Nicest Fender I've seen

[lomo]

If the Currecny converter I used is on-track, 5350 Euros equals $6700 US Dollars.

The Fender Custom shop and this builder are one-offs.
Like the Foderas, Jens Ritter, and others, you don't GO THERE and even think about the price.
If it's what you want, you gladly pay it, and what you get is worth beyond dollars.

Concerned about price?? Go elsewhere! Sure there are many fine basses for less, MM, G&L, Lull, whatever.

But this one is A Fender Custom Shop. It's an amazing, beautiful bass.
If it wouldn't KILL my checkbook, I wouldn't bat an eye about paying 6 large for that instrument.

OP, thanks for posting that, and the article about it as well.
Awesome to see fine instruments like that.

I fully understand the cliche that "if you have to ask the price, you can't afford it". FWIW I can afford it, but choose not to buy it. Your quote states plainly what admittedly irks me: "This one is a Fender Custom Shop". The degree to which the price reflects the name rather than the product gets me every time. There are many other luthiers who produce indistinguishably similar one-off quality for half this price. I have nothing against Fender-I love my pair of RBVs. Please don't break out the flame throwers. It's a forum and this is my opinion

 

[Kubs]

There are many other luthiers who produce indistinguishably similar one-off quality for half this price.n

but who can judge this :-D

I very doubt that anybody have occasion to compare f.e. Sadowsky vs. Lakland JB styled bass with absolutely same setup, absolutely same electronics, absolutely same material (bridge included..), same player played for same time period??? and if so, is he really able to judge wood difference between them - because that coud tell us who use better woods -> making better bass - and definitely making better bass (because hardware is always subject to change)

and would that be really objective?? wouldnt it be just matter of subjectivity????

for example would anybody believe me that my FMT smash out Sadowsky....I think all of you would say - its subjective, there must be something wrong with that sad..., but if I say it reversed it will be absolutely right opinion nobody will protest....

and what is best will anybody recognize lakland vs. fender vs. sad in band on record...

just remeber poll where TB´er put 3 basses...75 JB, 75 RI JB, and third was...umm I dont remember brand but some kind of boutique ash active JB - 70´s like....

hey I really ROFLed how those "vintage" or "boutique" masters here on TB shoting and mising their answers....I also didnt find what is what...


Its all big c*ap....we are able to recognize musicman from JB, but not Fender from Lakland, and as that poll shows SOMETIMES WE ARE NOT ABLE TO RECOGNIZE ACTIVE FROM PASSIVE ....but we can talk about this s*it all time long what is better and what worse...we should go out to fresh air and keep breathin

 

[Bass Viking]

I fully understand the cliche that "if you have to ask the price, you can't afford it". FWIW I can afford it, but choose not to buy it. Your quote states plainly what admittedly irks me: "This one is a Fender Custom Shop". The degree to which the price reflects the name rather than the product gets me every time. There are many other luthiers who produce indistinguishably similar one-off quality for half this price. I have nothing against Fender-I love my pair of RBVs. Please don't break out the flame throwers. It's a forum and this is my opinion

+1. Stick a paper bag over the headstock and put it up against a lower priced bass. The results would be interesting.

 

[evito]

You're kidding right?

What "lower priced bass"? A Squier? An Ibanez?? A $4K Sadowsky?

What some people don't seem to absorb is that this is an instrument built by one of the Master Builders at the Fender Custom Shop.
Whether one can afford it is not relevant; Whether one would opt for that instrument price non-withstanding is also irrelevant.

The bass is immaculately built, every instrument that comes out of FMIC Custom shop is; the Master-builts more so.

That is not an opinion, it's a fact of how they are made to the highest standards using choice woods, components and craft of assembly.

They put a price tag on it, those who order them don't "deal" like you would for a Warwick or MM at Guitar Center; they pay what the asking price is or choose elsewhere-
Same as with a Ritter or Fodera (and the differences between them and FCS models has STILL not been explained by the genius who stated that there is a difference...)

I don't put a paper bag on the headstock of instruments I play.

FWIW, some of the greatest players ever don't give a rat's butt about the build of their instrument; figuring it's better to spend time practicing and making music.

Better that than to deride the price/value/worth of an instrument from a builder like the one discussed in this thread.

It's worth absolutely every penny the Custom Shop wants to charge.

Not your cup of tea?

Then paint "Fender Custom Shop Master-Built" on the paper bag covering YOUR headstock...You'll never notice and be happy ever after!

I think your missing the point he is trying to make. I think everyone here agrees that the Fender Customer Shop basses use material that is leaps and bounds better than a Squire or Lakland. The master builder puts painstaking hours to build such a beautiful bass rather than have a machine crank it out.

I think the point is that a good player isn't defined by the bass he uses. He/she can take a Lakland and make it sound like a Fender Custom Shop. I think if you want an absolutely beautiful bass that sounds great then buy a FCS. If you want a great sound and want something that looks like most basses then buy a Lakland or a standard P-bass or what not.

I may be completely missing the point here as I just found this thread, but at least thats my two cents FWIW...

 

[JAUQO III-X]

I think your missing the point he is trying to make. I think everyone here agrees that the Fender Customer Shop basses use material that is leaps and bounds better than a Squire or Lakland. The master builder puts painstaking hours to build such a beautiful bass rather than have a machine crank it out.

I think the point is that a good player isn't defined by the bass he uses. He/she can take a Lakland and make it sound like a Fender Custom Shop. I think if you want an absolutely beautiful bass that sounds great then buy a FCS. If you want a great sound and want something that looks like most basses then buy a Lakland or a standard P-bass or what not.

I may be completely missing the point here as I just found this thread, but at least that's my two cents FWIW...

Your comments in regards to Lakland is very much entertaining.




And for the record I endorse and play both laklands and Fenders and I have played custom shop Fenders as well as master built ones and just about every thing that Lakland has to offer and put out(some that can even be considered custom shop) and I have no issues with some one liking one over the other.

 

[evito]

Your comments in regards to Lakland is very much entertaining.




And for the record I endorse and play both laklands and Fenders and I have played custom shop Fenders as well as master built ones and just about every thing that Lakland has to offer and put out(some that can even be considered custom shop) and I have no issues with some one liking one over the other.

I am not saying that Lakland is garbage in ANY way. I actually like their basses and hope to own one in my near future. I was simply using Squire (Low end) and Lakland (Mid to High end) compared to a Fender Custom Shop (Super high end).

If any Laklandites took offense to my comments, I humbly apologize...

 

[Bass Viking]

You're kidding right?

What "lower priced bass"? A Squier? An Ibanez?? A $4K Sadowsky?

What some people don't seem to absorb is that this is an instrument built by one of the Master Builders at the Fender Custom Shop.
Whether one can afford it is not relevant; Whether one would opt for that instrument price non-withstanding is also irrelevant.

The bass is immaculately built, every instrument that comes out of FMIC Custom shop is; the Master-builts more so.

That is not an opinion, it's a fact of how they are made to the highest standards using choice woods, components and craft of assembly.

They put a price tag on it, those who order them don't "deal" like you would for a Warwick or MM at Guitar Center; they pay what the asking price is or choose elsewhere-
Same as with a Ritter or Fodera (and the differences between them and FCS models has STILL not been explained by the genius who stated that there is a difference...)

I don't put a paper bag on the headstock of instruments I play.

FWIW, some of the greatest players ever don't give a rat's butt about the build of their instrument; figuring it's better to spend time practicing and making music.

Better that than to deride the price/value/worth of an instrument from a builder like the one discussed in this thread.

It's worth absolutely every penny the Custom Shop wants to charge.

Not your cup of tea?

Then paint "Fender Custom Shop Master-Built" on the paper bag covering YOUR headstock...You'll never notice and be happy ever after!

No I'm not kidding. I'm merely agreeing with what Lomo said about paying for the name. I also agree with him that one can get the same level of quality for less money from another builder. (And I'm not talking about Squier or Ibanez)

You mention Fodera. I haven't played one but I've read several times on TB (from people who have played them) that they aren't higher quality than other boutique instruments, even though the Foderas cost more.

I'm just giving my opinion. If you don't like it, go practice and make music.

 

[realdeal]

You're kidding right?

What "lower priced bass"? A Squier? An Ibanez?? A $4K Sadowsky?

What some people don't seem to absorb is that this is an instrument built by one of the Master Builders at the Fender Custom Shop.
Whether one can afford it is not relevant; Whether one would opt for that instrument price non-withstanding is also irrelevant.

The bass is immaculately built, every instrument that comes out of FMIC Custom shop is; the Master-builts more so.

That is not an opinion, it's a fact of how they are made to the highest standards using choice woods, components and craft of assembly.

They put a price tag on it, those who order them don't "deal" like you would for a Warwick or MM at Guitar Center; they pay what the asking price is or choose elsewhere-
Same as with a Ritter or Fodera (and the differences between them and FCS models has STILL not been explained by the genius who stated that there is a difference...)

I don't put a paper bag on the headstock of instruments I play.

FWIW, some of the greatest players ever don't give a rat's butt about the build of their instrument; figuring it's better to spend time practicing and making music.

Better that than to deride the price/value/worth of an instrument from a builder like the one discussed in this thread.

It's worth absolutely every penny the Custom Shop wants to charge.

Not your cup of tea?

Then paint "Fender Custom Shop Master-Built" on the paper bag covering YOUR headstock...You'll never notice and be happy ever after!

He's right...That's MY opinion!
Don't like it- Go Practice.




No I'm not kidding. I'm merely agreeing with what Lomo said about paying for the name. I also agree with him that one can get the same level of quality for less money from another builder. (And I'm not talking about Squier or Ibanez)

You mention Fodera. I haven't played one but I've read several times on TB (from people who have played them) that they aren't higher quality than other boutique instruments, even though the Foderas cost more.

I'm just giving my opinion. If you don't like it, go practice and make music.

"Merely agreeing about paying for the name".....
You...do...(still)...NOT...get...it---
You PAY for the priviledge of having a bass built by a Master Builder from the Fender Custom Shop. There's a price attached to that, because there is a status attached to that, same as the status of a Sadowsky, or a Ritter, or an Alembic (And it STILL has not been piped in WHY the FCS basses are different...wonder why???)

Whether YOU want to pay or feel it's worth it isn't the issue is it? The luthiers who "make the cut" and get selected to be Master Builders at FCS have the credentials and skills to work there, and believe me, it's gonna cost for those skills.
Players CHOOSE to pay for that status, and they are not disappointed.
I've yet to hear of any player being unhappy with a bass from a Master Builder, and I doubt if it would happen.

Well, that's the best explanation there is, and like a broken record, the argument continues..

"It's not worth it".....

Yes, actually, it is. My opinion, and I practice. Plenty.
Oh yeah, btw, I HAVE played Foderas...they are worth it, and they're on the same level as FCS basses!
Get it?
My opinion; you don't like it go practice and make some music... (Brilliant!)

 

[Happynoj]

Slightly ignoring the current 'are Master-Built Fenders really worth it' argument, and just going back to the 'most beautiful Fender I've ever seen' thing, I saw an amazing looking Fender in one of their catalogues (I think it was either 2005 or 2006). It was in the CS pages, so I assume that it was a CS bass. It was a jazz with a spalted (maple?) top, and the same bridge as the bass in the OP. Anyone know of any pics of it, or got any info about it?

 

[Throckmorten]

The more I think about it, that thing would look SICK with a control plate, IMO.

No PG is what makes that custom greenie for me.
Perl block inlays would be nice.

And the black burst would be nicer still w/o the pickguard anc control plate.

I like my basses naked.

 

[Bass Viking]

Just curious: when you order a masterbuilt Fender, do you get to deal directly with the builder for any service needed after you receive it?

 

[Bassflute]

is neither a Fender (it's a Warmouth), nor is it mine, but it certainly is gorgeous:

I also love the white on white on white Warmouth that one talkbass member did a whole thread on building a while back; can't remember his name. That was gorgeous, as well, but he went and changed it. I like his first iteration.

One day, when I've got all the MTD's I need, I'll start on some Fender clones, but with good electronics like these.

And a Music Man or two.

Cheers,
Cameron ' I Want a Bailout' Hood

 

[Deluge Of Sound]

I like this one, it has the right amount of "mojo"

 

[GregC]

Just the terms Fender uses, like "Master Built" v "Team Built" are all part of the system they use to add value to their products - they differentiate what is essentially a very nice bass built using all of Fender's machinery, timber supplies, bulk buying of electronics, etc, with a few, usually fairly minor, variations from standard (neck width, etc) from their usual run-of-the-mill stuff. The extra work in that bass - and I admit it's lovely - isn't really worth that much, unless you're the kind of guy who likes to say "My bass is Master Built, it's not like yours" If you're not stinking rich, you can treat yourself to a "Team Built" instead - wow - a team of people making MY bass! Fender have always spent a lot of time and effort in giving their products little "extras", which enhance their perceived value. And years down the line, you get the whole "vintage" thing - more crap. The basses I bought in the early 70's are now revered, when at the time even the dealers said they were crap. If an old Fender has an unusal colour, it's more valuable, and if it's got the original pots it's worth more than if it had new ones and didn't make scratchy noises - your not talking about instruments here, it's more like the art market. I've always hated fender for their attitude to their customers, and I hate the reverential way people speak about their old products, and now their master Built products. After the Master builder contacts you to get your specifications (catch the note of Rolls Royce service in that phrase?) he probably gets someone to set up the cnc machine to order, sends off ofr the hardware, and away you go. I know a respected builder here who does build everything by hand from scratch, and he told me it takes about 50 hours of work to do a complete instrument (he doesn't wind p/ups, or machine tuners, etc, obviously) and he charges about a quarter of what that bass cost. Fender are creating an image for what is essentially a slight variability on an old (and I admit, great), design which isn't available straight from the the factory, and which they can price how they wish, and good luck to them if people buy them, BUT you can only say they are worth it if they are worth it to YOU - there is no way that price is reasonable unless you're a Fender worshipper. MY Ferrari has a custom gear stick and a unique colour, so it's worth four times the guy down the road's Ferrari, but I don't like to talk about it.

Ouch, my eyes! I found your missing key.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[GregC]

Remember, that is a UK website. I bet that bass is around $4,000 in the USA. That would make it equivalent to a NYC Sadowsky or Celinder.

Actually it's a Spanish website

Why do people who keep knocking the price of this bass continually ignore the fact that they're comparing a Fender's price in Europe with the price of a Sadowsky, etc.'s prices in the US?

 

[Brad Johnson]

I'm sure its a very nice bass and all, but comparing a bolt-on bass with a quilt maple top to a $7,000 Ritter or Fodera is asinine.

Always fun to see how much value some put on a neck joint.

 

[Brad Johnson]

How so ? Regardless of it's fancy top and Hipshot type bridge and other minute modern complexities it's still a Jazz bass and if my memory serves me correctly it was ( leo ) Fender that design and came out with the 1st Jazz bass uh....... 47 yrs ago ?

Look at the bass. I know Fender came out with the J bass design a long time ago...and this bass resembles a Sadowsky far more than a J bass.

I feel the same way about FMT/QMT basses. Fender's version of Sadowsky's version of a Fender.

Just sayin'.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Why do people who keep knocking the price of this bass continually ignore the fact that they're comparing a Fender's price in Europe with the price of a Sadowsky, etc.'s prices in the US?

Because sometimes thinking is hard?

Just a guess.

 

[iplaydrums1]

thats a sick bass!

 

[Bassflute]

Originally Posted by MyUsernameHere
I'm sure its a very nice bass and all, but comparing a bolt-on bass with a quilt maple top to a $7,000 Ritter or Fodera is asinine.

And it would be ASININE of me NOT to mention that Ritter and Fodera build bolt-on basses; as do MTD, Sadowsky, Lull, Celinder, Alleva, Suhr, Elrick, etc etc etc.

It's a desired method of construction for some luthiers and players alike... but as Brad said about thinking....

Always fun to see how little some people think....

Always fun to see how much value some put on a neck joint.

In most of the developed world, and to most of the worlds great electric bass players, the age of the neck-through has come and gone. I sold my last two for a couple of bolt on MTD's, and wouldn't dream of going back.

But anyway, this thread's about beautiful Fenders....

Cheers,
Cameron