Should Fender do a Jamerson signature Bass?

[Carlone]

Just wondering how my fellow TB’ers would feel about Fender doing a signature P Bass in honor of James Jamerson. I know that these titles can become polarizing, not my intent. I’m more wondering if you feel based on his contributions, does he deserve a bass in his name?

 

[Gorn]

I don’t know anything about the decision making process that goes into who’s name they’ll put on a bass, but I don’t think deserving it has anything to do with it. I wouldn’t spend the several thousand dollars it would cost but I bet plenty of people would.

 

[Al Rivera]

I don’t know anything about the decision making process that goes into who’s name they’ll put on a bass, but I don’t think deserving it has anything to do with it. I wouldn’t spend the several thousand dollars it would cost but I bet plenty of people would.

Right on....Pete Wentz has a signature bass

 

[beaglesandbass]

Right on....Pete Wentz has a signature bass

This.

When the Wentz bass came out (from Squier, not Fender which is a big $$$ difference), Fall Out Boy was a hugely popular band. They still are, but they were really thrown into the limelight after From Under the Cork Tree came out in 2005. They were very influential in the 2000s emo/pop punk revival. Fender/Squier decided to capitalize off that influence as they knew the bass would sell. Like it or not, a Wentz bass had more mass appeal than a Jameson bass ever will.

 

[Carlone]

Makes sense. I guess I’ll have to make do with my Scott Devine sig bass.

 

[J_Bass]

Good question.

The thing is, there is nothing "signature" about Jamerson's bass. Unless the signature bass would have a warped neck and sky high action, there is nothing unique about that bass. It's a stock Fender, they already make those.

 

[gln1955]

A road worn '62 reissue with very broken in flats would be nice. How much mileage can Fender get from slapping a name on it?

 

[Hot Rats]

Makes sense. I guess I’ll have to make do with my Scott Devine sig bass.

The Bass Centre in L.A. commissioned 100 James Jamerson Fender custom shop basses in 1991. They are out there but rare. You could look around for one of those. Could be a fun hunt.
Other than that, just get a Fender sunburst/rosewood P-Bass.

 

[msb]

Once upon a time when you looked at the Fender catalogue you could choose between a Pbass and a Jazz . There were some colour options . That was it . Jamerson picked the Pbass option .
I’d prefer to see a streamlined catalogue again .

 

[leona1]

A Jamerson signature was released about 30 yrs ago. I think only 100 were made. Just a cool looking precision with a neck plate with his name and numbers.

 

[ThaCoast]

Considering the custom shop made a Joe Strummer replica of his esquire (for ridiculous $$) i'd pass on them making a Jamerson.

Rather build my own, for a lot less.

 

[RSBBass]

There also is the question of who owns the right to his name. Just because Fender was able to use it once for a limited run doesn't mean they currently own the rights.

 

[Grinderman]

Due to the cookie cutter aspect, Fender signature basses, including CS, aren't appealing to me.

Furthermore, if I had the desire and funds to obtain a 2022 reproduction of Jamerson's P bass I could do that without the signature and the cookie cutter aspect and probably have multiple options as far as possible paths or means to do it.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

There also is the question of who owns the right to his name. Just because Fender was able to use it once for a limited run doesn't mean they currently own the rights.

His family, the estate, that's who. There's no question about that.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Why? His bass was as stock as you could get.

 

[gln1955]

His family, the estate, that's who. There's no question about that.

So, you've seen the licensing agreement Fender had for the previous batch? What were the terms?

 

[Smooth_bass88]

So, you've seen the licensing agreement Fender had for the previous batch? What were the terms?

Yes!! I totally have! Got a copy of it around here somewhere. Oh snap, I think I might have recycled it back around 1998. Dang it!

 

[wysiwyg248]

The Bass Centre in L.A. commissioned 100 James Jamerson Fender custom shop basses in 1991. They are out there but rare. You could look around for one of those. Could be a fun hunt.
Other than that, just get a Fender sunburst/rosewood P-Bass.

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View attachment 4609937

You stole my thunder, I have been looking for one for many years.

 

[Dragan]

Why? His bass was as stock as you could get.

Because of idolatry. Some people would pay just for the carved name on a back plate or print on the headstock.

 

[Dave TB Killer]

All P basses of that style are Jamerson Basses. Sort of like all Fretless Jazz Basses are Jaco and 70's Jazzes are Geddy and Larry.