New Fender Basses

[dadabass2001]

This thread needs more Mikes!
LOL
 
Mike A (yes, I'm a dad)

[mike1762]

All the best people are Mikes

[mikeyswood]

Agreed

[jazzyvee]

I've never owned a fender bass either and only played one maybe a handful of times in my life. The ones that stand were a very old one that was owned by the bass player in my previous calypso band and then last year I played a Victor Bailey signature bass that sounded great. If I was in the market to buy one that would be first on my list.
 
I do have two Fender Strats that are wonderful.
 
Jazzyvee

[bigredbass]

All right, I thought it was just me.  Thanks, fellas.  Dave, I have a friend of mine who is utterly devoted to building Frankensteins, and that would be right down his alley.
 
J o e y

[crgaston]

Hi Jet Powers...
 
I've owned 2 Fenders... a 1973 P and a 1969 J.  I bought the P in '94 for 700, and a few weeks later was in Nashville and saw a gorgeous walnut Europa for 1450 (brand new) in a music store there.  They told me they'd give me 750 trade value for the P.  Unfortunately, the OHSC was back at home, 6 hours away, and I would have had to max out my credit card to do the trade.  Since I had just bought the P (and it was VERY minty and sweet-sounding) I didn't end up making that trade....something that I still regret. I ended up trading it for a Modulus Quantum 5 a year later.  The band I was touring with tuned to Eb and capoed a bunch of songs and often switched keys for the songs depending on how their voices were feeling(No, no, 3rd fret!), so a graphite-necked 35 5 string was pretty much a necessity for that gig.  
 
The J I picked up for 250 bucks...(!) My girlfriend at the time worked at a pawn shop; it had been pawned and she was watching for it to become available and hooked me up as soon as it did. This was late '95 or so... I played it out and it was noisy as hell most of the clubs we played.  I installed some EMG JV's but it just couldn't provide the versatility that I needed. Shortly thereafter, the girlfriend and I had a nasty breakup, and everytime I took the bass out it seemed she would call me and start something.  It definitely felt cursed!  
 
I ended up swapping it for a G&L SB-2 that was hanging on the wall at Guitar Center Atlanta.  It was in dire need of some TLC, but it is an absolute tone monster and I still own it 14 years later.  It's the best of boh worlds... the best P tone I've ever heard, lightweight body, J neck, and has a bridge pickup for the punchy, throaty J tones, too. Although if I still had the J, it'd be worth a pile of money, I do not regret making that trade at all.  I have made some wonderful music on that little SB-2.  
 
The point of all this...  If you're interested in a Fender, take a hard look at G&L, espcially the older ones.  They are the best Fenders available, if you ask me.  The SB-2 is the model closest to the Fender you looked at.
 
And if you're looking for a bargain, the Tribute series uses foreign manufactured bodies and necks but USA made electronics...
 
A smoking deal...
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/G-L-Tribute-SB-2-Bass-/330455834464?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Guitar&hash=item4cf0b3df60
 
Hope this helps,
 
Charles

[88persuader]

Fenders are like Harley motorcycles. They aren't the really the best when it comes to function or high tech but they are the ICONS of their markets. Most bass players at least have had one Fender and most bikers either have, had or want a Harley if they're into cruisers. And Fender like Harley is slow to change or improve anything. And if you outsell everyone in your markets without much change and R&D like they both do why WOULD they even want to change? Fenders haven't changed very much from the beginning. P and J basses have improved a little but really they are all based on the same models invented 50 years ago and the same can be said for Harleys. They have changed over time but aren't night and day different than the Harley's of the 40s and 50s. It's kind of ... if it's not broke don't fix it. Harley may not be the best motorcycle in regard to cutting edge technology and neither is Fender. But THEY ARE the ICONS in their prospective markets and that will not change in our lifetimes!

[sonicus]

Harley Davidson is responsible for more then just Cruisers The Knucklehead' was at the top of it class at the time and broke the land speed record !    How about the XR-750.  How about  an  FXR with a 96 S&S ! No,  in my opinion I do not think  that Harley is a good comparison.  You might be surprised if you really dig in to the real facts . And now you can build 131 cubic inch  ( and bigger !)fire-breathing dragons in the HUGE after market of custom parts.  No I think the comparison is Like Apples and Oranges   I can see how someone would make this comparison from the outside looking in though . But that's OK ______
 
    Sonic Regards !

[tmoney61092]

as i said, i like Fenders, the next bass i buy is going to be a Fender Aerodyne jazz because i love the tone and playbility of it, it's not because it's the icon of basses or anything it's because of the sound and playablilty, maybe it's just me but that's how i pick my basses
 
~Taylor

[88persuader]

Fender P and J basses were top of their class when they came out too. They invented their class. I actually ride a Harley (2008 Fatbob) and love it and you're right they did make big break throughs in their history, so did Fender. BUT IMO both companies spend a lot of time sitting on their hands and purposely avoid making big changes because their customers love the living history they represent. I really don't disagree with anything you said about Harley except I do believe my compairson is on track. BTW I'm not only a Harley fan, I also have all the respect in the world for Fender! Peace!

[lidon2001]

New All Parts J bass I put together (with help) to replace my stolen reissue.  Oddly intriguing chunky neck and plays great.
 

[sonicus]

88persuader,  I can see your points and they are valid such as far as corporate marketing I agree . I just wanted to make note of  the fact that  Harley can be anything what you make them . I have been an enthusiast as well building and wrenching on my own since 1977 and I also own a few Fenders & Alembics ! , so we both have something in common !  that's cool brother !  Peace ______
 Sonic Regards

[sonicus]

Tom , Nice job on that All Parts Bass.   have you ever checked out  
Stewart- MacDonald parts?  I built a Jazz Bass from their parts once as well  
http://www.stewmac.com

[tmoney61092]

Wolf, can you not do that with a Fender? put some Bartolini pickups and active electronics? or even Alembic electronics? just saying
 
~Taylor

[sonicus]

Yes, Taylor  you can , You could even get the Alembic Activators   http://www.alembic.com/prod/pickups.html