Nate Mendel, believe it or not, sounds better... warmer tone... it's a serious piece of vintage P bass tone
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Fender Nate Mendel P-Bass
- Thread starter sigmafloyd
- Start date
Done!
No clue how it sounds or plays... we'll see this evening. Will be using a MB Nano 300 with a GK Neo 15 AND/OR Ampeg Porta 2x10. Neck feels great, smaller around for sure, but string spacing is still "wide" at the nut' NOTHING like a 1.5 Jazz (not my preference anyway) and it's not like my 1.7ish 5 string G&L.... Looks really "cool" overall and it has straplocks! Finish for me is RIGHT ON. I think people miss the aged hardware, tuners, bridge and such and focus on the "light marks" around the body when I hear "it's just some scuffs on the edges." TO ME, the true "relic" is in the metal parts as well and those are the true gems. (And I have owned two fender custom shop light relics and this is on par for sure, again down to that hardware.) Even though I keep hearing about a "low action" this bass has a medium action compared to the G&L. Not a deal breaker for me. Last, on the delivery side it came in a soft gig bag. Even though it has padding it's pretty weak sauce. Looks about as protective as wrapping my bass in one of Nate's old gym socks! I'll be using one of the MONO's for sure.
Ok wish me luck, the true test this evening... Though, I don't think I'll need it!
No clue how it sounds or plays... we'll see this evening. Will be using a MB Nano 300 with a GK Neo 15 AND/OR Ampeg Porta 2x10. Neck feels great, smaller around for sure, but string spacing is still "wide" at the nut' NOTHING like a 1.5 Jazz (not my preference anyway) and it's not like my 1.7ish 5 string G&L.... Looks really "cool" overall and it has straplocks! Finish for me is RIGHT ON. I think people miss the aged hardware, tuners, bridge and such and focus on the "light marks" around the body when I hear "it's just some scuffs on the edges." TO ME, the true "relic" is in the metal parts as well and those are the true gems. (And I have owned two fender custom shop light relics and this is on par for sure, again down to that hardware.) Even though I keep hearing about a "low action" this bass has a medium action compared to the G&L. Not a deal breaker for me. Last, on the delivery side it came in a soft gig bag. Even though it has padding it's pretty weak sauce. Looks about as protective as wrapping my bass in one of Nate's old gym socks! I'll be using one of the MONO's for sure.
Ok wish me luck, the true test this evening... Though, I don't think I'll need it!
My extended test didn't come to fruition... I DID get to rock out (my version anyway!) on my Nano an Fender Rumble 12. DEEP!!!! WOW... I've been running a 5 string J on the front pickup for months now.... and again WOW! I really, really dig it. It's a keeper. Now I just have to figure out if I'll be sacrilegious and put Flat on it! Again, fit finish and play are ALL on par with the American models I've owned. The body is a "reduced contour" (my terms) so it does have a flat stop on the top body contour and it's not as "soft" of an edge. Not a problem for me, I actually like that it is different.
Love it, buy one and you'll forget that it has an MX serial number!
Love it, buy one and you'll forget that it has an MX serial number!
Just want to say ... Scott Devine has just said his Nate Mendel is dead being replaced by a Moollon... a high-end Korean P bass... what a high-end Korean P bass? Let's hope they paid him well for this ... we'll effectively the Korean bass sounded brighter and clearer than the Fender one but I like the darker sound of the Mendel and perhaps somebody wanting a different sound can update the bass electronics ... i want a high end P bass I'd rather look at Nash or Fender CS ... however endorsement is a source of income I presume (some highly strategic key words were used by Scott in his video just watch it and share your thoughts ... maybe I'm wrong)
I just watched this video. I have a Mendel P, but by all accounts, the Moollon instruments are exceptional. I do remember thinking that the video title suggested he was comparing a $900 bass to a $2400 bass, but I thought it was as much about comparing a Quarter Pounder to a vintage-style P pickup.
I am also not sure why in multiple threads you seem overly concerned that this bass may be well regarded AND made in Korea? There are talented luthiers all over the world. Isn't there a guy in Israel that does some of the best vintage Fender reproductions in the world?
I doubt Scott is above accepting a bass or cash in return for promoting the brand, but it is possible that he is being paid to play a bass he also really likes. Win-win. We will see how he does with that 1.75 nut width, though. I believe he has a beautiful custom shop P that got parked in favor of the Mendel P because of the neck profile; I think that is the "P Bass of Doom" that he mentioned in the video.
Yeah. If it was between a Moollon and THAT CS bass, I'd take the CS - I don't care what the Moollon plays or sounds like.
UPDATE.... I love this bass! I had to push the action WAY down from the factory settings... so low in fact I ran out of room on the G string saddle. The post screws are removed on that post now. And it's ALMOST where I like it, but it's good enough that I've got to play it nightly to Jam on after I practice my lesson(s). EVERY SINGLE night this week it's just gotten better and better. (I ordered a vintage aged bridge with brass saddles to see if I like the relieve better. I know it's sacrilegious to remove the LEO Badass, but it's on the outs!) I REALLY do love the finish and the marred up head-stock, I think it's the best feature. BIG P bass sound for days for sure.... but that neck is really, really growing on me, even though I mostly play 5-ers.
BOTTOM LINE - Better feeling and more fun to play than my many thousand dollar USA models have been in the past.
BOTTOM LINE - Better feeling and more fun to play than my many thousand dollar USA models have been in the past.
There are videos on YouTube (I'm an avid YouTuber) of a certain Kirill Afonin playing impeccably a red Lakland P bass with rosewood fretboard.Close enough...
The sound is fantastic!
However, I have to admit, the Fender headstock shape and the Fender logo exert a strange attraction on me whereas the tone of MIM P basses is not that bad at all if I can say (please check out the funky demos of Paul Bass Matters on YouTube in this regard) ... in consideration of the vast availability of after market parts to further customise the instrument (they are also compatible with rhd Lakland I have to say) I'm actively looking for a Fender at the moment, even separate parts to put together ... what can I do ...
UPDATE: I removed the badass bridge, installed the aged 60's vintage. I did not use the brass saddles as they were too heavy for my taste (yea you got it, I'll keep the 2 oz. thanks!) Now I can adjust it till it buzzes! ... then I can back it off a little and get the action just perfect. And again I know it the weight "helps" for some, but the savings in heft ended up over 6 oz.
Eh gas and wife's rule. But I decided to keep 2 basses and this one fit the bill.
Been gassing for one of these models badly. I already got a RW P with flats on it that I absolutely love. I'm thinking the QP with rounds could give me other sound options while staying in the Precision realm. Only problem is they don't seem readily available (not in stock at most online retailers) and that I actually prefer to buy used basses. Anybody not bonding/looking to unload please pm/let me know.
JonKim, I see you ordered one of the three from BCC. Any chance you could share the weight of the bass when it comes in?
JonKim, I see you ordered one of the three from BCC. Any chance you could share the weight of the bass when it comes in?
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Well they sold 1 of the 3 before I bought mine. I had mark and Melissa weigh both of them. They both came in around 8.2lbs!!
I don't usually buy basses that are not customs brand new but this bass is a keep imho. Probably one of the best fenders I ever owned including pre cbs
I don't usually buy basses that are not customs brand new but this bass is a keep imho. Probably one of the best fenders I ever owned including pre cbs
