What is this Fender Bass?

[Lane Poppert]

I received this Fender Bass which is says on the Headstock Fender Custom Bass and that's it. No other markings or where its made. Its a dark green. Im not a Bass guy and I am just trying to get basic info on what model I have. Any guidance is appreciated.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I received this Fender Bass which is says on the Headstock Fender Custom Bass and that's it. No other markings or where its made. Its a dark green. Im not a Bass guy and I am just trying to get basic info on what model I have. Any guidance is appreciated.

Pretty much looks like a fake or forgery. Does not look like any Fender Bass I've ever seen.

 

[jamro217]

First off, welcome to TB. There are many good and knowledgeable people here to help you. Unfortunately, they must all be busy at the moment, so you're stuck with my answer instead. Let's see...No known model as the "Custom Bass" was ever produced by Fender...Truss rod adjustment at the body end of the neck on a bass without a pickguard? NO...Pickups not in standard spots...Wrong parts include bridge, pickups with no exposed pole pieces, string tree, nut, neck dots are too small, fingerboard wood is too red, 24 frets are too many...That's a start, we can't see the back to check the neck plate. Congrats on your new bass, but it's not an authentic Fender.

 

[Batmensch]

Looks to me like the only custom made thing about that bass is the decal on the headstock.

 

[mmbongo]

Definitely not a single Fender part on that bass. Nothing Fender about it. So it probably sounds fantastic, plays great, and is well balanced!

 

[Kukulkan61]

Definitely not a single Fender part on that bass. Nothing Fender about it. So it probably sounds fantastic, plays great, and is well balanced!

Wow..really...

 

[Malak the Mad]

Since I, too, was once a newbie 'round these parts, I'll spare you any and all sarcasm. (Hint…Hint, everybody! )

I have to agree with the pack, that it's highly unlikely it is a true Fender. It's probably a parts-bass with a homemade decal affixed. However, that does not mean it won't feel good in one's hands, nor sound bad. Personally, I think it looks damn slick! But if someone gave you all kinds of assurances about it's authenticity, I'd be a bit suspicious.

Financially speaking, I hope you didn't take a bath on it. But, if any money spent yields some fun and enjoyment out of learning to play it, well…therein could lie it's true worth.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Definitely not a single Fender part on that bass. Nothing Fender about it. So it probably sounds fantastic, plays great, and is well balanced!

I hope you didn't trip and hurt yourself climbing up on your soapbox while trying to derail someone else's thread.

 

[Midak]

Definitely not a single Fender part on that bass. Nothing Fender about it. So it probably sounds fantastic, plays great, and is well balanced!

Luckily, many of us, including the man with the optics in your avatar, have a different opinion.

 

[russpurdy]

Already been said but based on the decal alone I would say its a "fake". That is to say its likely another brand with a Fender decal added or a cobbled together bass from parts. It is quite possible the neck or body was from some kind of Fender or Squier but right now its kind of like a Hotdog (might be tasty but you don't know exactly what its made from). To me the Decal looks like a somewhat sloppily cut waterslide job and the "F" in Fender doesn't quite have the right shape/outline.

 

[quickfix]

I don't know how it's gonna sound or play, but it sure looks cool. Something to try out.
You say you're not a bass guy. Are you a guitarist?

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Yeah, probably fake, but I wish Fender had something in that color. I always was a sucker for dark green. Since value isn't an issue, I'd mod it up for fun. How's the construction, tight neck pocket? Straight neck?

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Definitely not a single Fender part on that bass. Nothing Fender about it. So it probably sounds fantastic, plays great, and is well balanced!

LOL, stick with playing bass. You'll never make it as a comic.

 

[mmbongo]

LOL, stick with playing bass. You'll never make it as a comic.

I'm totally screwed then!

 

[bholder]

Luckily, many of us, including the man with the optics in your avatar, have a different opinion.

Hah - I just looked at mmbongo's avatar again, never realized who it was before. Geddy always looked strange, but when did Neil and Alex get so old???

 

[danosix]

I received this Fender Bass which is says on the Headstock Fender Custom Bass and that's it. No other markings or where its made. Its a dark green. Im not a Bass guy and I am just trying to get basic info on what model I have. Any guidance is appreciated.

As is the consensus, this is not a Fender.
The Decal is the main clue - you can forget all the other hints after that.
The Gold (or Black or White) around the word Fender is ALWAYS an outline - does not cover any area around the words.
The font on "Fender" is wrong.
There is no "custom" model.
Any custom Fender that does not get assigned one of the "canon" names just gets the "Fender" decal, no model name.
Doesn't mean it's a bad bass, just not a Fender.
Now go plug it in and enjoy!
EDIT: Oh, yeah - welcome to TB!

 

[Lane Poppert]

Wow thanks for all the help. I have 7 guitars just this bass which I got for free from a friend who didn't know anything about it. Glad I didn't pay anything for it, never crossed my mind it was fake. Its not that nice, neck is not 100% there, I took it in to get it playable but action is pretty high because of the bow in it. Electronics give off some static noise if you make an adjustment to the dials. He had it for a long time so we think its late 80's. It is nice having a bass around though at times. I was thinking maybe I should just get a more playable one. Any opinions on what I should look at? Thinking $200 used is my budget.

 

[danosix]

Wow thanks for all the help. I have 7 guitars just this bass which I got for free from a friend who didn't know anything about it. Glad I didn't pay anything for it, never crossed my mind it was fake. Its not that nice, neck is not 100% there, I took it in to get it playable but action is pretty high because of the bow in it. Electronics give off some static noise if you make an adjustment to the dials. He had it for a long time so we think its late 80's. It is nice having a bass around though at times. I was thinking maybe I should just get a more playable one. Any opinions on what I should look at? Thinking $200 used is my budget.

Squiers can often be had for that used and they are VERY playable/usable basses.
The current Vintage Modified and Classic Vibe are REALLY nice for low end basses, though they tend to be a little more than that used (but if you look and wait...).
Ibaanez are ALWAYS a good value used and you could score a Soundgear 400 or up for that if you know are again willing to wait.

 

[lfmn16]

Wow..really...

+1

It's so sad when someone has to trash talk a brand to feel good about themselves. Actually more pathetic than sad.

I don't even own a Fender and I get sick of the incessant whining and crying.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

^^^ What Danosix said exactly. If you like a thinner neck, go Ibanez, more traditional, Squier VM P or J.