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Post subject: Fender Custom Shop bass?
Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 5:08 pm
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Is it worth spending the extra cash for a custom shop bass? Do they sound that much better? What is the real difference in quality of say neck or electronics? I am considering the purchase of a custom shop bass. I have not played in ten years but owned a early 70's vintage P bass before I let it go in a moment of weakness. (Long Story) Thanks in advance
Jboy :)


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Post subject: Re: Fender Custom Shop bass?
Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2012 5:17 am
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Rock Star
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Location: Albemarle, NC
Select woods. Very best of the best woods. That is a big plus. They get first pick on every new shipment of blanks.

Electronics can vary some depending on what you want, modern or vintage and what model. Each component is individually checked to make sure it is within a narrow tolerance to spec.

In mass production guitars you can have 5 of the same model side by side and all 5 will play or sound different from the others. One might be way better and sometimes very obviously better.

With CS instruments the variables that make that the case in production instruments are eliminated so that each one is pretty much a gem. Every component is absolutely the best available. CS gets first pick on everything down to strap buttons. Then one builder makes it his personal pet project from start to finish. It doesn't move through an assembly process from one station and worker to the next station and worker. One craftsman does pretty much the whole project and also oversees the finishing.

Depending on the model it could be a vintage type finish which is done exactly as they were in 1960 using nitrocellulose lacquers which takes extra time, care and patience. Things not afforded production instruments by any stretch of the imagination.

In short they are expensive, but the reasons are clear when you get your hands on one.

If you do the math and adjust the cost for inflation on a 1959 P-Bass, a new CS version actually costs about the same as a production P-Bass did in 1959. Remember back then a Snickers candy bar was a nickle. Now they cost 17 times that much. Pretty much the same multiple in cost for a real 59 P-Bass versus a CS 59 P-Bass.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Custom Shop bass?
Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2012 8:17 am
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+1


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Post subject: Re: Fender Custom Shop bass?
Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2012 4:15 pm
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Roadie
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If you are truly good enough, it is absolutely worth it in order to take your sound to the next level.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Custom Shop bass?
Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2012 8:19 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 2:43 pm
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Bought my first CS bass almost 3 months ago. It's ruined me. I don't play anything but this bass now. :D

If you can afford it, go for it. You won't be disapointed.

_________________
2012 American Standard Precision V - Candy Cola Red
2012 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz V - Surf Green
2011 FCS Custom Classic Special Jazz Bass V - Violin Burst
1996 MIM Stratocaster HSS - Black
1975 Precision Bass - 3 Tone Sunburst


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Post subject: Re: Fender Custom Shop bass?
Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2012 6:00 pm
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Thanks much for the replies! I will have to save up the additional cash. I will most likely pump it thru a vintage Ampeg SVT and 810 or New Heritage version of same. Jboy :wink:


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