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New Fender Antigua models...

To answer a previous comment, I think FJ did a run of these for domestic sale some time ago.

Not big on MIMs; it's hard enough getting a decent MIA these days. :rolleyes:

But here's the bottom line:

I've watched this over and over on TB through the years, and it always happens. FMIC or someone comes up with some screwball model or finish and everyone brays about how awesumm it is -- but when it's time to put up or shut up, they clutch and don't buy one, and the things sit in the stores for a year until they get blown out below cost. :smug:

Maybe this will be different, we'll see.

Nostalgia for sheer vintage fugliness may be an untapped market, but anyone not familiar with the old Antiguas is not going to get the joke and will just think you're tasteless.
 
Hmmmm,...

I'd never seen (or at least, noticed) an Antigua until I saw one hanging in a store & immediately bought it. I loved it at first sight. All of the typical late 70's quirks,too: heavy, odd neck pocket, thick finish, etc... Still sounds great and looks killer.

I guess not everyone wants vanilla all of the time? ;)
 
I guess not everyone wants vanilla all of the time? ;)

A hand injury followed by largely unsuccessful reconstructive surgery has ended any possibility of my gigging again, so presentation is no longer a factor for me.

I can play ugly/crazy/cheap/unhip/insane gear in the darkened studio and nobody cares, which is cool...but if I was still onstage (or doing artist development coaching for those who were) I never, ever would use anything but plain-vanilla, pro standard gear in the standard finishes.

[Never mind they're easier to profitably offload when the time comes.]

Gear should never present a distraction for a strong, serious performer.

If you have a carnival act, though, rock out with that rhinestone Bootsy bass! ;)
 
A hand injury followed by largely unsuccessful reconstructive surgery has ended any possibility of my gigging again, so presentation is no longer a factor for me.

I can play ugly/crazy/cheap/unhip/insane gear in the darkened studio and nobody cares, which is cool...but if I was still onstage (or doing artist development coaching for those who were) I never, ever would use anything but plain-vanilla, pro standard gear in the standard finishes.

[Never mind they're easier to profitably offload when the time comes.]

Gear should never present a distraction for a strong, serious performer.

If you have a carnival act, though, rock out with that rhinestone Bootsy bass! ;)

I make a living as a for-hire freelance bass player with a variety of acts, most of which are pretty straight-down-the-middle in terms of appeal. Nobody has objected to the Antigua color yet - in fact, they all dig it! (Granted, if I show up with a hot-pink pointy-headstock with flashing led lights, it would be a different story! :))


p.s.... sorry to hear of your injury. That sucks! I feel for ya' - I was out of commission for only 3 months last year with a wrist injury (thankfully I recovered and got back to work.). I still have to be careful, but I empathize.
 
Based on the pics on Fender's site, I was hoping these would have been a more platinum kind of color - like a variation on the orig. They seem pretty correct as far as the vintage Antiguas I've seen in person, which I've never been crazy about, tbh.

A matter of preference, of course.
 
OH. MY. GOD!!!! Man,I friggin' love that!! What's the deal on the pups/electronics??

I am so sorry for the delay in responding... when I bought the bass it has EMGs in it, and I replaced them with passive Bartolinis. I forget the model number, but it was the one with the "enhanced upper mids." I think they stopped making them.

The bad news? There is a pretty big sloppy hole in the back of the body from where they chiseled out a battery compartment. There is a round cover that hides it... probably makes the bass a little lighter, it is ash and kind of heavy.
 
Raced home from work for the Antigua Jazz arrival. Thanks to Mark at Bass Club Chicago. I just took a few photos, but I haven't even plugged it in yet. As I had hoped, it has the 70's spacing. I like the bullet truss rod nut too. I took a body comparison shot with my '78/'82 "transition period" Jazz.
I was pleasantly surprised to find CTS pots, so I took a picture to share. The bass is light, the body has quite good resonance when knocked on, and the neck feels really nice. The radius is sweet too. Exactly what I wanted. A nice fingerboard curve.
The neck is quite thin. Not as thin as my '78/'82, but really close. The only really noticeable thickness difference is behind the first fret. The Antigua is thicker there in comparison. I'll mess with it some more and report back. So far, I'm impressed overall.

ant1.jpg

ant2.jpg

ant3.jpg

ant4.jpg
 
Raced home from work for the Antigua Jazz arrival. Thanks to Mark at Bass Club Chicago. I just took a few photos, but I haven't even plugged it in yet. As I had hoped, it has the 70's spacing. I like the bullet truss rod nut too. I took a body comparison shot with my '78/'82 "transition period" Jazz.
I was pleasantly surprised to find CTS pots, so I took a picture to share. The bass is light, the body has quite good resonance when knocked on, and the neck feels really nice. The radius is sweet too. Exactly what I wanted. A nice fingerboard curve.
The neck is quite thin. Not as thin as my '78/'82, but really close. The only really noticeable thickness difference is behind the first fret. The Antigua is thicker there in comparison. I'll mess with it some more and report back. So far, I'm impressed overall.

ant3.jpg

That Antigua looks good man.
That black Jazz looks a lot like my 83. Did those pickup covers and knobs come stock on yours?
jazz3.jpg


I've never seen a neck with different color wood where the dots are. Did it come like that?
 
DJJazzV said:
Raced home from work for the Antigua Jazz arrival. Thanks to Mark at Bass Club Chicago. I just took a few photos, but I haven't even plugged it in yet. As I had hoped, it has the 70's spacing. I like the bullet truss rod nut too. I took a body comparison shot with my '78/'82 "transition period" Jazz.
I was pleasantly surprised to find CTS pots, so I took a picture to share. The bass is light, the body has quite good resonance when knocked on, and the neck feels really nice. The radius is sweet too. Exactly what I wanted. A nice fingerboard curve.
The neck is quite thin. Not as thin as my '78/'82, but really close. The only really noticeable thickness difference is behind the first fret. The Antigua is thicker there in comparison. I'll mess with it some more and report back. So far, I'm impressed overall.

Wow. I'm like most people, I always hated Antigua, but that bass not only makes me want it, it makes me want a Jazz!

It looks grey-hued moreso than green - is that the case in person?