Help with NBD - 70’s rock logo Fernandes

[Stephan Rangel]

Just received an old beat up Fernandes today. Upon arrival it had a lot of fret buzz, so I left it with a luthier I trust to evaluate the neck.
Neck is fine, just a few high frets. Truss rod works fine, bass is in playable condition. Also very light (didn't weight it, but certainly lighter than my MiM p bass). He also noted that the body is thinner than a fender p.
So I decided to do a little research. Guy sold it as an almost all original 78' (it had 1 tuning key, pots and knobs replaced). Looking at the catalog, there wasn't a model exactly like this one. It had pictures of natural body only with maple necks. Catalog also didn't show tuning keys like this one. This plus the thinner body got me thinking if it really is what he says.
I'll get the bass tomorrow and add more pics, but I'll post what I have now. I'm under buyers protection, so I can send it back if I decide to.
What you guys think?

 

[Killing Floor]

I think it looks like a rock'n'roll machine gun and you should wear a dent into it by playing daily.

I also recognize the mark of a true craftsman, the headstock is the same color as body. Play the heck out of it.

 

[murphy]

It has newer Gotoh resolite tuners...150 bucks value....and great weight reduction.
Oh G string Key is different...the replacement...cheaper?
Bass looks good.
I think you have a fine instrument there

 

[Five or Six]

Those are war wounds. Shows its been somewhere and ready to go again. Play it like you stole it!

 

[CletusMarley]

I agree with what's been posted. Play the snot out of it. Nice score!

 

[D.M.N.]

There were a lot of non-catalogue basses mae by the various Japanese companies in that period. The fact it's not catalogue wouldn't be an issue for me, though I can't say if the thinner body was standard.

 

[Kawai2g4b]

There were a lot of non-catalogue basses mae by the various Japanese companies in that period. The fact it's not catalogue wouldn't be an issue for me, though I can't say if the thinner body was standard.

You are right about that. I have had a couple and currently have one Fernandes bass that is absent from catalogs. I wouldn't be shocked if the OP's wasn't in a catalog either.

 

[D.M.N.]

You are right about that. I have had a couple and currently have one Fernandes bass that is absent from catalogs. I wouldn't be shocked if the OP's wasn't in a catalog either.

Exactly. I've seen plenty of Grecos that, by the catalogues, don't exits but I've seen them or own them. And I'm certain Fernandes out out plenty that weren't technically on the books either.

 

[Camarillo]

Very nice find.

 

[TTPbass1]

Look just like the one that was at the local rehearsal studio that my youth band used to go in the mid 80's. I usually played it because I was too lazy to bring my own bass to practice (I ride a bicycle at that time). That bass had a Dimarzio cream pup (suspect a Model P).
Bass was super light, and as I can remember, a bit smaller than my MIK Squier II Precision, with a thinner neck. Bass sounded great and was very easy to play. At one point I was near buying it.

 

[Stephan Rangel]

Thanks, it is indeed a nice bass
Doing more research I've found vintage fender bass bodies are thinner than modern production. Maybe that's why this one is also thinner.
And good to know about the tuners. Looks like they don't sell it individually. So, if anyone has a spare and is willing to sell…

 

[wvbass]

IMO, with a bass like that, whether it is what it purports to be doesn't matter. It isn't a '62 Jazz, or a '76 Ray or anything like that. What matters is whether that bass is one that you want to play. It looks to me like it has lots of potential!

 

[LAST_C]

If it sounds good, plays good and you believe you paid a fair price, I wouldn't worry about anything else.

If you're not sure about it, then send it back.

 

[groooooove]

you're not supposed to look at the catalog for a bass like that.

looks like a monster!

enjoy it.

 

[Marko 1]

It's not a fake of something high-end,

if it plays and sound good (I suspect anything with a P configuration would),

I'd be more than happy with it whatever it is.

 

[jimmydean]

I LIKE IT ! I LIKE IT!........Man , I really like it .

 

[neo 7]

That's a beauty

 

[Grinderman]

It has newer Gotoh resolite tuners...150 bucks value....and great weight reduction.
Oh G string Key is different...the replacement...cheaper?
Bass looks good.
I think you have a fine instrument there

Like Nash uses... I was thinking the same in terms of if it were me, I'd...

Also, it's a thin or thinner-than-typical body? Me: Cool, count me in! If that's not presenting any practical problems to me that's a bonus. e.g. Olinto has a reputation for making their bodies quite thin--1-1/2" thick--and they're not exactly cheap or crappy.

 

[Grinderman]

Just received an old beat up Fernandes today. Upon arrival it had a lot of fret buzz, so I left it with a luthier I trust to evaluate the neck.
Neck is fine, just a few high frets. Truss rod works fine, bass is in playable condition. Also very light (didn't weight it, but certainly lighter than my MiM p bass). He also noted that the body is thinner than a fender p.
So I decided to do a little research. Guy sold it as an almost all original 78' (it had 1 tuning key, pots and knobs replaced). Looking at the catalog, there wasn't a model exactly like this one. It had pictures of natural body only with maple necks. Catalog also didn't show tuning keys like this one. This plus the thinner body got me thinking if it really is what he says.
I'll get the bass tomorrow and add more pics, but I'll post what I have now. I'm under buyers protection, so I can send it back if I decide to.
What you guys think?

View attachment 5169727

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If you don't want it, let me know.

 

[vvvmmm]

FWIW, I like the brand, have a Tremor bass.

I also have two Fernandes Sustainer guitars, neither one of which I can find in the catalogs, etc., with the configuration of mine which are clearly not modded.