Is It Really Too Much to Ask?

[MrLenny1]

Time for a custom bass ?

 

[hrodbert696]

Time for a custom bass ?

The OP's premise is that his custom specs should be factory standard.

 

[kinopah]

I mean, we all think our preferences should be factory standard.
You seem like you're doing alright in life. Own your own business, right car, right girl, no lack of basses, etc... So who cares about going into GC with the plebs to buy off the rack? Why would you bat an eye at buying a CS post-modern jazz? Fender does offer what you're describing, just not for cheap. Why not? Because as heartbreaking as it would be to lose your sale and the DOZENS of others who would care an iota (to the extent that they would or wouldn't purchase Fender)... they don't HAVE to offer it. Doing things you don't have to is how a lot of companies have fallen apart. Fender seems like they're doing ok, the happy folks who have been swapping necks since the 60's are doing ok, the basses presently offered are ok... It's all ok.

 

[mikewalker]

You know, Fender does sell virtually every part for every bass separately now... and if you ask them nicely, their custom shop will even a$$emble them for you

 

[micguy]

I've never heard of people doing it the other way around! Most prefer the hockey stick neck, not the baseball bat
I'd love to have a play around with that '76 Jazz.

I'm another Jazz with P width neck person, so...now you've heard of us. We're out here, and you should pay attention to us. We have huge hands.....

Anyway, all the OP needs to do is find one of us, and swap necks, and two people are happy.

 

[johnson79]

I highly doubt the demand is that great to warrant a new product from Fender.

I do however think that it would be nice if you were able to order different nut widths through their Mod Shop. Seems silly that isn't an option.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I am the opposite. I made a Jazz with a P neck. I effin LOVE it. Made it from quality parts. $35 pro setup. Mighty Mite neck, which are fantastic.

View attachment 3267665

You and the OP could buy all your basses together and just swap necks. It could be a glorious partnership

 

[Mastermold]

I highly doubt the demand is that great to warrant a new product from Fender.

I do however think that it would be nice if you were able to order different nut widths through their Mod Shop. Seems silly that isn't an option.

It used to be an option -- back when it was called the Fender Design Experience. Maybe they'll bring it back?

 

[Stranger Danger]

Dear TB,

Obviously in order to get what I want I am going to have to buy or trade for the individual Parts and assemble this myself (already stated)

I have been doing this for 35 years (Already stated)

THE ENTIRE POINT OF THIS THREAD IS THAT A P BASS WITH A JAZZ NECK SHOULD BE A STANDARD FENDER OFFERING !!!!! (Already Stated)

thanks...

I see you’ve been here for 11 years so you’re presumably familiar with the internet and how it works? All caps is a dead give away that you assumed that you could tell everyone your complaints and get nothing but support. That isn’t at all how it works. Consider the old adage: if you meet one jerk a day that’s normal, if everyone you meet is a jerk then maybe the problem isn’t everyone else? Good luck and Happy New Year!

 

[Yukimajo]

LOL I believe that what I'm asking isn't anywhere near as ludicrous as this...after all the fekking parts are laying around the factory already....no real effort really to bolt them together

I guess the issue at Fender could be a union one? Your suggestion would require the team who build Jazz basses working on the P Bass line (or vice versa). And that would just be a step too far! Alternatively they would have to employ and train a whole new department to build the new Jneck Pbody line.

 

[Stranger Danger]

i actually 100% agree with the OP - this should be offered straight from fender, considering how common this request appears to be.

How would you know if it’s a common request? Because Talkbass people complain? Most people going in to a store to buy a p bass wouldn’t have any idea that the p neck is different from a jazz neck. I think we tend to become myopic and think that TB represents most of the people that buy basses. I don’t think thats true

 

[Jim622]

There are 2 choices from your responses.

Custom or Buy the parts. You could have the body finished to your preference, pups of your choice, etc... have it all professional set up, probably still cheaper than custom

 

[groooooove]

How would you know if it’s a common request? Because Talkbass people complain? Most people going in to a store to buy a p bass wouldn’t have any idea that the p neck is different from a jazz neck. I think we tend to become myopic and think that TB represents most of the people that buy basses. I don’t think thats true

that is true, i don't have any bass-buyers-market data to back up the idea. Nonetheless, it is really quite common to find an older fender where the necks have been swapped - that's what demonstrates to me a reasonable demand for it, not necessarily the TB community. That said, TB in my experience does seem to be the voice of the people - but you are correct, an enthusiast-forum is not always an accurate depiction of the average buyer.

Especially with the flooded bass guitar market, i still don't think fender would loose any customers by offering such a thing. And, though i could be wrong, i don't think it would really cost them much to offer this? aka, they have no reason not to cater to the whim of talkbass/enthusiasts/nerds like us

then again, i just play these things and teach others how to play them, that does not mean I am in any way qualified to call the shots for a company as large as fender.

I'd also be perfectly happy to go warmoth if/when i'm in the market for a P with a J neck, and i don't think i'm alone. maybe that's why fender doesn't bother?

 

[Salo70]

Dear Fender,

I would like a 3 color burst "P" (without a damn J pick-up coming along for the ride) Bass - with a Jazz Neck!!

Is that really too much to ask?

Signed,

Frustrated Bass Player...

View attachment 3267536

This...but with a "Jazz" width nut (Bound and Blocked would be nice)

Seriously Every Fender I own has been modified by me because they don't make what I want....I have never been able to buy an "off the shelf" Fender that I didn't have to modify

Yeah, i hate those P+J basses. I even could live with a simple Squier P-bass but there's always that extra pick-up. It seems like some kinda extra penalty.
Btw. I bought this beauty ('58 American Vintage) just last week and i'm in love.

 

[N4860]

nobody has ever stated that they are wrong anywhere in this thread...simply that they are missing an opportunity...and again it isn't custom they manufacture the required parts in abundance...

In some ways it's a good thing they don't...as their lack of vision has spawned many companies that give us more choices...

Like I mentioned earlier, adding another model such as what you are looking for means less space on the shelves for other models which will likely sell more.

One other thing to think about, is that the opinion of people on talkbass is probably not really the general opinion of the average bass player. I'd be willing to bet that the average Joe bass player looking at a wall of basses would more likely choose a PJ than just a P, assuming the PJ is more versatile with the additional pickup.

 

[basscapes]

That's the point....I have been doing it myself for 35 years....I wanna be able to walk into a damn shop and Buy what i want off the shelf...there is obviously a demand...so why don't they do it?

I currently have a Dee Dee Ramone "P" Bass Body, With a Geddy Neck, and a Geezer Butler pick-up....I call it "Fan-Boy"

I would like a traditional "Burst" set up much the same...basically a Duck Dunn that isn't Red (Cause I really Dislike Red)

Similar thing here- I have an Olympic White P-bass body (ala Dee Dee) with a Mighty Mite neck and Dimarzio P- I've named him Malcolm, after dear Mr. McLaren himself.

 

[Yango]

Have you ever tried or considered a Musicman Sterling? This was my first Musicman—and they are spectacular. I’d still be playing it if it weren’t for the skinny Jazz Bass neck. I used to get cramps in my hand onstage... which pushed me to start playing Stingrays. Ernie Ball also makes a Stingray Slo, a Stingray body with a Sterling neck, as long as you’re cool with active basses. (Strangely enough, they don’t offer the Sterling body with a Stingray neck, which would be heaven for me. And a neck swap would be major. One has 5 bolts, the other 6, and the shape of the joints are different).

 

[Yango]

Then again, what about Leo’s LB-100? Passive, outstanding quality and construction, and if I’m not mistaken you can choose the neck size and profile that you want. Block fret markers too!

 

[bearfoot]

Yes, it is too much to ask. Sorry.

 

[mesaplayer83]

Not exactly my opinion - measure the fret levelling on a new fender vs what a good fret level should be. And have a look at the woods used. Warmoth and USACG are better.

You made the claim - by all means, share your "measurements" with us... I have looked at the woods used, and disagree with your OPINION...