NBD Fender Heavy Metal IV

[FatOwlBass]

The Fender HM 4. Just arrived today.
My understanding is these were USA parts assembled in Japan. The Alder body has a crazy marble finish. Black hardware, 3 jazz bass pickups, 5 way switch, master volume, TBX tone control.
Best fender neck I have ever played. The range of tones available is great.
It needs a good cleanup but I am loving it already. A rare gem.

 

[5StringBlues]

It's your one way ticket to midnight.

 

[5StringBlues]

Be aware ,if you don't like the knobs on that bass , they were fetching crazy money on the used market a few years ago.

 

[FatOwlBass]

Be aware ,if you don't like the knobs on that bass , they were fetching crazy money on the used market a few years ago.

I did see that. And these are in great condition. It's hard to find these with the Caps still on.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

I used to have a 5 string of this! It was a really cool bass, wish I held onto it, don’t see many of these around at all! Fender was onto something with these, cough, cough Lakland.

 

[beanondabass]

Thats cool! Is the 5 way switch like a strat layout or how does it go?

 

[FatOwlBass]

Thats cool! Is the 5 way switch like a strat layout or how does it go?

Just like a Strat.

 

[Brandon Shea]

Cool finish, cooler bass! I don't think I've seen one of those before. It's always neat when Fender tries something a little different with a model like this. I bet the pickup switching is fun to mess with.

 

[BaltBass5]

Be sure to post pics after you clean it up!

 

[humbuckaroo]

Looks like a countertop. I like the fretboard, that's some nice grain.

Can you get a humbucking sound out of the back two?

 

[FatOwlBass]

Looks like a countertop. I like the fretboard, that's some nice grain.

Can you get a humbucking sound out of the back two?

The back two together is kind of a stingray humbucker tone.

 

[Bassdirty]

Sweet Indeed.

I 'd prefer on/off switches for the pickups, but still.. great score.

 

[MojoPin]

I love how nutty the Japanese can be when producing production level products. They just don't care what anyone thinks if they think it's a cool idea and it usually is.

 

[ahbradot]

Excellent configuration. I hope to get a chance to try one of those one day. Congratulations!

 

[JC BASS 91]

Wow! That's really wild! I never knew such a bass existed. Very cool! Congrats!

 

[Suho]

I dig it! Is that from the 90s? Kind of looks like it but I've never seen one before.

 

[Cleezmo]

Man that thing is cool! Congrats and enjoy it!

 

[Slade N]

Haven't seen one of those in a very long time, cool!

 

[Crusher47]

Very cool.... never seen anything like that before either. Enjoy!!

 

[Water buffalo]

Congrats on the sweet bass! I've owned a few of these. I still have a HMV that's in pieces, I need to restore it.

These are some of my favorite Fenders. Enjoy!