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I never thought that I'd buy a Fender again...

madbassplaya

madbassplaya

Supporting Member
Dec 28, 2007
8,397
142
#1
When I first began playing bass, a US Fender was my dream bass. I've owned several Fender's now including MIA, MIJ, & MIM. A few of them have had issues and many of the 5 strings didn't have a low B that was to my liking. I also jumped on the "Hate Fender" bandwagon on tb as well, so I never thought I'd say I was buying another one...but I am.

After playing for as long as I have, I have discovered that J basses are for me. I wanted a passive Jazz V and Fender is the only one that makes a US J-V without going custom or Boutique and right now, my budget isn't there yet. The 2008 and up Fender's are supposed to be a step up from the older ones so I decided to give this one a go. I have however owned a 2008 Jazz V (very briefly that I traded) and I remember it having a great tone but can't remember much else as I traded it pretty quickly. I did buy a new 2008 4 string that amazed me. Note for note was worth every penny but I sold it because it wasn't a 5 string. So I'm hoping that my new (to me) 08 has a similar magic that the 4 string I owned had.

I'm still not a huge fan of the company, but I am hoping this is a great bass and will be my work horse for the next few years:

7053840545_cc12aa6f5f_b.gif
 
#7
Thanks guys! I will let you know what I think when it gets here.

mmbongo said:
ack! What happened to the Lakland???
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I ended up selling it back to the original owner. After talking with several on here that are J bass players I realized that I just needed a J bass. The Big Splits wouldn't ever sound like a true single coil and a Big Single doesn't sound like a true single coil. I didn't wanna spend all that cash to realize it wasn't what I wanted.
 
#10
I did the same thing. I haven't owner a Fender since the mid 90's and I just bought a Squier Vintage Modern Jazz Bass this weekend. Thinking about it, I guess its technically not a Fender either, so I guess I'm still good for now :)
 
#13
I'll be curious to hear how you like that "B" string on that Jazz playa . I never found a 34" scale 5 string Jazz Bass I liked. I had a 35" Modulus that I loved the sound of but even then I tended to gravitate back to my 4 string Jazz Bass when I gigged.

Maybe it's because my first pro bass was a Jazz but I'm just real comfortable with the feel and the workings of a Jazz Bass. It's like an old friend, trusted. I've thought about getting another 5 string and it would be nice if I could find a Jazz 5 string I liked.
 
#15
Jarrett said:
I did the same thing. I haven't owner a Fender since the mid 90's and I just bought a Squier Vintage Modern Jazz Bass this weekend. Thinking about it, I guess its technically not a Fender either, so I guess I'm still good for now :)
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Don't kid yourself. :D

Joe Nerve said:
I did the same thing, with a different fender. Hope your experience is different than mine. :) I'm still on the fender hate bandwagon.
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The problems Ive had with Fender have been minimal with the exception of one bass.


Smallmouth_Bass said:
I love the colour combo. The new American Standards (both 4 and 5 Ps and Js) are nice and good sounding and playing basses and reasonably priced.
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Thanks man!

soulman969 said:
I'll be curious to hear how you like that "B" string on that Jazz playa . I never found a 34" scale 5 string Jazz Bass I liked. I had a 35" Modulus that I loved the sound of but even then I tended to gravitate back to my 4 string Jazz Bass when I gigged.

Maybe it's because my first pro bass was a Jazz but I'm just real comfortable with the feel and the workings of a Jazz Bass. It's like an old friend, trusted. I've thought about getting another 5 string and it would be nice if I could find a Jazz 5 string I liked.
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Try a Carvin Sb5000. Killer B string on a 34 inch scale bass.

I'll let you know how this one pans out!

TC2112 said:
Everybody comes home, eventually
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:D
 
#16
I was anti-Fender for quite some time, too. I just didn't like their gear. Then for my 40th Birthday, I got a Custom Classic Jazz Bass. It is a great bass in every way! I just recently bought an American Deluxe 5 string Jazz, it is now my favorite instrument. When Fender tries, they can make some pretty good stuff!
 
#18
Dave Siff said:
That's hot. Congrats!
I went through several Fenders over the years, but my '09 5-string P-bass is it. They really got it right with the '08-and-later American Standards.
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i have a Fender American p bass from 2007. I ordered it new and had to wait for them to build one with a maple fretboard
i love it, whats wrong with 07?
i did notice some had issues with electronics, but mine has been issue free
 
#19
Nice bass. I was the same, after selling my two Squier P basses and my Mark Hoppus thinking they weren't metal. I traded them in for other basses. Kind of regret selling the Mark Hoppus. I've recently bought a MIM Standard Jazz, love it.

I've got an issue with the electronics on mine, I've sent it back to be repaired or replaced, which ever happens soonest. It's a 2011 MIM Standard Jazz.
 
#20
nonspoken said:
i have a Fender American p bass from 2007. I ordered it new and had to wait for them to build one with a maple fretboard
i love it, whats wrong with 07?
i did notice some had issues with electronics, but mine has been issue free
Click to expand...
Nothing at all wrong with '07. The new American Standards with all the upgrades came out in 2008, but a few of them were made late in '07 and have 07 serial numbers. Maybe you got one of those, or maybe you got a really good pre-'08 bass. A lot of people agree that Fenders were much more hit-or-miss in terms of quality before that.
 

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