Fernandes 5 String in Pawn Shop

[bamoffthelip]

Came across a fernandes 5 string in good shape. The action needs to be taken down. I was in hurry and the store was closing so I apologize for not getting more info. The bass was silver and looked almost identical to the one on this page:
Fernandes Gravity 5 Deluxe 5-String Bass Guitar - Pewter | ActiveMusician
It was marked down to $49 from $299. The shop looked like they were trying to clear out their inventory. I'm thinking about jumping on it today but I don't know much about Ferndandes basses so I thought I would check here first. What do you think?

The first two letters on the serial number were FG or FR? Other than Fernandes on the headstock, I didn't see any other ID on it.

 

[Baird6869]

Why wouldn't you buy any bass that was $49, let alone something that is fairly expensive new?

They are pretty good basses... Amazing bass for fiddy bucks!

 

[sloshep]

For fifty bucks I think its worth a gamble. I still own a Fernandes that I have had since the 90's. If I found one for fifty it would be mine.

 

[bamoffthelip]

Good points. It's still for sale and I called the shop and asked them to hold it for me until after work tomorrow. What I really feel the need for is a fretless and that's part of my hesitation. Pictured are the two electrics I own right now. The one on the left is an unidentified (Ibanez?) 5 string I also picked up for $50 at a pawn shop with the intention of de-fretting it. Unfortunately, after I got it running with flatwounds I liked it so much I decided not to defret it. I'm looking for an inexpensive fretless (~$100) to try on but nothing's come up in the last two months so I'm still considering a defret project which I'd rather avoid if I can. The Fernandes just seems like a great value. Decisions decisions!

 

[kjpollo]

Unless the truss rod was in pieces, I'd roll the dice on that one myself.

 

[Gord_oh]

ill give you the $49 and another $10 to cover shipping to get it out to me.


just buy it. if you dont like it put it on craigslist for $100 and double your money.

 

[BrBss]

There's also a Gravity 5x (Fernandes Gravity 5X Bass Guitar), as well as the older Gravity models and the APB line. At $50 it's still a good deal, be sure to post some pics when you bring it home so the knowledgeable folks on TB can tell you what you have!

 

[BrBss]

if you dont like it put it on craigslist for $100 and double your money.

Craigslist? Post it here on the classifieds to "keep in in the family"

 

[bamoffthelip]

That 5x is probably what it is as it looks identical to what I remember. You guys are teetering me on the fence towards the buy side.

 

[kjpollo]

That 5x is probably what it is as it looks identical to what I remember. You guys are teetering me on the fence towards the buy side.[/QUOTE]

No kidding!! This is TB, right? Arent we the biggest group of enablers you've ever seen???

 

[bamoffthelip]

Uh, yeah, I don't feel anyone hinting toward abstinence here

 

[SeaBassTheFish]

There is a Fernandes club here on TB. I'm sure they'll all tell you the same thing - that you should just buy it. They make some really nice basses.
And if it breaks in 2 days, you can sell the hardware off and get your money back.

 

[blastoff99]

Hmm... seems like for $49 you simply can't go too far wrong. I'd have snatched it up on the spot, assuming it was in one piece.

Full disclosure: I own a very similar bass...

 

[sps500]

Always liked Fernandes basses. Tried them and always found them to be very nice and great value. I believe Rocco Prestia used to endorse them a while back.

 

[Stanley Pugh]

I have one, great bass.

 

[bamoffthelip]

Ok, here it is! $53 out the door. I had to bring in my own practice amp to test it. I cranked down the truss rod and brought the neck relief and action almost to what it should be before I bought it.

Any thoughts on this bass?

 

[BrBss]

Ok, here it is! $53 out the door. I had to bring in my own practice amp to test it. I cranked down the truss rod and brought the neck relief and action almost to what it should be before I bought it.

Any thoughts on this bass?

Looks like a 5x to me.