Fender: Vintage or Custom Shop?

[aetheldrea]

A brand new American Professional is pretty great. That’d be my high end choice.

Yes. And in 20 years it WILL be vintage. Plus you will have had an awesome bass to play for 20 years.

 

[coy garcia]

If you want the best player new. If you want something cool that will hold its value then vintage. Collector vs Player. Classic car vs modern car. That's how I view such matters.

 

[wyleeboxer]

I love me Flea RW jazz but it’s no custom shop. I mean it feels fantastic and sounds incredible, but I can’t get the action really low as I’d like, which is probably the difference between a CS Fender? Also, my Fender Jazz Elite has a neck to die for, it can get insane low action and still sound big without fret noise, and silky smooth with great curves. I did pull the active electronics and pups out in favor of passive Area J pups. My Elite compares to most the CS I’ve played…

 

[Koshchei]

The one I can take out of the house without my insurance premiums doubling.

 

[Mastermold]

I’ve been thinking about long term gear goals, since I’ve basically reached a point where I have all the different kinds of basses I’m into (crazy, right?). I have a checking account that I use solely for music stuff. I figure I can start saving and in my 10-20 years pick up something super cool. I’m pretty much a Fender guy, so that’s the direction I’m thinking of going.

So if you guys could have one high end Fender, what would you choose: a Custom Shop or something pre-CBS?
I realize that if I go the vintage route we are probably talking much longer to save, but this would be the Bass my daughter would eventually inherit. So I want it to be something super special that holds some value, whether she plays or not (and luckily for me she’s shown a lot of interest in music and lights up whenever I show her the Daisy Rock line).

Looks like you have your answer already: authentic pre-CBS!!

 

[Mastermold]

If those were the only two choices, custom shop hands down, full stop, end of story.

Strange but true: vintage Fenders weren't as well-built as modern Fenders, and nowhere near the quality level you'd get from a CS instrument hand-made by a dedicated luthier. Even pre-CBS Fenders were made by hand on band-saws, pin-routers, belt sanders, hand drills and other 1950's technology. The materials, especially the wood, was also significantly inferior in quality, and at the time, the workforce at the Fender factory was still semi-skilled at making basses and there were lots of mistakes made, etc.

The idea here is to not be starry-eyed about vintage Fender instruments, especially pre-CBS basses. Their value is in their collectibility and nostalgia, absolutely not in their quality as actual musical instruments. Even many of the existing pre-CBS basses have QC issues that would make you pull your hair out if you were trying to gig them.

I always hate to burst that bubble, but it really is true. If you're after a "working player's" Fender, just get a modern one. It'll be better in every conceivable way than a vintage Fender as a player. As a collector, of course, entirely different story. But for playing and gigging, just buy a new one.

I actually now own two of the higher-end Fenders I'd ever consider (Tony Franklin P bass, Jaco Artist J bass), and I can't see any reason why I'd need to spend exponentially more money on a CS version that would really only be somewhat better. And there's no comparison between these basses and vintage ones...

L

Well … counterpoint … the best Fender basses I have are pre-CBS. I think the ones still around tend to be good ones too which adds to their mystique.

 

[2112]

If I have to pick between just these two options, vintage for collecting, CS for playing.

However, neither are my overall preference, which is to fire together parts FSOs on the cheap that look, feel, play, and sound better than anything Fender makes.

 

[ModuMan]

I’ve been thinking about long term gear goals, since I’ve basically reached a point where I have all the different kinds of basses I’m into (crazy, right?). I have a checking account that I use solely for music stuff. I figure I can start saving and in my 10-20 years pick up something super cool. I’m pretty much a Fender guy, so that’s the direction I’m thinking of going.

So if you guys could have one high end Fender, what would you choose: a Custom Shop or something pre-CBS?
I realize that if I go the vintage route we are probably talking much longer to save, but this would be the Bass my daughter would eventually inherit. So I want it to be something super special that holds some value, whether she plays or not (and luckily for me she’s shown a lot of interest in music and lights up whenever I show her the Daisy Rock line).

Maybe I don't fully understand... but is this a bass for you? For you to play for years and years? Because that's the bass your daughter will associate with you, not something you spent an exorbitant sum on. You probably already own it.

Get your daughter a Daisy Rock series, that's the best investment you can make in a bass right now.

 

[Mastermold]

If I have to pick between just these two options, vintage for collecting, CS for playing….

Play the vintage ones too—they aren’t delicate—just treat them well and enjoy:

 

[pigpen ridding]

why not custom built instead of custom shop ive been dabbling with some custom built basses one was from a previous festival i did and ones being built for an upcoming festival

 

[GIBrat51]

I’ve been thinking about long term gear goals, since I’ve basically reached a point where I have all the different kinds of basses I’m into (crazy, right?). I have a checking account that I use solely for music stuff. I figure I can start saving and in my 10-20 years pick up something super cool. I’m pretty much a Fender guy, so that’s the direction I’m thinking of going.

So if you guys could have one high end Fender, what would you choose: a Custom Shop or something pre-CBS?
I realize that if I go the vintage route we are probably talking much longer to save, but this would be the Bass my daughter would eventually inherit. So I want it to be something super special that holds some value, whether she plays or not (and luckily for me she’s shown a lot of interest in music and lights up whenever I show her the Daisy Rock line).

In my case? My initial, knee jerk response is - neither. I'd prefer to keep the Fender bass I already have; an A-necked, CBS '78 P-Bass. It's served me very well since I bought it in 1989; I've never played a P-Bass that made me want to replace it; and I have no desire to own any of their other basses. But, that's not a choice that you've allowed...
If I had to choose between a pre-CBS Fender and something from their Custom Shop? Personally, that's no choice at all. It would be the vintage Fender. Why? Very simple; Like Craig82, I've had... dealings... with the Fender Custom Shop that neither I, nor they, would care to repeat. Let's just say that I'm persona non grata with them; I think they should all spend Eternity in the lowest level of Hell; and let it go at that... But, I'm not really happy with the other option, since the pre-CBS Fender means I'd have more difficulties (and I'd incur more expense) than you would, finding something I'd want to have. Why? Because I'm left handed; which means I'm fishing in a much smaller pond than you would be. Also, anything I might like to have would be more expensive - potentially a lot more expensive. And, if it was old enough, it wouldn't be available at all. For quite a while back in the day, while it was possible for "normal" people to just walk into a music store and buy one, lefty Fenders were "Custom", special order instruments. Which they didn't make a lot of...
So, while I'm actually in the happy position of being able to buy a left handed, Vintage Pre-CBS Fender bass any time I want to - I don't really want to. I'm perfectly happy with the Fender bass I already have...

 

[Polkatronixx]

Honestly, if I had a choice, I'd want a CBS-era 1972 (my birth year) precision bass. I am sure a pre-CBS precision is worth more or more highly regarded, but this is what I'd rather have.

 

[Paul Corrosion]

Considering that you're looking at this as investment to pass on to your daughter, my choice would be pre-CBS. It's the most logical choice, IMO, as whether they're better instruments or not, they should (market-depending) keep appreciating above the level of a standard CS. A Master built bespoke CS might command a higher price but the same general rules apply to this as a standard CS; you've no way of knowing what buyers are going to find desirable in 60 years - and FCS' range of instruments broadens interest pool. We have 60 years data on the appreciation of pre-CBS and no reason to believe it's going to fluctuate that much.
I say this as a standard CS owner. Make no mistake, it's a top quality instrument that's my #1 gigging bass. It it's about giving your daughter a very good bass, I'd favour a CS (although TBF, my experience with pre-CBS is limited to one really nice P I got to try a couple of years ago). If it's about worth, a pre-CBS, naturally.

 

[Acoop]

Here you go.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Craig Orndorff]

Maybe I don't fully understand... but is this a bass for you? For you to play for years and years? Because that's the bass your daughter will associate with you, not something you spent an exorbitant sum on. You probably already own it.

Get your daughter a Daisy Rock series, that's the best investment you can make in a bass right now.

Yes, it will be “my” bass. I figure that, barring any skeletal/joint or neurological conditions setting in, and if I get my weight down and avoid diabetes (runs in my family), I probably have 45-50 years of playing time ahead of me. My current gear is mostly low end, and I figure I will probably dispose of most of it in my 70s. But I would like to own one high end piece—for myself to enjoy but for her to have eventually.

I’d like to teach her to read music and get her into some kind of instrument, even if it’s not the bass (although like me she’ll probably be “built” for it—I’m 6’ 5” and her mother is 6’). If she does play bass, she’ll have a quality instrument infused with memories of me. If she doesn’t, she’ll have something she can get a couple grand out of to pursue her own passions.

 

[el murdoque]

I’ve been thinking about long term gear goals, since I’ve basically reached a point where I have all the different kinds of basses I’m into (crazy, right?). I have a checking account that I use solely for music stuff. I figure I can start saving and in my 10-20 years pick up something super cool. I’m pretty much a Fender guy, so that’s the direction I’m thinking of going.

So if you guys could have one high end Fender, what would you choose: a Custom Shop or something pre-CBS?
I realize that if I go the vintage route we are probably talking much longer to save, but this would be the Bass my daughter would eventually inherit. So I want it to be something super special that holds some value, whether she plays or not (and luckily for me she’s shown a lot of interest in music and lights up whenever I show her the Daisy Rock line).

If I were in your shoes, I'd save money until I've reached the threshold and start looking at both. It's a spectacular hunt, and maybe you're able to visit places that deal in vintage and/or custom Fenders.
Look at what's available and 'the one' will eventually present itself.

 

[Craig Orndorff]

If I were in your shoes, I'd save money until I've reached the threshold and start looking at both. It's a spectacular hunt, and maybe you're able to visit places that deal in vintage and/or custom Fenders.
Look at what's available and 'the one' will eventually present itself.

Yeah, I’ve got time….but the time will depend on which route I go. From my initial research vintage will be quite a bit higher than CS, even if I go all out.

 

[marchone]

By one account Fender didn't begin offering rolled edges until 1993. So no vintage Fender basses have the feature. It's one detail in the fit and finish of a Custom Shop offering I find very compelling.

Here's thread I started on the subject: Rolled edges

So far the percentage of players who prefer them is running 3:1.

 

[el murdoque]

Yeah, I’ve got time….but the time will depend on which route I go. From my initial research vintage will be quite a bit higher than CS, even if I go all out.

Depends on whether or not second hand CS is okay with you.
I recently was close to buying a CS Precision for two and a half grand (€uros, mind), but passed it up because it had a relic job and I can't stand those. That one had an invoice attached for €5.900,- which is the kind of money that gets you into pre-CBS territory.
I like that kind of shopping where you're not in a hurry because you're well set and want to fulfill a dream. No compromise. Find the one you want to be buried with.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

My independent-way-of-thinking two cents on this tedious matter .. in the ‘60s Fender instruments were not built to be selected-type instruments, although the shop’s size was small .. building techniques were somehow still under experimentation .. nowadays, the guys working at the Custom Shop have the input and mission to fabricate top-class FSO (not taking about Fodera class instruments), whereas construction techniques have been selected among those used in the ‘60s which yielded the best results .. therefore, one should reasonably go for a CS instrument and the choice would be obvious .. this, unless the tone of vintage instruments became better as wood aged.
Should this be the case it’s just a batter of waiting some time with a CS or another kind of US-built instrument