Old Horse Murphy

Dare I ask!

I’ve recently acquired three pointy headstock basses from the late 80’s and early 90’s: a Charvel 1B from 1987, a late-80’s Fernandes PJ-45 32” scale and tonight I picked up a 1992 Jackson Professional Concert XL in metallic black. All were made in Japan and I am blown away by the build quality and playability. As mentioned in another thread, when these were all the rage I was way too cool to own one. Fast-forward the best part of 30 years and I’m even cooler and now no longer care! From the research I’ve done, at the time a price for these new was comparable to a Fender American Standard Bass. I was able to pick up all three for a combined price of just under £500. There are a few knocks and dings in them but considering they’re 30-odd years old, it’s absolutely to be expected. I appreciate they’re not many people’s cup of tea but I’m smitten. And who who says there’s no accounting for taste... EDIT: well, I couldn’t resist a 1988 Charvel 2B that came up for sale recently. Apart from a few chips and minor dings, it’s fantastic. It needed a good clean and a set up but it plays beautifully and I’ve not seen many in metallic red (Looks a bit CAR to me).

Here it is next to my Charcel 1B. There’s quite a difference in size, not just scale length.

Ha! Don’t think I’d get the gig! I played it a bit more yesterday and while 32” scale feels a bit weird to me, it sounds fantastic

I picked this up today and after a bit of research I “think” it’s a Fernandes PJ-45 from the mid to late 80’s. Considering it’s age and the fact that it’s white, it’s actually not in bad shape at all. When I picked it up it was filthy, with a capital “Good God”. After ensuring my tetanus jab was up to date I gave it a thorough clean and actually it’s come up pretty well. There are a few dings and some discolouration, but I’ve seen a lot worse on newer basses. I strung it with a new set of Ernie Ball Super Slinky Nickels and it sounds amazing. The controls appear to be VVT and the body is apparently alder. One thing I didn’t realise until I restrung it was it’s a 32” scale! It’s actually a wee bit cramped for me but very, very easy to play and a lovely weight too (under 8lbs). I don't know too much about Fernandes Guitars other than they’re Japanese and of a decent enough pedigree. The guitarist of the first band I was ever in came back from a US holiday with a Fernandes Sustainer (Sustaniac?) just after the Joshua Tree was released (With Or Without You anyone?) and it was a super bit of kit Anyway, not sure it’s a keeper but it’s a lot of fun and I feel good for having rescued it from the 80’s pointy guitar graveyard and it looks good next to my Charvel 1B.

I gigged it today and it sounded fantastic and is one of the easiest basses I’ve ever played. The neck and action is to die for. I had more comments about this bass than any others I’ve played too: there’s a lot of love for pointy headstocks and it was great to see people remembering back to the 80’s

Ideal for when our drummer plays up

Thanks chaps. I’m really impressed with it and it’s a joy to play. I think I’ll gig with it tomorrow night and see how I get on. I’m beginning to see what a number of people say the P bass pickup works well the other way round All I need now is a studded leather strap for it

I picked this up yesterday. It’s Charvel 1B from 1987 and considering its age, it’s in super overall condition. I was never brave enough and far too cool to own one of these when they were popular, but now I’m older and no longer give a stinky poo, it’s the perfect time to have one! My poor band may think otherwise. I forgot just how good these bolt on Charvel necks are: it’s incredibly comfortable and I’ve been able to get a seriously low action on it. It also doh said great too and the reverse P pickup is a great variation. Now, where’s my hairspray?