Here's the whole bass, by request. Unfortunately it's a body refin, but otherwise original. Picked it up a few years ago just before the value on these started skyrocketing.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
RARE Fender club
- Thread starter WarriorJoe7
- Start date
-
- Tags
- club
Here's the whole bass, by request. Unfortunately it's a body refin, but otherwise original. Picked it up a few years ago just before the value on these started skyrocketing.
Thanks. Looks great! Any idea of its current value?
I don't know that the "rare" feature makes it any more valuable, if that's what you mean. But in general, one of this year seems to be going for anywhere from about 900 to 2000. With the refin, I'm sure mine's not on the top end of that range, but then if you can believe current dealer prices.......
(and I paid 400, FWIW).
(and I paid 400, FWIW).
Not my picture, and not a particularly great picture, but I have a '79 Bullet Deluxe. Been told that they were beginner basses when they were made, but the overall quality kicks the arse of alot of standard Fenders if you ask me, especially the neck. Only ever seen 2 "pros" use one, and never seen another in person (mind you I've only ever seen 2 ATKs other then mine in person).
That's a nice Bullet. I had an '83 one, after they turned production over to Squier Japan. I can vouch for you on the "good neck" comment; in fact, I ended up parting mine out and using the neck for my most recent P-bass build. Love the Tele-style headstock.
Not a bass, but a rare Fender nonetheless.... it's a Fender 140 tube amp, made for about a year in the early 80s. It's basically two Twins in one box-- 4 6L6 tubes, rated 140 watts. In practice, it probably generated a bit more than that. The nice thing about it was that there was a switch to bypass half the power tubes, so you could run it as a 70-watt amp. Nice reverb. 5-band graphic EQ in addition to the nobz. No fan, so heat was something of an issue-- will have to have one put on.
Referring to it in the past tense because it is, at the moment, dead and my not be repairable.
I salvaged it out of, and I'm not kidding, a crack house.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Referring to it in the past tense because it is, at the moment, dead and my not be repairable.
I salvaged it out of, and I'm not kidding, a crack house.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Watspan's suggestion is probably the best. In my experience, if you find one for sale, buy it. They are indeed rare and discontinued regardless of your location. They are also incredibly well made, great playing, and great sounding instruments. I sold that one.
Not so rare... but some "less common" ones:
Link Removed
(ok, a couple of those are common ones too - sorry. Just proud of my Fenders!)
Link Removed
(ok, a couple of those are common ones too - sorry. Just proud of my Fenders!)
On the left, Steve Harris P bass. I read a few years ago that only about 1,000 were in the US, but I don't know how accurate that was
. But they are kinda rare, just ask Valerus 
JohnThomasson
Supporting Member
- Feb 3, 2003
- 732
- 519
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Fender, DR Strings, Source Audio,& Fishman
Here is my '75 NOS Masterbuilt by Chris Flemming. Not super unique but it is a one off. No dead spots, just perfect. I'm the third owner, so I didn't commission it.
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
MaddAnthony_59
Supporting Member
- Dec 16, 2006
- 4,599
- 708
- Disclosures
- I Channel Surf During Commercials. (Drives my Wife CRAZY!!!)
Here are 2 of my RARE fenders, plus a Cool modded USA Fender P-Bass.
These are a pair of Fender ELITE's, I & II respextively. Both are 1983 models, and are in exceptional shape for their age. I believe the Elite Series was Fenders 2nd release with Active electronics. The Elite I is Pure P-Bass, with an Extra Lick in the BALLS! Vol control is traditional 0 - 10, but the Tone has an indent at mid-point. This would be equivalent to a passive P-bass with tone at 10. Turn it down, and it cuts the treble, turn it up, and it gives a Very modern sounding Boost! The Elite II has V-V-T controls, and 2 3-way toggles. The forward toggle allows pickup selection, and the rear Tone Control! Yep, you can choose which pickup gets tone control! Not sure why that never caught on...
The white bass is a 1995 Fender P-Bass with Sadowsky pickup, preamp & VTC; a Fendowsky!
In addition to these beauties, I recently acquired a 1994 Fender P-Bass Plus Deluxe.
I've actually got it hanging next to the other 3, but I need to take a new picture...This bass features Lace Sensor P/J pickups, stacked Vol/Blend knob, a 2-Band Kabuki designed active preamp, with a stacked Bass/Treble with +/-5 per knob. This bass also has a smaller body, a 22-fret neck, and a smaller headstock. I'm not sure I like the sound in the mix, but it's fun to jam alone on!
That's my "F"-Word collection so far!
These are a pair of Fender ELITE's, I & II respextively. Both are 1983 models, and are in exceptional shape for their age. I believe the Elite Series was Fenders 2nd release with Active electronics. The Elite I is Pure P-Bass, with an Extra Lick in the BALLS! Vol control is traditional 0 - 10, but the Tone has an indent at mid-point. This would be equivalent to a passive P-bass with tone at 10. Turn it down, and it cuts the treble, turn it up, and it gives a Very modern sounding Boost! The Elite II has V-V-T controls, and 2 3-way toggles. The forward toggle allows pickup selection, and the rear Tone Control! Yep, you can choose which pickup gets tone control! Not sure why that never caught on...
The white bass is a 1995 Fender P-Bass with Sadowsky pickup, preamp & VTC; a Fendowsky!
In addition to these beauties, I recently acquired a 1994 Fender P-Bass Plus Deluxe.
I've actually got it hanging next to the other 3, but I need to take a new picture...This bass features Lace Sensor P/J pickups, stacked Vol/Blend knob, a 2-Band Kabuki designed active preamp, with a stacked Bass/Treble with +/-5 per knob. This bass also has a smaller body, a 22-fret neck, and a smaller headstock. I'm not sure I like the sound in the mix, but it's fun to jam alone on!
That's my "F"-Word collection so far!
Sounds great, especially the two patent numbers under the logo (I didn't realise that they could offer that
). With the over-wound pickup and the flats, it's gonna be a real "Motown thump machine", should you wish it to be
.
Looking forward to seeing the pics when it's all done.
Hmmm...well maybe they can't give me the patent numbers. The Pino has them, but maybe those decals are pre-distressed. In any case, mine came without. It also doesn't have the period correct flat poles like the Pino, but it does sound good. I'm waiting to see if I can get some answers from the CS about those 2 issues. If I get lucky I'll be able to post some pics of it right now.
Attachments
Not my picture, and not a particularly great picture, but I have a '79 Bullet Deluxe. Been told that they were beginner basses when they were made, but the overall quality kicks the arse of alot of standard Fenders if you ask me, especially the neck. Only ever seen 2 "pros" use one, and never seen another in person (mind you I've only ever seen 2 ATKs other then mine in person).
saw a black one on clist nyc for couple hundred
buy buy buy buy buy! You won't be dissapointed, especially for that price, the pickups aren't for everyone. But they have a nice thump to my ear, and a different sound to a P despite the pickup been the same split coil design, in the same vein as a P though.
Here are some bpictures of mine I took myself, a little washed out however;
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
not quite sure why they're different sizes though... Pretty horrible quality since I took them with a webcam, can see the Badass II I put on it though, which has made it twice the bass for me. Wish someone hadn't drilled those holes for a thumb rest in the scratchplate though. Wouldn't mind if I could find a white one for, it but all the ones I've seen are black.
