Yet more 80’s Pointiness!! Fernandes PJ-45

[Old Horse Murphy]

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.

 

 

Edited September 21, 2018 by Old Horse Murphy

[BreadBin]

Nice! For some reason I think it looks like something that should be sharing a stage with Babymetal!

[Old Horse Murphy]

On 21/09/2018 at 17:47, BreadBin said:

Nice! For some reason I think it looks like something that should be sharing a stage with Babymetal!

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

[fretmeister]

Lovely. Fernandes usedto make some excellent guitars.

 

[Old Horse Murphy]

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

[Newfoundfreedom]

Ooh noice! I likes em short and pointy. 😮

[fleabag]

A woman said that to me in my past

[TheGreek]

I've been seeing a number of Washburn Force B20(?) coming up for sale recently. My third bass (much better than the Hohner cricket bat which was my 2nd) - strangely a friend bought one the same weekend - good basses in their day.

Somehow, for me anyway, the pointy headstock aren't as easy on the eye as they were back then...

[BreadBin]

Oh please don't @TheGreek I already have 2 B20s here and genuinely had to talk myself out of buying another last weekend. 

Edited September 24, 2018 by BreadBin

[cetera]

Love it! I have the next model up 4-pot 34" Fernandes of similar shape in red. Fantastic bass with great tones! I could be willing to part with it though