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FENDER MODERN PLAYER TELE

Just popped into Guitar Center and ran across one of these basses. Gave it a spin and couldn't put it down. Looks killer, plays fantastic, sounds massive. As with any bass it does need a setup to get it where I like it. The E string was lower in volume on the neck pickup than the others but that was fixed in about 30 seconds with a pickup height adjustment. I also dropped the action down to nearly a fully bottomed out saddle on each string for an ultra low and fast action. The output jack was a little loose but a half a spin with some pliers solved that.
I'm enjoying this bass a lot. It fills a tone niche in my bass collection with it's ultra deep "grunt" type output in the neck position and it's biting tone with the bridge pickup. Still trying a lot of different settings but my fav so far is tone up about 75%, bridge nearly full on and then dial in just enough of the neck to really thicken up the tone.
I think she's a keeper!
 
Been thinking of getting one of these, but after reading some of the issues with poor QC, I'm not so sure, pity as they look nice & from what I've read sound quite good.

For the money they kill. :bassist:

I had a QC issue... well more of a design flaw. Mine has a jack plate nut that tends to loosen. only way to tighten it is to pop the pickguard off, hold the jack in one position (so it doesn't twist and damage the wiring) and manually screw the nut tight with a needle nose pliers. Oh ya. It has a recessed jack so you need a socket wrench or long nosed pliers or similar to tighten it.

It's been fine since then. I'm going to replace the jack with a switchcraft some day soon. Definately wouldn't gig with that jack :rollno:

Still worth it for the tone.
 
I have the same issue with the jack nut. I'm too lazy to tighten it properly and part of me feels like ***, send me a bass that is actually built correctly and that I don't have to screw with. I'm selling it anyway because it does not play well (hard to define but it's kind of a boat anchor) and I just got a Sadowsky anyway.
 
I spent some time putting my tele bass together and I have to say I feel cheated with all of the reissues coming out.

Don't be - yours is a one of a kind with it's own character...

I'm most curious about that bridge pickup, actually. I don't think I've ever heard a mudbucker in the bridge position.

Check this out:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f16/rounds-p-bass-904705/index2.html#post13000045

Also with rounds: (even older so my playing is even lamer)
 
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Don't be - yours is a one of a kind with it's own character...


Ya, The fact that it is 100 times better player than any reissue I have played is helpful as well.

Hey! that's more like it. Like I said, mine is great for the money... Except for the 20 mods I'll eventually get around to... jack upgrade, rewire, varitone experiments, possible chambering, neck refin, etc. etc. etc.... I still love that grunt. It's sadistic and it makes me dig in with joy!
 
it felt light, but there again I have a bunch of old basses... that's not really something I really think about anyway, I don't mind a heavy bass, it was the feel of the neck which I really liked and is making me want one. It felt better in playability than any bass in the store.
 
You think it's heavy? C'mon! I can curl 10 lbs. 100 times or more.

10lbs is about what I have - but if the average was a lot lower I'd want one.

Think of it this way - Hold a 10lbs wooden plank for an hour. It's uncomfortable. make it contoured, add a stap... still a little uncomfortable. Lighter basses have the edge on ergonomics. less strain over time. I'm fairly young and light but even with a comfortable strap I need a stretch after playing the tele for a bit. My much lighter PJ cheapo (7lbs approx) is a lot comfier. I could wear it all day.

I need to work out more... stuffs in the way ATM, but I guess it's good all round.

it felt light, but there again I have a bunch of old basses... that's not really something I really think about anyway, I don't mind a heavy bass, it was the feel of the neck which I really liked and is making me want one. It felt better in playability than any bass in the store.

If the action is low the rounded off edges feel good. I never played a 9.5" radius board - in this case it rocks. I really like the 1.65" nut too. Very balanced. Heavy basses can be forgiven if they sound great. :bassist:
 
Just got one in tobacco burst. Now i'll begin with the mods. Nothing too major it seems. This thread def. helped to point out exactly what i need to do. Great sounding bass, great contrast to my stingray. Can't wait till i can comfortably gig with this baby.
 
Bounce this thread to the top.


I was very excited about this model and bought one a few weeks ago from Sweetwater. I don't care where a bass is made as long as it is made well but was kind of surprised a Fender label was on a chinese product. Is this a first for fender?

I received a burst model from Sweetwater with a quickness (Sweetwater is easily my favorite "big box" music store) Unboxed it and it looked super cool. Played it and it played ok but needed some fretwork but most basses do. Did find I also had a very annoying buzz when digging into the E string. Thought it was something in the neck pickup but I believe it was something in the bridge. Couldn't make it go away, figured no problem I have a couple of bridges in my parts box.

So plugged her in and boom. There was that big sound I was hoping for. Unfortunately a whole lot of noise too.:mad: Looks like it is all in the bridge pickup. I have a feeling that the rear pickup was not grounded. But that was pretty much it for me. Sent it back.

The things I liked though,
Felt like a 70's precision neck, super thick finish medium jumbo frets
Body finish pretty nice
Tuners work great

I could have invested some work in this bass and fix the issues myself. But Fender has raised the bar with the newer Squier stuff and I'm used to better quality for less money. If this bass was around $350 I would have put the work into it. But for $600 there's an awful lot of competition out there.

All that being said looks like I got a dud.