Fender Plus Deluxe Club

[JIO]

thread is looking great JIO thanks for all of the info.

Sure thing - after 20+ years, these basses are coming into their own. They're 'matured' to the point where their voice is finally being heard. It's cool to have the posts of players like Stewie26 who bought them new - I owned my first Kubicki Factor in '93 - a used and abused '86. (for about what you bought your Jazz Bass Plus for!) These Fender basses weren't on my radar screen then. I wasn't even a Fender player back then. ('64 T-bird and my '86 Factor) But once I bought my first Fender, a new '06 '51 RI P, I was hooked. So aside from singing the praises of all things Leo Fender, it's more about this cool period where ex-Fender employee Phil Kubicki aligned (for better or worse) back w/Fender to create this exclusive bass. Can't wait to see more owners post pics of their Plus/Plus Deluxes.

 

[SirMjac28]

I agree they are on par or better than anything being produced today when I picked that first one up I knew that was the bass. I'm just glad I dumped everything I wasn't playing and got three nice basses which this is one of. I'm trying to research to see what the stock strings were I might have to contact Fender unless anyone knows.

 

[Chef]

stock strings were likely whatever Fender nickles were at the time....

 

[JIO]

I guess it comes down to the feel/tone you're after. My Plus Deluxe arrives today and I'll determine where to go once I play it. Sometimes I leave strings on a used bass and sometimes I replace then straight away. Just depends on personal preference after playing. I'm not sure Fender specified certain strings for certain series (as Chef noted) but just installed what they were installing on all their basses.

I talked w/Phil Kubicki on the phone once and he went into a long tutorial about strings. I was on a bicycle ride early on a Saturday morning when he called. I had just sent my Factor for a once over and included a set of new strings for him to put on. He probably just received it, saw the strings and felt obligated to clue me in on what strings worked best w/his bass. It made me smile that he cared so much to do that. He was a genuine guy who knew his craft and loved what he did.

 

[Feezelbum]

Beautiful

Thanks mjac! My crappy iPhone pic really doesn't do justice... I did purchase this from a great fellow TB'er about a year ago (thanks again GkevinK), who still has some awsome quality pics up on his flickr... I hope he doesn't mind me linking, but they really do the bass the justice it deserves.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gkevink/sets/72157633102636555

Beauty - does the maple neck give it an edge tonally? Thanks for posting!

I really wish I could tell you JIO... ammazingly enough, I have never owned or even played anything other than maple. I always preferred it visually, so I just never had a reason. I should probably make an effort to at least try one someday =)

The bass has a wonderful snap and growl to it, and I really love the jazz neck... and you just can't argue with the sleek look of these things. I am a pbass guy, but I love pulling this one out when it warrants... I intend on keeping this one in the stable, for sure.

 

[JIO]

Thanks mjac! My crappy iPhone pic really doesn't do justice... I did purchase this from a great fellow TB'er about a year ago (thanks again GkevinK), who still has some awsome quality pics up on his flickr... I hope he doesn't mind me linking, but they really do the bass the justice it deserves.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gkevink/sets/72157633102636555



I really wish I could tell you JIO... ammazingly enough, I have never owned or even played anything other than maple. I always preferred it visually, so I just never had a reason. I should probably make an effort to at least try one someday =)

The bass has a wonderful snap and growl to it, and I really love the jazz neck... and you just can't argue with the sleek look of these things. I am a pbass guy, but I love pulling this one out when it warrants... I intend on keeping this one in the stable, for sure.

nice pics! thanks for sharing

I mostly play rosewood or ebony boards and have two Fender P's w/maple (fretted & fretless) necks. I dig them all.

 

[SirMjac28]

stock strings were likely whatever Fender nickles were at the time....

Thanks Chef

 

[SirMjac28]

I guess it comes down to the feel/tone you're after. My Plus Deluxe arrives today and I'll determine where to go once I play it. Sometimes I leave strings on a used bass and sometimes I replace then straight away. Just depends on personal preference after playing. I'm not sure Fender specified certain strings for certain series (as Chef noted) but just installed what they were installing on all their basses.

I talked w/Phil Kubicki on the phone once and he went into a long tutorial about strings. I was on a bicycle ride early on a Saturday morning when he called. I had just sent my Factor for a once over and included a set of new strings for him to put on. He probably just received it, saw the strings and felt obligated to clue me in on what strings worked best w/his bass. It made me smile that he cared so much to do that. He was a genuine guy who knew his craft and loved what he did.

Great story I wish I would have had the pleasure to have known him.

 

[JIO]

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!

 

[SirMjac28]

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!

Sweet.sweet,sweet man is she pretty it looks totally unplayed wow nice JIO your review is dead on.

 

[JIO]

Sweet.sweet,sweet man is she pretty it looks totally unplayed wow nice JIO your review is dead on.

N-O-S baby and lovin' it! The tone this thing produces is like a time machine - I'm there!

 

[SirMjac28]

N-O-S baby and lovin' it! The tone this thing produces is like a time machine - I'm there!

It's Back To The Future for sure man congrats on a serious museum piece.

 

[JIO]

It's Back To The Future for sure man congrats on a serious museum piece.

I'm spacin' but I recall someone noting that the Kubicki pre in these basses was buzzy (aside from the pu's) - and he was correct (at least mine is). I don't recall that with my Factors, but it was a while ago since I last owned one. I wonder if it could be a shielding issue or if it's just the pre-amp itself? I popped the hood and the compartment is factory painted with grey/black shielding paint. I also liked seeing the machine screws in brass sockets - nice.

 

[SirMjac28]

I'm spacin' but I recall someone noting that the Kubicki pre in these basses was buzzy (aside from the pu's) - and he was correct (at least mine is). I don't recall that with my Factors, but it was a while ago since I last owned one. I wonder if it could be a shielding issue or if it's just the pre-amp itself? I popped the hood and the compartment is factory painted with grey/black shielding paint. I also liked seeing the machine screws in brass sockets - nice.

Yeah someone mentioned that in my NBD thread it's so weird because I haven't noticed anything and I'm anal about noise.I don't gig so maybe I don't have mine up loud enough? Also I compare everything to my Big Block Precision which sounds like a bag of snakes being beaten. If yours wasn't so perfect I would recommend those new N3 noiseless Fender pups they sound amazing but I wonder if a quick shielding couldn't solve that problem very quickly do you have access to another rig or maybe a GC close bye you could test it against your rig?

 

[JIO]

Yeah someone mentioned that in my NBD thread it's so weird because I haven't noticed anything and I'm anal about noise.I don't gig so maybe I don't have mine up loud enough? Also I compare everything to my Big Block Precision which sounds like a bag of snakes being beaten. If yours wasn't so perfect I would recommend those new N3 noiseless Fender pups they sound amazing but I wonder if a quick shielding couldn't solve that problem very quickly do you have access to another rig or maybe a GC close bye you could test it against your rig?

Usually buzz is a factor when recording and playing quietly - when playing live it's less critical because everything is loud and single-coil guitars out-buzz basses by a long shot.

http://www.google.com/shopping/prod...a=X&ei=lAHqUpPCD8_zoATtmoLABg&ved=0CCsQ8wIwAw

Looks like about $120 for 2 bridge N3 pu's. They're good huh? It's not coming from my rig for sure, only hear it w/this bass plugged in. And it's not terrible, but not super quiet either. I use split-coils (Fender 88's and Lindy Fralins) in a couple of my J's and EMG X's in another and they are all dead quiet. I'm not sure how important it is to have single-coil pu's in this bass. (The Lace Sensor are single coil pu's yes?) Something to look into down the line.

 

[Bassisgood4U]

I disconnected the treble boost in my old J Plus Deluxe. Got rid of all that noise, while still leaving many options in tone.

 

[JIO]

I disconnected the treble boost in my old J Plus Deluxe. Got rid of all that noise, while still leaving many options in tone.

Thanks so much for that info - I guess the 18V db buzz is even worse. I'll definitely look into that. My favorite setting is the non-boost active click. (2 from off) Do you have a diagram of which wire that would be to disconnect it?

 

[SirMjac28]

Usually buzz is a factor when recording and playing quietly - when playing live it's less critical because everything is loud and single-coil guitars out-buzz basses by a long shot.

http://www.google.com/shopping/prod...a=X&ei=lAHqUpPCD8_zoATtmoLABg&ved=0CCsQ8wIwAw

Looks like about $120 for 2 bridge N3 pu's. They're good huh? It's not coming from my rig for sure, only hear it w/this bass plugged in. And it's not terrible, but not super quiet either. I use split-coils (Fender 88's and Lindy Fralins) in a couple of my J's and EMG X's in another and they are all dead quiet. I'm not sure how important it is to have single-coil pu's in this bass. (The Lace Sensor are single coil pu's yes?) Something to look into down the line.

The N3's are what the American Deluxe series uses and those basses are incredible. The Lace sensors are single coils and they are surrounded by metal barriers which are designed to reduce electro-magnetic interference I have them in a cowpoke bass and I was told they were considered to be the first "noiseless" pups.

 

[JIO]

The N3's are what the American Deluxe series uses and those basses are incredible. The Lace sensors are single coils and they are surrounded by metal barriers which are designed to reduce electro-magnetic interference I have them in a cowpoke bass and I was told they were considered to be the first "noiseless" pups.

OK, thanks mjac28 - yes, that sounds right (LS =the first noiseless pu's) - good historical timeline info. So the N3's are split-coils? Or ? At least there seems to be options to reduce or eliminate buzz.

Meanwhile, I'll rock it no less!

 

[SirMjac28]

OK, thanks mjac28 - yes, that sounds right (LS =the first noiseless pu's) - good historical timeline info. So the N3's are split-coils? Or ? At least there seems to be options to reduce or eliminate buzz.

Meanwhile, I'll rock it no less!

I'm not sure if the N3's are split coil they are noiseless and everyone says they are dead quiet it's really cool to see our babies progress to the new American Deluxe series it also has the ability to go passive.