• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Issues with Fender basses of certain years

#21
It's worth mentioning that the first few years' production of the AV RI series of ps and Js are exceptionally well made and sounding basses. I have an '83 Fullerton that is as sweet as any pre-CBS one I've played, and the neck alone is a work of art.

I also have a great 9lb '73 Jazz that I would put up against almost any other passive Jazz with confidence. Apart from the bridge being slightly crooked (apparently common on '73s!) and a PUP that I had rewound due to it becoming microphonic, the quality, fit and finish are very good, though large parts of the colour have come off the back where someone's belt buckle was rubbing, leaving only the clear undercoat. This is very common for the era, based on a bunch of examples I've seen with similar wear.
 
#22
I have Fender guitars and basses from '71 to 2005 (5 in all) and I wouldn't get rid of any of them.

However, I played all of them before I bought them. Many of them were played several times and I put a lot of thought into purchasing them. I enjoy playing and owning each of them and have had no problems with any of them so far.

I think it is important to play and inspect each one before you buy if at all possible. I wouldn't "not purchase" an instrument simply based on date of manufacture.
 
#23
My first Fender was a 75 P. Brilliant. My next was a 68 Jazz. Utter dog. Next, 69 Telecaster bass. Exceptional. Next, 81 fretless P. Poor, but I loved it anyway. 82/3 Tokai Hard Puncher. Possibly the best P I've played to this point. 17-year gap...Sting sig P - great. MIM J, very good. MIM P - best yet! MIJ 51 P - best bass I've ever laid hands on, period. 07 SQuier VM p TB - excellent, if a little limited tonally. Fenders did vary, a lot. IMHO, they are better, and vary a lot less, now. Apart from the mid 70's to the early 80s, poor Fenders were in the minority. Fenders now are almost certainly the best they've ever been, regardless of origin. And no, I don't have a sponsorship, just a lifelong love, and occasionally hate, relationship with their instruments.
For better or worse, 'bass' equals 'Fender' to me. Nothing else works for me, at all.
 
#24
Whenever this comes up we get the same sort of responses. Lots of folks have '70s instrumetns that they love and extrapolate that the "myth" of bad quality from Fender in that era is exagerated. Here's the deal. When we're talking about specific instruments, all genralities are void. But when we talk about a span of years in general and we're talking across the internet so we can't compare specific instrumetns, we HAVE to talk generalities.

Now, as a Fender dealer from 1977-1988 who handled a LOT of Fenders from all eras through 1988, my experience is that too high a percentage of the stuff from around 1975-ish through 1981 is simply not made well enough to warrant the reputation Fender had. They were one of the TWO premier electric guitar companies in the world, and the product was generally poorly made. The big neck pockets, the sloppy fret work, the green necks, the haphazard hardware installation, the atrocious nut work, and the lack of attention to detail means that they varied a LOT more than they should have.

Having said that, the BEST Stratocaster I ever touched was a mid '70s hard-tail rosewood neck one. For some reason all the individual parameters came together on that particular guitar. Light weight, wondefully chimey sound, neck that felt like home, solidly put together with a neck that fit the body perfectly, and immaculate intonation. But too many Fenders of the era didn't come up to the standards of what a good guitar should be.

That's the issue, the relative number of turkeys versus the great ones. They had too many poor ones, too many medicore ones, and not enough great ones. After CBS hired Schulz to manage the company around 1980 or so, the quality turned around right away (well, it did after he shut down production and ramped it up again after teaching people how to make and more importantly inspect stuff).

So, if it's from the '70s I'd only spend money if I played it first. But then, that's the only way I buy anything now...

jte
 
#25
Being one that generally raves about my 78 P (and has had many compliments on its sound), I should disclaim that about 5 years ago it had deteriorated to the point it was practically unplayable. At that point I had to decide whether to ditch it or try to salvage it, and I chose the salvaging option (to the tune of over $200 to a wizard of a luthier, plus another $150 for pickups)... which worked out stupendously well for me but might not have for others. So while the 78 P I bought was a decent bass, it has not been without some additional work and expense to get the instrument I have today.
 
#27
Just wanted to add the approximate years of my Fenders. These are not exact, I would have to sit down and do some research to get exact:

American Standard Tele guitar: 1973

Standard P bass: 1971 or '73

MIJ Precision Lyte Deluxe: 1995

MIA American Standard Jazz: 2001

MIM Jazz Bass: 2005

The only issue I have with any of the guitars is, the Precision Lyte has active electronics. However, it is beautiful, light, has a great neck, sounds great, versatile, a good bass for any type gig.

Now, if I could just find a perfect T-40 to add to the collection.......
 
#28
Interesting insight JTE.
I agree with your thoughts and found the company history interesting.
One thing I think you will agree with is the the for the most part Pre-CBS instruments were generaly pretty good, presumably due to QC and workers taking pride in their craft.
Always found it interesting that some of the best Strats I've ever played were from that small period in 1965 that came with big frets; not nearly as valuable as earlier versions but very, very, good instruments IMO.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back