TheGreek Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 What can I get for £5k? Shopping around I'm pretty sure that there are name builders who could custom build me as good, if not better, basses for less. I wonder what Bernie at GB could build me for £5k... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiram.k.hackenbacker Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 The real mind-boggler is what do you get that is so much better with a Fender Master Built bass over a ‘standard’ Custom Shop. Given their price point is several thousand pounds above a ‘standard’, I don’t see where that extra value is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 I wouldn't even be able to think about buying one as they don't seem to offer any mustangs in the CS range. If they did it would be interesting to see how they could possibly be an improvement over the JMJ. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cato Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 As I mentioned in another thread the Fender Custom Shop is a bit of a paradox. Expensive versions of instruments that were specifically designed to be mass produced on a production line by people with no luthiery skills to be sold at an affordable price point. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lidl e Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 1 hour ago, thebrig said: Here's two I built using Fender bodies, necks, Fender Custom Shop ‘62 and Nordstrand NP4 pickups, with Schaller BM Tuners on both. Total cost for the two = £1600 I've had many "high-end" Fenders over the years and these two play as well as any of them, and would a CS model be £4,200 better than one of mine? I doubt it.🫢 Heres the one i built. I used an aftermarket body because i wanted to paint it with nitro Ive since changed the pickups to lollars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 1 hour ago, hiram.k.hackenbacker said: The real mind-boggler is what do you get that is so much better with a Fender Master Built bass over a ‘standard’ Custom Shop. Given their price point is several thousand pounds above a ‘standard’, I don’t see where that extra value is. A few years back I played a Master Built Strat, it was hands down the best guitar I`ve ever played. I`d gone to buy an SG from a private sale and although it was a good guitar I left with it feeling decidedly disappointed after playing said Strat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 2 hours ago, Jean-Luc Pickguard said: I wouldn't even be able to think about buying one as they don't seem to offer any mustangs in the CS range. If they did it would be interesting to see how they could possibly be an improvement over the JMJ. Very good point, I love my JMJs, they’re amazingly good instruments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boodang Posted February 21 Author Share Posted February 21 4 hours ago, neepheid said: What you doing up there anyway? I need access to the 24th fret! (In fact this bass has 28 frets!) The last band I was in replaced me with a guitarist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boodang Posted February 21 Author Share Posted February 21 3 hours ago, neepheid said: Also, we get it - you don't like bolt on construction. You're off base with your description though. I've seen many pieces of wood screwed together with military precision, with lovely recessed screw heads and sculpted heels. A well done neck join is a joy to behold, regardless of the method. Me, not like bolt ons, what ever gave you that idea!! Sculptured heel or not I just think it’s a lazy cheap way of joining two pieces of wood…. Especially on something costing 5k. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 We all have our budgets and preferences, but if someone thinks their Fender Custom Shop instrument is worth £5000, then it is. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boodang Posted February 21 Author Share Posted February 21 3 hours ago, Cato said: As I mentioned in another thread the Fender Custom Shop is a bit of a paradox. Expensive versions of instruments that were specifically designed to be mass produced on a production line by people with no luthiery skills to be sold at an affordable price point. I agree…. it’s a bit like polishing a turd! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cato Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 16 minutes ago, Boodang said: I agree…. it’s a bit like polishing a turd! I definitely woudn't say that. Any design that has no only remained in production for as long as Leo Fender's guitars and basses but actually still retains it's place as a market leader must be something a bit special Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 2 minutes ago, Cato said: I definitely woudn't say that. Any design that has no only remained in production for as long as Leo Fender's guitars and basses but actually still retains it's place as a market leader must be something a bit special You're wasting your time. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boodang Posted February 21 Author Share Posted February 21 10 minutes ago, Cato said: I definitely woudn't say that. Any design that has no only remained in production for as long as Leo Fender's guitars and basses but actually still retains it's place as a market leader must be something a bit special A bit of a special turd! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 OP doesn't have a bee in the bonnet, got the whole damn hive 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackroadkill Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 3 hours ago, Boodang said: The last band I was in replaced me with a guitarist. Man, that's harsh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozkerr Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 Not for me, even though my go-to bass is a Fender. I'd buy a Sandberg or a Sei and drink whatever was left over. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boodang Posted February 21 Author Share Posted February 21 3 hours ago, Cato said: I definitely woudn't say that. Any design that has no only remained in production for as long as Leo Fender's guitars and basses but actually still retains it's place as a market leader must be something a bit special But, getting back to the original premise, if you had 5k to spend on a bass, would you buy Fender CS or look elsewhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boodang Posted February 21 Author Share Posted February 21 (edited) 10 minutes ago, lozkerr said: Not for me, even though my go-to bass is a Fender. I'd buy a Sandberg or a Sei and drink whatever was left over. Ah, Sei basses are cool... and another opportunity to show off how to join a neck to a body properly... or more precisely body wings to a long neck in this case... Edited February 21 by Boodang 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 8 minutes ago, Boodang said: But, getting back to the original premise, if you had 5k to spend on a bass, would you buy Fender CS or look elsewhere? 1 minute ago, Boodang said: and another opportunity to show off how to join a neck to a body properly... You just can't help yourself, can you? Are you even reading our input, or just using any excuse to berate bolt on construction? Just rename the thread to "I hate bolt on construction and I think anyone who owns one is an idiot" and be done with it, because that's all I'm getting from this thread now. Cool story bro. I'm out. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boodang Posted February 21 Author Share Posted February 21 2 minutes ago, neepheid said: You just can't help yourself, can you? Are you even reading our input, or just using any excuse to berate bolt on construction? Just rename the thread to "I hate bolt on construction and I think anyone who owns one is an idiot" and be done with it, because that's all I'm getting from this thread now. Cool story bro. I'm out. Sorry, just can't help myself!! Actually did a 'bolt on necks suck' thread last year, so I guess this is just a rehash in disguise! However, quite happy to rein it in for some genuine thoughts on 5K Fender CS basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 5 hours ago, chris_b said: We all have our budgets and preferences, but if someone thinks their Fender Custom Shop instrument is worth £5000, then it is. Yup. I supspect those people are far too busy making pots of money to be posting about bass toys on the internet. I have owned a few latish model Fenders. Nothing from the last ten years. They had no obvious areas that could be improved. So I am not in seeing value in 5k£ versions. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dclaassen Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 I’m not convinced that the CS master builds are for me, and I’m a gear snob. I’d take a Pentabuzz and a Mexican P with any change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeystrange Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 Isn’t the point of the Custom Shop that the guitars are custom made to the buyer’s own specification? In that case why do they have pre-built models that they sell? Seems backwards to me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted February 21 Share Posted February 21 (edited) 5 hours ago, neepheid said: You're wasting your time. You’re being me again. With more whiskey and tartan and stuff but still second-guessing my every reaction. Are you Elon musks patient zero ? Edited February 21 by Geek99 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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