• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Fender Quality

debassr

debassr

Jan 23, 2008
1,835
18
Boston
#1
Please indulge me even though this may be a bit of a love letter. I've owned a ton of different basses over the years - from Squire to Fodera and pretty much everything in between. These days though, I'm strictly Fender. Why? Because portions of Fender's lineup currently offers me the tone, quality and value I'm looking for.

My two primary basses are a MIA '62 American Vintage Precision and a MIM 70's Jazz Bass. Between these two, I can dial up just about any tone I can think of.

The 62 AVP has an amazing fit and finish, it just feels like a really high quality bass. Balance is good, it stays in tune for an amazingly long time, the neck pocket mates perfectly with the neck, the fretboard wood is stunning, fretwork and neck is smooth, straight and reliable - no sharp ends or buzzing at all - even with crazy low action. The vintage pups have that killer vintage wooly thump when strung up with a set of 760FL's. It even includes a gorgeous case. I paid $1200 for her new and it's been pure love ever since.

The 70's Jazz surprised the hell out of me - I just can't believe that it was made in Mexico. The neck on this girl is maybe the best I've ever played or worked on. The bullet truss rod is incredibly handy, the blocks and binding are about as close to perfect as I've ever seen Fender get. Between the ability to set it for extremely low action and the thin, yet substantial feel of the neck I can get amazing speed and accuracy out of this setup. The vintage pups cover every tone from wool sweaters to blinding sunshine. A set of medium light chromes have proven to be the perfect string on this one. The neck pocket needed a bit of love (shimming) out of the box but other than that minor nitpick, the value of this bass goes FAR beyond its $750 price tag.

I'd also like to drop a shout-out for the 08-09 American Standard Precisions - absolutely stunning quality, fit, and finish and choice of components like the HMV bridge and Hipshot tuners.

Fender, if you ever read this keep up the good work! :)

Below is a pic of my girls...

4116369190_98cec426b3_o.jpg
 
#4
I never tire of Fender porn :)

Up until 2007, I deliberately avoided Fenders since I wanted something unique ... a bit different from the crowd.

That changed when I bought an MIM Deluxe P Special two years ago, and long story short, lead to the all-Fender passive collection I currently have ('09 MIA P - I added a wood thumbrest, '08 Jazz, '06 MIM 50's P Classic).

I couldn't separate myself from any of them. The 50's P Classic is the surprise of the bunch ... bought used for a quarter of the price as the other two new, but it ranks equal with the MIA for feel and tone (different, but just as good). I keep Chromes (45-100) on the sunburst pair, D'Addario Nickelwound on the 50's P. Heaven.

I almost went with the '62 AVP when I bought my '09 P-Bass ... I think I tossed a coin to decide.

Perhaps not the most unique basses in the world (the least unique actually), but every one can find their own unique voice playing one ...

DSC05891.jpg
 
#5
Relayer71 said:
Too many f/x.
Click to expand...

The fx on top of the amp aren't plugged in. The active stuff is on the board -- from left to right is just; a true bypass loop blender, a punch factory compressor, a cream pie for a bit of grit, and a pitchblack tuner. With the blender, it's rare that I run more than 50% of my signal wet.

So I guess if you qualify too many fx as more than 1, then you're right. :smug:
 
#6
Yeah, more than 1 is too much then, lol.

Seriously though all this P-Bass and J-Bass porn is giving me gas!!!

Just got back into bass earlier this year (hadn't played in 15 years and back then only owned a bass for about 2 years - been playing guitar all this time) and in love with Ibanez Soundgears (love the way they feel and especially the looks of the Prestige models).

But that first bass I had back then was a P-Bass and everytime I see one I WANT ONE!

They remind me of the Tele (guitar) which I've had a 20 year love affair with: so utterly simple, yet elegant and classy, and always get the job done!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back