Oddball Fenders.

[Jazzcat]

Compared to the other A/Es posted here, the headstock decal is different on mine. Mine has a pretty low SN and I think it was an early run, so maybe that has something to do with it???

 

[SchizoBassist]

If you're worried that it might be a fake, you can send it to me and I'll take my time to verify its authenticity.

ps. How much do these things weigh?

 

[Jazzcat]

I have no doubt it is the real deal! Mine is currently non-OEM piezo, pots, knobs and preamp, but the OEM parts are tucked in the case. Amazing tone range on this bass too with the upgraded peizo and preamp.

I am guessing there is probably a story behind the head decal not having the model identifier. I am guessing it is either a proto or part of an initial model run that was finished before the home office decided on the model name.

The AE weighs 7 pounds on my bathroom scale. My 73 Pbass weighs in at 7.5. Held horizontal, I notice a weight difference in the body of the AE.

 

[godofthunder59]

Just picked this JP90 up last week. USA goodness for $399! Even came with the ohsc.

 

[DDXdesign]

I don't *need* a fretless, but now that I have a P (-style) bass, I would absolutely LOVE to have one of those thinline A/E fretlesses to pair with it.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Certainly not the oddest, but my recently acquired Fender Japan JB62 "All-Black" still stands out from the "norm"…what with the rear-route (not too common) and the all-over black finish (definitely uncommon!).

I also believe the now-discontinued Blacktop line deserves an honorable mention in the "Oddball" category. Here's my BT-Jazz shortly after I purchased it. The only mod I'd made at that time was my tint-job on the edge of the pickguard.

I hope Fender keeps the Blacktop Line around as a means to create new and/or interesting variations on their classic themes.

 

[bsamusic]

So, just out of curiosity, I'd like to see how many people on TB have Fenders that aren't "typical" Fenders. I'm not talking mods, I'm talking completely "different" models.

Allowed: Performers, Coronados, Fender VI, Stu Hamm's Urge, Aerodynes, etc.
Not Allowed: Jazz, Precision, Jaguar.

As far as PJ basses go, make your best judgement. If it's just a P with a J slapped in it (or vise versa), then I probably don't wanna see it. But if it's kinda like Duff's PJ, go for it!

I recently saw a bass someone had posted for sale online with the description, "Fender Newporter." I didn't know Fender or anyone else had made a Newporter ANYTHING other than the parlor acoustics in the latter 1960s. But, it looked interesting and I had $200 burning a hole in my pocket, so I bought it.

I knew it had a plywood body from the pics, but the rest was discovered when I got it home. It doesn't have typical Fender stamps or maker marks inside the neck pocket or on the butt of the neck. It has an odd 6-digit serial number stamped into the back of the headstock (680427). The bridge, neck plate, pickups, and the wiring all look offshore. It has Alpha pots and there are no markings on the pickups. The interesting thing is the headstock decal is under the finish and looks legit. With the exception of some finish valleys around two of the fretboard dots, the finish is real nice. I guess someone could have gone to the trouble of making a large "Fender Newporter" decal, stripped the finish off a P-style neck, put the decal on, poly-coated the neck, and then bolted it onto a cheapo plywood body, but why?

The shape of the headstock, neck, and body smack of Fender Precision. It's a head-scratcher for sure. Anyone interested in taking a crack at this?

 

[JohnnyChatter]

My basses
Aerodyne Jazz
Aerodyne p bass
Coronado 2
I wouldn’t call the mustang an odd ball but it’s my newest.

 

[Malak the Mad]

View attachment 2872893 My basses
Aerodyne Jazz
Aerodyne p bass
Coronado 2
I wouldn’t call the mustang an odd ball but it’s my newest.

Mmmmm…Dolphin Grey Aerodyne. drool

That flamey Amber Aerodyne Precision is also pretty damn sweet.

 

[lowendblues]

Remember Alien Ant Farm ? They redid Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" he played this one off Fender in the video

 

[JohnnyChatter]

Mmmmm…Dolphin Grey Aerodyne. drool

That flamey Amber Aerodyne Precision is also pretty damn sweet.

Thanks man! I got that dolphin grey from here like 8 years ago for 400 bucks. The p bass I got for premier bass in Superior Colorado before the store closed. I traded an 80’ p bass special I paid 200 bucks for and a modern p bass special I got for 240. Those were the days when you could really score of Craigslist.

 

[JIO]

I recently saw a bass someone had posted for sale online with the description, "Fender Newporter." I didn't know Fender or anyone else had made a Newporter ANYTHING other than the parlor acoustics in the latter 1960s. But, it looked interesting and I had $200 burning a hole in my pocket, so I bought it.

I knew it had a plywood body from the pics, but the rest was discovered when I got it home. It doesn't have typical Fender stamps or maker marks inside the neck pocket or on the butt of the neck. It has an odd 6-digit serial number stamped into the back of the headstock (680427). The bridge, neck plate, pickups, and the wiring all look offshore. It has Alpha pots and there are no markings on the pickups. The interesting thing is the headstock decal is under the finish and looks legit. With the exception of some finish valleys around two of the fretboard dots, the finish is real nice. I guess someone could have gone to the trouble of making a large "Fender Newporter" decal, stripped the finish off a P-style neck, put the decal on, poly-coated the neck, and then bolted it onto a cheapo plywood body, but why?

The shape of the headstock, neck, and body smack of Fender Precision. It's a head-scratcher for sure. Anyone interested in taking a crack at this?

My guess is; not a Fender. Why someone would go to the trouble of coming up with a "Newporter" (might as well called it Wayfarer) decal for that bass is the only thing curious about that low quality generic bass.