Fender Prophecy III

[WayneP]

Here’s a Prophesy III with a Heartfield headstock:
https://reverb.com/item/54460993-19...r-japan-prophecy-iii-neckthrough-bass-natural

The Heartfield web site has pictures of various Prophesy’s with both Fender and Heartfield headstocks.

Heartfield Guitars - Prophecy I/II/III

The ultimate archive site for pictures of cool/rare/interesting Heartfield guitars

www.heartfield.guitars

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
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[Bergerama]

Attached is a Fender press release to its dealers (downloaded at the Heartfield website @WG Plum linked) about the Heartfield guitars and basses.

It discusses the problem @MtManiac mentioned, namely that Fender shoppers want a P or J and anything that strays too far from that, they won’t buy. Conversely, players who aren’t Fender fans aren’t inclined to buy anything from Fender, even if it isn’t a FSO.

So, in the late 1980s Fender had the idea of partnering with Fujigen to make and sell guitars under a different brand name (Heartfield), like a number of car manufacturers have done. It seems problems with the value of the Yen to the Dollar crippled and ultimately killed the project. Near the end, Fender reversed course and started putting the Fender name on some of the offerings. Which seems silly, as it put them right back to their original problem.

I have a 5-string Heartfield DR5; it’s an awesome bass and sounds fantastic. My only complaint is that it burns through batteries like candy. Mine has a separate easy-access battery compartment, which helps facilitate easy changes without needing a screw driver. @Bergerama ‘s bass doesn’t have that, and the pickups are different, so I have to wonder if they changed out the electronics with the Prophesy basses.

Regardless, @Bergerama ‘s example is a stunning bass. And from what I’ve heard, neck-throughs are rare.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
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Wow that is fascinating! Thank you for sending it. I haven’t read it all yet but I will.

 

[poochiecheeks]

I have a red prophecy III that Im selling only for financial reasons.
Absolutely incredible bass, nothing about it feels like a fender anything, in a good way. More like a spector really. The one I have is converted passive which is even better.

 

[BadMonk]

Niiiice!

 

[wavemaker]

I‘ve never heard of these before, cool find!
What’s really interesting to me besides their existence is the fact that they seem to be what the (short-lived, ca. 2019) Chapman Dave Hollingworth basses were bases on: The silhouette is almost exactly the same!

The top on yours looks like bubinga to me, too. The back seems to be mahogany.

 

[LowEndLobster]

Beautiful example!

 

[poochiecheeks]

I‘ve never heard of these before, cool find!
What’s really interesting to me besides their existence is the fact that they seem to be what the (short-lived, ca. 2019) Chapman Dave Hollingworth basses were bases on: The silhouette is almost exactly the same!

View attachment 7409313

The top on yours looks like bubinga to me, too. The back seems to be mahogany.

That probably sounds great

 

[MtManiac]

Attached is a Fender press release to its dealers (downloaded at the Heartfield website @WG Plum linked) about the Heartfield guitars and basses.

It discusses the problem @MtManiac mentioned, namely that Fender shoppers want a P or J and anything that strays too far from that, they won’t buy. Conversely, players who aren’t Fender fans aren’t inclined to buy anything from Fender, even if it isn’t a FSO.

So, in the late 1980s Fender had the idea of partnering with Fujigen to make and sell guitars under a different brand name (Heartfield), like a number of car manufacturers have done. It seems problems with the value of the Yen to the Dollar crippled and ultimately killed the project. Near the end, Fender reversed course and started putting the Fender name on some of the offerings. Which seems silly, as it put them right back to their original problem.

I have a 5-string Heartfield DR5; it’s an awesome bass and sounds fantastic. My only complaint is that it burns through batteries like candy. Mine has a separate easy-access battery compartment, which helps facilitate easy changes without needing a screw driver. @Bergerama ‘s bass doesn’t have that, and the pickups are different, so I have to wonder if they changed out the electronics with the Prophesy basses.

Regardless, @Bergerama ‘s example is a stunning bass. And from what I’ve heard, neck-throughs are rare.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Official Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Official Heartfield Club #36
Administrator, Official Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Official Pre-Gibson Tobias Owners Club
Administrator, Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Basses
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly
Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide

Great addition to the history, thanks!

 

[Bergerama]

Beautiful bass and a very unique Fender!

Very fitting model for a worship player too!

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

So Anyway, Congrats on scoring a beautiful bass.
How's the sound and setup?

 

[Bergerama]

So Anyway, Congrats on scoring a beautiful bass.
How's the sound and setup?

It sounds very good - the P pickups are punchy and the J pickup is smooth. The strings are yucky and will be changed out as soon as my La Bella gold white nylons come in Friday (I love me some tapewounds and I think those will look awesome on this guy). The neck is straight as an arrow and the action feels great too - I'll probably tweak it a bit after replacing the strings. It feels very comfortable to play. The neck is much thinner and flatter than typical Fender necks and I love that.

 

[Howard Heath]

Hello fellow talkbass people!

I was perusing my local Facebook marketplace yesterday and came across this beautiful Fender bass I had never heard of. I didn't think Fender made anything like this so I thought it was fake but after some digging it appears this was an extremely limited offering from Fender / Heartfield guitars made in Japan. I was not planning on buying a bass at all but could not pass up the opportunity to snag this. It was listed yesterday for pickup in the middle of nowhere, Arkansas, USA, but the seller happened to be in my area this morning at 6:30 AM and I jumped at the opportunity. I'm very lucky I did as they received several inquiries throughout the night but I had already claimed it. I am amazed at the quality, rarity, uniqueness... just everything. It is in amazing shape especially considering it is over 30 years old. The only thing I can't quite figure out is why the serial number doesn't match Fender's standard and doesn't come up in their database but it absolutely seems legit. Perhaps this is just odd enough that it didn't make the database. If anyone can shed some light on that mystery that would be greatly appreciated. I just wanted to share my find with you wonderful people and welcome any information y'all have about this amazing bass!

View attachment 7408687View attachment 7408688View attachment 7408689View attachment 7408690View attachment 7408691View attachment 7408692

That's the same one that I have, with the fender logo on it.
I love the feel and the tone but don't play that one a lot as it is a true treasure.

 

[Bergerama]

That's the same one that I have, with the fender logo on it.
I love the feel and the tone but don't play that one a lot as it is a true treasure.

I love the look and feel of it. The P pickup is really god too. I avoid the j pickup when I play for a worship band since it is single coil and hums. The wall of lighting just behind me doesn’t help either that. I might change the pickups out for noise cancelling ones one day but hesitate to mess with anything original.

 

[WayneP]

I avoid the j pickup when I play for a worship band since it is single coil and hums. The wall of lighting just behind me doesn’t help either

I have the same problem with my DR5 at my church. It’s so bad I can’t even play it there. A shame, ’cause I’d sure like to play it more.

BTW, we have a Heartfield club, if you’re interested – check the link below.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Ecclesia: Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
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Big Cabs Club #23
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly
My Basses

 

[Steakbomb]

Oh man really nice. I had a blue prophecy 2 (bolt-on neck) for many years and it played really well. If I had a single complaint it was the glossy finish on the back of the neck.
I wanted a 3 for many years but never found a blue one in my searches (and I’m picky about the color haha).
Post up some sound clips if you are so inclined!