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How were the 90s for Fender?
- Thread starter Holy War
- Start date
My 92-3(?) U.S. Plus Jazz Bass wasn't anything special. It was good enough, but the neck pocket on it wasn't as tight as a friend's Japanese Fender, made around the same time. The finishes were comparable, as well. I liked his bass better, to be honest. That's the best I can do for you.
Hmm,
I just bought a 97 Fender American Deluxe P Bass. Love it. Mine is an incredible instrument. I'll never let this one go.
I just bought a 97 Fender American Deluxe P Bass. Love it. Mine is an incredible instrument. I'll never let this one go.
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
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- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
i actually like 90s fenders more than most fenders to be honest.
some mixed oppinions in this thread..
i owned 2 USA fenders from the 90s. both were great. one was earlier 90s, other was 97 i believe...dont have either anymore...seriously regret selling the p/j from 97..
some mixed oppinions in this thread..
i owned 2 USA fenders from the 90s. both were great. one was earlier 90s, other was 97 i believe...dont have either anymore...seriously regret selling the p/j from 97..
ive got a '94 hot rodded p-bass (passive, jazz pick up, p neck) lefty and the thing is rock solid.
during college, i was taking it from my home (desert, no humidity), to the valley (pretty humid) and had no problems with the neck, never touched it once actually. the pocket is super tight too. finish is super durable (its a 3 tone sunburst). it fell sideways against a wall in one of my apartments at school and took off the paint on the wall - the finish was fine, no scratches. tuners are great, thing will stay in tune like a crazy. its fell over, been tossed in a gig bag and driven around, and still stayed in tune.
electronics are fine, its just now starting to get a bit noisy when messing with the pots, but i dont mess with em often so its not a big deal. pick ups are great too, nice tones out of it.
the only problem i ever had with it was the strap screw, it stripped this year, and was an easy fix (wood glue ftw!).
hope this helped!
during college, i was taking it from my home (desert, no humidity), to the valley (pretty humid) and had no problems with the neck, never touched it once actually. the pocket is super tight too. finish is super durable (its a 3 tone sunburst). it fell sideways against a wall in one of my apartments at school and took off the paint on the wall - the finish was fine, no scratches. tuners are great, thing will stay in tune like a crazy. its fell over, been tossed in a gig bag and driven around, and still stayed in tune.
electronics are fine, its just now starting to get a bit noisy when messing with the pots, but i dont mess with em often so its not a big deal. pick ups are great too, nice tones out of it.
the only problem i ever had with it was the strap screw, it stripped this year, and was an easy fix (wood glue ftw!).
hope this helped!
In my opinion 95-97 were great years for Fender. 97 specifically. Every 97 I have played has been great.
I think that these are some of the best Fenders produced. I own a '98 'N' series American Standard J bass. its a little heavy at 9.5, but what a great player and WOW the tone! But that's just my opinion 
FWIW, I own a 1983 'fullerton era' AVS Jazz that's a great bass too.
FWIW, I own a 1983 'fullerton era' AVS Jazz that's a great bass too.If I remember correctly, the early 90's is when the Japanese fenders gained their reputation for being better than the U.S. models. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I can't comment on any model after '94 or so.
At the time, several of my guitarist friends were even playing 80's and 90's Squiers (that sounded great) with simple pickup swaps. They complained of quality issues with American models. That's how I remember it, honestly.
At the time, several of my guitarist friends were even playing 80's and 90's Squiers (that sounded great) with simple pickup swaps. They complained of quality issues with American models. That's how I remember it, honestly.
Are you referring to bowed necks?? I've had two '96 basses... A Jazz V which had a horribly bowed neck, and my '96 P which is pretty much holding steady... The Jazz was purchased on eBay and had been abused some before I got it, so I'm a bit reluctant to call it solely a 'wood' issue... Seriously, this thing had some unidentified funk in the neck pocket, as well as some barbecue sauce under the pickguard!!
My P has been pretty stable, but it doesn't really like super heavy strings on it. For the past 5 months I've had it wearing an early '80s CIJ fretless neck and just recently fitted the original neck back on it... Like coming home!! Played it with my roots/rock outfit on Sunday and, listening to the recordings I was reminded of what a tremendous bass it is!! I will still have this bass when I die...
-robert
No, for a short while the American Fenders had an elongated upper horn, which gave them a noticeably different body shape as compared to "normal" Fender basses.
Every one I've tried and the 97 I owned was fantastic. Early 90s Fenders have some questionable body shapes and some of the Kubicki style electronics were a little dodgy. Lace Sensor pickups (early 90s) are IMO some of the best ever to come on Fender branded instruments.
Infmamous for their strange appearance only. They are from what I understand very good basses.
Just had a '97 American Deluxe Jazz here for a couple weeks while I was looking for an '08 model. Great bass - great tone! Quieter pickups than the '08 I wound up buying. Different sound. More round and punchy - less growl than the '08. Could have been the new strings on the '08 maybe. But that '97 was super!
I have a J from around '97, and it's a monster. I've thrown it, kicked it, punched it, dropped it, knocked it over, and all it has to show is a little teensy, teensy neck curvature, and (obviously) some fret wear. The thing is a Mack truck.
Had a 97 American Jazz and it was great! Amazing, actually. After that, they started to go downhill. I'd say 97 was the cutoff. Last year's overhaul though...I think Am. Std. is back in a serious way!
