So I just recently moved and didn't have a single bass with me, so I've been looking and looking for the past couple weeks. Found this sweet mamma jamma at a local mom n pop music shop yesterday. Bridge and electronics don't seem stock but I know very little about these basses so maybe yall could fill me in.
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It's Made in Mexico, perhaps between 2001 and 2007 approximately. It will be a nice player if the frets and neck are in good condition, etc. I wouldn't pay much more than $300 or $350 for it from a pawn shop. Likely a worthwhile purchase.
The rear cavity rout and side-output jack are nice features.
Pickups look to be high-quality Seymour Duncan aftermarket.
Pickups look to be high-quality Seymour Duncan aftermarket.
That's an Urge Standard. IIRC, these had a poplar body. The Bad Ass II is definitely not standard but a worthwhile modification.
I had one years ago but only kept it for a week. I was a massive Stuart Hamm fan back in the day and was looking for something to replace a Kubicki Ex Factor I had sold. The Urge Standard I got wasn't it, I couldn't get a decent tone out of it. It sounded half-passable as a scooped slap machine with the bass and treble controls on max - which would render it practically unusable in studio or on stage. I sold it to a bloke who was looking for a shorter scale bass, to combat wrist problems.
I had one years ago but only kept it for a week. I was a massive Stuart Hamm fan back in the day and was looking for something to replace a Kubicki Ex Factor I had sold. The Urge Standard I got wasn't it, I couldn't get a decent tone out of it. It sounded half-passable as a scooped slap machine with the bass and treble controls on max - which would render it practically unusable in studio or on stage. I sold it to a bloke who was looking for a shorter scale bass, to combat wrist problems.
They make like all these mad wee noises, ken? Want to do all that slap bass stuff eh? Aye it'll do that 'n' all mate.
BassHappy
Supporting Member
Hey Tlee and India
This is quite interesting to me. I have a similar Urge, and this is the only other two pickup Urge I have ever seen with the jack located on the side of the body instead of the front. Even on the two pickup models I have seen, the pots are both stacked like this one, with the jack on the front of the body. I noticed you have a fourth knob and that the bottom of the row of 3 knobs is also stacked.
I have been in touch with John Page who created the line of "Urge" basses along with Stu when he was at the Fender Custom Shop. I sent him photos of mine, and he claimed that it was either an early prototype or else possibly an employee build. Fender used to let employees build instruments for themselves and they gave them a little more latitude about what features they could build in.
Mine has active EMG pickups which were most definitely factory installed. I am wondering where you got your info about this model being the Urge Standard IIRC, because when I search nothing comes up.
I have been trying for years to find out more about mine. If you have any other info, I would be appreciative.
More on mine here:
Fender Urge I Prototype
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Cool bass. I really like the style and I'm always a fan of pushing the neck pup a bit closer to the neck.
Might be worthwhile looking under the jackplate to see if there's any evidence of whether the side mounted jack is original or a mod. With the slightly odd (but not bad) placement of the 4th knob, it's entirely possible this is an aftermarket preamp that needed 4 knobs so they simply drilled another hole in the top for the knob and one in the side for the jack.
Might be worthwhile looking under the jackplate to see if there's any evidence of whether the side mounted jack is original or a mod. With the slightly odd (but not bad) placement of the 4th knob, it's entirely possible this is an aftermarket preamp that needed 4 knobs so they simply drilled another hole in the top for the knob and one in the side for the jack.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
Good to know, I have never seen that Seymour Duncan logo on anything. Anybody know when it was in use?
I've played the three pickup model and it sounded great. Does this bass sound like an active Jazz bass? I can't tell if the pickup placement makes a huge difference or not.
I belive the Duncan pickups with the mini-switches were a product of the early to mid-90s. I never owned any but always heard good things. Obviously, Duncan knows what they're doing... I think that company's got a future.
Seymour Duncan has a popular forum. Google these pickups and i'm sure you'll find a plethora of info.
