I have (2) 4-string Fernandes basses that are posted in this group: APB-90M natural ash + maple neck & gold & what I believe to be a APB-4 black w/chrome all the same shape as yours and yes lightweight and once set up are great players
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- Sep 11, 2016
- 1,199
- 2,148
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: LowEnd basses, DR Strings, Warm Audio, Shaw Audio
These old fender copies are great. Totally better craftsmanship on most 70’s fenders I’ve worked on and owned. I get why they needed to threat lawsuits of this era lol.
My Fernandes PJ bass. I don't think I'll ever get rid of t
his one. I added the ashtray.
Hey I bought this Fernandes RB-80 about a years ago. I was told it is a early 80's but I can not find a serial number anywhere on it. I have looked at there catalogs and they look basicall unchanged from the early 80's to the mid 90's. Does any one know where it may be located if there is one at all?
Hello Fernandes club...
I'm thinking about ordering a Fernandes Atlas music man 4 string.
I'm curious about the back of the neck size. Is it chunky or slim like a jazz bass?
It has a 1.5 nut but I've been told that the nut size has nothing to do with the back of the neck. I'm just wondering if it's a C shape or V shape or a______ shape.
I'm hoping that someone has played one of these basses.
Thank you kindly!
I'm thinking about ordering a Fernandes Atlas music man 4 string.
I'm curious about the back of the neck size. Is it chunky or slim like a jazz bass?
It has a 1.5 nut but I've been told that the nut size has nothing to do with the back of the neck. I'm just wondering if it's a C shape or V shape or a______ shape.
I'm hoping that someone has played one of these basses.
Thank you kindly!
I would unscrew the pickguard and look for date codes on the volume/tone controls for possible answers .
Does anyone know which Fernandes P bass models had alder bodies?
I'm looking through everything I can find and came upon RPB50's solid colors that might have alder bodies. Everything else seems to be sen or ash as standard.
The reason I'm asking is because I would like to get a MIJ alder bodies P bass but all the ones I've been buying lately have turned up to be ash, even when advertised as alder, so I would just like some tonal variety, not that there's anything wrong with ash, but I thought it was rarer.
If anyone knows a pattern or model to look for, please let me know. Thanks
I'm looking through everything I can find and came upon RPB50's solid colors that might have alder bodies. Everything else seems to be sen or ash as standard.
The reason I'm asking is because I would like to get a MIJ alder bodies P bass but all the ones I've been buying lately have turned up to be ash, even when advertised as alder, so I would just like some tonal variety, not that there's anything wrong with ash, but I thought it was rarer.
If anyone knows a pattern or model to look for, please let me know. Thanks
I'm looking at a couple of 80's fernandes P basses, they look identical and both say Limited Edition on the headstock but one has smaller tuners and the other has bigger tuners. Does this indicate a model or year? As far as I've seen all Fernandes 80's basses had the bigger tuners and only the lower Tokai models like the PB40 had smaller tuners. Anyone know something about these?
and this is the other one with bigger tuners
and this is the other one with bigger tuners
No expert but to me it is just "standard shaft" vs "long shaft" tuners , May also be Fernandes model specific (such as either 60s vs 70s F-style P-bass model that Fernandes was copying ?) but best way to find out is to visibly look at model # usually found on butt of neck and/or neck pocket and then research that model which may not be possible if you don't actually own these basses ,
I'm looking at a couple of 80's fernandes P basses, they look identical and both say Limited Edition on the headstock but one has smaller tuners and the other has bigger tuners. Does this indicate a model or year? As far as I've seen all Fernandes 80's basses had the bigger tuners and only the lower Tokai models like the PB40 had smaller tuners. Anyone know something about these?
and this is the other one with bigger tuners
The fernandes bass arrived and it sounds great, but the neck had a huge bow in it and the action was like 4mm! I started cranking the truss rod until i couldn't move it easily anymore and the action was none lower (with the bridge saddles already as low as they go). I kept on moving the truss rod with as much force as I could and now I believe the neck is quite straight, and the truss rod will not move anymore.
The action is still a little high with no room to lower the E and D saddles. I am thinking it needs a shim?
I also did check the nut which looks original but the action is quite high there, when I put a capo on the 3rd fret, there is plenty of space under the 1st fret where as all my other basses and guitars look to have almost no gap there, so I might need to lower the nut as well.
All in all, for what I paid, and for the sound it has, I'm pretty happy! I already used it at rehearsal and I like the pickups, they read 13k!
The action is still a little high with no room to lower the E and D saddles. I am thinking it needs a shim?
I also did check the nut which looks original but the action is quite high there, when I put a capo on the 3rd fret, there is plenty of space under the 1st fret where as all my other basses and guitars look to have almost no gap there, so I might need to lower the nut as well.
All in all, for what I paid, and for the sound it has, I'm pretty happy! I already used it at rehearsal and I like the pickups, they read 13k!
*Always manually flex the neck when tightening the rod / removing relief. You can always add washers if needed.
*A perfectly straight neck is not desirable. A smidgen of relief is required for optimal performance.
*When depressing the 3rd fret, I would expect to see a gap of .003-.005 between any string and the 1st fret.
*If relief is dialed-in, nut slots are cut correctly, and the saddles are bottomed-out, a shim may be in order.
Riis
Does anybody own a Fernandes bass with the proprietary "adjust-a-nut"? I have one in my parts bin and may have to re-install it. Just wanted to compare notes first. Thanks!
Riis
Riis
Hey all, was hoping for some help identifying this particular bass I just picked up recently. I've attached two Reverb postings of the instrument that have many pictures including pictures of the serial number. It appears to be an APB-4 model based on a quick Google search but I don't know any more than that; any info at all would be greatly appreciated!
Fernandes APB-4 ? White | Reverb
Fernandes APB-4 White | Reverb
Fernandes APB-4 ? White | Reverb
Fernandes APB-4 White | Reverb
Looks good. But it does appear to be a decent APB. Not entirely sure though. GLWTP.
They offered any # of APB-shaped basses but with different model designations. Some look really similar but with slightly different features based on the target market...some were intended for import, others for the Japanese market for example. Take a look at the entire Reverb "Fernandes" listings and find one that is the closest match. Either way, it's gonna be one helluva bass.
Riis
Your best bet is to remove the neck and the model # should be printed on the neck , It looks just like an APB-4/APB-90 models except for the 3 knobs (passive bass) and I believe if it has the painted neck back it may make it a APB-80 ? If you decide to remove the neck , Let us know what you find
Just realized when I posted yesterday I didn't reply to your post so not sure if you saw, but I did end up taking some pictures! Seems like it might be a body of an APB-80 with a neck from an APB-70? Either way, after giving it a good clean and setup yesterday the thing sounds absolutely killer especially with the Quarter Pounders!
@Zooberwerx @Rudyboy98
