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I LOVE Jazz Basses!

#41

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#43
lowfreqgeek said:
That Supersonic sure looks like the work of Michael Stevens - who happened to be at Fender from '86-'90.
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Thanks for cluing me on this - John Page is usually credited w/designing the Performer, but researching it I found that he and Michael Stevens headed the newly established Fender custom shop in '86 so there was most likely some connection/collaboration there. It's interesting how Stevens upper horn is extended (compared to the more 'squat' bodied Performer bass), which I also did on my SS.

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#44
JIO said:
Sweet axe! - I've noticed the darker amber headstock face (darker than the maple board) on a number of vintage Fender's. I can only guess that the darker amber might be promoted by an additional layer of clear to protect the decals. (?) As in, I don't think they tinted the headstock face darker to begin with, but that time and sunlight pushed it darker because it was thicker there (?). Thoughts?
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From what I understand a coat of lacquer was used on the front of the headstock to protect the decals. It obviously was done without masking because you can see where the lacquer got onto the edge of the headstock, also darkened over the years. The back of the headstock is light like the rest of the neck.
 
#45
ClassicJazz said:
From what I understand a coat of lacquer was used on the front of the headstock to protect the decals. It obviously was done without masking because you can see where the lacquer got onto the edge of the headstock, also darkened over the years. The back of the headstock is light like the rest of the neck.
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interesting, that's what I thought - thanks for your on-sight assessment!
 
#46
Lublin said:
Tug bars! Back in the day bassists used to grab those with their index, middle, and ring fingers and pluck with their thumbs!
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Funny story: I took my 57 AVRI to my luthier to get some work done. He called me the first day of working on it, and insisted that it was a left handed bass, and I was playing it wrong.

The tug bar and the reverse tuners just had him absolutely confused. He just couldn't get it. :)
 
#47
Mossmatic said:
The necks on those Performers look like a yard stick... I'd be afraid I'd snap it in two!
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It's got a pretty thick neck, kinda like a baseball bat.
JIO said:
Love the Performer - especially in burgundy mist metallic! Only other colour I've liked it in was in a classic brownburst. Cool that yours is the Wiki pic! Oddly enough I've never played one - the neck looks like a 24 fret Ric neck (nearly the same width from nut to butt). I've heard they are a bit thin sounding. Someday I'll get an opportunity to play one. Gotta give Fender kudo's for attempting to do something new in 1985 before burying themselves in safe retro-rehash (concurrent).

I couldn't afford to pop for a used one (usually found on ebay selling upwards of $1k) so I made my own version. (and love it!)
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I'm amazed at what they're going for now it was $250 new. The music store was trying to get rid of it, they were like the Edsel of the bass world back then. IIRC they were the first Japanese Fenders and not well received. It always attracts attention, but due to the headstock, most people think it's a Peavey. It is a little on the thin sounding side and due to the "unique" pickups there's no good upgrade options. The tone control is unique too and there a neck angle adjustment. Fender really tried to revolutionize things; almost a good idea.

You did a great job on your build, your headstock looks better than the original. The bridge looks nicer too, I was never a fan of the basic Fender bridge. Great color.
 
#48
Spent said:
It's got a pretty thick neck, kinda like a baseball bat.

I'm amazed at what they're going for now it was $250 new. The music store was trying to get rid of it, they were like the Edsel of the bass world back then. IIRC they were the first Japanese Fenders and not well received. It always attracts attention, but due to the headstock, most people think it's a Peavey. It is a little on the thin sounding side and due to the "unique" pickups there's no good upgrade options. The tone control is unique too and there a neck angle adjustment. Fender really tried to revolutionize things; almost a good idea.

You did a great job on your build, your headstock looks better than the original. The bridge looks nicer too, I was never a fan of the basic Fender bridge. Great color.
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Thanks man - I felt the exact same way - almost... My goal was to make the Performer bass that should have been made. Judging by a few things about that bass, I felt that it became compromised by Fenders bottom line (no pun intended) especially the pointy headstock neck which was also used on the equally pointy Katana. Seems to have been a cost-saving move to use the same neck on both bodies, regardless of conflicting design on the curvy Performer.

I like your analogy to the Edsel - very fitting.
 
#49
BLASPHEMER!

Seriously, those are very nice!

Malak the Mad said:
I think Donkey said it best in Shrek 2…

"Look at our little, mutant babies!" :D

I mean, look at this! All my Jazzes are Freaks of Nature!! :bawl:

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And just to add insult to injury, all my P-basses have Jazz necks to boot! What ever shall I do?!

Seriously though, I'm just as comfortable playing a Jazz body as a Precision body. But esthetically speaking, Jazzes rule!
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#50
Love 'em too!

My '97 Standard Jazz. My main bass.
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My '04 Standard Jazz V.
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Still can't believe I picked this up for $175.
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The kids hanging out pre-show.
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My '08 Squier VM Jazz and my '97 Standard Jazz.
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#57
IPA said:
I love the simplicity and the design of the P, but when it comes down to it, I would rather own and play Jazzes.
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I'm more comfortable on a Jazz neck, and a P body - but prefer the sound of Jazz pups in series - go figure... I can make any of it work, though - but end up running both types of basses the same: pups in series, pots wide open...


- georgestrings
 

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