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Post subject: Fender Modern Player's Jazz Bass questions...
Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 11:03 pm
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So, I had a chance to play one of these unplugged for a few minutes at GC the other day... I'm intrigued by hte humbuckers, but I have to say I wasn't overly impressed with the feel of the bass. I noticed the back of the headstock said it was made in China... I wasn't aware that Fender branded instruments were made in China, only USA, Mexico, or Japan. That might explain the $449 price tag, but honestly, it didn't feel any better than a Squier at half that price...

So, what's the story on these? Are they worth the bucks, or should I skip it? :?


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Post subject: Re: Fender Modern Player's Jazz Bass questions...
Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 5:29 pm
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Had a minute to review the spec's here on the Products web page. Looks to me as if the only basic difference between this one and the 'similar' Squires is the labor costs involved to make it. They are not available in my area and there may be a good reason for that. Dealers stock what the customers ask for.

Let me just suggest that you inspect several - maybe at different shops - and see if the fit and finish varies from bass to bass. That is always a good indicator of quality control and manufacturing procedures at whatever plant these are coming out of. Look for bubbles in the paint and top coat as well as signs of misalignment of the tuning machines as well as a difference in gaps on the sides where the neck and body meet. Give them a good going over.

Personally, I'd opt for a MIM J-Bass for a little more money. They have a well established track record for fairly high quality, fit, finish and sound. Good luck and please report back as to what your inspections show.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Modern Player's Jazz Bass questions...
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 9:59 pm
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MacGyvercaster wrote:
I wasn't aware that Fender branded instruments were made in China, only USA, Mexico, or Japan. That might explain the $449 price tag, but honestly, it didn't feel any better than a Squier at half that price...


Not only are Fender instruments made in China, Japan, USA & Mexico..up until about 3 yrs ago Fender was also making Guitars & basses in Korea.

I wouldn't let the made in China tag stop you from getting a Modern Player Jazz Bass,
just try a few out until you get your hands on one that feels right.

And Regarding Japanese Fenders,....it seems Fender is moving a lot of their MIJ models to the Ensenada Mexico factory .........it makes sense at the end of the day to localize production & save $$$. Fender has also raised the Quality control bar at this plant. Instruments leaving this factory have been very consistent in recent years.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Modern Player's Jazz Bass questions...
Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 9:32 am
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James - I haven't had time to check recently... are any of the Squires still being made by Cort? I have a Cort Vintage Series 690BK and except for the shape of the headstock, it sounds, weighs, looks and plays exactly like a Squire P-Bass.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Modern Player's Jazz Bass questions...
Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 9:48 am
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Yeah, I wasn't really "in the market" for another bass right now anyway, this one just happened to be in arm's reach, so I gave it a quick whirl... I like the idea of humbuckers in a Jazz Bass. However, I didn't care for how it felt, it felt cheap... I noticed the "made in China" on the back, which was new to me, so I figured I'd ask here about it. More curious than anything. Thanks for the input, guys! :mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: Fender Modern Player's Jazz Bass questions...
Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 10:45 am
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Yes The Squier's are still made in the Cort Factory & I think the Jackson basses are made in the same factory.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Modern Player's Jazz Bass questions...
Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 1:57 pm
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James Coderre wrote:
Yes The Squier's are still made in the Cort Factory & I think the Jackson basses are made in the same factory.


Thanks, James.. Just an FYI ( slightly changing the topic) - The Cort that I mentioned above, now has a set of Fender P-Bass pickups and a set of D'Addario ET92 black tapewounds... This reconfigured Cort Vintage Series 690BK tunes to B-E-A-D with no modifications and is slowly becoming one of my stage favorites for low register special effects. Don't need a 5 string to accomplish this sound and saved a bunch of $$$. (I rarely use the G string anyway on a E-A-D-G configuration.)

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Bassman 250-210
Peavy MAX115
Peavy MAX115 (II)


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Post subject: Re: Fender Modern Player's Jazz Bass questions...
Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2012 7:53 pm
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PaducahLuke wrote:
Thanks, James.. Just an FYI ( slightly changing the topic) - The Cort that I mentioned above, now has a set of Fender P-Bass pickups and a set of D'Addario ET92 black tapewounds... This reconfigured Cort Vintage Series 690BK tunes to B-E-A-D with no modifications and is slowly becoming one of my stage favorites for low register special effects. Don't need a 5 string to accomplish this sound and saved a bunch of $$$. (I rarely use the G string anyway on a E-A-D-G configuration.)


Good to hear & it confirms what I always say here on the Lounge Forum when someone is discouraged from getting a Squire, MIM , MIJ & now Made in China Fender Bass, because their friends or even some people here on the Lounge criticize these basses as being crappy....I always tell them not to listen to the negative comments, play as many of these basses as you can & if you find one that feels good & sounds good.......then it's a keeper...... :D


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