldn't approve of Alembic and Wal bass purchases then, right?
Exactly how much does this precision bass cost? Several thousand dollars? To answer the question presented in the thumbnail of this video, no. It’s not worth it. That’s ******* insane, IMO.
I think the position I would take is the measure of somethings "worth" .. or what is value to someone is purely subjective.. and might have a lot to do with their economic situation.. I doubt Geddy Lee grabs his newer Jazz Basses off the wall at the Montreal Guitar Center... know what I mean?
You’re putting words in my mouth; I don’t approve or disapprove. As I said, more power to those who can discern the qualitative difference between, say, a $3600 Lakeland 44-64 and the master-built P bass in that video and feel that that difference is worth paying for.So I take it you really wouldn't approve of Alembic and Wal bass purchases then, right?
Even with Geddy Lee money, I don’t think the monetary value of a master built Fender is reasonable.
not my intent... I'd say there is good reason for many decisions people make.. I used to never get why anyone would by a Sadowsky NYC.. then I played one.. now I want one!
And I installed one of their pre-amps into my "Fender" !
I don’t think that video did a very good job differentiating a master built features from a custom shop, from a typical American standard. That’s kinda what I was expecting.
Maybe because there are none, aside from added mojo of a master builder supervising a build.
For me, it’s a “no”. I’m happy to spend under $2K on a well made P Bass, that’s functionally sound, that I can tweak to my liking.
For those who go that way, awesome. Rock it. They’re a thing of beauty, and perhaps, more of a work of art than your typical P Bass. Hard to put a price on beauty or art. When it hits you that way, money is no object.
Maybe because there are none, aside from added mojo of a master builder supervising a build.
For me, it’s a “no”. I’m happy to spend under $2K on a well made P Bass, that’s functionally sound, that I can tweak to my liking.
For those who go that way, awesome. Rock it. They’re a thing of beauty, and perhaps, more of a work of art than your typical P Bass. Hard to put a price on beauty or art. When it hits you that way, money is no object.
in my case, it was the only way to get a Fender Jazz bass with an ebony fretboard that opened up the conversation .. I then had Dennis Galuska essentially custom measure my needs and built that into the Jbass .. the neck profile, thickness, body weight (did ash for a total weight of 7.9lbs).. pickups were Joe Barden.. etc.. It was "Customized" in such a way as to force it into the "master" built category..
$7000...Yipes!
Less than "Master Built"...
But it's my all time favorite Fender ever because it's a short with an offset lab body, ebony fingerboard, a 1.5" nut width and weighs 7 lbs 8 oz. Bonus is it has the best P tone I've ever heard with its OEM pickups. I was ready to try other pickups but it's not necessary. I added the fancy knobs but soon replaced the OEMs.
Less than "Master Built"...
But it's my all time favorite Fender ever because it's a short with an offset lab body, ebony fingerboard, a 1.5" nut width and weighs 7 lbs 8 oz. Bonus is it has the best P tone I've ever heard with its OEM pickups. I was ready to try other pickups but it's not necessary. I added the fancy knobs but soon replaced the OEMs.
Last edited:
Meh, his bass, if he likes it then it’s 100% worth it. If I had the money and I wanted one, I’d buy it.
Hay Mongo2 , I too just joined the Mustang bass crew . I bought a JMJ Mustang and to be honest ....from a bass I had zero interest in , it is the best bass tone I have ever had . That MB bass is sweet , but if I could spend that much cash , I would spend it on a Sadowsky Will Lee .
I watched that video this morning. It was kind of dumb. No real reason to buy a Master Built bass other than the fact that a master builder oversaw the project? Sheesh! Not a compelling argument.
I love expensive basses, but $7k for a one-trick-pony like a p-bass? Makes no sense to me. I'd probably pay $2k tops.
I love expensive basses, but $7k for a one-trick-pony like a p-bass? Makes no sense to me. I'd probably pay $2k tops.
Last edited:
The market sets the value and there is a backlog of master built custom shop basses. So, yes they are worth $7000. Not to everyone, but supply and demand approves of the price.
It’s worth is what somebody is willing to pay for it not a penny more. Economics 101. Apparently, somebody or somebodies think they are or nobody would buy them, and nobody would make them.
It is to the buyer to decide value of any item. I will say this. Given the choice of buying this Masterbuilt or a 48 year old 1963 pre-CBS P-Bass for $7000, hands down I would buy the brand new Masterbuilt.
I also have to say EBMM has the custom thing all figured out. They offer premium instruments in limited runs that are true works of art. I'm thinking of the BFR and PDN products. They are masterfully built and are reasonably priced for what they are. IMO they are a much better value than Fender Custom Shop / Masterbuilt instruments.
I also have to say EBMM has the custom thing all figured out. They offer premium instruments in limited runs that are true works of art. I'm thinking of the BFR and PDN products. They are masterfully built and are reasonably priced for what they are. IMO they are a much better value than Fender Custom Shop / Masterbuilt instruments.
I agree with this comment. I own a vintage Telecaster as well as a Limited Edition Precision and a Custom Shop Jazz. The Jazz isn’t a Masterbuilt but the difference in quality of the three basses is linear with the CS at the top.
If I wanted another Fender Bass I would definitely go for a Masterbuilt. Either used or to place an order.
As to price, a new NYC Sadowsky Will Lee or US Spector NS-2 is in the same ballpark, more or less.
You can buy a playable electric bass for under $1000, but its fit and finish won’t be comparable to a Fender Masterbuilt.
For $7000.00 I would rather buy another Zon Legacy Elite 6 string!!!!
- Status
