73Jazz Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 (edited) The Fender Big Block Precision was a series by Fender which is nearly unknown to most and a bit different than standard P or J Fenders. This bass is in an awesome mint condition, even the plastic is on the back of the electronic cavity. The bass looks like new and was nearly unplayed. Just to make the description complete, but this thing is nothing, it has a little scratch on the back of the neck, see picture below. So i will give the bass a 9,9/10. The bass is active with a toggle between Single J coil and double J humbucking, treble boost/Cut (6.2 kHz +10dB, -12dB), bass boost/Cut (40hz +15dB, -15dB) and a 18V Preamp designed by legendary electronics guru Michael Frank-Braun. Bodywood Alder, Maple/Rosewood neck. List Price was 1290,- USD [url="http://www.samash.com/p/Fender_Big%20Block%20Precision%20Bass%204%20String%20Bass%20Black_-49992363"]Sam Ash Direct[/url] A review found on [url="http://www.fender.com/community/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2414"]Fender.com[/url] [i]Hello, I used to have the Big Block P, actually I still have the neck, it was that amazing. I found that I didn't care for the active 'bucker, I prefer the passive P tone, but I'm kind of old fashioned. Here's my review for ya... The Big Block is an amazing bass, if you dig actives. Actually, I've tried a newer MM and the Big Block smoked it hands down. Think of it as an affordable high quality alternative to the old two band MM Stingray, but with ALOT more under the hood. It has a 18V pre-amp and the coil tap. (that's right, 2 9V's.) The best way I can describe what the active circuitry does is that the 18V pre-amp allows you to get tube style break up out of a solid state head. The bass can really push an amp, but not in the bad way. When you dig in you'll know it. Due to the dual band boost/cut you can get really glassy delicate highs and also very thick dark growly lows. It's a very versatile bass. As far as the coil tap goes, i'm unsure what it's design and function are, but I can tell you what it sounded like to me. To my ears, it almost acted as an S-1 switch, but on this P model it's a BIG plus. Image being able to go from the super punchy split coil P-esque sound, but with twice the amount of pole pieces to pick it up and 18V's pushing it, and then to what I can best describe as a SCPB if it were modded by Satan, lol. It takes some getting used to, but once you get how to work it the BB is a really incredible bass, and one that they could probably get away with charging more for as the only bass that you can even sort of compare it to runs almost twice as much. ALOT of bang for your buck, which is where Fender's MIM basses really shine. I had only one comlaint about the bass, and that was the stock bridge. I had one of the original year models, and it had the "New Convertible Bridge's". The Bridge worked fine, but it was kinda clunky when it came to adjustments and wasn't very impressive, or good looking. A BAII would have been a much better stock choice. Wether that has been changed I am unsure. If you like aggressive yet versatile active basses, then I would definitely recommend this bass. If you are looking for good old school P tone, then I'd pass. BTW...and I know this may sound wierd given the sound that the bass was designed for, but a set of Fender Flatwound 9050ML's played with a pick sound sooooo tasty on a BB it's unreal. Very dark, tons of vibe. [/i] A short sound impression just recorded here at home 5 min ago(pls do not mind my playing) Just Bass(preamp flat)/Cable/DI/Audacity [url="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4194859/Big%20Block/Big%20Block%20Humbucker.mp3"]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4194859/Big%20Bloc...20Humbucker.mp3[/url] and [url="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4194859/Big%20Block/Big%20Block%201%20Coil.mp3"]http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4194859/Big%20Bloc...%201%20Coil.mp3[/url] could be found on this video starting at 2:00 I have no bass in mind which i want to trade with, so just let me know what you have. Please keep in mind, that i am located in germany, if that matters for you for shipping, for me it will be no problem. I have also a positive feedback thread [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=59127&hl"]here[/url] If you have no bass to trade with, but fell in love with his Big Block, contact me, we may handle something out. Thanks for reading Edited June 2, 2011 by 73Jazz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loweringthetone Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 (edited) Interesting blend of MM with P body with Tele bass controls. Very recent manufacture and still for sale as far as I can see ?[url="http://www.woodbrass.com/en/fender-mexican-electric-bass-big-block-series-precision-bass-jb-humbucker-rosewood-fingerboard-black-p23316-af833.html"]here[/url] Is this Mexican or USA ? How much were you asking for it ? Edited May 20, 2011 by loweringthetone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPBassman Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 They are mexican Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MythSte Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 I've always fancied one of these! Unfortunately I'd want to try it first and thats one hell of a train ride away! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 Forum rules demands a price....... Which is.................??????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MythSte Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 [quote name='geoffbyrne' post='1238476' date='May 20 2011, 05:53 PM']Forum rules demands a price....... Which is.................???????[/quote] I believe its for trade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73Jazz Posted May 20, 2011 Author Share Posted May 20, 2011 [quote name='MythSte' post='1238462' date='May 20 2011, 06:39 PM']I've always fancied one of these! Unfortunately I'd want to try it first and thats one hell of a train ride away![/quote] That`s right..but maybe you should take a bicycle Even then you will not regret the trip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MythSte Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 [quote name='73Jazz' post='1238505' date='May 20 2011, 06:10 PM']That`s right..but maybe you should take a bicycle Even then you will not regret the trip [/quote] I have a Yamaha BB424 I might be interested in trading, I even did a little review of it here if it's of any interest - [url="http://youtu.be/xRVYmPxebgk"]http://youtu.be/xRVYmPxebgk[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LemonCello Posted May 20, 2011 Share Posted May 20, 2011 Ooh Er......That's.....different! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonsparrow91 Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 [quote name='CPBassman' post='1238428' date='May 20 2011, 05:14 PM']They are mexican[/quote] They're Korean, just as good as CIJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73Jazz Posted May 24, 2011 Author Share Posted May 24, 2011 (edited) [quote name='spaz91' post='1242935' date='May 24 2011, 02:39 PM']They're Korean, just as good as CIJ. [/quote] Sorry..that´s not right.they are MIM. Edited May 24, 2011 by 73Jazz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc2009 Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 I have a Dean Edge q4 w/Bartolini pickups that never gets played, I might consider a swap for this, to get me onto the fender ladder though struggling to put a value on either instrument tbh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonsparrow91 Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 Then I've been misinformed. Still good basses though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime_BASS Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 Mexicans in Mexico. Always wanted to try one of these but don't want to risk the monies on another fender. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73Jazz Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 sold via ebay. Thanks for watching Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 There is one on the wall of my local shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts