Anyone play a Fender American De Luxe Zone active bass?

[TerryVil]

Hi I’m looking at buying one of these basses - I’ve never had an active bass before and wondered if anyone has any experience with this bass, what it’s like etc?

 

this one is in mint condition and is priced at £1300 inc a hard case

 

Any info would be useful - thanks

 

 

 

 

[BlueMoon]

No personal experience.....but, our friends across the pond on that other bass forum have discussed the topic.

 

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=fender+zone+bass+site:www.talkbass.com&prmd=ivsxn&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjt46vm2oH1AhUD4aQKHY_dA4AQrQIoBHoECBIQBQ&biw=1024&bih=729&dpr=2

[TerryVil]

Many thanks for that - that’s useful

 

[Bunion]

Old thread from last year 

 

 

[jd56hawk]

You'll be changing the preamp?

[TerryVil]

18 hours ago, jd56hawk said:

You'll be changing the preamp?

I was hoping not too! I couldn’t do it myself - do you think I’d need to?

[Paul S]

I'm not entirely sure but weren't these essentially the same as the earlier MIJ Precision 'Lyte', which can be picked up for half that price?

[TerryVil]

22 hours ago, Bunion said:

Old thread from last year 

 

 

 

2 minutes ago, Paul S said:

I'm not entirely sure but weren't these essentially the same as the earlier MIJ Precision 'Lyte', which can be picked up for half that price?

Hmmm....no idea

 

[TerryVil]

22 hours ago, Bunion said:

Old thread from last year 

 

 

Thanks for that , very useful 

[jd56hawk]

9 hours ago, TerryVil said:

I was hoping not too! I couldn’t do it myself - do you think I’d need to?

I'm just not a fan of Fender preamps.

Of course, it's been quite some time since I've played an American Deluxe Zone bass and the strings might have contributed to the poor sound quality, but when I try out basses, and I try out quite a few, I generally remember the ones that wow me and the ones that fail to move me...and I've read the preamps in those had more issues than just a poor/rushed design.

Other than that, if you're interested in owning a bass with a preamp, you can't do better than a G&L L2000, USA or Tribute...they have a preamp bypass so you can also play passive...even with a dead battery.

Edited December 28, 2021 by jd56hawk

[TerryVil]

16 hours ago, jd56hawk said:

I'm just not a fan of Fender preamps.

Of course, it's been quite some time since I've played an American Deluxe Zone bass and the strings might have contributed to the poor sound quality, but when I try out basses, and I try out quite a few, I generally remember the ones that wow me and the ones that fail to move me...and I've read the preamps in those had more issues than just a poor/rushed design.

Other than that, if you're interested in owning a bass with a preamp, you can't do better than a G&L L2000, USA or Tribute...they have a preamp bypass so you can also play passive...even with a dead battery.

 

[TerryVil]

That’s great info - thanks

[jd56hawk]

3 hours ago, TerryVil said:

That’s great info - thanks

You're welcome.

Amazing basses.