NBD-Fernandes 25th Anniversary

[neo 7]

I had been GAS-free for about four months when I took my medium scale Fernandes Revolver out of the case. After playing it for about five minutes I realized how medium scale really is a better fit for me. So began the search for a new bass. I immediately searched for 'Fernandes' on ebay and this one piqued my interest. The ad listed it as a 25th Anniversary FRB-85. A google search turned up nothing.

After sitting in my watch list for a month I finally pulled the trigger. Four days later my new bass was waiting for me at the Post Office. I picked it up on my way to my brother's house. Opening the box I was hit with a fairly strong aroma of fish, and wondered what I had just gotten myself into. Off came the bubble wrap and WOW! Just WOW! This neck feels almost as solid as my old Stingray. Fernandes really pulled out all the stops for this one. The passive BassTec pickups are pretty cool too. I've already gotten a lot of sounds from my nephews Peavey guitar combo. It also has some sort of full-range/low pass switch, which I haven't quite figured out yet.

The neck is dead straight, the action is super low, and I got some fret buzz on the E and A strings. I'll give it some new strings and a set up in the next few days, but this neck is amazing.

Of course my nephew wanted to put his hands all over it, so I let him hold it for this pic. Can't wait to get this set-up and play thru a real bass amp.

And here's the headstock

If anyone knows anything about this bass please let me know.

 

[neo 7]

The nut width is 1-5/8 and the neck is pretty big compared to my other 2 Fernandes.

 

[Dave Bassincus]

That looks great!

 

[SirMjac28]

Very cool congrats and I'm surprised there aren't more medium scale basses

 

[neo 7]

I played this bass for a couple hours in my brother's garage where I could really listen to my amp. I really like the pups in this bass. Neck is a nice low mid thump, P-bass but rounder, to straight mud with the tone knob down.

The bridge is like a meatier Jazz, reminiscent of a Stingray. I'm a P-Bass guy, but I just love the bridge pup in this bass.

Last night I took this bass out to a jam/audition. It sat in the mix pretty good plucking over the neck pup, but some of the bridge pup growl got lost. I ran my GK MB200 thru an old school Peavey cab. The speaker has been replaced with an Eminence Kappalite. EC was flat. I got a good tone with both pups, the neck does a pretty good P sound, and the guitarist and drummer complentented my tone. Guitarist even said Fernandes makes good guitars.

I really like the way this bass hangs on a strap. The body is bigger than my other Fernandes, which now feels like a toy compared to this one. Weighs around 8.5 pounds and my shoulder was a little sore today, but I'm out of "strap shape"

This is a cool bass. I've made it my go-to.

 

[neo 7]

I'm probably talking to myself, but anyway, the ebay seller claims a light ash body.

 

[neo 7]

How about an update

This is a cool bass. I wish the fretboard was rounder and I'm not crazy about the color. And I guess I wouldn't mind it were string thru. All of this is overshadowed by this bass being frickin bad ass. I really love the neck, I can deal with the flat fretboard. The tone is everything I want . The mud switch is great, keeps me out of guitar territory and lets them shine. Oh yeah, the groove is strong with this bass. Bandleader doesn't want me to play anything else.

Here's a pic

 

[neo 7]

Talking to myself again.....hehehe. But anyhoo, it's been a couple years and a couple bands and this bass is still going strong. There is zero information on the internet about this bass, but I have seen one or two pop up for sale on eBay. A few different eBay sellers from Japan had the same bass listed, excact same photos and all that. Then a couple weeks ago another seller listed it and the price was low enough for me to jump.

It took five days to get here from Japan, and the worst, most half-ass packing job I've ever seen. I'm surprised it lived! But here's the twins, reunited after traveling halfway around the world.

Doing a side-by-side these two play and sound a little different. The newer bass has a sharper, more aggressive tone. The neck is slightly thicker front-to-back, and has less of a high-gloss finish. It's also about a half-pound heavier.

I've never been crazy about the look of this(these) bass(es) and lately I've been thinking of getting new bodies made. I know a local luthier that I trust for the job, and I love these necks and pickups. Maybe something Ric inspired? Hmmmmmm. Stay tuned.

 

[neo 7]

Here's Anthony two years eight months later with the "new" bass.

 

[neo 7]

I just re-strung the old one with Chromes, which I feel work best for this one. The new one has Dadarrido XL rounds, this one has sweet growl, dirty and nasty but clear......

...... I've really started to like the flatter fretboard, I think I play faster and cleaner than my 7.5 Fenders......

..... I've also found out that the mud switch eliminates the mid range honk of the D and G strings when playing "Stingray style."

 

[neo 7]

Here's the new one at a gig

 

[neo 7]

I'm finding I like the new one aka:The Imposter better. It's the neck and the tone of that really does it for me.

And since no one is reading this thread here's the crappy cell phone vid of my former crappy cover band from the last post.

 

[BassmanM]

Just because we're not writing doesn't mean we're not reading.

Cool story and rare basses.

 

[neo 7]

I decided to change the old one up a bit. DR neon blue strings should arrive tomorrow. I really like the wider string spacing of the Gotoh bridge.

Before

After

I'm pretty sure I'll be getting a vinyl graphic for at least one of these basses. I'm definitely getting a new bridge for the new one.

 

[neo 7]

 

[neo 7]

I forgot to post the pic with the blue strings.

I can give or take the blue strings but I really really like the black hardware. Its going on the new bass too.

 

[barginkov]

Cool bass .I wouldnt change the body. They look kool as they are

 

[Maxdusty]

That is a cool bass, haven't seen one of that model but have tried other models. Good basses .
Something about plain black basses (with no pickguards0 just scream for a vinyl graphic imo..just like the bass on the left in my user pic. Thinking of a dragon vinyl sticker and/or maybe a matching fretboard sticker. At least the stickers are removable, no harm no foul if you don't like the look after a while.

 

[Sauron_]

Nice bass.
I wouldn't change the body, I think both are asking for a refinish.

 

[neo 7]

Last photo of black and gold