Fender Plus Deluxe Club

[iceboxbass]

I just got the bass an hour ago. Unfortunately I'm upgrading my computer and so will have to post bigger pics and a NBD post later.

But for now, much thanks to tb'r rogerbmiller for a better than new condition bass - it's stunning! It arrived spotless (detailed), the sign of someone who loves caring for an instrument as much as I do. I've only owned a few new basses in my lifetime, and today feels like I just got a brand new bass (from 1993!)

So now to the bass;

This is the first time I've had one in front of me - it is very elegant looking w/the rich wine colour and beautiful fingerboard but also because of it's size/scale. Next to my "boner" J and a standard J - it's petite. (nearly an inch less in length) It's a 34" scale 22 fret neck but the headstock and the body are smaller, downsized. The proportions are good - it just looks correct. It weighs in at 8.9lbs. I have heavier J's - this one feels just right. And the quality is there for sure - this is a high-end instrument w/o exotic anything really - more a clean, purposeful design that's elegant in it's simplicity. I love all things classic Fender Jazz bass, but this one is "modern classy".

And then there's the sound - again... wow - it really delivers. I forgot how huge Kubicki's pre's can sound! If you need to bust a reggae/dub foundation - this bass will shake the joint! It's super articulate w/singing harmonics and sustain as long as you want it! I'm in bass heaven!

First, I apologize for commenting on a 4 year old posts...but this is exactly how I feel and express about my newly acquired 90 Fender American Jazz V Plus. HOLY COW!!! This is the Jazz bass tone that I've had riding around in my head all of these past years! Today I spent a great amount of time getting aquainted with the controls, playing various genre' songs and just before my last song, Beth Hart "Baddest Blues", I decided to select passive, blend middle, volume dimed, tone rolled 98% off...magic happened..."That" jazz magical tone happened! Oooooooh momma! Such full rich smooooooothness! I thought I'd died and gone to heaven today.

 

[JIO]

First, I apologize for commenting on a 4 year old posts...but this is exactly how I feel and express about my newly acquired 90 Fender American Jazz V Plus. HOLY COW!!! This is the Jazz bass tone that I've had riding around in my head all of these past years! Today I spent a great amount of time getting aquainted with the controls, playing various genre' songs and just before my last song, Beth Hart "Baddest Blues", I decided to select passive, blend middle, volume dimed, tone rolled 98% off...magic happened..."That" jazz magical tone happened! Oooooooh momma! Such full rich smooooooothness! I thought I'd died and gone to heaven today.

Excellent! I never played the 5'r but image that low B would be massive powered by the Kubicki pre. It's cool that you're digging the passive settings. I never used them on any of my Kubicki's - for me the magic is in the 1st two (active) clicks! It's a bass for all players!

 

[iceboxbass]

Excellent! I never played the 5'r but image that low B would be massive powered by the Kubicki pre. It's cool that you're digging the passive settings. I never used them on any of my Kubicki's - for me the magic is in the 1st two (active) clicks! It's a bass for all players!

Oh yeah...that B string is HUGE and clear, not muddy, even in passive. You see, I come the active bass camp(Spectors) looking for "that" special passive tone. BUT...it's really great to know that this bass is more than capable to handle any and all music needs and situations. All in one very beautiful instrument. Lighter than my other basses also. Which I'm an exclusive 5 string bass player. After today, now I want to buy another Fender American V Plus...maybe a Precision...did they make a 5P+?

 

[SirMjac28]

Thanks I've been wanting a purple colour bass for a couple years and When I saw the metallic purple on GC used site I was quite taken by it and jumped on buying it. I did a little research first as I'd not heard of the Jazz Plus. REALLY I bought it.

Welcome to the family

 

[iceboxbass]

Welcome to the family

Thank you Mjac28
I'm super stoked over discovering the J+ models

 

[SirMjac28]

Thank you Mjac28
I'm super stoked over discovering the J+ models

They are a hidden gem and definitely a custom shop level instrument.

 

[bound'n'blocked]

Greetings! This is my first MIA Fender Jazz Bass, 1990 Fender American Jazz V Plus. Please meet, “Purple Daze”.
I bought off GC used bass site last week. She was in grimmy condition when I received her but yesterday a bunch of elbow grease and she cleaned up very nicely. I’m really loving the Kubicki pre! Wow! Go from smooooth big jazz tone to modern tear your face off growl with a click of the rotary switch!

May I join this club please? Thanks!

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Dag! That's a sweet looking bass!

BnB

 

[Vic Firth]

Thanks I've been wanting a purple colour bass for a couple years and When I saw the metallic purple on GC used site I was quite taken by it and jumped on buying it. I did a little research first as I'd not heard of the Jazz Plus. REALLY I bought it.

This model (with also the IV strings version and the Precision Deluxe) was available in 10 official finishes (and 1 unofficial finish):
- official: (7-06) Black, (7-15) LipstickRed, (7-21) Natural (Ash body), (7-32) BrownSunburst, (7-47) CaribbeanMist, (7-73) MidnightBlue, (7-75) MidnightWine, (7-80) ArcticWhite, (7-90) BluePearlBurst, (7-91) BlackPearlBurst
- unofficial: (7-43) Pewter

 

[iceboxbass]

This model (with also the IV strings version and the Precision Deluxe) was available in 10 official finishes (and 1 unofficial finish):
- official: (7-06) Black, (7-15) LipstickRed, (7-21) Natural (Ash body), (7-32) BrownSunburst, (7-47) CaribbeanMist, (7-73) MidnightBlue, (7-75) MidnightWine, (7-80) ArcticWhite, (7-90) BluePearlBurst, (7-91) BlackPearlBurst
- unofficial: (7-43) Pewter

So what you're saying is, possible this metallic purple someone repainted? If it was they did a very good job as it looks like a factory finish, even in the electronics cavity area. There's no reminant of any other color left behind, even where it's chipped. Could someone had custom requested this colour from new build? I know from boutique bass companies there's ALWAYS one offs from customers requesting as long as they're willing to pay any extra costs.

 

[The Eristic]

I've seen two purple Jazz Pluses before, both fives, one of which was sold here a few years back (and I think might actually be your bass, as I seem to recall the mismatched knobs!). I've also seen one Precision Plus (not Plus Deluxe) in that purple. There are some unusual colors out there from that era; if you get into its guitar counterpart, the Strat Plus, you'll see loads of unlisted/rare factory finishes that pop up. I'm guessing they just had days where they were shooting a certain color and decided to run a few of everything through the booth til they ran out.

Also, consider yourself lucky you spotted that on the GC site before I did!

 

[JIO]

So what you're saying is, possible this metallic purple someone repainted? If it was they did a very good job as it looks like a factory finish, even in the electronics cavity area. There's no reminant of any other color left behind, even where it's chipped. Could someone had custom requested this colour from new build? I know from boutique bass companies there's ALWAYS one offs from customers requesting as long as they're willing to pay any extra costs.

The purple is most likely a Fender factory finish but whether it was a one-off I can't say. The colours I listed referred to the Gen 1 American Standard J - even if there were a couple overlaps, the 5'r came in the 10 colours that @Vic Firth noted in his post and some of those overlapped Jazz Plus's and Fender/Kubicki's. Like I mentioned - it would be interesting to talk with a Fender person from that time to shed light on their colours/finishes then.

 

[iceboxbass]

JIO, this afternoon while playing my 90 J+ I tried the 2 selection from mute, active1 is what I call it, dialed in some mids and dialed a little more tone...WOWZERS is that Kubicki pre ballsy!!! Grit & Growl for dayssssssss! My 2 boutique basses are looking a lot lonely at this point, lol. I believe in a 1 month honeymoon and then we'll see who stays or who goes. I want to play it in my band yet and see how it sounds in the mix and in a large auditorium. Peace all.

 

[JIO]

JIO, this afternoon while playing my 90 J+ I tried the 2 selection from mute, active1 is what I call it, dialed in some mids and dialed a little more tone...WOWZERS is that Kubicki pre ballsy!!! Grit & Growl for dayssssssss! My 2 boutique basses are looking a lot lonely at this point, lol. I believe in a 1 month honeymoon and then we'll see who stays or who goes. I want to play it in my band yet and see how it sounds in the mix and in a large auditorium. Peace all.

The only drawback of the Kubicki pre is that the active and passive output is so different. (the active clicks are much louder than the passive settings) In Phil Kubicki's guide book that came with his basses, he points that out as a precaution - when playing in passive mode with amp gain up, if you click to the active setting (on the fly) it could damage your amp because of the much higher gain of the pre. The opposite is a volume step-down and not an issue other than not being as loud. As I said, I never play the passive settings (18v Kubicki Factors have 2 active settings and 2 passive settings) so I only use the 2 active clicks. (boost and active) I have a G&L L2000 which has a similar two part active pre with a passive click and the volume difference between them is nominal so going either way (on the fly) isn't an issue. Just something to consider if playing in passive mode in a live mix (with your amp at volume) and clicking to active for a boost. (as in, need to lower volume 1st)

 

[iceboxbass]

The only drawback of the Kubicki pre is that the active and passive output is so different. (the active clicks are much louder than the passive settings) In Phil Kubicki's guide book that came with his basses, he points that out as a precaution - when playing in passive mode with amp gain up, if you click to the active setting (on the fly) it could damage your amp because of the much higher gain of the pre. The opposite is a volume step-down and not an issue other than not being as loud. As I said, I never play the passive settings (18v Kubicki Factors have 2 active settings and 2 passive settings) so I only use the 2 active clicks. (boost and active) I have a G&L L2000 which has a similar two part active pre with a passive click and the volume difference between them is nominal so going either way (on the fly) isn't an issue. Just something to consider if playing in passive mode in a live mix (with your amp at volume) and clicking to active for a boost. (as in, need to lower volume 1st)

Yes I did notice that right away when switching from passive to active when I first plugged in my bass for the first time. Thank you though. After the Plus series ended in 94 did Fender continue to use the Kubicki pre but branded in Fenders name and resolved this volume issue?

 

[JIO]

Yes I did notice that right away when switching from passive to active when I first plugged in my bass for the first time. Thank you though. After the Plus series ended in 94 did Fender continue to use the Kubicki pre but branded in Fenders name and resolved this volume issue?

They installed a version of it in the "cowpoke" for a couple of years as far as I know but it wasn't the same and I've not played one to know. Most likely Fender developed their own pre for later active basses. A version of Phil Kubicki's pre was also installed in the Urge (I & II) basses from the early 90's.

 

[iceboxbass]

Stealthy lookin' axe! I like that pre (9v) because it has the mid-boost preset adjustment. It sounds very much like a Kubicki Factor - a distinctive tone I can hear before seeing what bass is being played. I rarely if ever use the passive mode so I'm not really certain if it engages the treble or not but it seems like it should. 18v Factors have one more passive click and no mid-boost adjustment, otherwise they are the same. How do you like the spacing? I think the G&L 5'r from a little earlier had a similar narrow string spacing.

When in passive mode the treble is disengaged and the bass ring becomes tone only...IAW with the Fender manual and I've tried it.

 

[iceboxbass]

Whew! Finally read thru this thread! A lot of cool info in here about the plus basses. Kudos to JIO for keeping it going

 

[iceboxbass]

While swapping out the Fender shoulder strap buttons for Dunlop's strap dual action buttons...I decided to open up the electronics cavity to check the mids gain dial to see where it was dialed in at...Looks like the former owner had it dimed out and it sounds GREAT that way Also while having the control cavity plate off I checked the grounding wires out as I'd seen there was a discussion on this to stop any pickup buzzing, though I don't have buzzing issues. I see that there's 2 grounding wires soldered to the input jack, one coming from the pre and one from the bridge and the cavity cover has shielding foil on the backside as well. FWIW

 

[iceboxbass]

I've seen two purple Jazz Pluses before, both fives, one of which was sold here a few years back (and I think might actually be your bass, as I seem to recall the mismatched knobs!). I've also seen one Precision Plus (not Plus Deluxe) in that purple. There are some unusual colors out there from that era; if you get into its guitar counterpart, the Strat Plus, you'll see loads of unlisted/rare factory finishes that pop up. I'm guessing they just had days where they were shooting a certain color and decided to run a few of everything through the booth til they ran out.

Also, consider yourself lucky you spotted that on the GC site before I did!

Mismatched knobs? All the control knobs look the same on my J+...
I actually thought that I'd lost this J+ to someone else as I waited a day before buying it so I could do some research on it first. When I went back to the GC used site it was no longer listed! A lump went up my throat, lol. The salesman said that he would set it aside, so I called and a huge relief to find out that indeed the salesman did set it aside and it was still there. Odd that they took it off their site before it was sold...anyways, lucky me! That'd be soooo cool to find a matching metallic purple P bass Plus to go together with my J+! On the HUNT!

 

[iceboxbass]

I've seen two purple Jazz Pluses before, both fives, one of which was sold here a few years back (and I think might actually be your bass, as I seem to recall the mismatched knobs!). I've also seen one Precision Plus (not Plus Deluxe) in that purple. There are some unusual colors out there from that era; if you get into its guitar counterpart, the Strat Plus, you'll see loads of unlisted/rare factory finishes that pop up. I'm guessing they just had days where they were shooting a certain color and decided to run a few of everything through the booth til they ran out.

Also, consider yourself lucky you spotted that on the GC site before I did!

Perhaps this is the one that you were referring to with mismatched knobs?
Purple American Fender Jazz bassw/hard case | eBay