NBD - 2013 Modern Player Jazz

Popped into a local guitar store for a look around this afternoon, and found this, brand new in yesterday. This is one of the new models - 2 tone sunburst in satin, hi-mass bridge, and a pickup selector/V/V/T knob set up.

The first knob, the pickup selector, has four settings;
- middle & bridge humbucker
- middle humbucker & bridge outercoil
- middle outercoil & bridge humbucker
- middle & bridge outercoil

Combined with the individual volume & tone knob, I've never played a bass with this level of control of sound. Everything from a passable Jaco sound with the bridge outercoil, to a volcanic rumble with both humbuckers up full.

The frets are great, don't need filing at all, the finish seems flawless, knobs & input jack appear to be good quality. The action is perfect for me; in fact, I asked the guys in the store which of them had set it up, and apparently it came like it straight from the box; if true, then the Chinese factory are taking more care sending them out than they do for the Squiers I've got.

I don't know what Fender are listing the neck profile as, but it feels like a modern 'C' to me.

Overall, I can't fault it as a sub-£400 bass. Classic and modern tones, brilliantly put together, and plays like a dream. Had no intention of buying anything today, but I couldn't pass this one up.

(Sorry for the poor quality phone photos!)

 

Added a couple more photos; difficult to tell, but this model has a Music Man-style truss rod adjustment at the top of the pickguard.

The only alteration I'm considering making is getting a more 'satin' feel out of the neck, I'm not a big fan of the gloss - but even that feels a lot smoother and less sticky than previous basses I've tried.

 

I know what you mean - I'm not really a big fan of sunburst, and if it was a 3TSB, I probably would have waited it out for the black to arrive. For some reason, the 2TSB suits me a lot more.

 

Thanks! The previous version didn't, I think the differences are:

3CSB gloss vs 2CSB satin finish
Vintage bridge vs hi-mass
V/V/T vs coil selecter & V/V/T
Headstock truss rod adjuster vs heel of neck

I think the bass is the same otherwise (humbuckers, neck, alder body) - but the model I picked up is retailing at around £80 less, with more features I like. Unbelievable deal for what it is, the Chinese factory is going to make a really good name for itself at this rate.

 

After playing this for a while, I'm struggling to find a way to fault it. The feel of the neck, the output of the humbuckers, the way it works with pedals, the feel of the satin body... if you're looking for a good priced, modern bass, I wouldn't hesitate to try one out.

 

I don't think the new Modern Player range has even been officially announced here in the UK yet either, they've just turned up to buy. There's these upgraded Jazz models and a new Dimension bass, as well as some guitars, including a nice Mustang.

 

Yup- same colour options (Oly White, 2CSB and black, all satin finishes), and incredibly, the same price as the 4 string versions, £364 at the moment. I've talked to two different dealers who have both confirmed that the prices are correct, and as far as they know, permanent.

If I had any use for a 5er, I'd be ordering one today.

www.andertons.co.uk/electric-basse...zz-bass-v-5-string-in-satin-olympic-white.asp

 

It's bizarre. There's the Dimension, a brand new Fender bass, I believe the first to have a 'triplebucker' (ala the Marauder guitar) that is apparently available to buy from tomorrow, yet I've not see FMIC acknowledge its existence anywhere.

It's like an experiment to see if they need to bother advertising, or if the internet will take care of getting the word out. My local store owner is scared to order them as he thinks they won't sell without any sort of marketing push.