Fender Plus Deluxe Club

[JIO]

On the top end price-wise but a cool maple/ash P Plus Deluxe for sale (no affiliation)

FENDER PRECISION PLUS DELUXE BASS GUITAR, 1992, RARE, EQ, NATURAL, ASH BODY

 

[SirMjac28]

On the top end price-wise but a cool maple/ash P Plus Deluxe for sale (no affiliation)

FENDER PRECISION PLUS DELUXE BASS GUITAR, 1992, RARE, EQ, NATURAL, ASH BODY

That's nice

 

[SirMjac28]

From the Kubicki thread thanks to @anmclark23

A very unique Jazz Plus. Ad sez' maple/maple - but that body is ash. Still unique as the J+'s are all made of alder w/rosewood boards. I bet it would sound awesome!

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This is the bass I want that is ridiculous.

 

[The Eristic]

Had been searching for the right Jazz Plus for a couple years, stumbled across this one last week unintentionally through a google image search, reasonably priced at a dealer a couple hours away, had to move on it! Sounds incredible and I absolutely love this color. Gotta track down an original knob for the rotary, though.

 

[JIO]

Had been searching for the right Jazz Plus for a couple years, stumbled across this one last week unintentionally through a google image search, reasonably priced at a dealer a couple hours away, had to move on it! Sounds incredible and I absolutely love this color. Gotta track down an original knob for the rotary, though.

score!

 

[The Eristic]

Swapped the tapewounds out with nickel rounds, went from a huge, acoustic-like faux fretless voice to a crystalline, focused tone with a stunning sort of accuracy. Impressive musicality, regardless of preamp settings. Hard to believe it's a Jazz bass! Gonna go on the hunt for a good deal on a Precision Plus Deluxe now (though I do wish they had the 3-knob pre) to partner with it.

 

[JIO]

Swapped the tapewounds out with nickel rounds, went from a huge, acoustic-like faux fretless voice to a crystalline, focused tone with a stunning sort of accuracy. Impressive musicality, regardless of preamp settings. Hard to believe it's a Jazz bass! Gonna go on the hunt for a good deal on a Precision Plus Deluxe now (though I do wish they had the 3-knob pre) to partner with it.

You're responding to the Kubicki pre - a very distinctive voice that really isn't a typical Jazz bass. I strung my '93 J+ w/DeAddario NYXL's and it sings, with authority!

 

[JonInCPH]

Hi all, new to the site but wanted to post my story. Moved from LA to Denmark a few years back. Had a MIJ Geddy Lee back in the day but had to sell it and have been playing guitar since. Anyway, felt the itch to get a j bass in my hands again and started watching Danish Craigslist. Lo and behold, a black '92 j plus pops up after a few weeks. It belonged to some dude living in a tiny farmhouse way out in the sticks in Sjælland who had it just to fool around with his buddies. This place was a trip, man. Something out of a horror movie--little shack in the woods, bunch of locals eyeing me as I came up the driveway. Anyway, guy was weird but cool as could be. Didn't take care of his bass, though. Mile high action, ancient rusty strings. Still, looked like it had some promise, so I rolled the dice and bought it, hoping some work would bring her back to life. And oh man, did it ever. It feels, plays, and sounds perfect. Little ding on the side of the neck up by the nut and some play-wear, but otherwise in great shape. Original electronics sound phenomenal. What a find. As a wise man once said, better lucky than good. I'll upload pix once I figure out how

 

[SirMjac28]

Hi all, new to the site but wanted to post my story. Moved from LA to Denmark a few years back. Had a MIJ Geddy Lee back in the day but had to sell it and have been playing guitar since. Anyway, felt the itch to get a j bass in my hands again and started watching Danish Craigslist. Lo and behold, a black '92 j plus pops up after a few weeks. It belonged to some dude living in a tiny farmhouse way out in the sticks in Sjælland who had it just to fool around with his buddies. This place was a trip, man. Something out of a horror movie--little shack in the woods, bunch of locals eyeing me as I came up the driveway. Anyway, guy was weird but cool as could be. Didn't take care of his bass, though. Mile high action, ancient rusty strings. Still, looked like it had some promise, so I rolled the dice and bought it, hoping some work would bring her back to life. And oh man, did it ever. It feels, plays, and sounds perfect. Little ding on the side of the neck up by the nut and some play-wear, but otherwise in great shape. Original electronics sound phenomenal. What a find. As a wise man once said, better lucky than good. I'll upload pix once I figure out how

Very cool story and welcome to the club can't wait to see pictures

 

[JIO]

Hi all, new to the site but wanted to post my story. Moved from LA to Denmark a few years back. Had a MIJ Geddy Lee back in the day but had to sell it and have been playing guitar since. Anyway, felt the itch to get a j bass in my hands again and started watching Danish Craigslist. Lo and behold, a black '92 j plus pops up after a few weeks. It belonged to some dude living in a tiny farmhouse way out in the sticks in Sjælland who had it just to fool around with his buddies. This place was a trip, man. Something out of a horror movie--little shack in the woods, bunch of locals eyeing me as I came up the driveway. Anyway, guy was weird but cool as could be. Didn't take care of his bass, though. Mile high action, ancient rusty strings. Still, looked like it had some promise, so I rolled the dice and bought it, hoping some work would bring her back to life. And oh man, did it ever. It feels, plays, and sounds perfect. Little ding on the side of the neck up by the nut and some play-wear, but otherwise in great shape. Original electronics sound phenomenal. What a find. As a wise man once said, better lucky than good. I'll upload pix once I figure out how

Thanks for your post and welcome to tb! Your J+ w/story is now part of your continuing life story! (chapter II) Great basses, killer tone which can fit in with any band. I like these 22 fret necks also - rock it! (post some pics of it when you can)

 

[JonInCPH]

A bit backlit but you get the idea...

 

[SirMjac28]

I love mine so much l just made her a closet queen I'm going to find another one in rough shape l can play and keep for spare parts.

View attachment 979772
A bit backlit but you get the idea...

That's the baby congrats on finding out about one of the best basses Fender has ever produced. If you ever have to change pups the Lace Man O War pickups are a direct replacement.

 

[JonInCPH]

Awesome. Thanks for the tip!

I know these aren't the most common basses out there, but I'm surprised there is so little information about them. They are Fenders, after all, and better machines than my MIJ Geddy ever was. Speculating now, but did they not catch on because most people like the vintage aesthetic? Can't be any fault with feel or sound. I dunno, just seems weird that they haven't gotten more love.

 

[JIO]

Awesome. Thanks for the tip!

I know these aren't the most common basses out there, but I'm surprised there is so little information about them. They are Fenders, after all, and better machines than my MIJ Geddy ever was. Speculating now, but did they not catch on because most people like the vintage aesthetic? Can't be any fault with feel or sound. I dunno, just seems weird that they haven't gotten more love.

It was a societal timing thing. In the 80's electric bass technology started taking off w/5 strings, headless, active electronics and overall modern design. All things retro was in full force at the same time so although basses like the J+ were top-of-the-line quality US made products - more buyers opted for 'vintage' re-hash and a more traditional product - like the bass look and sounds of the buyers youth. It's still going on more than ever with an aging population who's 1st bass was a 60's-70's Fender, or the spin-off clones from Japan.

 

[JonInCPH]

It was a societal timing thing. In the 80's electric bass technology started taking off w/5 strings, headless, active electronics and overall modern design. All things retro was in full force at the same time so although basses like the J+ were top-of-the-line quality US made products - more buyers opted for 'vintage' re-hash and a more traditional product - like the bass look and sounds of the buyers youth. It's still going on more than ever with an aging population who's 1st bass was a 60's-70's Fender, or the spin-off clones from Japan.

Go figure. But I guess I can't complain, since their relative obscurity let me afford one!

 

[JonInCPH]

Also just thought I'd post/bump this here: after a bit of digging, I found a scan of the J+ owner's manual. I sent it to the Fender website too, since they don't have it in their archives.

 

[JIO]

Go figure. But I guess I can't complain, since their relative obscurity let me afford one!

Exactly - I own another very affordable US made Fender bass from the same period, the gen1 American Standard Jazz.(88-94) It offered 22 frets and a slightly redesigned body to compensate for the longer neck. It became the ugly cousin because of the longer upper horn and is commonly referred to as the "boner bass". They come up for sale often and can be had for a very reasonable price. Both basses below have 22 fret necks and bodies re-sized in different ways to accommodate the longer neck. (no ramp)

Both from '93 - the A/S has standard model Schaller tuners (the J+ has Schaller Deluxe tuners) They have the same F-stamped base-unit but different paddles. The Deluxe Schaller tuners are one of my favorite Fender styles. Since this pic I've installed the Deluxe tuners on my red A/S. (a score on eBay!) I also replaced the 3 screw bridge w/a Schaller 3D for better string alignment. The original bridge was an early 80's carryover that spaced the E and G too close to the fretboard edge. The A/S's only real design shortfall in my opinion. Because of the upper horn position it balances well, the neck is one of my favorites and it sounds as good as any J out there, especially since I replaced the pu's with NJ4's, only because the neck pu failed.

 

[JIO]

View attachment 980800
Also just thought I'd post/bump this here: after a bit of digging, I found a scan of the J+ owner's manual. I sent it to the Fender website too, since they don't have it in their archives.

thanks for posting - the electronics section reads very much like the Kubicki schematic manual from that same time.

 

[JonInCPH]

Is the boner significantly heavier? The J+ has some decent heft even with the downsized body. And I agree about the tuners. Best I've come across. I'm amazed how well it holds tune especially in Denmark since the weather is so variable.

Those axes are both pretty easy on the eyes, by the way. The burgundy and the candy apple red--very nice!

 

[JIO]

Is the boner significantly heavier? The J+ has some decent heft even with the downsized body. And I agree about the tuners. Best I've come across. I'm amazed how well it holds tune especially in Denmark since the weather is so variable.

Those axes are both pretty easy on the eyes, by the way. The burgundy and the candy apple red--very nice!

The red A/S is 9lbs/12oz and the J+ was lighter (sold it to a tb'r in July) - I recall it was closer to 9lbs. I would have keep it but I have a few J's and an Epi "Fender-bird" T-bird with the same Fender/Kubicki 9v pre-amp. I love the way it sounds!