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STRATosphere Bass Components

PianoOfDoom

PianoOfDoom

May 30, 2011
654
1,222
In the East, The Far East
#1
Does anyone have experience with this seller? They have very recent current model bodies and necks that sometimes add up to be cheaper then buying a new whole bass, but why? Are these rejects?

Fender does not offer my ideal P bass currently, so I was thinking of putting one together this way. But not if it will have issues (I HATE dead spots).
 
#4
Ghastly said:
Yes, they're reputable enough. They get some good, even great things in, if you're patient and check regularly. They don't seem to take requests and don't reply much to your inquiries, but they won't stiff you, from my experience. They get ahold of usually current or semi current instruments and break them into parts to sell off.
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The thing I find odd is that an AmPro P neck with tuners is 500, and the fully loaded body is 600. Quite a discount. But again, why are they doing this?
 
#5
eastcoasteddie said:
I have made a few purchases from them: a Squier VMJV neck and an Affinity Jazz V body. Both showed up in as-perfect condition as possible. They can be a bit pricey (the body was more than I would have liked to spend), but if you can't get what you want anywhere else...
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I do love the idea of customizing my own P, especially since I already have the pickups I like here. I'm just skeptical because the pricing adds up to less than new, so I'm curious as to why they have this stuff in the first place. Some of their necks are stamped from spring this year. That's pretty recent.
 
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#7
They must have some sort of purchasing agreement with Fender, Gibson, and whatever other brands they sell. But also think of it this way...if you buy parts and put together an awesome MIA P-bass...there is no warranty and no factory backing whatsoever. It will cost less, but some may not want to take that gamble "if" something goes wrong with it down the road...like failed electronics or truss rod problems. I'm guessing Stratosphere has a limited return policy, too, like 30 days (I never checked).
 
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#8
eastcoasteddie said:
They must have some sort of purchasing agreement with Fender, Gibson, and whatever other brands they sell. But also think of it this way...if you buy parts and put together an awesome MIA P-bass...there is no warranty and no factory backing whatsoever. It will cost less, but some may not want to take that gamble "if" something goes wrong with it down the road...like failed electronics or truss rod problems. I'm guessing Stratosphere has a limited return policy, too, like 30 days (I never checked).
Click to expand...

I wish Fender's custom mod shop thing was more like shopping for various parts from different models rather than just choosing colors and pickups. I've had enough basses to really know what I want, and a P is simple enough to assemble and wire up at the kitchen table. Modular is a nice idea, so long as there are no dead spots :). I REALLY hate dead spots.
 
#10
pickles said:
If you don't want dead spots, you should play a bunch of already assembled basses and pick one with no dead spots. Or dead spots that don't bother you. There is no other way. Any wood neck bass can have dead spots regardless of quality.

Stratosphere parts are good. I've made some killer basses with them.
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That's the reality that I know is true, but am looking to cheat. I'm trying to avoid popping for an American Pro, and then ripping out the pickups, changing the pickguard, and drilling in chrome covers (I like the look A LOT).
 
#11
It's been posted here that they break down complete instruments for parts.

Does Fender still grey market gear like the used to in the 70's (sold to unauthorized dealers who pulled the serial number plates and replace with blank ones)?
It might have been from authorized dealers that resold for all I know.
There was a shop in my area that did that.
PJ from Spector used to work there.
 
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#13
Jim C said:
It's been posted here that they break down complete instruments for parts.

Does Fender still grey market gear like the used to in the 70's (sold to unauthorized dealers who pulled the serial number plates and replace with blank ones)?
It might have been from authorized dealers that resold for all I know.
There was a shop in my area that did that.
PJ from Spector used to work there.
Click to expand...

My skepticism is about how and why they got these instruments to break down. Are they customer returns? Factory seconds? It struck me as of one of those too good to be true things, possibly. As I mentioned earlier, an American Pro P from them is $1100, and the only catch is screwing the neck to the body!
 
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#15
PianoOfDoom said:
My skepticism is about how and why they got these instruments to break down. Are they customer returns? Factory seconds? It struck me as of one of those too good to be true things, possibly. As I mentioned earlier, an American Pro P from them is $1100, and the only catch is screwing the neck to the body!
Click to expand...

I honestly don't know, my statement about the Stratosphere was based purely on a post on TB which could be completely untrue.

I did try to buy one of those vintage Fender cables from them.
It doesn't seem to matter what I bid, they always go to someone else for slighly more.
I sent a note asking if I could buy one as a Buy it Now through eBay and they never replied.
I had bad communication from a vendor.
 
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#16
Jim C said:
I honestly don't know, my statement about the Stratosphere was based purely on a post on TB which could be completely untrue.

I did try to buy one of those vintage Fender cables from them.
It doesn't seem to matter what I bid, they always go to someone else for slighly more.
I sent a note asking if I could buy one as a Buy it Now through eBay and they never replied.
I had bad communication from a vendor.
Click to expand...

I've only looked at their Reverb store. I've drifted away from ebay, mostly because I hate the insane seller fees when I'm on the other end.
 
#17
PianoOfDoom said:
Does anyone have experience with this seller? They have very recent current model bodies and necks that sometimes add up to be cheaper then buying a new whole bass, but why? Are these rejects?

Fender does not offer my ideal P bass currently, so I was thinking of putting one together this way. But not if it will have issues (I HATE dead spots).
Click to expand...
Bought a loaded Am. Pro. P body and an Am. Std. J neck ... I was given what I ordered and at good price ... 5 stars for me :thumbsup:
 
#18
PianoOfDoom said:
My skepticism is about how and why they got these instruments to break down. Are they customer returns? Factory seconds? It struck me as of one of those too good to be true things, possibly. As I mentioned earlier, an American Pro P from them is $1100, and the only catch is screwing the neck to the body!
Click to expand...
For the same price or even less sometimes you can find them on Reverb ... it depends what you are looking for ... I didn't care for the origin of the material as the pictures of it are taken from the actual stuff you are buying ... no mysteries
 

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