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Let's hear it: American Fender Dimension basses

scubaduba

scubaduba

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Gold Supporting Member
Dec 23, 2003
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Michigan
compressorpedalreviews.com
#1
Who here on TB has one of these? I'm really interested in a HH model. Seems like it could be a very versatile instrument.

If you have one, what do you like and not like? What's the neck like and how low can the action go on the fretboard before rattling. Is there much different in pickup output with the pup switching options?

Let's hear it!
 
#2
The AD D HH is the first Fender I have even considered buying in many years. So far, the only one I have had an opportunity to try was a Chinese Squier single pickup (different, 3 blade design) model, but I was impressed with the feel of the neck, nice and slim (front to back) and I assume a B nut width, I just wish it were a bit narrower near the heel end of it. The action was pretty well set up for a cheap in-store bass and I know I would be able to make it play even better once I had time to set it up. Hopefully they will get an AD D HH at some point. A black with white pickguard and rosewood fingerboard would be nice but I don't think Fender offers that combination.

I like the choices offered for pickup selection from the blade switch; it gives the same combinations I get with my two Martin Keith Elfin basses, the main difference being that I can pan between the coils for even more options, tonally, instead of just hard switching between them. My favorite settings are the two outer coils or the two inner coils.
 
#3
Yeah! I'm kind of surprised at the relative lack of activity in the Dimension threads I've seen. This is the biggest new product line launch we've seen from Fender in quite some time and I thought there'd be a lot more excitement and interest in them.

That said, I'm very interested in these basses and how they perform in gig settings. I haven't seen any locally yet (one of our local MI shops just closed down. :( )
 
#4
I don't know that I'll buy one, but when one hits the local music store, I'm supposed to go in and give it a workout. The local GC might already have one, but it's too much of a madhouse to spend any quality time with it in there (nothing against GC, I get strings there because no one else stocks the Power Slinkys that I use and it's a cool place otherwise).
 
#13
southpaw723 said:
They are very similar to a music man and there is nothing special about the tone IMO.
Click to expand...

scubaduba said:
So which model did you play to come to that conclusion?
Click to expand...

southpaw723 said:
There are a lot of review videos on YouTube. I never played one myself but I would love to try one, they look pretty cool. I just wasn't impressed with the tone from those videos.
Click to expand...

I would never judge a bass without actually having it in my hands to try, and especially, I do not judge sound from videos on YouTube! :eyebrow:
 
#14
I got to play one briefly at BassCentral. I personally didn't care for it. It didn't quite sound like a Musicman bass and not at all like a P or J. The preamp was slightly noisy, and I couldn't quickly dial in an EQ I liked. YMMV.
 
#15
RS said:
I got to play one briefly at BassCentral. I personally didn't care for it. It didn't quite sound like a Musicman bass and not at all like a P or J. The preamp was slightly noisy, and I couldn't quickly dial in an EQ I liked. YMMV.
Click to expand...

Which model did you play? I'm interested in the American Dimension instruments with dual humbuckers. Not the import versions or single humbucker version.
 
#19
I've played one, also own a Stingray HH five-string, and a Nash '63 P Bass.

My local shop set me up with a "test drive" over the weekend where I played the Dimension 4-stringer HH with two different big bands... I put one on immediate order. It'll replacement my 60th Anniversary P-Bass.

The sound... just as you'd expect... massive lows (much more than my Anniversary model)... confortable (but somewhat slimmer neck than my p-basses), great looks, and intuitive feel.

As the MM & the new Dimension are so similiar in attitude my plan is to outfit the Dimension with flat-wounds and have mine delivered with a rosewood fretboard (the "loaner" had a maple fretboard) to bring the Dimension a little back towards a tradtional P-bass sound (like my '63) but kind of like a P-Bass On Steroids !

My MM will remain with round wounds, (a five stringer to boot), and will be used for "edgier" applications (one of the bands I play with is more along the Buddy Rich/Ferguson kind of band... the kind of music that a little extra edge will come in handy).

I'm knocked over by the bass... don't want one ?... that's okay too... but don't knock it 'til you've tried it !

(BTW, I use mine through a MarkBass P121 combo with an extension cabinet)... the butter round lows with the edge percussive "treble" attack (a little like the Seinfield theme) is amazing !

Can't wait for mine to be delivered ! :hyper:
 

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