Chiliwailer

Amazing bass, what a great NBD! I love my 2 Modulus FB4's and would never be without one. But watch the for sale section, I may have to let one of them go very soon....

This old corker of a debate! Such a trivial one this, and subject to personal opinion and experience. I've owned more than a handful of pre CBS Fenders, and having starting working in vintage guitar shops aged 15, then having another 16 years working in them I've played hundreds, and have formed an opinion that is purely mine, not gospel. I've played good, teriible and outstanding vintage basses. In comparison, I've played good, terrible and outstanding Custom Shop Basses, USA series basses and custom makers too (currently loving Mike Lull's work). I sold my Pre CBS collection to buy a flat, I now have a Custom Shop collection. A good Custom Shop and a good pre CBS bass will differ, but neither is better, each has its own strengths and weaknesses. I would favour a pre CBS for feel and vibe, but a Custom Shop for value. Tone wise, they are both excellent in different ways. And they can't be directly judged because a pre CBS pickup has had years of demagnetising. I've put modern pickups into a pre CBS bass and it changed massively. My logic... A good bass is a good bass regardless of period. I've played too many bad vintage basses to think that they are all magic. But, I love the vintage vibe and if I could, I would own pre CBS Fenders again just for the joy of owning history, it have to be a good one though!

+1 for anti Roto flats too....

I agree, great strings for the cash and I'm fond of the clarity and tone. After messing with all the gauges I now have the ML on my CS 55 Precision and the L on my CS 64 Precision. I like the extra playfulness the L gives me on the 64 and the solid boom from the ML on my 55. The M sound huge and incredible, but are quite stiff so not for the groovers perhaps? Edit... Doh, I just put thomastik back on the 64 when I went down a gauge on the 55 (to further separate the basses tones). But I wouldn't dare sell on the ML as I know I'll fancy a change again at some point!

Beauty, and just in time for November Rain...I'll get my coat....

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1414188001' post='2587024'] I've seen two go for that on FEEBay about 3 years ago. Post #8 in the following thread is also quite interesting [url="http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CC8QFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbasschat.co.uk%2Ftopic%2F174713-pair-of-1st-series-fender-jv-basses-pj-uber-rare%2F&ei=RctKVOGPE7T57AaS8YGoDA&usg=AFQjCNFDfLUb-XehPuu5fQSJUCLaE55iCQ"]Pair of 1st series Fender JV Basses (P&J) Uber rare ...[/url] [/quote] That is interesting, top dollar for basses with added covers and screw holes. Rare but altered, sounds familiar....

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1414180277' post='2586903'] Ho hum, VERY interesting chaps and thank you for that. I had a feeling there was a bit of, erm, not quite right-ness going on . I have also seen knocked up JV plates on FEEBay and I figured something was nudging the back of my mind. My thanks to you all, cheers, Karl. [/quote] Always nice when the good guy wins

[quote name='KK Jale' timestamp='1414179802' post='2586890'] *made a cup of tea mid-post and Mr Chiliwailer beat me... [/quote] Good points made by you and I posted a pic... Call it a draw?!

Hello mate, I sold my last two last year for £950. excellent basses.and IMO a huge cut above the later ones. Here's a pic of the head... EDIT: with Made in Japan in small writting for those with bad eyes! [attachment=174613:P1060064.JPG]

These must be a design classic and I love that they sound as unique and good as they look, Right up there in my 'if only' list, but the sixer would throw be a bit! Enjoy!

[quote name='NJE' timestamp='1413976656' post='2584232'] AHHHHHHH This thread is so dangerous to my bank balance/credit card. Also I just found out Guitar Guitar are offering 2 years interest free on CS instruments. I was going to pick my favourite but frankly chaps they are all lovely, although I do have a soft spot for relics and Mr Palladino. One day, one day......... [/quote] As the CS marketing slogans say 'when you're ready'. 2 years interest free is pretty good. I had to borrow and pay back for my second CS bass and I'm still clawing back the outlay of my newest addition. But I've learned that if you pick a good one, they are well worth it.

Gerry bought some strings off me. Very nice guy to deal with and would not hesitate to deal with Gerry again.

[quote name='Diablo' timestamp='1413627789' post='2580260'] Maybe so, but once I set it up well and sorted out the wiring problems the low end punch, especially in drop tuning, is so much clearer than, dare I say it, either of my Fenders. It is my "go-to" bass for Get Over It now! [/quote] I didn't mean to dismiss it as just a cheap freebie! Just trying to help you put the puzzle together, :-)

[quote name='Diablo' timestamp='1413624722' post='2580219'] [/quote] Off topic, but the Hartke bass thing in your signature made me smile. I remember in the late 90's Hartke gave those basses to dealer if they ordered loads of amps.

[quote name='TheSiberian' timestamp='1413624779' post='2580221'] Than play some Custom Shop Fenders and maybe you'll feel the difference and you'll become more critic in the same time. Best [/quote] I agree with you that CS basses are amazing, I proudly own 3, but to many people they are just another bass and not worth the cash, I personally don't agree with that in the slightest as CS basses stand out a mile to me, but I guess it's relative to taste?

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1413623048' post='2580201'] Mercedes builds Mercs in China. So why not manufacture Fenders there as well. Becoming a boutique guitar builder , based in California, is not what Fender is all about. Fender's were created to be the Ford model T of the guitar world, affordable by Joe Public everywhere. [/quote] +1 I like that kids and people on a budget can buy a Fender.

I've heard within the MI that Fender will be cutting back the range and making their dealer selection tougher, the usual trick of ensuring the dealer has a set limit of stock. They've always done that, but it looks like it may be higher? IMO, the range is too big and that's not easy for dealers in terms of stock keeping. Many industries are streamlining these days but I doubt Fender will ever be in serious trouble. Losing Takamine is not a problem, distributions deals change on a regular basis in MI and Takamine will probable go solo just like Fender did in the UK in 2003. Long live Fender I say!