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Let's hear it: American Fender Dimension basses

#43
Played one today.
Action was too high but thats on the store, not on Fender.
The neck profile is sleek and smooth, very fast action.
On a scale of 1-10 I give the neck a 9.
Flatter radius than the older American Deluxes pre 2010 era and felt like the current model year American Deluxe.
3 band EQ.
5 position switch.

front pickup both coils
both pickups outside coils
both pickups all coils
both pickups inside coils
rear pickup both coils

The tonal variations seem quite usable, although there isn't one in there that sounds dead on like a 60's J bass.

Position 1 does a good P-Bass vibe.
Position 3 is kinda snotty and honky but could work in the right scenario.

Overall I like this bass.

The neck is just a joy. Love to set one up so I can see what it's potential is.

A couple negatives, the pickup selector switch has a cheap plastic knob that kept popping off. (came off 3 X)
The bridge reminds me of a Badass and I can't imagine why Fender wouldn't use what is on the American Deluxe Line of basses.

edit: pretty sure the pickups are Neo.
 

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#45
We've got them in Australia now. Invalid Link Removed has one or two on the floor, I think.

The MIA Deluxe models seem like nice basses with lots of features (even an A-string retainer!). I like that Fender is trying something that is actually new (not just another RI).

But for me, $2500+ (or $3500 RRP) is just not value for money when I could get the same features but better build quality in something like a Sadowsky for the same ballpark price, or similar features in any number of other brand basses for much, much less. I feel the same about the MIA Deluxe Precision. But if you can afford it, want it, and don't care, that's cool too.

The cheaper models could be a winner, though I can't find pricing on them in Australia.
 
#51
Just played a few of the 4 stringers, the Double H American Deluxe, Single H Deluxe (I think it's MIM, it's the $749 one), and the Modern Player.

All of them are nice but neither of the Deluxe versions really jumped out at me. Both are very full sounding with a solid preamp that can dial the right sounds in, and that isn't necessarily what I like. It's like the sound is so full and even across the spectrum that no character really jumps out as something different than the hundreds of other basses already out there. Not bad sounds, just nothing that sounded different enough to want to add it to the arsenal. I mostly like Stingrays and Jazzes to give you an idea of what I usually like.

Now the Modern Player sound, that was a different story, that thing sounds freaking awesome. The rotary control can take the thing from a very full series-type sound to a thinner growly/burpy type sound...really very cool and different. Consider me GAS-ified, and it's the cheapest of the lot, too.

Oh, and nothing really jumped out at me as far better or worse insofar as construction/fit/finish on the 3. The Chinese Modern Player hangs with the American.
 
#53
sevdog said:
Just played a few of the 4 stringers, the Double H American Deluxe, Single H Deluxe (I think it's MIM, it's the $749 one), and the Modern Player.

All of them are nice but neither of the Deluxe versions really jumped out at me. Both are very full sounding with a solid preamp that can dial the right sounds in, and that isn't necessarily what I like. It's like the sound is so full and even across the spectrum that no character really jumps out as something different than the hundreds of other basses already out there. Not bad sounds, just nothing that sounded different enough to want to add it to the arsenal. I mostly like Stingrays and Jazzes to give you an idea of what I usually like.

Now the Modern Player sound, that was a different story, that thing sounds freaking awesome. The rotary control can take the thing from a very full series-type sound to a thinner growly/burpy type sound...really very cool and different. Consider me GAS-ified, and it's the cheapest of the lot, too.

Oh, and nothing really jumped out at me as far better or worse insofar as construction/fit/finish on the 3. The Chinese Modern Player hangs with the American.
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+1. However if I didn't already have 2 Jazzers, a 55-02 Clone and a PJV I'd strongly consider the American Dimension as my main axe.
 

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