Fender USA bullet bass

[Glengarry]

Hi all, my first post here, though I often browse!

I've picked up a messed up USA Fender Bullet bass, the longer scale B34 model.
Was only made for a year or so around 1982 and is quite a pretty sort of sub-P-bass thing.
Quite rare of course, but then it was an entry-level model so probably not rare in an expensive way!

However, like I said, it's messed up - looks like a home-made fretless job, not very nice.

I'm just trying to work out whether to take it somewhere for a refret (£200ish for a bass that is unlikely to be worth twice that at the end) or whether I should just play the long game and see if one day a neck pops up somewhere (could be years, or never).

I could buy a new neck, but I think we all know that would defy the point slightly.

I could take pics... but they might upset you

[The Dark Lord]

Can you image if someone told you what Girls Aloud looked like but didn't show you a picture?

[Jigster]

If there were pics I'd believe in this a whole lot more

[Glengarry]

Here they are - looks lovely from a distance, but get in close and there's some weird stuff going on. The fret wire isn't right (it's sharp on the edges too) and you can see where splinters have been pulled out of the fretboard.
My theory is either a botched refret, or a spell of life as a fretless followed by a botched refret.
The main clue here is the weird stain on the fretboard - this is a one-piece maple neck. Why would you stain a fretboard apart from to hide filled-in frets?
I bought it in a music shop in Greece. I was quite impressed it had all the original tags while being in such a state!
According to the serial number it was built in the Fullerton plant between 1979 and 1981, although Wikipedia reckons the Bullet bass started production in 1982.

What do you reckon? Worth fixing up?

[KevB]

I notice it says 'deluxe' on the headstock but was struggling to figure what 'extra' this bass would have over the standard model?

[charic]

You're in London as it is... can't be anyone much better qualified to have a look than the bass gallery I'd guess?

[Fat Rich]

Judging by the photos it's probably been a fretless for a while with the finish taken off to lose the brightness of a finished maple neck. Then some bad finish and a not too good fret job afterwards.

Not sure about the value as 80s stuff isn't that sought after yet, but you couldn't give 70s Fenders away a couple of decades ago and now they're fetching £2K plus.

If you like the way it sounds and plays then it's probably worth getting it fixed up sometime, as has been said the Gallery would be able to give you a quote.

[Glengarry]

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1342012415' post='1728015']
I notice it says 'deluxe' on the headstock but was struggling to figure what 'extra' this bass would have over the standard model?
[/quote]
I think the 'deluxe' version was the long-scale B34 as opposed to the B30. You've got a point, though. Any less deluxe and it wouldn't be electric any more

[Glengarry]

Thanks for responses. Re. Bass Gallery, yes, that's what I'll do I think.
I was just checking that y'all didn't think it was junk and likely to get me laughed off Denmark St for good!

[Glengarry]

[quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1341985212' post='1727334']
Can you image if someone told you what Girls Aloud looked like but didn't show you a picture?
[/quote]
Anything, as long as it didn't involve being made to listen!

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

Talking of Denmark st; graham Noden does repairs there and Is good, and a nice bloke

[Glengarry]

Oh, wouldya look at that. The Bass Gallery isn't on Denmark St - I was thinking of the Bass Centre. Glad we've got that cleared up

[Lfalex v1.1]

[quote name='Glengarry' timestamp='1342031586' post='1728508']
Oh, wouldya look at that. The Bass Gallery isn't on Denmark St - I was thinking of the Bass Centre. Glad we've got that cleared up
[/quote]

Which wasn't either. That was in Wapping High St, and then moved to Brune Street.

I think you mean the Bass [i]Cellar[/i]?

[Glengarry]

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' timestamp='1342032060' post='1728523']
Which wasn't either. That was in Wapping High St, and then moved to Brune Street.

I think you mean the Bass [i]Cellar[/i]?
[/quote]

Um. Yeah. Precisely that. They've all got the word 'Bass' in them, right?

[cocco]

Never seen these before. Is it basically a 34" mustang/P hybrid?

[Glengarry]

[quote name='cocco' timestamp='1342043483' post='1728790']
Never seen these before. Is it basically a 34" mustang/P hybrid?
[/quote]
Mustang pickups, vaguely P shape, but close to Musicmaster in concept - bottom of the range.
But still a proper Fullerton plant Fender neck, and very nice too.

[Billy Apple]

I think this looks pretty cool. I like the tele head and stumpy tuners. I didn't think the pics were as bad as you made out. Just needs the frets sprucing up a bit, I'm sure someone here could recommend someone to do that, and you'd have a tidy rarity.

[Jazzneck]

I've recently got my hands on a 1984 Japanese one of these and it is great!
If I were you (which I ain't) I would just tidy her up and smooth off the sharp bits of the frets and leave the rest alone - as long as it plays and sounds good that's all that really matters IMO.
Enjoy the bass for what it is, and let its chequered past shine through.
In the long term I don't think you'll lose money on it as you have the case, tags and everything else with it.

Edited July 12, 2012 by Jazzneck

[q_of_doom]

I'm a big fan of having scruffies fixed up. Don't worry too much about the value if the guitar has once been someone's DIY attempt. Restore as far as funds and common sense allow and then play the hell out of it.

[Telebass]

[quote name='q_of_doom' timestamp='1342079440' post='1729055']
I'm a big fan of having scruffies fixed up. Don't worry too much about the value if the guitar has once been someone's DIY attempt. Restore as far as funds and common sense allow and then play the hell out of it.
[/quote]

+ the one.