Thinking about picking up a Meteora Bass

[Bar Band Bassman]

Fender has (or recently had) an excellent return policy, FYI.

BBB

 

[KenSmithFan]

Thread title says it all. I was looking on the fender app and I noticed they were blowing out player plus Meteora basses for $720. This is a pretty significant discount from the $1200 ish price I'm used to seeing. I've been wanting to get my hands on one for years but I've never actually seen one at a shop to try so it's just based on looks and internet hype. Should I pull the trigger?

Where are you seeing $1,200??? It’s $899 list, which means $700 -$750 street.

 

[AncientNoob]

Where are you seeing $1,200??? It's $899 list, which means $700 -$750 street.
View attachment 7196309

The current price is a recent reduction. Original list on these was 1199. Same as the rest of the Player Plus line.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Slung low, played with a pick, IMO

 

[Peteyboy]

I have no idea why there are 3!

 

[MtManiac]

If they had colour combos I liked, I’d already own one, but they seem to keep screwing that up for me.

Caveat: I haven’t played one.

If I could get a black on black with maple, I’d get one. Or any metallic/sparkle/flake with maple. I don’t want sunburst, and I don’t want rosewood unless it’s dark as mortal sin and there’s a body matching headstock. Gimme that Ultra neck, and the pickups and the preamp, my needs are entirely cosmetic.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Mine is pretty nice in Opal Spark (pearlescent blue)

 

[sleddogn]

sweetwater is taking an extra 10% off that sale price i just noticed

 

[96tbird]

Don’t let fear and common sense stop you. There’s GAS fever to be medicated here, and there’s only one remedy. More basses! As long as the bills will get paid, enjoy life!

 

[ac100X]

I bought one when they 1st came out. It's a fantastic bass and for $720 it's a steal imo. I hope they discontinue them. Quirky unique basses that don't sell well go up in value down the road. I'll leave this one to my kid who plays.

I agree..............................................................................................

 

[roccobass]

@WI Short Scaler

I'm like your guitarist in liking what I like. Lol!

I did try a Meterora out first about a week. The neck was fine, but felt it just wasn't "me". The sound was ok, but it didn't bowl me over.
I had same feeling when I test drove a mini Cooper. . I felt it was a younger person's ax/ride.

It was mentioned before by someone on the thread that it looked more like a rock bass. Just my experience (IMO). I'm 64 with a lifelong love if modified Jazz basses.

However, to @NotHereNow
If YOU love it, be damned what else anyone says. If you lose money on an instrument thems the breaks for being who we are. Good luck and good playing.

 

[SmokesLL]

If you were in some david bowie or disco dance band, maybe. But as one person said, the look would not work in other styles of music.

On the other hand, if you were the one guy in the local scene really playing the heck out of that bass it would help establish you a bit maybe.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

@WI Short Scaler

I'm like your guitarist in liking what I like. Lol!

I did try a Meterora out first about a week. The neck was fine, but felt it just wasn't "me". The sound was ok, but it didn't bowl me over.
I had same feeling when I test drove a mini Cooper. . I felt it was a younger person's ax/ride.

It was mentioned before by someone on the thread that it looked more like a rock bass. Just my experience (IMO). I'm 64 with a lifelong love if modified Jazz basses.

However, to @NotHereNow
If YOU love it, be damned what else anyone says. If you lose money on an instrument thems the breaks for being who we are. Good luck and good playing.

You said it, we all like what we like. His is the blue/white fade and it's now a topic of conversation.

I keep telling him he's coming to the right side and leaving the "boring" side...... Not to insult anyone else.

Dive bar NYE...

 

[roccobass]

You said it, we all like what we like. His is the blue/white fade and it's now a topic of conversation.

I keep telling him he's coming to the right side and leaving the "boring" side...... Not to insult anyone else.

Dive bar NYE...
View attachment 7196963

You guys take great photos!

 

[WI Short Scaler]

You guys take great photos!

Thanks, that was a random shot provided by a friend.

 

[roccobass]

Thanks, that was a random shot provided by a friend.

Very nice. The friend picked the right moment.. My goof too. Earlier, I also meant to compliment you and the guitarist on your axes. They're very cool. His Meteora colors aren't my speed but it's a striking instrument.

 

[Drummerdan]

At that price? Go for it.
Love mine.
Got the loaded body off flea bay.
Replaced the neck with a Freestone. (Chechen board, NICE flame 150.00)
About 9.5 lbs balances nicely.

Like the retro/jetsons look nice pairing with my Acinonyx.

The Fireball twin J pickups are hot and aggressive, the stock Pre is nice enough, but plan on getting an Audere or Darkglass when one shows up at a good enough price.
The Carbon Fibre tuners I installed are pretty nice.
The hand cut brass nut I added is a nice touch.
Note due to the body shape (short upper horn) the first fret is a bit far away ( think tbird, jaguar) but it hangs well and being 6'3" with monkey arms this is only an observation for me, not a problem

View attachment 7196266View attachment 7196267
View attachment 7196291
Forgive the opening clams:
Warm tone: Wearing DR Dragonskins.
Trace Elliot GP7 150 into an Ampeg 15.
No FOH recorded on an IPhone (running sound also so forgive the odd stage presence) nice action closeup though!

I'm pretty sure I just saw your ad for this. Looks like you ultimately fell into the camp of 'not for you'.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

At that price? Go for it.
Love mine.
Got the loaded body off flea bay.
Replaced the neck with a Freestone. (Chechen board, NICE flame 150.00)
About 9.5 lbs balances nicely.

Like the retro/jetsons look nice pairing with my Acinonyx.

The Fireball twin J pickups are hot and aggressive, the stock Pre is nice enough, but plan on getting an Audere or Darkglass when one shows up at a good enough price.
The Carbon Fibre tuners I installed are pretty nice.
The hand cut brass nut I added is a nice touch.
Note due to the body shape (short upper horn) the first fret is a bit far away ( think tbird, jaguar) but it hangs well and being 6'3" with monkey arms this is only an observation for me, not a problem

View attachment 7196266View attachment 7196267
View attachment 7196291
Forgive the opening clams:
Warm tone: Wearing DR Dragonskins.
Trace Elliot GP7 150 into an Ampeg 15.
No FOH recorded on an IPhone (running sound also so forgive the odd stage presence) nice action closeup though!

Aaand it’s eBay right now.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I'm pretty sure I just saw your ad for this. Looks like you ultimately fell into the camp of 'not for you'.

No! The camp of too many basses! (14) plus 3 builds in process!
Would definitely rank it highly.
Just brought in 2 thunderbirds.

Letting the Meteora go: primarily because I’m going to get custom Tbird pickups to put in the Ebony bird , and am going to build a Meteora body out of Walnut, use a 2 piece tailpiece and home the Epi 760 Tbird pickups in that body.
Possibly build the bolt-on neck out of Walnut also with a Tbird -ish reverse headstock.

 

[Drummerdan]

No! The camp of too many basses! (14) plus 3 builds in process!
Would definitely rank it highly.
Just brought in 2 thunderbirds.

Letting the Meteora go: primarily because I’m going to get custom Tbird pickups to put in the Ebony bird , and am going to build a Meteora body out of Walnut, use a 2 piece tailpiece and home the Epi 760 Tbird pickups in that body.
Possibly build the bolt-on neck out of Walnut also with a Tbird -ish reverse headstock.
View attachment 7241215

Very cool T birds.