Fender Plus Deluxe Club

[jay loren]

I've done some comparison. I can't tell for sure but I also assume it6's alder.
There was a photo of a two-piece telecaster top, one side alder, the other ash. I couldn't tell which was which.

 

[JIO]

Nice blue 4-string 22 fret P-Plus on ebay (no affiliation) Looks like original knobs were changed and it has EMG's so would have to inquire if the Kubicki pre is still under the hood. Decent price for a well made bass from the early 90's

1992 Fender USA Precision Bass Plus | eBay

 

[SirMjac28]

Nice blue 4-string 22 fret P-Plus on ebay (no affiliation) Looks like original knobs were changed and it has EMG's so would have to inquire if the Kubicki pre is still under the hood. Decent price for a well made bass from the early 90's

1992 Fender USA Precision Bass Plus | eBay

+1

 

[JIO]

no affiliation... black & maple '93 Jazz Plus w/orig moulded Fender case on eBay. A bit beat-up but if gotten for the starting bid it would be a decent price for that bass.

1993 Fender Jazz Bass Plus Vintage Made in USA Active Pickups in Fender Case | eBay

 

[JIO]

On Reverb - (no affiliation) a '93 (4 string) P-bass Plus Deluxe w/Kubicki 9v pre in blueburst & maple in VGC for a nice price.

Fender Precision Bass Plus Deluxe 1993 Blue Burst | Reverb

 

[jim nolte]

If a club under this focus already exists please let me know - I looked and didn't find one. There is already a (88-94 Fender American Standard- first version) "Boner" bass club, which overlaps the Plus or Deluxe series (all made around the same time), but this will be specifically for the 1990-1994 Jazz Plus and Precision Plus Deluxe series.

This could be considered a sub-club of Fender Jazz, or P, or P/J, and even of Kubicki Factors for that matter, but I think these 20+ yr old basses are unique enough to merit their own club. We're talking about Fender J's and P's <(P/J's technically) both 4 and 5 string models made starting in the late 80's to early 90's in the US that had 22 frets (a first for Fender), active Kubicki electronics, Lace Sensor pu's, a variety of Fender stamped HM bridges, no pickguard, side-mount jack, a narrower headstock w/deluxe Schaller tuners, and came in a few of-the-time metallic-burst paint schemes similar to Kubicki Factors. (plus more standard hues) Modern, clean design and well made, this series was at the top of Fenders line. These were the product of 1980's Fender reclaiming it's integrity back from the CBS days, growing from the Precision Bass I Elite & II Elite and starting production at roughly the same time period as the Fender Custom Shop was launched. They were forward thinking designs that were produced as a total package - one that once you bought it the only thing you really needed to change was strings. The other Fender solid-body bass that was even more proprietary was the 85-86 MIJ Performer with it's narrow 24 fret neck and unique-shapped pu's. In the 80's, innovators that included John Page, Stephen Boulanger, Charley Gressett, Scott Zimmerman and George Blanda worked to move the Fender bass into a new era. Specifically related to this thread, the late Phil Kubicki's input into the Plus Deluxe series modern looking, playing and sounding Fender basses is as clear as the tone they deliver. They might have looked a little like the earlier Jazz Bass Special (no pickguard) but they sounded very different.

To help differentiate, these were not the (first series) American Standard "boner" basses made around the same time. The so-called boners J's or P-Plus, or P-Deluxe (I've seen them listed both ways) had 22 fret necks also, and a redesigned body w/a longer upper horn. The boners look a little odd but were designed that way to help balance the longer 22 fret neck and in fact they balance well, with the upper horn flanking the 11th fret. The Plus/Plus Deluxe series had more or less standard J & P bodies - mostly alder, but (natural) ash could be ordered for an up-charge. Necks were all maple and maple/rosewood (4's) and maple/pau ferro (5r's) There was also a limited edition (400) 40th Anniversary P-bass (91-92) out of the FCS that had a natural P body w/figured maple top, w/a birds-eye maple/ebony boarded J neck, gold hardware, P/J Lace Sensor pu's, and the Kubicki preamp. The boners were passive w/a TBX tone pot, push-button series/parallel and pu switch on the P (P/J) model, and the Plus Deluxe series all had 9v Kubicki active electronics. The J's (90-94) had a 2 stacked pot + 4 click knob setup like a FCS Kubicki Factor (18v Kubicki Factors have a 5 click knob) and the P's (91-94) had 2 stacked pots. (the 9v/4 click J set-up ended up on the short lived FCS Factors) The boners had pickguards, the Plus Deluxe - no pickguard. The (unique to this day) early 80's Schaller Elite HM fine-tune bridge used on the Elite series ended up on both boner P-Pluses and Plus Deluxe P's, and another style HM bridge made by Schaller (very G&L-like) was installed on the 4 string Plus Deluxe J. Late 80's Jazz Bass Specials sported a black version of this same bridge. The 5 string J-PD had yet another HM bridge made by Gotoh w/standard barrel saddles. Somewhat confusing.., but apparently much was changing back then and things moved around from model to model. As with the tuners - some had flat paddles and some sculpted paddles which appeared on various models. Boner headstocks were standard Fender shaped and PD's were narrower w/a mix of trad and "modern" graphics.

I'm no authority on this period, just interested in that era of Fender and the unique products they produced. I'm not aware of a definitive tomb on those years and will appreciate enlightenment if one exists. Tony Bacon & Barry Moorhouse's updated "The Bass Book" 2008 has a good bit of series information on all era's of Fender basses.
So needless to say, please correct me on anything I've stated so far and feel free to add your knowledge or insight related. Like, correct me if I'm wrong, but as far as I could find, the Jazz Bass Plus V debuted in 1990 and there was no Precision Plus Deluxe 5'r in this series. (w/Kubicki electronics, no pg etc) Instead, a 5 string boner P was called the Precision Plus (89-93) and it had Lace Sensor pu's and a TBX tone pot. fine-tuning bridge and deluxe Schaller tuning pegs. (as far as I know)

Numbers will not be given out - it will be more to have a place where you can share with other Plus Deluxe players/owners. Pics (old or new) of you playing your PD J's or P's are welcomed as well. As far as I could find, the colours it was offered in were: (06) Black, (07) Vintage White, (15) Lipstick Red, (19) Mystic Black, (28) Crimson Burst, (36) Antique Burst, (80) Arctic White, (87) Electric Blue, (90) Blue Pearl Burst, (91) Black Pearl Burst. I've seen a few in classic Sunburst (not listed), so I wonder if that was what they called "Antique Burst"? I've seen only a few of these that are listed so would love to see the whole spectrum! (Mystic Black?) My own recent acquisition is a colour not found on that list either - as far as I know it's called Midnight Wine:

Schaller F-stamped tuners on a '92 American Standard/boner J - these were used on many models both before and after this series - note standard Fender HS shape - boner P's had the Deluxe sculpted tuners (as on both P & J-PD)

Schaller F-stamped Deluxe tuners used on (boner) Precision Plus, Precision Plus Deluxe and Jazz Bass Plus w/sculpted paddles (same cast "F" unit as above) note narrow HS design and "stretched" Jazz Bass graphics / this narrow headstock profile, Deluxe sculpted tuners and 22 fret neck continued to be used on the later American Deluxe series

Jazz Bass Plus V in Blue Burst - note 5 in-line Gotoh (?) tuners
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the 5 string Jazz Bass Plus bridge made by Gotoh was yet another HM version more like modern HM bridges w/barrel saddles as on some current Fenders.

the other HM G&L-like Schaller bridge on a Lipstick Red Jazz Bass Plus. This one has a lined fretless neck, but they were not offered on this series. The later 90's American Deluxe series did offer these (22 fret) lined fretless necks, which this is probably one.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Precision Plus Deluxe (P/J) in Black Pearl Burst/maple neck w/fine-tune Fender stamped Schaller Elite HM fine-tuning bridge - moulded HS Fender case

My first 5 string was a Jazz Bass Plus 5, Lace Sensors, Kubicki pre, natural finish, ash body, rosewood board. Boght it in January '92 so it was made in '91. A very well made bass, no flaws in the construction, probably one of the most comfortable Fender style bodies I've ever owned. It was my main bass for about 5 years. I sold it for three reasons. The string spacing was too narrow for me, 5/8ths of an inch at the bridge. At that time, that was fairly wide for a fiver, but when I played others with wider spacing I found that I preferred wider. Second, compared to my '65 jazz, I just couldn't get any punch from the sound, no Jazz "growl", very tame sounding pups, and I think it was more the pups than the Kubicki pre. Thirdly it was wider than 1.75 at the nut which is OK, but that combined with a chunkier thickness than the current Fender American Standards at the nut, after 5 years of playing it I started to get a little bit of tendonitis in a small little area around my left elbow which didn't go away until I started playing 5vers with 1.75 widths or thinner necks. But it was a great bass to begin the transition to 5 strings with and at that time there wasn't a lot of options in that $1000.00- $1200.00 range. Jim

 

[JIO]

...another early 90's J Plus - this time pewter-burst & maple (no affiliation) The '93 black/maple (above) went for the starting bid. (score)

Fender USA Jazz Bass Plus Deluxe 1990 Made in USA | eBay

And another J+ in sunburst/maple with Fender pu's (replacing stock Lace Sensors). I've considered this mod myself, using Super 55's (split-coils) to hear the difference. Lace Sensors get mixed reviews but in general I feel they sound good. The bridge pu is the same width as the neck pu, but the slightly 'off' pole/string alignment shouldn't be an issue as it's very close to correct.

Fender Jazz Bass Plus Vintage 1990 Made in USA Active Pickups | eBay

And a sunburst 5'r

1992 Fender Jazz Bass Plus Deluxe Guitar Tri Burst 5 String 23 Years Old 92 | eBay

 

[Jon Heller]

It's funny, I got myself the P Bass Deluxe Plus in 1996 on my birthday. At the time I liked the look but then I thought it was weird that it looked so different than other Fender P basses.

I am just now realizing that it has aged into a collectors item. Two years later I bought a stingray 5 and that is still my main bass so I haven't played the P bass as much and it's stayed in great condition. Now the debate is, do I sell it or hold on?

 

[JIO]

It's funny, I got myself the P Bass Deluxe Plus in 1996 on my birthday. At the time I liked the look but then I thought it was weird that it looked so different than other Fender P basses.

I am just now realizing that it has aged into a collectors item. Two years later I bought a stingray 5 and that is still my main bass so I haven't played the P bass as much and it's stayed in great condition. Now the debate is, do I sell it or hold on?View attachment 675044

Welcome to tb! These are nice basses with a very "90's" vibe, right down to the colour. They've been holding steady in the under $900 range used. Very playable instruments. So much of ones connection with any given instrument relies on our visual tastes over time - probably why 'classic' dress (sunburst/tort, black etc) stays around longer.

 

[JIO]

Blue-burst '90 Jazz Plus (no affiliation) in VGC

Fender American Jazz Bass Plus Exceptionally Clean w OHSC | eBay

 

[SirMjac28]

Blue-burst '90 Jazz Plus (no affiliation) in VGC

Fender American Jazz Bass Plus Exceptionally Clean w OHSC | eBay

I have to copy those instructions again thanks for the link. I will continue to say these are the best Jazz Basses you can buy for the money and every time I think about buying another Jazz I keep asking myself why? I definitely have to get me a parts bass.

 

[testing1two]

I've joined the club!

A question for the group: does anyone actually use those fine tuners on the bridge? They seem unnecessary but they do increase the break angle of the string behind the saddle. Right now I have them removed but may put them back if they serve a purpose. Thoughts?

 

[JIO]

I've joined the club!

A question for the group: does anyone actually use those fine tuners on the bridge? They seem unnecessary but they do increase the break angle of the string behind the saddle. Right now I have them removed but may put them back if they serve a purpose. Thoughts?

Cool bass! I personally can't say having never owned one, but like ashtray's the knobs seem to go missing on ones that pop up for sale. As this type of bridge for basses never really caught on, I'm guessing it's a take it or leave it sort of affair. A nice HM bridge none the less...

 

[SirMjac28]

That's UOTE="testing1two, post: 17905977, member: 139880"]I've joined the club!

A question for the group: does anyone actually use those fine tuners on the bridge? They seem unnecessary but they do increase the break angle of the string behind the saddle. Right now I have them removed but may put them back if they serve a purpose. Thoughts?

[/QUOTE]
That's a beautiful instrument congrats and you just took ownership of one of the baddest basses Fender has ever produced.

 

[JIO]

Currently on eBay (no affiliation) w/hs case and looks to be in VGC. I own one of these (same midnight wine - looks almost black in low light - beauty) Mine's a '93 - '94 was the last year this model was made. A super 22 fret 9v Kubicki-pre powered bass. Sounds like a Factor, looks like a Fender.

1994 Fender USA American Jazz Bass Plus Deluxe Wine Red w Case No Reserve | eBay

 

[SirMjac28]

Currently on eBay (no affiliation) w/hs case and looks to be in VGC. I own one of these (same midnight wine - looks almost black in low light - beauty) Mine's a '93 - '94 was the last year this model was made. A super 22 fret 9v Kubicki-pre powered bass. Sounds like a Factor, looks like a Fender.

1994 Fender USA American Jazz Bass Plus Deluxe Wine Red w Case No Reserve | eBay

Brother that is beautiful I have to get a backup for my baby.

 

[SirMjac28]

People have no idea how great these basses are I need to get one more before they do.

 

[JIO]

People have no idea how great these basses are I need to get one more before they do.

It's got a lot going for it. Top notch quality (top of Fenders line at that point), 22 frets-fast neck, light comfortable body, HM bridge, Deluxe Schaller tuners (some of Fenders best) and noiseless pu's. And if someone doesn't especially like active preamps - it can rock in passive mode. All & all good deals for those who want a great Fender product.

 

[SirMjac28]

It's got a lot going for it. Top notch quality (top of Fenders line at that point), 22 frets-fast neck, light comfortable body, HM bridge, Deluxe Schaller tuners (some of Fenders best) and noiseless pu's. And if someone doesn't especially like active preamps - it can rock in passive mode. All & all good deals for those who want a great Fender product.

I couldn't have said that any better.

 

[JIO]

FENDER 5-String AMERICAN DELUXE Active JAZZ BASS PLUS - 1992. MADE IN USA

One of the early 90's 5'rs of the same Kubicki-powered family - (no affiliation)