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Guitar Center does it again!
- Thread starter jd56hawk
- Start date
Fender's been using most of those colors since the 60s and they were based on cars from the 50s...
Alright, I stopped by my GC on the way home tonight and they had the Jazz on display... naturally I had to plug it in and check it out.
I am a sucker for the look and feel of the unfinished rosewood necks, and it just felt great as expected. The laser etched logo was underwhelming in person, it is not very deep into the wood, I think it would've been cooler if the depth allowed for a more 3D look with some shadow involved.
There were a couple surprises that I apparently missed in the spec... this thing is equipped with vintage reverse tuners and has a hootenanny button installed. That coupled with the faux clay dots tells me they were going for a vintage vibe but then took a left turn with the body specs being all modern American Professional including the V-Mod pickups and the HMV bridge. The hybrid approach was sort of appealing to me though. I also should note here that it has the serial number stamped on the neckplate and it's a V-series number typically used for the vintage series instruments.
The overall look was much more impressive in person, the shell pink looks much cooler when you are holding the thing in your hands under normal lighting. The fit and finish were superb and the fretwork was quite nice. I dig the skinny vintage frets too.
The setup however, was not great... the neck, probably settling into it's new Northern Ohio climate, was in need of a truss rod tweak. It wasn't far off and I could tell that it would dial in very nicely with a proper setup to my taste.
The tone was just as you'd expect from an Am Pro with maybe a little more punch overall. I was able to dial in all of the requisite jazz bass tones.
I'd give it an A+ on fit & finish, A+ on sound, B on playability (setup would solve any issues there) and an A- on overall (the small penalty is for the lackluster headstock logo).
I had to rush home and play my Jazz to try and quench the GAS that was induced by this bass. I would be glad to add one to my collection but I just can't justify the cost right now. I predict that these will sell like hotcakes and hold their value pretty nicely.
I am a sucker for the look and feel of the unfinished rosewood necks, and it just felt great as expected. The laser etched logo was underwhelming in person, it is not very deep into the wood, I think it would've been cooler if the depth allowed for a more 3D look with some shadow involved.
There were a couple surprises that I apparently missed in the spec... this thing is equipped with vintage reverse tuners and has a hootenanny button installed. That coupled with the faux clay dots tells me they were going for a vintage vibe but then took a left turn with the body specs being all modern American Professional including the V-Mod pickups and the HMV bridge. The hybrid approach was sort of appealing to me though. I also should note here that it has the serial number stamped on the neckplate and it's a V-series number typically used for the vintage series instruments.
The overall look was much more impressive in person, the shell pink looks much cooler when you are holding the thing in your hands under normal lighting. The fit and finish were superb and the fretwork was quite nice. I dig the skinny vintage frets too.
The setup however, was not great... the neck, probably settling into it's new Northern Ohio climate, was in need of a truss rod tweak. It wasn't far off and I could tell that it would dial in very nicely with a proper setup to my taste.
The tone was just as you'd expect from an Am Pro with maybe a little more punch overall. I was able to dial in all of the requisite jazz bass tones.
I'd give it an A+ on fit & finish, A+ on sound, B on playability (setup would solve any issues there) and an A- on overall (the small penalty is for the lackluster headstock logo).
I had to rush home and play my Jazz to try and quench the GAS that was induced by this bass. I would be glad to add one to my collection but I just can't justify the cost right now. I predict that these will sell like hotcakes and hold their value pretty nicely.
True, but those colors were custom finishes. In the '70's Fender standard finishes for most models were black, sunburst and natural. Some models had their own default standard finish that would be a custom color on any other model (Telecaster blonde comes to mind). Having to dish out an extra hundred bucks back then for a custom color (with or without the matching headstock)certainly limited the amount of them. Today they trend seems to be models introduced with these pastel shades as the standard finish or as a choice with two others (burst and another pastel).
Not at all. Both basses were very well balanced.
I did notice neck dive when I played the 2016 Custom Shop Precision. That neck was almost a baseball bat, and slathered in lacquer.
I was impressed by the Fender Professionals. Both sounded and played great. The Jazz, despite being pink, was even more intriguing because it sounded so good... To me, it seems much harder to find a great jazz bass compared to a great P bass. I put the Jazz on hold immediately. The P is gone from the store I vistited.
I saw one of the shell pink jazz basses at local GC. Looks nice. The (extra) strap button on back of headstock was different. Was that a thing at some point?
The neck itself felt nice.
I was in a hurry so did not get to plug in. But they’re out there in at least some GCs already
The neck itself felt nice.
I was in a hurry so did not get to plug in. But they’re out there in at least some GCs already
Just bought one with 15% off black Friday deal. After a return of a used p-bass it was $637 out the door. It's now my 3rd jazz bass. And #1 in my heart.
The serial number on it was covering the model number, so they had it listed incorrectly.
Doesn't matter much, I returned it after one night. Flimsiest neck I may have ever experienced.
Doesn't matter much, I returned it after one night. Flimsiest neck I may have ever experienced.
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
- 16,223
- 7,613
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- Disclosures
- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
Here is what I asked and the response from Fender:
Dear Fender Support—
I am a loyal Fender bass lover, and own vintage, CS, AVRI, and Road Worn Fender basses. I travel.
I am curious as to exactly which rosewood is being used in the neck of the Fender American Professional Jazz Bass Rosewood Neck Limited Edition instrument. I realize it is not Dalberiga Negra.
Can you supply me with the exact latin Genus and Species, as used in these instruments. For example like the woods Dalbergia Negra or Dalbergia Latifolis, etc.?
I am familiar with tonewoods and the various CITES restrictions concerning them. Can you also clarify if there are any restrictions on the wood used in the necks of the Fender American Professional Jazz Bass Rosewood Neck Limited Edition instruments?
Summary: I'm asking for genus and species of the neck wood on said basses, and any CITES restriction.
Keep up the good work! Thank you so very much.
Sincerely,
Dr. James H. Carr
Fender's somewhat vague reply—I assume there may be more info forthcoming:
Justin Gaudet (Fender)
Nov 23, 08:40 MST
Hey James,
I'm reaching out to get info but this may wind up being proprietary info. I'm not 100% sure so I put the question out there. Most species of Rosewood are affected by CITES to some degree.
All the best
Justin Gaudet
Consumer Relations | U.S. Direct Sales Representative
Fender Musical Instruments Corp. | 17600 N. Perimeter Drive, Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Telephone: 480-845-5146
Thanks for asking this.
I don’t think they can really duck under the “proprietary” blanket on this one, since customers need to declare exactly what they are traveling with (and a company as large as Fender has, one hopes, followed applicable laws and sourced their supply accordingly).
I appreciate that you have inquired and are sharing what you find.
Heh, maybe they thought you were the wood police.
Anyway, is there a specific reason you need that info? As I understand it, all rosewood has export restrictions. Even if it were some variety that isn't quite as restricted, good luck trying to explain the difference to a customs official.
But hey, at least you got a reply. I bet Gibson would've sent assassins to rub you out just for asking.
Help me understand the CITES regulations better, if you would please.
It it about traveling with a bass that you will use somewhere and bring back?
Or is it only about exporting them for sale?
Or both?
Thank you.
There is a sticky thread on this. It’s extemely complicated and evolving and would probably only concern you if you travel or ship internationally.
CITES thread:
CITES - What every bass player should know
It applies to certain woods, such as some types of rosewood, which are treated differently by species. (Shell inlays, ivory piano keys, some violin bows etc etc have also been problematic although I’m not sure all of that is CITES; at any rate check out the sticky thread)
