6feet7 Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 I've been playing bass for about 15 years now (and guitar for 30 years before then) and have steadfastedly refused to ever play a Fender (because everyone plays either a bloody Fender or something that looks like a Fender), so I've bought (and usually lost financially - because no one else had my taste in guitars and basses) everything from a 1964 Gibson EBO to several carbon fibre GUS G1's and G3's, Yamaha's, a Tokai Hard Puncher (I know, a Precision copy, but it didn't say Fender on the headstock, so that was almost OK), Warwick's, a Spector, a couple of Patrick Eggle's, several bitsas with Status graphite necks and several others I can't remember, but then I saw Scott Devine's piece about you only really need a good P bass, and even though I didn't totally agree (I prefer a more modern sound) I understood what he meant, so when I saw an AV Basses PJ5 for sale at the Gallery I thought I'd found my perfect bass (lightweight, both P and J Nordstrand pickups, and, even though it looked Fenderish, it didn't say Fender of the headstock). Perfect. But, GAS was now ignited, and I saw a 2001 Fender American Standard 5 string Jazz for sale with the right headstock (5 smaller sized tuners in a row, not the 4 + 1 massive ears that looks like the 1 was an afterthought). It weighed 8 1/2 lbs (anything more than that and I wont play it), was in almost as new condition (unheard of for an 18 year old bass) and came with a Fender hardcase. It also turned out that I'd bought some french windows from the same guy 2 years ago on ebay (who knocked £150 off the price for me). Well, first gig last Saturday. I thought I'd start with this rather than my 'favourite' AV Basses PJ5, and then swap over after a couple of songs. 2 hours later, AV PJ5 untouched, I packed away with comments about how great I sounded that night. I have finally conceded defeat to Fender. Perhaps he did get it right straight away (well, apart from I was playing a Jazz and not a Precision, and I was playing 5 strings instead of 4). I love it 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songofthewind Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 Nice. I know the feeling, I’m veering back to my bitsa Jazz! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No lust in Jazz Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 I nearly started a "Well I've tried and owned a lot of stuff, but I keep coming back to a Precision" why is this? thread.. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfoundfreedom Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 I'm still fighting the good fight. I will NEVER buy a Fender! 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 It's dead boring looking though isn't it? 😉 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 At least get some LEDs installed or something! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 Excellent choice. There is a reason why these basses have been the backbone of rock n Roll for almost 70 years. Now you need the tort scratch plate. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6feet7 Posted May 1, 2019 Author Share Posted May 1, 2019 28 minutes ago, BigRedX said: It's dead boring looking though isn't it? 😉 Totally agree - I bought the AV Basses PJ5 because of its bright bright bright green paintwork. 20 minutes ago, fretmeister said: At least get some LEDs installed or something! Nahhhh. Don't like anything with batteries onboard (and definitely not LED's - urggggghhhhhhh) 10 minutes ago, chris_b said: Excellent choice. There is a reason why these basses have been the backbone of rock n Roll for almost 70 years. Now you need the tort scratch plate. I was thinking that, but then the whole bass will become invisible. Think I'll leave it 'stock' (the first time ever I've ever not 'improved' a design that people far more knowledgable than me had missed out doing when designing it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6feet7 Posted May 1, 2019 Author Share Posted May 1, 2019 44 minutes ago, Newfoundfreedom said: I'm still fighting the good fight. I will NEVER buy a Fender! I thought that for over 40 years but have succumbed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 Put one of these waterslide decals on then! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machinehead Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 I don't like the 4 + 1 tuners either and much prefer the 5 in a row. I had one of the US deluxe 5 string jazz with the smaller body and 5 in a row tuners and really liked it. I can't remember why I sold it as it was the perfect 5 string jazz. Enjoy yours. Frank. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahambythesea Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 (edited) I can’t believe you found one of these that only weighe 81/2lb. When I had one with the 5 in line, it weighed nearer 11lb. Edited May 5, 2019 by Grahambythesea Error Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6feet7 Posted May 5, 2019 Author Share Posted May 5, 2019 I’ve only seen 10 or 11 lb ones too so this one was a real find. I wouldn’t have bought it if it had weighed any more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkHeart Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 I`ve actually just got my first Fender P a mint `06 mim with a Geezer pup and Gotoh bridge, it`s growing on me but still early days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarkHeart Posted May 11, 2019 Share Posted May 11, 2019 And this is it 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewblack Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 Got my first Fender last year but I traded it on Saturday. For a Fender. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 28 minutes ago, stewblack said: Got my first Fender last year but I traded it on Saturday. For a Fender. What one , any pics 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soledad Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 On 01/05/2019 at 17:14, Newfoundfreedom said: I'm still fighting the good fight. I will NEVER buy a Fender! It's not a good fight - it's just a fight. So many great players in great bands on great tracks, all playing Ps and Jazzes (actual Fender ones). So many premium makers producing high-end clones. The Precision in particular defined what an electric bass would be - Gibson, Gretch, Hofner, Rickenbacker, Framus and the rest didn't do that. I'm certain the P and Jazz are both as relevant and useful today as they ever were. Delete the existence of the P and Jazz, and what would Sadowsky, Lakland, Sandberg and all the rest be making? So, It's not a good fight - it's just a fight. Like pushing water uphill. If avoiding Fenders was easy for you it wouldn't be a fight would it? 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timhiggins Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 Back of the net 😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machinehead Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 On 01/05/2019 at 17:14, Newfoundfreedom said: I'm still fighting the good fight. I will NEVER buy a Fender! I was the same for many, many years. Then I tried a few Fenders and became a convert. I still have a Warwick, a Musicman, and a Steinberger and I've owned many, many non-Fender basses, but on gigs, it's almost always a Fender. Not because they're the best, but because they are just solid and just get the job done. It's all I need anyway. Plus I can choose from a USA P, USA Jazz, USA PJ jazz and a USA Jaguar - enough for any greedy bas**2d. 😁 Frank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewblack Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 1 hour ago, Reggaebass said: What one , any pics 🙂 Not yet. All blurry phone crapola from a gig but soon I promise 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfoundfreedom Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 2 hours ago, Soledad said: So, It's not a good fight - it's just a fight. Like pushing water uphill. If avoiding Fenders was easy for you it wouldn't be a fight would it? No you are absolutely correct. Fighting the good fight was just a quip in response to the phrase conceding defeat in the original post. Actually avoiding Fenders is the easiest thing in the world. Why would I be interested in buying something I have no desire for? I'm not disputing their place in musical history. They're just not for me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 12 hours ago, Reggaebass said: What one , any pics 🙂 Why? No offence to stewblack, but unless he's bought that Alien Ant Farm custom job or a Katana, it will look just like every other Fender bass. 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfoundfreedom Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 22 minutes ago, BigRedX said: Why? No offence to stewblack, but unless he's bought that Alien Ant Farm custom job or a Katana, it will look just like every other Fender bass. I would like to like this twice. 👍 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, BigRedX said: Why? No offence to stewblack, but unless he's bought that Alien Ant Farm custom job or a Katana, it will look just like every other Fender bass. Just curious, because I like fenders 😀 Edited May 15, 2019 by Reggaebass 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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