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Opinions on Fender Custom Shop Basses

thisSNsucks

thisSNsucks

I build Grosbeak Guitars and Basses
Commercial User
Dec 19, 2004
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Yonkers, NY
www.grosbeakguitars.com
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Grosbeak Guitars
#1
Well I want to get a 60's style Jazz bass. I've considered going vintage but 1. those things are expensive 2. since they are so expensive ( and continue to get more expensive ) I really wouldn't want to ever gig with one.

So I've been looking at the Fender Custom Shop instruments, specifically the 64 Jazz. I've never actually seen one of these in person and I'm wondering how they stack up.

The specs are essentially the same as the American Vintage 62 RI with the exception of the v/v/t setup which I prefer. Is the quality of these that much better to justify the price increase?

Also how do the Fender Custom Shop instruments compare to something like an Alleva-Coppolo or even Lakland in terms of build quality and vintage tone?

Thanks in advance!
 
#2
IMO the Fender Custom shop stuff is really top notch in terms of build quality and nailing the vintage tone. I have owned the '64 Closet Classic Jazz, and a '59 Relic Precision. I have also owned an original 1964 Jazz, and the Custom Shop compared VERY favorably. The only difference in construction was the quarter sawn neck that the Fender CS uses. Its hard to beat them if you are looking for a passive vintage tone. Although the Lakland Osborne is a killer bass too. You probably would need to play them both to see which one suits you better. The CS is also IMO definitely worth the price difference over the AV basses.
 
#5
This is obviously just my opinion, but the extra jack for a Fender CS is just not justifiable. For the same coin, you can choose from a wide variety of high end or custom built basses, crafted to your own exacting standards from a fine luthier. CS money is not money well spent, again IME, IMHO, etc.

And dude, ^ Fender is known for their build quality? No, not really when compared to fine higher end gear...
 
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#7
While Fenders Custom Shop QC is far better then Fender MIA I still wouldn't put it up to the level of Sadowskys (Tokyo) metro shop. I've seen some really good ones and some really bad ones. I must admit the best of the CS I've seen has been the 64 CS J basses. Personally unless I could play it and inspect it (If I was ordering used or on line) I would go Alleva-Coppola or Lakland Joe Osborn. I played an Alder Rosewood JO at NAMM that was the most impressive passive bass I've ever played. And I've played KJungs A/C several times which is basically a five string sixties J bass. OTOH Fenders price hikes don't seem to have caught up to the used values of the CS line. I'm still seeing 64 CS Js for 1800 used, so if you order a used one and don't like it you should be able to sell it quickly and you may get one of the good ones.
 
#8
I have owned a couple of CS basses, they are very, very nice....
with that said... IMO, my 08 USA Precision standard plays/sounds better than both. Not to say they are not worth it, I love fender CS but Play before you pay if you can.
 
#12
My CS fender jazz is hands down the most beautiful sounding best playing axe I have ever held in my hands. The neck is truly a thing of beauty and I can literally coax any tone I want out of her. Mine is an active 'custom classic', but I can still get that passive sounding 'bark' out of the bridge pup with ease. CS basses are many cuts above the American Standard instruments imo.
 
#14
I use to have a closet classic 1964 CS jazz. I've waited a few months to get it. At that time i was playing in 2 bands ( old rock and blues)

I remember talking about that Custom shop bass to the other band member, i think they were happy when it finally arrives.

At the first band practice when i started playing it, everyone turn around and looked at me with weird eyes.... Played the whole song and then they all asked me to pump up the volume, played another song and they all asked if i had my old bass, i said yes, i plugged my old bass and they all looked at me with smile on their faces...

The same thing happened with my other band.

I never been able to cut throught, even if i was using a GK 70RBII + GK NEO212 + GK NEO115

I tried it in many different situation and the only way to cut throught was using a Sansamp GT2 pedal.

3 months later i sold her and i don't regret it.

If had to spend that much money on a jazz bass today, i would buy an active Lull, Nordstrand or Sadowsky

end of the story
 
#15
I have lately been debating on Fender upscale models for myself. I have been fortunate enough to try many of them. I can tell you that price vs quality is an absolute reflection where Fender is concerned. A 600$ MIM jazz is better than a 300$ Squire, but not twice as good. A 1200$ American standard is much better than a MIM, but not 2x, etc....

I love my 2008's American standards. I have tried a few American deluxe, and I certainly felt a better instrument in my hands. Unfortunately, the finish (available colors) and the binding I really don't care for. Let's hope for 2011 !

I've tried a few Custom shops also, and wow, absolutely perfect instruments. Way better than my American Standards (Maybe I shouldn't have tried them). Neck, finish, etc... all perfect. These basses wanted to be played (god they felt good). I was unfortunately not in love with the vintage frets, but to each his own (I like modern).
 
#16
Beej said:
For the same coin, you can choose from a wide variety of high end or custom built basses, crafted to your own exacting standards from a fine luthier.
Click to expand...

That's great if you don't want a Jazz Bass. Yeah have whatever that isn't a Jazz bass built to your specs.

But when you want a Jazz Bass, you want a Jazz Bass.

BTW, these are an incredible deal on the used market.
 
#17
pasta4lnch said:
imo I think they are too pricey. I feel the same about laklands etc too . . . it defeats the purpose imo to spend north of $1500 on a passive fender-esque instrument.

you can get top notch parts, and hire one of a thousand competent guys to put it all together for similar results and still come in at probably half the $$ . . .

ymmv
Click to expand...

I could not agree more. I have done exactly that and the resulting bass was superior, in my opinion, to a CS bass. Plus I chose the exact specs, had it plekked,ect.. and came in at about eleven hundred. What you don't get is the resale value cause it's a "parts" bass. That just drives me nuts.
 
#18
Caca de Kick said:
That's great if you don't want a Jazz Bass. Yeah have whatever that isn't a Jazz bass built to your specs.

But when you want a Jazz Bass, you want a Jazz Bass.

BTW, these are an incredible deal on the used market.
Click to expand...

This is kinda what has me leaning towards going with the Fender CS. Don't get me wrong I absolutely love a lot of the boutique Jazz basses that are you there, but I want a Fender.

The Alleva-Coppolo's seem awesome too, but again, I kinda just want a Fender.

I would go with the American Standards or the American Vintage basses but honestly, I want one thats more true to the originals and for me, the Custom Shop seems like it will get me closest.
 

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