NBD - Fender Mod Shop

[Don Sanders]

Well, I succumbed to the GAS and pulled the trigger a short time ago on a Fender mod shop bass I "built." I submitted the request to Fender on 10/18, and even though they are quoting a 30 day build time, received the bass on 10/28. Not too shabby!

The build is pretty standard P-bass, though I selected the following:

- Walnut stain: This has always been my favorite color, but could never seem to find a brown, or walnut P-bass outside of some of the special runs done in the 80s, or the recent roasted ash '58 reissue from 2017 - which seem to be very scarce these days

- Roasted neck: Advertising mumbo-jumbo or not, I'm a fan of roasted necks. This was probably the tipping point for me, seeing this as an available option.

- Pure vintage '63 pickups: These too have been a favorite of mine. To me a bit rounder bottom end, not too harsh highs, pair great with the alder body.

- 3 ply red tort guard: This is Talkbass after all!

Anyway, the fit and finish of the bass is fantastic. I was cautiously expecting maybe a slight neck gap or some other build anomaly, but none to be found. If I were asked to be a overly critical it would be that the poly finish has a few, very small, polish swirls. The only change has been the removal of the stock Fender strings for DR Pure Blues. This gets such a great KC era John Witten, Ray Shulman P-bass tone!

And now the crappy cell phone pics. And yes, I still haven't removed the little baggies from the tuners...

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Love the walnut with the tortoise p/g

 

[Don Sanders]

Well, I succumbed to the GAS and pulled the trigger a short time ago on a Fender mod shop bass I "built." I submitted the request to Fender on 10/18, and even though they are quoting a 30 day build time, received the bass on 10/28. Not too shabby!

The build is pretty standard P-bass, though I selected the following:

- Walnut stain: This has always been my favorite color, but could never seem to find a brown, or walnut P-bass outside of some of the special runs done in the 80s, or the recent roasted ash '58 reissue from 2017 - which seem to be very scarce these days

- Roasted neck: Advertising mumbo-jumbo or not, I'm a fan of roasted necks. This was probably the tipping point for me, seeing this as an available option.

- Pure vintage '63 pickups: These too have been a favorite of mine. To me a bit rounder bottom end, not too harsh highs, pair great with the alder body.

- 3 ply red tort guard: This is Talkbass after all!

Anyway, the fit and finish of the bass is fantastic. I was cautiously expecting maybe a slight neck gap or some other build anomaly, but none to be found. If I were asked to be a overly critical it would be that the poly finish has a few, very small, polish swirls. The only change has been the removal of the stock Fender strings for DR Pure Blues. This gets such a great KC era John Witten, Ray Shulman P-bass tone!

And now the crappy cell phone pics. And yes, I still haven't removed the little baggies from the tuners...

View attachment 4043592 View attachment 4043593 View attachment 4043594 View attachment 4043595 View attachment 4043596

To order through the modshop do you have to do that through a dealer or direct with Fender?

 

[LLD]

That's a fine lookin' bass. I like the roasted maple against the walnut stained body!

 

[dStar]

You can build it online:
Invalid Link Removed

 

[CoolGreenApple]

Logged in for the first time in years to say: what a beaut! Congrats!

 

[Peter Hess]

Well, I succumbed to the GAS and pulled the trigger a short time ago on a Fender mod shop bass I "built." I submitted the request to Fender on 10/18, and even though they are quoting a 30 day build time, received the bass on 10/28. Not too shabby!

The build is pretty standard P-bass, though I selected the following:

- Walnut stain: This has always been my favorite color, but could never seem to find a brown, or walnut P-bass outside of some of the special runs done in the 80s, or the recent roasted ash '58 reissue from 2017 - which seem to be very scarce these days

- Roasted neck: Advertising mumbo-jumbo or not, I'm a fan of roasted necks. This was probably the tipping point for me, seeing this as an available option.

- Pure vintage '63 pickups: These too have been a favorite of mine. To me a bit rounder bottom end, not too harsh highs, pair great with the alder body.

- 3 ply red tort guard: This is Talkbass after all!

Anyway, the fit and finish of the bass is fantastic. I was cautiously expecting maybe a slight neck gap or some other build anomaly, but none to be found. If I were asked to be a overly critical it would be that the poly finish has a few, very small, polish swirls. The only change has been the removal of the stock Fender strings for DR Pure Blues. This gets such a great KC era John Witten, Ray Shulman P-bass tone!

And now the crappy cell phone pics. And yes, I still haven't removed the little baggies from the tuners...

View attachment 4043592 View attachment 4043593 View attachment 4043594 View attachment 4043595 View attachment 4043596

Dude, that is one beautiful axe. Now you need to go to Brookood Leathers.com and get yourself one of Bob's incredible custom, handmade straps. Anything you can think of he can do. I have one and from one bass player to another your baby deserves one.

 

[Yogi Bear]

I don't know if this has been pointed out before but it looks like you have the '57-'58 pickup in your bass, with the raised A pole piece. The '63 would have flat pole pieces.

Yeah, someone mentioned that as well. It very well may be, the '63 was requested in my build. I guess I could pull it out an check, but meh... it still sounds great!

 

[murphy]

View attachment 4049163
My mod shop! Love it! Same 63 pickups, no roasted neck. Added the bridge cover.

I would like to hear more about your build
I love my PV63 pickup in my AM Standard

 

[murphy]

I don't know if this has been pointed out before but it looks like you have the '57-'58 pickup in your bass, with the raised A pole piece. The '63 would have flat pole pieces.

Oh yes...That does not look like my pickup

 

[JW56789]

I looked at the Mod Shop process in Fender's website and was completely underwhelmed; I thought it could have had more choices while still stopping well short of how detailed a proposal to the Custom Shop would be. And I'm really not much of a fan of the roasted necks.

But I've got to admit THAT is one really good looking bass, my hat's off to you. And kudos to Fender for that 'Mod Shop' neck plate: Should the day come, I'd have to think that would be a plus for resale.

Bravo.

 

[davidchampoux]

Yeah, someone mentioned that as well. It very well may be, the '63 was requested in my build. I guess I could pull it out an check, but meh... it still sounds great!

that's what is important!! Great looking bass for sure!

 

[Low Main]

Plastic bags are supposed to stay on the tuners until there's a vaccine.
Scott Devine bass gloves may also help.

 

[jd56hawk]

If you're a Fender guy, getting something truly different is definitely the way to go.
Beautiful bass!

 

[stevieg]

Well, I succumbed to the GAS and pulled the trigger a short time ago on a Fender mod shop bass I "built." I submitted the request to Fender on 10/18, and even though they are quoting a 30 day build time, received the bass on 10/28. Not too shabby!

The build is pretty standard P-bass, though I selected the following:

- Walnut stain: This has always been my favorite color, but could never seem to find a brown, or walnut P-bass outside of some of the special runs done in the 80s, or the recent roasted ash '58 reissue from 2017 - which seem to be very scarce these days

- Roasted neck: Advertising mumbo-jumbo or not, I'm a fan of roasted necks. This was probably the tipping point for me, seeing this as an available option.

- Pure vintage '63 pickups: These too have been a favorite of mine. To me a bit rounder bottom end, not too harsh highs, pair great with the alder body.

- 3 ply red tort guard: This is Talkbass after all!

Anyway, the fit and finish of the bass is fantastic. I was cautiously expecting maybe a slight neck gap or some other build anomaly, but none to be found. If I were asked to be a overly critical it would be that the poly finish has a few, very small, polish swirls. The only change has been the removal of the stock Fender strings for DR Pure Blues. This gets such a great KC era John Witten, Ray Shulman P-bass tone!

And now the crappy cell phone pics. And yes, I still haven't removed the little baggies from the tuners...

View attachment 4043592 View attachment 4043593 View attachment 4043594 View attachment 4043595 View attachment 4043596

Very nice! Enjoy in excellent health.

S

 

[deernaes]

Very nice!
I'm curious as to how many TB'ers have actually pulled the trigger on a Mod Shop bass?
I'd be very interested in seeing the different combos....

 

[JimmyM]

Not a fan of colored straps but that one is badass and goes well with the finish. Very cool!

 

[The Hook 1988]

Almost went for a very similar scheme ,except Jazz bass model. I just wish there was more options such as black hardware. I thought the cost was a bit over the top too,but I feel that about a lot Fender stuff in general. Still, NBD is always a great day. Enjoy!

 

[DopplerShift]

I am so tempted.. Sherwood green and tort. Rosewood. But I'll hold out..

Here is one I configured today...

 

[murphy]

Here is one I configured today...

Not fair ...you guys get to have so much fun...I could have created my dream bass...instead of bit by bit

 

[SiSoldier]

Think I just bought this exact bass! Purchased from Guitar Center in Colorado.