Fender Master Built review out

[goldendomer04]

I find it hard to spend that much on a p-bass when the Fodera Monarch P Standard is almost 1/2 the price.

 

[jfh2424]

I was very disappointed in this video.

Scott raved about the process and about how much he likes this particular bass. But he said very little about whether this particular way of buying a bass is worth it.

That's a shame. This is an experienced guy. If he took it more seriously, I bet we could’ve learned a lot from his point of view.

Instead it kinda sounded like a guy who really likes his bass. It’s not very helpful or insightful. At least not to me.

It does sound good though. Minimally, he could’ve sound tested it against others.

 

[dkelley]

So I take it you really wouldn't approve of Alembic and Wal bass purchases then, right?

You get a LOT more R&D, custom electronics that are not available in any other basses even DIY or using after market preamps, and much more specialized uses and custom designed parts, when you buy Alembic or Wal. Fender, despite the no doubt excellent work into masterbuilt instruments, are still using technology that has changed very very little over the past 7 decades, and took far less R&D to create than did Alembic and Wal (specifically regarding their unique preamps).

 

[shade_1313]

Worth is what someone will pay for something…but it’s only worth it to those who will do so.

I would not buy one of these. It’s not worth it, to me, by a long shot. The custom Dingwall I’m getting, on the other hand, is worth it to me. And at a similar price.

 

[dkelley]

You can buy a playable electric bass for under $1000, but its fit and finish won’t be comparable to a Fender Masterbuilt.

You can buy and absolutely AMAZING bass for under $1000. Top notch in every way, if you go used.

 

[JRB]

I find it hard to spend that much on a p-bass when the Fodera Monarch P Standard is almost 1/2 the price.

True, but if took that Fodera and did a custom neck profile, finish, and picked the neck wood it would be much more then the fender which is the only point of a master built.

Fodera prices range in a huge way based on specs and customization. The cheapest P classic is not a better or worse instrument then the 15K Fodera just very different options, labor costs, and so on. You can say the same for teambuilt vs. masterbuilt. You are not paying for a better instrument necessarily, just custom options.

 

[LUCE]

Fender, the Mercedes Benz of basses. Buy it for the badge to impress people while you try to convince yourself you made the right choice so you don't feel like a total chump.
Buy a SIRE, and pay off debt with the money you saved.

EDIT : Scott says relic'd basses "have the entire bass community drooling at the mouth" is such a joke to me. Sorry. Relic it yourself by playing it ! That is SOOOooo American to have someone else do the work for you. I just don't get it. If that's your thing, fine, but you're missing the whole point !!!!

My Fender USA P is a tool. I have "nicer" basses, but this '07 just works, and is among the nicer playing basses I have. Got it used for $600. Certainly no M-B.

PS - Scott is English. Fender wouldn't do it if there wasn't a market for it. I agree with you - play that thing - but others are willing to pay for it, everywhere Fender distributes. To each their own.

 

[MVE]

Im glad that there is still a market enough to support this kind of craftwork in the USA.

Too many businesses are falling to off shore manufacturing where unscrupulous companies are ready and willing to exploit the local workforce and trash their environment.

Im not saying anyone should feel bad about playing whatever they play, regardless of where it came from; they didn’t take part in any nefarious decisions.

But anyone who plays any high end boutique instrument should take pride in the fact that they are supporting a noble artisan craft.

But, is it going to make you a better bass player, um….. no.

 

[u2brothr]

If the master builder were to put a small vial of his own blood inside the control cavity, then maybe I'd pay that much ..

Nah... you tweakin'

(for those who know the joke...)

 

[u2brothr]

I have a custom shop Fender bass. It is super duper nice. REALLY nice.

Do I need a master built bass? hell no.

If I were super rich, well... there is one more bass that I have in my mind that I have yet to see available.... so yeah... I would get Fender to make it for me.

But it is easy to get by, practice, and become a proficient player with just a Squier.

I could drive a Porsche... but my Scion xB also works just fine. (and fits all my bass gear)

 

[quilanthegreat]

I want an older pbass or jazz of sorts, I’ve “eye-balled” the custom shop fenders on reverb for $4k. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a fender, but I want a U.S. built piece that I can pass down to my nephew once I keel over. So yes it’s an investment so what do I get that will hold value and be a cool instrument to pass down?

You could look into Nash, Moollon, Olinto or Bluesman Vintage.

 

[Ryan L.]

What’s funny is I’ve had tons of fenders and never had any issues.

guess I’m lucky

Same here.

 

[HardNHeavy]

ugh!...even if i had the money i wouldn't waste it on a piece of wood and some chrome plated metal bits...c'mon, thats all it is.

 

[2cooltoolz]

I'm sure I couldn't tell the difference between that and a pro set-up on an American Original, or probably on an MIM Roadworn P (remember those?) blindfolded.

I'm not an investor, and my skills don't warrant anything over 2K. Scott, on the other hand, should have been comped that bass. The guy is a master, and is really advancing bass playing, IMHO.

 

[Killens84]

Does anyone have experience comparing a Fender Masterbuilt to a Mike Lull or Lakland USA precision or jazz bass? I ask that because I’ve found Lull and Lakland to be among the best passive Fender-style basses money can buy, and those are less than $4,000 for a passive 4-string P or J. I feel that Lull and Lakland have reached the 100% maximum quality that’s even possible on a passive P or J bass. So, if anything, perhaps a Fender Masterbuilt is equal to a Lull and Lakland, but there’s no way it surpasses them to the tune of a $3,000+ higher price tag. It all comes down to supply and demand, and the notoriety of the brand.

 

[57pbass]

There are so many Custom Shop Basses on the market.. I don’t quite understand what makes them custom.
They’re border line massed produced. I would never buy a new Custom Shop bass at those insane price points.
The small builders who specialize in Fender style instruments is where I would go... SUHR, Lull, Valenti, Sadowsky, Lakland … you’re pretty much guaranteed that you’re getting a perfect instrument.
If I’m paying 7k for a Fender it would be for a real vintage instrument not a Masterbuilt.

 

[57pbass]

Does anyone have experience comparing a Fender Masterbuilt to a Mike Lull or Lakland USA precision or jazz bass? I ask that because I’ve found Lull and Lakland to be among the best passive Fender-style basses money can buy, and those are less than $4,000 for a passive 4-string P or J. I feel that Lull and Lakland have reached the 100% maximum quality that’s even possible on a passive P or J bass. So, if anything, perhaps a Fender Masterbuilt is equal to a Lull and Lakland, but there’s no way it surpasses them to the tune of a $3,000+ higher price tag. It all comes down to supply and demand, and the notoriety of the brand.

I agree with you 100%
The Bob Glaub Lakland’s especially the early builds are hard to top.. and Lulls are amazing.

 

[mikeswals]

As to price, a new NYC Sadowsky Will Lee or US Spector NS-2 is in the same ballpark, more or less.

I'll take the US Spector!

 

[PrimitiveMan]

All this video made me think is that Scott is making a lot of dough with his online courses

I'd never buy that P bass, but don't really care what others spend money on

 

[AlexanderB]

Other than Fender Custom shop, one could order a hand made Sandberg bass, made in Germany, for a quarter of the price.

For the Fender Custom shop bass owners; how are the recent CS basses?
I have read that older CS basses could still have the regular Fender issues, G string dead spot, ski jump necks, non-existing shielding etc.