NBD - Fender Player Series Jazz!

[BigBluez]

Yes, indeed. Things have moved more slowly because of the pandemic, but my music store ordered in another bass for me, and an extra one just in case. Went down to collect it last week, but having been once bitten, as it were, I was determined to go over it very closely before taking it home.

In the store I played all the notes on the fretboard several times - and found another dead spot. On the A-string this time, and not quite as bad as the previous one, but bad enough. They then gave me the second bass to try out - same deal. This was surprising, and not a little disheartening.

But then I had a sudden inspiration. They also had a couple of other Jazz basses in, but in sunburst and with pau ferro fretboards, so I checked out one of those. No dead spots. I then tried out the other - no dead spots there either. So the three basses I tried with maple fretboards had dead spot issues, and the two with pau ferro did not. I don’t mind pau ferro fretboards in the least - I just thought I’d try maple for a change. So I ordered a black Player Jazz with pau ferro fretboard, hoping the third time will be the charm. It should arrive early next week - I’ll report back then.

Thanks for the update. That’s really strange about the dead spots!

 

[JakobT]

Thanks for the update. That’s really strange about the dead spots!

You’re welcome!

Yes, I thought so, too - maybe it’s a problem with a specific production run or something. It’s a pity, as the basses were great otherwise. At any rate, I hope the next one will be the one.

 

[Ruknrole]

Hope your next one is good to go. If it gives you any reassurance mine has a pao ferro fingerboard and it has no dead spots.

 

[JakobT]

UPDATE: Replacement Jazz has arrived!

Yesterday I picked up my new Player Jazz from the music store, with a pau ferro fretboard this time, and I’m happy to announce that this one’s a keeper! The fretboard was slightly on the dry side and needed a bit of lemon oil, as is often the case with pau ferro, but after oiling it up and setting the intonation, the bass played beautifully and looked great. The final touch was a black pickguard, as I’ve never been a fan of the tuxedo colour scheme. Here it is:

...and again, posing with the rest of the family:

 

[Drzejzi]

It looks great! (almost as good as my white on white + maple fretboard )

 

[JRA]

ha! i've been checking into this thread from the beginning --- waiting, waiting, waiting for a resolution!

so finally a worthy ax! looks fantastic by itself and it shines in your enviable collection of black basses. congratulations on your new instrument!

 

[JakobT]

ha! i've been checking into this thread from the beginning --- waiting, waiting, waiting for a resolution!

so finally a worthy ax! looks fantastic by itself and it shines in your enviable collection of black basses. congratulations on your new instrument!

Thanks!

 

[JakobT]

It looks great! (almost as good as my white on white + maple fretboard )

White on white is great too, but I thought I’d stick with my customary black-on-black colour scheme.

 

[BigBluez]

Sweet! I pulled the trigger on a Player Jazz Bass (buttercream), which should arrive Monday. I can't wait!

 

[stuntbass77]

That sucks !!!! Sorry too hear that. Hope they take care of you and you can get your hands on a good one soon. That’s the thing about Fender, some MIM play better than MIA’s. If you get a good one hang onto it !

 

[Ruknrole]

Congratulations, it looks great! I like the all black look.
I have a hard time keeping my fingerboard from drying. The Pao Ferro grain is so tight I don’t think it absorbs the oil too well.

 

[Thomas Morrison]

I scored a brand new loaded sliver body from the Strat-O-Sphere, swapped out the white pickguard for black pearl, and threw a 20 year old Precision neck with a dark rosewood board on it. I absolutely LOVE this bass!

 

[friend33]

Sweet! I pulled the trigger on a Player Jazz Bass (buttercream), which should arrive Monday. I can't wait!

What’s the verdict? Currently looking at these...

 

[BlackEdition]

UPDATE: Replacement Jazz has arrived!

Yesterday I picked up my new Player Jazz from the music store, with a pau ferro fretboard this time, and I’m happy to announce that this one’s a keeper! The fretboard was slightly on the dry side and needed a bit of lemon oil, as is often the case with pau ferro, but after oiling it up and setting the intonation, the bass played beautifully and looked great. The final touch was a black pickguard, as I’ve never been a fan of the tuxedo colour scheme. Here it is:

View attachment 3925072

...and again, posing with the rest of the family:
View attachment 3925073

I'm going to guess your favorite color is red...

 

[JakobT]

I'm going to guess your favorite color is red...

Absolutely. But I try very hard not to overdo it.