Stub Mandrel Posted March 30, 2019 Posted March 30, 2019 I can't resist it; I've been playing my Performer on and off all day. Here are some photos and comments on my Fender Performer, this is the made in Japan version, alledgedly the American ones were superior but it's hard to see where they could make improvements. It sounds great, feels great and looks great. Despite being standard scale length it looks like the neck goes on forever. A radical makeover for the Fender logo may have dented sales. The headstock was shared with the even more unconventional Katana guitars and basses. The body that was radical in 1987 now looks ace and is super comfortable. Controls are deceptively simple, three-way selector and two volume controls but the tone control is a Fender TBX so the range of sounds is wide, but always lively. Unique appearance of the pickups; I suspect they have a split-coil like a P-bass inside the assymetrical lozenge-shaped case. Open back but very smooth tuners. Micro-tilt neck and note the tiny cover for accessing the jack socket - not a battery compartment, this is not an active bass. A fully sealed jack socket, rather than the usual skeleton socket. The neck is thinner than a typical Telecaster, compared here with a Hohner B2. I'd love to see or hear about other examples of these beautiful instruments! 6 Quote
bigsmokebass Posted March 31, 2019 Posted March 31, 2019 I love it, it's everything you'd imagine from Fender in the '80s. 😂 The body shape I'd even say is very Parker Guitars too, which is cool. What's not to love about such an instrument, other than there's not enough for one each haha 1 Quote
Ricky 4000 Posted March 31, 2019 Posted March 31, 2019 Fantastic! First one of those I've never seen AFAICR. 👍 1 Quote
tom1946 Posted March 31, 2019 Posted March 31, 2019 Well this is mine, very thin neck, doddle to play, great sound. Stunning looks. 7 Quote
Stub Mandrel Posted March 31, 2019 Author Posted March 31, 2019 6 minutes ago, therealting said: That logo is a tad Peavey, no? I read that as pervey first time... 😲 Yes... more than a bit Peavey! Quote
Stub Mandrel Posted March 31, 2019 Author Posted March 31, 2019 1 hour ago, tom1946 said: Stunning looks. Indeed 🙂 The rubber knob grips are a lovely detail too! It's like they thought 'can we make it better' about every bit. Quote
bigsmokebass Posted March 31, 2019 Posted March 31, 2019 2 hours ago, tom1946 said: Well this is mine, very thin neck, doddle to play, great sound. Stunning looks. You mean, there's basses that you don't sell?! 😱 😂😂😂 What a beauty, even for without being a burst finish. Let me know when this one goes up 😉✌🏻 Quote
kyuuga Posted March 31, 2019 Posted March 31, 2019 I'm sorry but that is, without a doubt, probably the ugliest bass I've ever seen in my life... I can see why they were discontinued 😂 1 Quote
Stub Mandrel Posted March 31, 2019 Author Posted March 31, 2019 12 minutes ago, kyuuga said: I'm sorry but that is, without a doubt, probably the ugliest bass I've ever seen in my life... I can see why they were discontinued 😂 "Fill your hands, you son of a ..."🙂 4 Quote
tom1946 Posted March 31, 2019 Posted March 31, 2019 I know what you're thinking.... did he fire six shots or was it only 5? You've gotta ask yourself a question, do you feel lucky? WELL DO YA PUNK? Quote
kyuuga Posted March 31, 2019 Posted March 31, 2019 2 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said: "Fill your hands, you son of a ..."🙂 Hey don't shoot the messenger! Quote
bigsmokebass Posted March 31, 2019 Posted March 31, 2019 23 minutes ago, kyuuga said: Hey don't shoot the messenger! 3 Quote
miles'tone Posted April 1, 2019 Posted April 1, 2019 (edited) Designed by.... I love it! Edited April 1, 2019 by miles'tone 2 Quote
bigsmokebass Posted April 1, 2019 Posted April 1, 2019 5 hours ago, miles'tone said: Designed by.... I love it! ..... surely? I love the Performer though, quirky little thing you don't see everyday. Well, not unless you own one. 1 Quote
burno70 Posted April 1, 2019 Posted April 1, 2019 Wow - I had no idea Fender made such a bass. Seems a bit 'out there' by their ultra conservative stance, but then again - it was the 80's. Quote
Stub Mandrel Posted April 1, 2019 Author Posted April 1, 2019 5 minutes ago, burno70 said: Seems a bit 'out there' by their ultra conservative stance, but then again - it was the 80's. That was the problem - in the 80s everyone wanted P and J-basses from Fender. It was meant to be the new J-bass. 1 Quote
tom1946 Posted April 2, 2019 Posted April 2, 2019 On 31/03/2019 at 11:25, bigsmokebass said: You mean, there's basses that you don't sell?! 😱 😂😂😂 What a beauty, even for without being a burst finish. Let me know when this one goes up 😉✌🏻 I have no idea what it's worth now. Quote
bigsmokebass Posted April 2, 2019 Posted April 2, 2019 6 minutes ago, tom1946 said: I have no idea what it's worth now. Top end ~£1200 depending on various details Quote
tom1946 Posted April 3, 2019 Posted April 3, 2019 What kind of details? The bass is in mint condition and as far as I am aware totally original. Quote
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