Vintage Fender Basses - need advice

[redstriper]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1348410158' post='1813251']
Fender basses were the highest quality instruments available in their day, bar none. Until Alembic came along in the late 60s / early seventies ( albeit with a radically different design concept) who could rival Fender basses for sound and playability ?

A big part of the genius of Leo Fenders designs was that they were fantastic instruments without the need for the highly skilled and detailed craftmanship needed to produce traditional instruments such as violins or better quality acoustic guitars. I would have to disagree, however, that todays Fenders are neccesarily poor clones. I've played countless pre-CBS Fender basses and whilst some were very good basses ( and very beautiful objects), as a working instrument a well-chosen bass from the current Fender range could easily compete in terms of sound, and will almost certainly be superior in terms of playability and durability. If you want to collect antiques then be my guest, but if you want a bass to play then a new one ( providing you choose the right one ) arguably has more to offer, especially if you look at some of the great work the Fender Custom Shop is doing. I'm not saying this to be provocative or denigrate anybodies vintage collection - I think some of these basses are absolutely exquisite- but the simple fact is that Fender basses are fairly straightforward instruments, when all is said and done.
[/quote]

Best post so far - nail on the head.

[gareth]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1348410158' post='1813251']
Fender basses were the highest quality instruments available in their day, bar none. Until Alembic came along in the late 60s / early seventies ( albeit with a radically different design concept) who could rival Fender basses for sound and playability ?

A big part of the genius of Leo Fenders designs was that they were fantastic instruments without the need for the highly skilled and detailed craftmanship needed to produce traditional instruments such as violins or better quality acoustic guitars. I would have to disagree, however, that todays Fenders are neccesarily poor clones. I've played countless pre-CBS Fender basses and whilst some were very good basses ( and very beautiful objects), as a working instrument a well-chosen bass from the current Fender range could easily compete in terms of sound, and will almost certainly be superior in terms of playability and durability. If you want to collect antiques then be my guest, but if you want a bass to play then a new one ( providing you choose the right one ) arguably has more to offer, especially if you look at some of the great work the Fender Custom Shop is doing. I'm not saying this to be provocative or denigrate anybodies vintage collection - I think some of these basses are absolutely exquisite- but the simple fact is that Fender basses are fairly straightforward instruments, when all is said and done.
[/quote]

Dead right.

When I got back in to playing some 10 years ago, a dealer friend of mind, offerred me a choice of several pre-cbs precisions and a fullerton vintage reissue precision.

The fullerton was clearly the best playing, nicest looking bass there and at £500 was half the price of the others.

One of the others would have been a better "investment" - cos the mystique/crap about old fenders has lead many people in to parting with £000's of pounds for what they think is the "holy grail" pre-cbs bass, chasing the prices up - more like "holy crap"

You are right about modern fenders too

Not only custom shop but even the humble MIM classic series

I have now tried all these classic basses - 60's p and j and 70's j

And they are all great basses, well made, reasonable weight and good value.

Truly a range that in future years will be sought after - and goodness knows what they will be worth when they (after 30 years) become "vintage" and "investable"

Stick some in the loft now guys

[skankdelvar]

From what I've been able to glean from reading a few books (which is the only opportunity available to 99% of us) I think it's fair to say that in the 'Leo period' Fender made - for the time - high quality instruments using production methods that sensibly obviated the requirement for traditional luthiery skills and timeframes. That would seem to me to be a reconcilable proposition around which all parties might unite.

It is true that Mr Fender was notoriously cost-conscious, yet embraced innovation to the extent that he himself would frequently compromise what we might now call 'product consistency' by whipping an amp off the line, tinkering with the components and putting it back on the line without telling anyone what he'd done. The poor bugger responsible for final electrical testing would find that all his 'values' were different to spec and work would grind to a halt in an attempt to find out what had gone wrong. Legend has it that this disobliging practice ceased only when the factory manager confronted Mr Fender and threatened to resign unless he stopped sodding about.

Which leads me to my next point. Mr Fender's background was amps, not guitars. I suspect the main thrust of his interest (and much of Fender's R&D focus) was on amp development. There were more range, spec and feature changes to the amps during the 'golden age' than there [i]ever[/i] were to the instruments.

The great triumph was that Mr Fender lowered the barriers to entry for guitar makers worldwide by developing the machinery that enabled inexpensive mass production. We should thank him as much for the multiple-bladed fret-slot cutter as much as we do for the instruments that continue to delight and dazzle many of us.

[color=#ffffff].[/color]

Edited September 23, 2012 by skankdelvar

[Rick's Fine '52]

I've never heard so much opinionated crap in all my life.

Interesting thread, and the OP is probably wondering where his original thread went. Interesting comments, amusing comments, and some of the most ill-informed comments i've ever read. Some comments also, that, reading behind the text, appear to be based around jealousy of never being able to have a vintage Fender, so will happily try and discredit all vintage Fenders as being crap.

Nevertheless, I won't rise to that, as it doesnt warrant any further comment.

Getting back to subject, and in response to some of the more sensible comments, and regarding other brands. This is my[i] opinion[/i], based on too much time spent looking into such things.

If you want to buy a bass that will appreciate financially, and give you years of enjoyment, and playing, then a Fender is still the best way to tick those boxes, the market is evidence of this, which is all you need to look at, or listen to. The market is there for all to see, so opinions, are just that, opinions.

Pre-EB Stingrays have been mentioned, and are certainly collectible, they will also appreciate every year, and most importantly, they are great playing instruments. Although, 5 years ago, these were around £1500, at the moment they are about 3-500 more, so a good percentage increase, but not a lot of monetery difference. For example, there's a lovely root beer '78 on ebay now, in the UK, for £1700, great buy. They won't make loads of dough though. If you go to a casino and put £50 on red, and it comes in, you make £50. If you put £1000 on the same red, you make £1000. Same percentage increase, but very different return on investment. If its an investment you're looking at, then the bigger, generally will make more, unless you drop it of course!!

Vintage Alembics, great basses, great quality when they were made, and the Series 1's & 2's have been considered collectable for a number of years. The last few years however, has shown major faults that occur long term. I've been interested in these for years, and owned 2, great basses to play. 90% of examples you see now, have laminate issues, particularly on the neck. the multi-layering used, or adhesives, do not appear to stand the test of time. These examples have typically been around the £3k mark for the last 5 years, and have not been appreciating as well as many other brands. Collectors are now being wary of these, because of the quality issues. This has made mint examples rise in value, but I for one, wouldnt buy one anymore, because you could pay £3k for a Series 1, with no issues, only to keep it for 2 years, then it starts delaminating, as many others have experienced.

Gibsons, not a favourite among bass collectors, the only 2 basses that really tick the boxes, are original T'Birds ('64-'66). These though are prone to neck breaks, a large percentage of examples out there already have repairs. Those that dont command high money, but again, i personally wouldnt take the chance of paying £6k+, then having a neck break in transit, many collectors feel the same, and these can be difficult to sell, becoming a more and more niche market, shame though, I love them. Early EB2's, particularly the '58-'59 banjo models. These are highly collectible, if in fine condition. They are an acquired taste though, and for every person in the market for one of these, there'll be 50 people willing to spend the same money on a Fender, so reduced market for re-sale should be a factor, if its also for investment purpose. No point buying a rare bass, if no-one wants it.

Jaydee, Supernaturals have been hovering around the £1000 mark for 5 years now. I've seen 2 sold this year for less than that. In my opinion, these are the best value instruments out there, look cool, sound amazing, lovely to play, never heard of any defect issues, easy to sell-on. Investment?, not for me, same price for years, which, for a limited quantity bass of this standard has always been a mystery to me, great basses. Best value bass on the market place.

Rickenbackers, again, these have been a similar price for a long time, marmite bass, say no more. Most people who want one, already have one. The rarer, more collectible or obscure basses are a very niche market, and can be a problem to shift. Lightshow 4005 anybody?, £20k+, how many buyers are there though for one of them, not many i bet.

People said 10 years ago that the vintage fender bubble had burst, and the money had already been made. that was when stack knobs were less than £4k, I know, I sold one, a custom colour too. They are now £15k+++, if you can find one. This is simply not true, and the market is evidence of that. Whilst the 50's originals are out of range of many, people went for 60's examples, now these are out of range, folk are looking at 70's examples, as this is the most affordable way of dipping the toe in the vintage market. Some 70's J's are now fetching £3k. So people will look at other things, like Fullertons, or Dan Smith era, or even early JV's. Whatever new/old collectors revert to, the era's will all shift price wise accordingly. I've bought more basses in the last 5 years than ever, all of them have already appreciated, based on current asking prices. Investments should be considered on 5 years minimum, then have a look, Fenders have appreciated greater than all other brands, consistently every 5 years for the last 30 years, and theres no sign of that stopping.

The most important thing, as i said in my first post on this thread though, is quality, make sure you invest in a good 'un. There are many good pre CBS instruments out there, far more than bad ones. 70's is probably the other way round. make sure you're happy with its authenticity, and playability, and that you're paying a fair price, then just [b]enjoy it.[/b]

[redstriper]

[quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1348424358' post='1813470']
I've never heard so much opinionated crap in all my life.
[/quote]

You obviously don't read as many BC threads as I do


Rick - how do you rate the current custom shop Fenders in comparison to pre CBS models and where do you consider the current American and MIM standards and road worns fit in the analysis?

I have a 'customised' '63 Jazz and my friend has 2 lovely original pre CBS Jazzes.
I haven't found anything like them tone and feel wise in the current Fender range, but I haven't tried any custom shop models yet.
The nearest I've found in tone and feel is a Chinese Farida copy (£150 new) and even the Squier CV Jazz feels more like the old ones to me than any modern standard Fender.

Steve.

[Rick's Fine '52]

[quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1348425442' post='1813488']
You obviously don't read as many BC threads as I do


Rick - how do you rate the current custom shop Fenders in comparison to pre CBS models and where do you consider the current American and MIM standards and road worns fit in the analysis?

I have a 'customised' '63 Jazz and my friend has 2 lovely original pre CBS Jazzes.
I haven't found anything like them tone and feel wise in the current Fender range, but I haven't tried any custom shop models yet.
The nearest I've found in tone and feel is a Chinese Farida copy (£150 new) and even the Squier CV Jazz feels more like the old ones to me than any modern standard Fender.

Steve.
[/quote]

You obviously don't read as many BC threads as I do

Maybe not!!


How do reissues compare with originals?, in my opinion, and experience, they don't, simple as that. I have an original '58 precision, slim maple neck, very warm pickup sound, proper P bass sound if you like, arguably my best sounding, and playing pre-cbs bass. I also had (And advertised on here last year) a custom shop '58 relic. The only similarity was the look. The custom shop appeared to make no attempt to make it sound, or feel, like an original. the neck was much chunkier than a real bass of this era, more akin to a '52 Precision. despite being a relic, the neck was full of thick lacquer, and therefore felt nothing like an original. Sound wise, similar story. It had some very responsive, 'new' sounding pickups, very bright, trebly sound, even with the bass up, it just didnt have 'that' sound. The strings also felt too tight (does that even make sense??), and i found it quite hard to play. It did[i] look [/i]fabulous though.

It is a cliche, and people will reply and mock this statement, but playing these old basses is like wearing your favourite old jeans When they are 2 weeks past their wash date!), whilst sitting in front of an open fire, eating hot, buttery crumpets. I know, what a load of tosh, but it's true, and unless you've sat and played one of these, plugged into a nice on valve bassman, you won't know what i mean. they are just the most comfortable, warm and mellow things ever, early Jazzes are the same. The CS bass was similar in playing to my '68 telecaster basses.

MIM basses are very random, I've seen and played great ones, and terrible ones. Roadworns are pretty good, I havent played one thats not good, I still think they're quite pricey at c.£700 though, but they do seem to spend more time putting them together than regular MIM's. AVRI'sis a similar story, from my experience, I would always advise playing one of these before buying, as there is alot of variance.

I would rather pay a bit more, and get a Fullerton reissue, these are excellent reissues in my experience.

The early JV's ('82), are the closest to feel and sound that I've come across in any reissue (Luke is selling a great '57 now), far superior to the Fullertons of the same year, but seldom seen, so not many have played these.

Never played any other reissues, like Indonesian, Chinese etc, so couldnt comment.

In summary, no reissue I've ever played, feels, or sounds like an original, but apparently they're all crap!!

[redstriper]

Thanks Rick - I won't rush out to try some custom shop models, (something I have been seriously considering).

I know exactly what you mean about the feel and sound of a nice pre CBS bass - they ruined me for all new basses, which just feel and sound wrong in comparison.
There is something about my old Jazz with it's heavy gauge worn flats that is just so 'right' for me.
I bought it in 1980 when you could get pre CBS Jazzes easily for £250 - £400 and it's still my favourite bass after buying and selling various modern basses.

Now I want the same bass as my old one, but unmodified and completely original - where to find one though?

[Rick's Fine '52]

[quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1348428230' post='1813540']
Thanks Rick - I won't rush out to try some custom shop models, (something I have been seriously considering).

I know exactly what you mean about the feel and sound of a nice pre CBS bass - they ruined me for all new basses, which just feel and sound wrong in comparison.
There is something about my old Jazz with it's heavy gauge worn flats that is just so 'right' for me.
I bought it in 1980 when you could get pre CBS Jazzes easily for £250 - £400 and it's still my favourite bass after buying and selling various modern basses.

Now I want the same bass as my old one, but unmodified and completely original - where to find one though?
[/quote]

'63 Jazz, there's plenty out there, but you'll need deep pockets. What spec is yours? (Colour/guard etc).

[Kiwi]

[quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1348424358' post='1813470']
Vintage Alembics, great basses, great quality when they were made, and the Series 1's & 2's have been considered collectable for a number of years. The last few years however, has shown major faults that occur long term. I've been interested in these for years, and owned 2, great basses to play. 90% of examples you see now, have laminate issues, particularly on the neck. the multi-layering used, or adhesives, do not appear to stand the test of time. These examples have typically been around the £3k mark for the last 5 years, and have not been appreciating as well as many other brands. Collectors are now being wary of these, because of the quality issues. This has made mint examples rise in value, but I for one, wouldnt buy one anymore, because you could pay £3k for a Series 1, with no issues, only to keep it for 2 years, then it starts delaminating, as many others have experienced.
[/quote]

"Many others"? I'd be really interested to know your source(s) for this. The only laminating issues I'm aware of with Alembic have been with the headstock joint but those have result in a crack in the finish rather than delamination due to shrinkage. Its not a big deal. They're very solid, well engineered instruments.

[Dingus]

It would be a very interesting experiment to record a new American Standard Fender bass and compare it to a comparable vintage pre- CBS counterpart recorded under the exact same conditions and let people make up their minds. Maybe, considering the controversy this topic has generated, we could organise that.
I have played both extensively, and the American Standards sounded very comparable to the vintage examples to me. This judgement isn't coloured by lack of means either ; I could ( and do) play any bass that I want, and I think the current American Standards are just fine. They sound like a Fender should , play well and have a refreshing abscence of dead spots, probably due in most part to the graphite reinforcement in the neck . Yes some vintage ones sound a bit different- quite often it is because the pickups are knackered and need rewinding, or binning and replacing due to the ravages of time- but whether they are better is a matter for conjecture. I have loved a few of the vintage Fenders that I have been lucky enough to play, but they were all ones that already belonged to someone who would never consider parting with them . A great many of the ones I have been offered by vintage guitar dealers have been a dissapointment, and maybe that is no coincidence. They made good and bad ones back then , too, and people want to hold on to the good ones, quite understandably so.

The original JV Series Squiers are an interesting case in point, and a is model I know well because I bought one when they came out. It was my first really good bass, and is very close to my heart, but they were never worthy of the kind of kudos they enjoy nowadays. They were ( and still are ) very nice relatively inexpensive Japanese guitars, but nothing more than that . If they have a nostalgia and rarity value to them nowadays then good luck to them and those that own them , but they command a price grotesquely in excess of their worth as a tool for making music with. I had the Jazz Bass that I bought new for about two hundred quid and the Precision that I got secondhand for thirty quid ( yes, thirty quid). Nice basses, but nowhere near as good as a 2012 American Standard.

[Musicman20]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1348429696' post='1813566']
The original JV Series Squiers are an interesting case in point, and a is model I know well because I bought one when they came out. It was my first really good bass, and is very close to my heart, but they were never worthy of the kind of kudos they enjoy nowadays. They were ( and still are ) very nice relatively inexpensive Japanese guitars, but nothing more than that . If they have a nostalgia and rarity value to them nowadays then good luck to them and those that own them , but they command a price grotesquely in excess of their worth as a tool for making music with. I had the Jazz Bass that I bought new for about two hundred quid and the Precision that I got secondhand for thirty quid ( yes, thirty quid). Nice basses, but nowhere near as good as a 2012 American Standard.
[/quote]

I must admit I agree with this, but on my part I'm a bit intrigued by the whole mid 90s MIJ basses being 'the holy grail'. I had one as my first real P bass (a 62 reissue). Very well made and solid P bass, but the tone wasn't as strong as the latest MIA P basses, and I don't agree with the price they command. £400-410 is enough...the rest is just nostalgia and people creating a buzz about a bass that is good, but not totally amazing.

My 2009 MIA cost me well under the price they are now as it was a closing down sale, and it is flat out the best Fender I have played/owned....I want it to be the P bass I keep forever.

I'd love to hear a MIA P from 2012 and cf it to a 1960s model....im sure this could be organised.

My 2009 is that good that I've craved a maple boarded version since I've had it. I've currently got a MIA Jazz to match it (2011), but I want another P just to feel I've got the option for that grindy smooth maple board the new ones have. But, I can then see myself wanting the maple board Jazz and having all four. Not stupidly priced so it is possible, but its a case of getting 'good uns'.

[redstriper]

[quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1348428434' post='1813546']
'63 Jazz, there's plenty out there, but you'll need deep pockets. What spec is yours? (Colour/guard etc).
[/quote]

Mine was 'customised' in 1978 after a hard life and the only original parts are the neck, hardware and electrics.
The previous owner used to pour lighter fuel on it and set it on fire as part of his stage act, so the body and finger board were badly charred and had to be replaced.
They were replaced with a maple Precision shaped body and maple board with new jumbo frets.
It weighs 10.5 pounds and isn't particularly easy to play if you like fast runs, in fact it's a bit of a bitch and ugly with it.
But it sounds and feels sublime, especially for old school soul, blues, funk and reggae.
I'm sure the sound and feel come from the original parts - the neck and pick ups in particular, although the solid maple body may add to the depth of tone.

I have toyed with the idea of having it restored to original condition, but it's risky and I don't want to chance losing the sound and feel of my favourite bass.
I'm looking for something lighter weight (under 9 lbs) with the same tone and feel as my old bass and I have bought, sold and tried lots over the past few years, with nothing really doing it for me.
I was planning on trying some custom shop and road worn models, but I've a feeling that only an old Fender will satisfy me.
I'm not mad fussy about colour, but mine is black and I like the look of the custom colour black one in Bass Direct.

One other thing about my old bass - there is never any fret buzz, despite my heavy touch and all new basses seem to buzz, no matter how high the action is.

Dingus - you make a good point about the sound comparison in your post, but it's not the recorded sound that makes an old bass special.
The same player recording the same bass part on different basses, with the same strings and set up will sound very similar, particularly in a band mix.
The difference is how they feel and how that affects and inspires the player and everyone is different in this respect.

Having said that, I would be very happy if a new American Standard Jazz felt and sounded like the pre CBS Jazzes I have played and I would buy it immediately.

[Rick's Fine '52]

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1348430349' post='1813585']
I must admit I agree with this, but on my part I'm a bit intrigued by the whole mid 90s MIJ basses being 'the holy grail'. I had one as my first real P bass (a 62 reissue). Very well made and solid P bass, but the tone wasn't as strong as the latest MIA P basses, and I don't agree with the price they command. £400-410 is enough...the rest is just nostalgia and people creating a buzz about a bass that is good, but not totally amazing.

My 2009 MIA cost me well under the price they are now as it was a closing down sale, and it is flat out the best Fender I have played/owned....I want it to be the P bass I keep forever.

I'd love to hear a MIA P from 2012 and cf it to a 1960s model....im sure this could be organised.

My 2009 is that good that I've craved a maple boarded version since I've had it. I've currently got a MIA Jazz to match it (2011), but I want another P just to feel I've got the option for that grindy smooth maple board the new ones have. But, I can then see myself wanting the maple board Jazz and having all four. Not stupidly priced so it is possible, but its a case of getting 'good uns'.
[/quote]

I've never heard of mid 90's MIJ's ever being coveted, let alone referred to as the Holy Grail. In fact, there's probably 100 on ebay right now, not exactly the Holy Grail??

[Rick's Fine '52]

[quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1348430666' post='1813591']

One other thing about my old bass - there is never any fret buzz, despite my heavy touch and all new basses seem to buzz, no matter how high the action is.


[/quote]

I've also found this, inclusing the CS relic I had, vibration and buzz seems to be quite accepted on new basses, perhaps its the norm, and not heard when plugged in.

[redstriper]

[quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1348431709' post='1813619']
I've also found this, inclusing the CS relic I had, vibration and buzz seems to be quite accepted on new basses, perhaps its the norm, and not heard when plugged in.
[/quote]

It is the norm IME and I almost feel embarrassed when I mention it, I know it isn't heard when plugged in, but it really [i]really[/i] bugs me.

Why can't they make a new bass sound and feel like an old one and why oh fekin why do Fender put roundwound strings on their reissues?

[LukeFRC]

[quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1348427148' post='1813523']
The strings also felt too tight (does that even make sense??), and i found it quite hard to play. It did[i] look [/i]fabulous though.

[/quote]

obviously not an original, but my JV seems to have less tight feeling strings than other '57 P basses I've played too. It gives it a certain tone.
But.... how and why is it?

[Rick's Fine '52]

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1348428688' post='1813552']
"Many others"? I'd be really interested to know your source(s) for this. The only laminating issues I'm aware of with Alembic have been with the headstock joint but those have result in a crack in the finish rather than delamination due to shrinkage. Its not a big deal. They're very solid, well engineered instruments.
[/quote]

Arr, defending your bass choice now i see, don't you like it when someone points out issues with something you may own?? This is why I don't make posts on things that may be disrespectful to owners, so i steer clear of being critical of others choices, as it's not neccessary. I could happily post to all sorts of threads on here being negative about all sorts of instruments, but they would serve no purpose, and show little respect. Personally I don't give a hoot what you think, especially when it comes to vintage Fenders, as you are clearly out of your depth. But you obviously enjoy it, so I'll humour you.

OK, there are two Series 1 Alembics on eBay.com at the moment, so not much to demonstrate my point at this very moment, however, one of which has lamination issues. The seller, who appears to know what he's talikng about (I'm sure you'll have something to say on that), even makes reference to this being a common issue in the ad. Thats 50% of those listed, with lamination issues, which, is not opinion. Here's the link. And yes, I've seen countless others, many in person, with significant delamination.

[url="http://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-vintage-Alembic-series-1-bass-rare-very-collectible-year-model-KOA-BEAUTY-/280954016459?pt=Guitar&hash=item416a2a12cb"]http://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-vintage-Alembic-series-1-bass-rare-very-collectible-year-model-KOA-BEAUTY-/280954016459?pt=Guitar&hash=item416a2a12cb[/url]

[Rick's Fine '52]

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1348432750' post='1813642']
obviously not an original, but my JV seems to have less tight feeling strings than other '57 P basses I've played too. It gives it a certain tone.
But.... how and why is it?
[/quote]

Mine too. Because '82 JV's are the most accurate reissues ever made by Fender, bar none. may explain alot of it.

[Musicman20]

[quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1348431492' post='1813613']


I've never heard of mid 90's MIJ's ever being coveted, let alone referred to as the Holy Grail. In fact, there's probably 100 on ebay right now, not exactly the Holy Grail??
[/quote]

Basschat and many other forums hold the MIJ Fenders in very high regard. All I was saying is that they are good, but worth no more than usual. Hype comes to mind.

Edited September 23, 2012 by Musicman20

[Rick's Fine '52]

[quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1348432336' post='1813636']
It is the norm IME and I almost feel embarrassed when I mention it, I know it isn't heard when plugged in, but it really [i]really[/i] bugs me.

Why can't they make a new bass sound and feel like an old one and why oh fekin why do Fender put roundwound strings on their reissues?
[/quote]

They can't make guitars like the old ones, otherwise people craving 'that' tone, wouldnt pay small fortunes to get it. That go's for Gibbo's too. I don't know why though.

[Rick's Fine '52]

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1348433063' post='1813650']
Basschat and many other forums hold the MIJ Fenders in very high regard. All I was saying is that they are good, but worth no more than usual. Hype comes to mind.
[/quote]

Never heard that before, in my experience they are better quality than the CIJ's though.

[LukeFRC]

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1348433063' post='1813650']
Basschat and many other fors hold the MIJ Fenders in very high regard. All I was saying is that they are good, but worth no more than usual. Hype comes to mind.
[/quote] I prefer the necks to a lot of MIJ basses to that of MIA - and back when the yen was weaker a japanese bass at half the price of a USA was a good move.
The top end japanese stuff is very very good- using US pickups and good woods.
Some of the cheaper stuff... is well... cheaper.
What they do have is consistency, you hear a lot about quality controls of US and mexican stuff - but less of japanese stuff.
Do they compare to the top end US stuff? Nope, I've got a soft spot for the AVRI series, they are very nice.

At the moment to buy a japanese bass new isn't that much cheaper than a US bass.... so which would I go for? US has to be!

[redstriper]

[quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1348433159' post='1813655']
They can't make guitars like the old ones, otherwise people craving 'that' tone, wouldnt pay small fortunes to get it. That go's for Gibbo's too. I don't know why though.
[/quote]

Maybe old guitars sound and feel better because they mature over time, or maybe they were always better even when brand new.

Wish I could go back in time to find out.

[Happy Jack]

[quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1348434383' post='1813675']

Wish I could go back in time to find out.
[/quote]

I'm not sure that you'd much enjoy Anglesey in 1957 ...

[redstriper]

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1348434474' post='1813676']
I'm not sure that you'd much enjoy Anglesey in 1957 ...


[/quote]

Why not - nothing's changed at all