Fender PLUS Owners!

[Twocan]

Seeing how this thread is about 21 years overdue, I figured I'd start one.

Fender started this line in 1989 and it ran until approx. 1994. There were four models:

The Jazz Bass Plus IV and V:

The Precision Bass Plus (AKA "Longhorn" or "Boner") as seen in the middle here: (these three are my current lineup):


The later version of the Precision Plus (thanks for munjibunga for the pic):


All models had stock Lace Sensor pickups. The jazz models and later model of the precision also had a Kubicki designed pre-amp with bass/treb knobs. The Jazz had an extra rotary switch that allowed you to play passive, active or active with an adjustable mid boost. A 4th position turned the bass off.

The Precision Plus was the first bass made in the Corona plant.

The jazz V preceeded the IV and was the first truely active bass that Fender produced.

My review of the Jazz Plus can be found here.

Harmony Central Reviews: here Invalid Link Removed

So there it is - please post your picks and reviews!

 

[bassplayer8953]

Mine (along with 2000 MIM P-Deluxe):

The Plus is a great player, with decent tone, but the Lace Sensors have weak output.

The pickups/electronics on the Deluxe are better IMO. They are both go-to's when I'm in a P-bass mood.

(Love the P-Plus pictured in natural ash, BTW)

 

[giacomini]

I swear by my 1992 P-Plus night and day.

 

[Twocan]

I'm putting the paddles on this thread and trying to shock it back to life... It never had a chance.

 

[lowphatbass]

I wish I could get my hands on one of those bridges. I put one on my '83 Jazz(you could buy them from Fender dealers in the mid to late 80's). These are by far the best "high mass" style bridge that Fender ever produced IMO.

 

[BeanzCorp]

HAHAHAHAHAA "Boner"..... aaaanyhoooooo

Played an amazing jazz !V plus at my local luthiers, and maaan, i fell in love. beautiful basses. If I had some monays i'd buy 2

 

[spongebob1981]

This basses are so good it's rediculous

Here's my Jazz Plus Deluxe V in black pearl burst

And this is me with my P Plus in blue pearl burst.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

This 2 are my only "good" basses XD

 

[bass32]

Here's a pic of my '92 Jazz V that I purchased new. I did sell it a little over a year ago though.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[StevieMac]

A 92 Jazz Plus V bought new in 92 was my first 5 string. I loved that bass but the b-string just didn’t cut it so it had to go. If the B string had been better I’d still have it.

 

[AlexanderB]

I have the five string Jazz. Great bass. Someone gutted the standard electronics and put in active EMGs. Very clear and even tone with massive lows. Not much "character", though. A keeper.

 

[bass32]

A 92 Jazz Plus V bought new in 92 was my first 5 string. I loved that bass but the b-string just didn’t cut it so it had to go. If the B string had been better I’d still have it.

The one in the photo above was my first 5 string as well. Sold it after I purchased my FCS. I probably should have kept it.
I recently purchased a AM Stnd P5 and I use it on gigs now. Very good B string.

 

[Warhawk]

Sorta still have mine that I bought new in '91 (gave it to my brother who takes very good care of it). As others have said the pickups are a bit weak but on the other side of that there's no hum from them whatsoever. Also, add just a bit of overdrive from a distortion pedal and they start getting a little growly. Fit and finish on mine (3TSB) is perfect and the match between the two or three pieces of alder is good enough to fool me that it's one piece.

As far as I know the bridge is a Schaller.

Oh, I do remember seeing a new Jazz Plus with pickguard in a white pearl color at Cleveland Music back in '92 or '93.

 

[bassnyc1]

This my Jazz Plus that I bought new in December, 1991. After saving money for about a year, I walked into Sam Ash a few days after Christmas and slammed $800 on the counter. Felt so good to be able to do that! It came with a HSC.

It was my first Fender and the only bass I had during my "really lean" years which included my 4years at Berklee. It still has the plastic on the control cavity! Yeah, the sound is just okay but what I've always loved about it is its slim back to front neck profile and its overall light weight. The kill switch has come in handy many times too.

I've semi retired this bass but I will never sell it for sentimental reasons. Besides, once in a while, when I pick it up and plug it in, it's really fun to play!

 

[Baird6869]

I had a 1992 Plus 5er that was a great bass.

Funny story... I bought it off a random guy on Craigslist and a couple of years later I ran into the same guy when he was the bar provided soundman at one of my gigs. He told me he missed the bass badly and I felt bad and sold it back to him or what I paid.

I miss it, but it was the right thing to do.

The Kubricki electronics sounded great!

 

[FloridaSam]

Mine (along with 2000 MIM P-Deluxe):

The Plus is a great player, with decent tone, but the Lace Sensors have weak output.

The pickups/electronics on the Deluxe are better IMO. They are both go-to's when I'm in a P-bass mood.

(Love the P-Plus pictured in natural ash, BTW)

I had that exact same P Bass. Bought it in 1989 from Chuck Levins. I loved the bass but like you said the pickups were meh. I loved that color combo and that bridge, wish I hadn't traded it.

 

[KISSbestfan]

This basses are so good it's rediculous

Here's my Jazz Plus Deluxe V in black pearl burst

And this is me with my P Plus in blue pearl burst.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

This 2 are my only "good" basses XD

I see that you enjoy playing yer bass

 

[bassnyc1]

Just noticed on Facebook that Phillip Kubicki died today of cancer. The bass world has lost another pioneer.....

 

[Igotsoul4u]

I am thinking about pulling the trigger on a Jazz plus deluxe. Seems like a sleeper bass. This one is priced right and is a 5 string. Hopefully I'll be part of the club if it plays nice. I like smaller basses so the tighter string spacing appeals and should compliment my sterlings. I wish I could just buy a sterling 5 but they are pricy. This would be a 3rd of that and of the same quality.

 

[villis]

ok i have just take this bass ex change it with one 6 string i didnt want! this bass is more like a musicman bass than a jazz bass! has massive lows and is noisless for a single coil bass pups! i ll try to sent you a video with my band to hear it soon!

 

[spongebob1981]

I see that you enjoy playing yer bass

And about to enjoy it some more. Saturday is my wedding and gonna play it, with some good friends, bandmates and even the wife to be on keyboard.

No matter how good the axe is, it's better when you get to swing it.