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NBD: Fender Nate Mendel Precision


Mudpup
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It followed me home, honest.........

Went to try out a regular MIM Precision this week - came home with this instead :-)

[URL=http://s1271.photobucket.com/user/mudpup1/media/Guitars/Nate%20Mendel%20Fender%20Precision/22393338-F837-4A35-8661-0612BEAAA067.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj640/mudpup1/Guitars/Nate%20Mendel%20Fender%20Precision/22393338-F837-4A35-8661-0612BEAAA067.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s1271.photobucket.com/user/mudpup1/media/Guitars/Nate%20Mendel%20Fender%20Precision/5A63E75D-B0B2-4D91-B9E6-181E59B400EA.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj640/mudpup1/Guitars/Nate%20Mendel%20Fender%20Precision/5A63E75D-B0B2-4D91-B9E6-181E59B400EA.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s1271.photobucket.com/user/mudpup1/media/Guitars/Nate%20Mendel%20Fender%20Precision/DC6F5AD2-10A4-48ED-A13B-D7536721951C.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj640/mudpup1/Guitars/Nate%20Mendel%20Fender%20Precision/DC6F5AD2-10A4-48ED-A13B-D7536721951C.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s1271.photobucket.com/user/mudpup1/media/Guitars/Nate%20Mendel%20Fender%20Precision/B8462DAF-0C68-4CE4-BAFD-94125DCCC2CE.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj640/mudpup1/Guitars/Nate%20Mendel%20Fender%20Precision/B8462DAF-0C68-4CE4-BAFD-94125DCCC2CE.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s1271.photobucket.com/user/mudpup1/media/Guitars/Nate%20Mendel%20Fender%20Precision/918B452D-46DF-4416-A9FE-727264F1C9A0.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj640/mudpup1/Guitars/Nate%20Mendel%20Fender%20Precision/918B452D-46DF-4416-A9FE-727264F1C9A0.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s1271.photobucket.com/user/mudpup1/media/Guitars/Nate%20Mendel%20Fender%20Precision/E28068D2-1E4B-482C-AC86-7703CFBE179F.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj640/mudpup1/Guitars/Nate%20Mendel%20Fender%20Precision/E28068D2-1E4B-482C-AC86-7703CFBE179F.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s1271.photobucket.com/user/mudpup1/media/Guitars/Nate%20Mendel%20Fender%20Precision/53F57C8D-B23B-4B8B-B16B-A9AC7AF6C18C.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1271.photobucket.com/albums/jj640/mudpup1/Guitars/Nate%20Mendel%20Fender%20Precision/53F57C8D-B23B-4B8B-B16B-A9AC7AF6C18C.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

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[quote name='Rexel Matador' timestamp='1483128392' post='3204962']
I'm curious about those E string detuner things. My initial response was "wow what a cool idea, surely that can't possibly work." So... does it?
[/quote]

I have them on 3 of my 4 basses, so another 'Yep' from me. You do need to take care with your setup though, and follow the instructions given.

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[quote name='Rexel Matador' timestamp='1483128392' post='3204962']
I'm curious about those E string detuner things. My initial response was "wow what a cool idea, surely that can't possibly work." So... does it?
[/quote]

They sure do - i have them on all my basses. A 5 minute DIY fit (especially if you buy the correct version unlike me on this bass) and properly useful.

The only time i have had one giving problems was on a Spector years ago - it seemed to snag on the brass nut a bit so was unreliable returning to tune. All the others have been fine though.

Edited by Mudpup
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[quote name='Harryburke14' timestamp='1483128293' post='3204959']
b-e-a-utiful. Im not usually a fan of sig basses either (I think theyre a bit fanboyish) but the Nate Mendel P is definitely one of my exceptions...

Happy NBD
[/quote]

Yep i know what you mean. However, this could have been a Bugs Bunny signature model and i still would have bought it :-) It was all about the neck and effortless playability - its blinding and feels 20 years worn in. I don't even like red basses much (i actually went shopping with the intention of buying a white/maple Precision) but the colour is growing on me.

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[quote name='Mudpup' timestamp='1483135002' post='3205037']
I don't even like red basses much (i actually went shopping with the intention of buying a white/maple Precision) but the colour is growing on me.
[/quote]
It's amazing how that can happen. I once went to buy an acoustic guitar and found the model I wanted, heavily discounted, but in blue. "A blue acoustic guitar?" I thought, "How ludicrous". But the price was right so I relented and took it home. Years later, I had several much higher quality acoustics but couldn't bring myself part with it *purely* because of how good I thought it looked. Complete 180.

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I walked into the Sadowsky showroom a year ago and had the chance to try out all the electric guitars they had in their demo room. I fell in love with a light blue Strat which is definitely not the one I would have picked based on its looks. Two days later I was stressing about checking it onto the plane...

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  • 1 month later...

The pickups have a lot to do with why these are so good. Those QP's sound so weighty, I have a P with them in and it's always getting compliments. One suggestion from experience- some people find them a bit much in certain situations and they end up replacing them. If you ever find them over the top, just back off the volume on your bass a bit, they end up sounding like a normal P pickup.

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[quote name='project_c' timestamp='1485965037' post='3228088']
The pickups have a lot to do with why these are so good. Those QP's sound so weighty, I have a P with them in and it's always getting compliments. One suggestion from experience- some people find them a bit much in certain situations and they end up replacing them. If you ever find them over the top, just back off the volume on your bass a bit, they end up sounding like a normal P pickup.
[/quote]

I could never quite get on with the Quarter Pounders. I replaced them with a more vintage sounding SPB1.
Apart from that, My Nate Mendel is my most played bass. :)

Edited by Hobbayne
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[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1485965552' post='3228095']


I could never quite get on with the Quarter Pounders. I replaced them with a more vintage sounding SPB1.
Apart from that, My Nate Mendel is my most played bass. :)
[/quote]

There are occasions when they can be a bit too much. Did you not find turning the volume down a bit got you in the same territory as a normal P? The QPs are so loud that even if you back off a bit they're still loud enough, but they get a bit more into traditional P territory and lose some of that heavy thump.

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[quote name='Trueno' timestamp='1485964426' post='3228081']
Enjoy that bass... it's currently my number one object of lust (basswise). Never knew they had a d-tuner... another plus.
[/quote]

They don't come with one as standard, I think the OP has fitted this afterwards.

I've got one of these Nate Mendels (and a Chris Shiflett Tele Deluxe and a Flea Jazz :blush: ) and it's a cracking bit of kit. I echo Musicman20 - I think many of thse sig basses are excellent..

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[quote name='Trueno' timestamp='1485964426' post='3228081']
Enjoy that bass... it's currently my number one object of lust (basswise). Never knew they had a d-tuner... another plus.
[/quote]

The hipshot is aftermarket - i have one on all my basses......

Its a great bass

Edited by Mudpup
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[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1485963316' post='3228070']
I'm certain the majority of these signatures basses are actually better than the American Standards....time will tell re the latest American Professional Series.
[/quote]

I tried an American Standard, a normal Mex and the Nate all in the same shop when i bought it.

The Mex was just a bit vanilla - ok but didn't leap out at me. It also felt really 'new' - the edge of the neck felt a bit angular and soulless. It was the one i thought i would end up with before i tried them all because i had played another one a few days earlier and liked it but this one didn't quite have 'it'
The USA sounded better but - and its a dumb thing - the bridge saddle grub screws dug in my hand and i couldn't get my head around that versus the extra cost against the Mex - it certainly didn't sound +£500 better to my ears - and i think the other Mex that i played a few days before sounded better anyway.
I tried the Nate begrudgingly because i didn't want a red bass but as soon as i picked it up it felt like i had had it for 20 years. The neck is lovely and worn in and the profile is perfect. It has a few little dents that get me nicely over my 'new' phobia. And it was noticeably more resonant unplugged than either of the other two - thats usually a good sign when its cranked up in a band setting. Its light and also easy to play. And it was in the sale so the price was better than reasonable.

Edited by Mudpup
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[quote name='Mudpup' timestamp='1485985323' post='3228349']
The neck is lovely and worn in and the profile is perfect. [/quote]

For me this is the bit that nailed it. You can get a regular Precision and fit it with Quarter Pounders and a high mass bridge, or relic it a bit, but the neck profile on this is different. Fender should offer this slim C neck on other basses.

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