It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 7:55 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 16 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Why was the fender prodigy series discontiuned?
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 10:45 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Aug 16, 2012 10:40 am
Posts: 1
I am currently looking at buying a fender prodigy bass and am wondering why it was discontinued. All of the reviews i have read have been really positive so i am wondering what the deal is?


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Why was the fender prodigy series discontiuned?
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 1:00 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2012 3:08 pm
Posts: 474
From what I gather the Prodigy, Jp90, and some other new guitars of the time were made mainly because there were financial problems at Fender. Poplar bodies, with sanding and painting done in Mexico....Made In U.S.A. on peghead. Maybe assembled in the U.S. Still nice instruments imo.

I think the pickups/electronics were MIM, also.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Why was the fender prodigy series discontiuned?
Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 9:45 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2007 6:33 am
Posts: 4583
Location: North of Pittsburgh
Probably poor sales.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Why was the fender prodigy series discontiuned?
Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2012 1:18 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
Specs!

Model Name: U.S. Prodigy Bass (Active Preamp)

Model Number: 014-4200

Series: U.S. Prodigy Series

Body: Poplar

Neck: Maple

Fingerboard: Rosewood

No. of Frets: 20

Scale Length: 34” (864 mm)

Width @ Nut: 1.625” (41 mm)

Hardware: Chrome

Machine Heads: Standard

Bridge: Standard

Pickguard: 3-Ply Black

Pickups: 1 Standard Precision Bass Pickup (Mid), 1 Standard Jazz Bass Pickup (Bridge)

Pickup Switching: Pan Pot

Controls: Master Volume/Pan Pot, Treble Boost/Cut Bass Boost/Cut

Colors: (702) Lake Placid Blue,

(706) Black,

(725) Crimson Red Metallic,

(780) Arctic White (Polyurethane Finish)

Strings: Dynamaxx 1200L

Unique Features: Active Preamp

Source: U.S.

Accessories: Case, Strap, Cable

U.S. MSRP: $599.99 in 1991, $649.99 in 1993

Specs: Prices and Specifications Subject to Change Without Notice

INTRODUCED: 1991

DISCONTINUED: 1993

A photo:

Image

The Prodigy shared some aspects of the Fender Precision Bass Plus Deluxe and the Fender JP90 bass. It had the Plus Deluxe's electronics with the JP90's body shape and neck. It basically was an active JP90 with no pickguard. Unlike the totally USA built P-Bass Plus Deluxe, the Prodigy (and JP90) started out in Mexico where the body was cut and sanded and then trucked up Hwy 1 to Corona for finishing, assembly and set up.

As to why it was discontinued, FMIC was beginning to realize that, as far as USA made instruments go anyway, people wanted a more traditional P or J instead of a new cutting edge design. People voted with their wallets. As a result Prodigy Basses are seldom seen as far fewer of them were sold than typical passive Standard MIM or USA P-Basses of the day.

A Precision Bass Plus Deluxe photo for comparison. Both used the same preamp and Kubicki control setup.

Image

A photo of the Prodigy Bass's sister instrument, the passive JP90 where you can see the body shape resemblence. However the control routing was completely different.

Image

Both the Prodigy and JP90 were good instruments, especially for gigging. The passive JP90 had a really versatile control setup for a JP pickup arrangement. The Prodigy had the top end active electronics of the day.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Why was the fender prodigy series discontiuned?
Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2012 1:45 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
SKcoppertele wrote:
brotherdave wrote:
Image

Both the Prodigy and JP90 were good instruments, especially for gigging. The passive JP90 had a really versatile control setup for a JP pickup arrangement. The Prodigy had the top end active electronics of the day.


that is ummmmm.......different.? :shock:

Yes SK you are right. The JP90 had a unique (for Fender) passive control setup. In the photo you might not can see it clearly but the JP90 had a three position mini-toggle switch. This allowed you to SOLO a pickup without the other pickup loading it down.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Why was the fender prodigy series discontiuned?
Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2012 7:18 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2012 3:08 pm
Posts: 474
I still think the bodies were cut in Japan. Just a hunch.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Why was the fender prodigy series discontiuned?
Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2012 11:09 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
Several sources say they were cut in Ensenada, even though I was unaware of that until recently. I'm pretty sure they were not done in Japan as that would involve too much shipping and too many delays.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Why was the fender prodigy series discontiuned?
Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 1:29 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
Had another thought upon further consideration of this question. The same headtock, neck specs, preamp and control setup from the Prodigy continued on in the Precision Bass Special which debuted the next model year after the Prodigy was cut. They are very similar except for the amoeba shaped pickguards. These P-Bass Specials are the ones now referred to quite often as "Cowpoke" basses. They are pretty much the same as the Prodigy in different colors with a pickguard added. I loved the see through dyed finishes on some of the P-Bass Specials.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Why was the fender prodigy series discontiuned?
Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2012 9:10 am
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2011 1:34 am
Posts: 125
Back when I played guitar 20 years ago, my bassist at the time had a JP90, and it was a rad bass. I wouldn't mind playing one now, but I have yet to see one locally.

_________________
http://www.facebook.com/the321s
http://www.facebook.com/calicosounds

1983 USA Fender Bullet Bass Deluxe (Ivory)
2004 USA Fender Highway 1 Jazz Bass (Honey Blonde)


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Why was the fender prodigy series discontiuned?
Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 3:59 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
Garbanzo the JP90's usually popup around here for $500 or so. Quite a bargain. And they are RAD. LOL


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Why was the fender prodigy series discontiuned?
Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 8:07 am
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2011 1:34 am
Posts: 125
The more I think about and look at it, I don't think it was a JP90. I remember it had both a Jazz pup in the bridge and a P pup in the middle, but it had no pickguard, the headstock was painted to match the body (silver), and the back of the neck was black. Any idea what model that was? I don't have any good shots of it scanned on my work computer, but I'll look through some old photos at home tonight to see if I can't find one with a clear shot of it and scan it tomorrow.

_________________
http://www.facebook.com/the321s
http://www.facebook.com/calicosounds

1983 USA Fender Bullet Bass Deluxe (Ivory)
2004 USA Fender Highway 1 Jazz Bass (Honey Blonde)


Last edited by garbanzo on Wed Aug 29, 2012 8:12 am, edited 1 time in total.

Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Why was the fender prodigy series discontiuned?
Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 8:11 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 12, 2007 4:18 pm
Posts: 1921
Location: Upstate, NY
While not the same thing as it has a J neck. I know the McKagan Sig P is basically a reissue of his 80's Jazz Bass Special. This gives you the three stage selector, and the passive TBX circuit. Duff is a HUGE fan of Fender Japan offerings. I know the GC in Albany used to get older JP90s and J and P Specials in from time to time. I'll be making a run to one on Friday I'll keep an eye out for any hanging around.

_________________
http://www.reverbnation.com/casanovafrankensteinandthevoodoomachine
https://www.facebook.com/CFandtheVM

2012 Fender Custom Shop 55 Precision Bass
2012 Fender American Vintage 57 Precision Bass RI
2014 Fender Super Bassman and Bassman 100T/410 Neo


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Why was the fender prodigy series discontiuned?
Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 8:35 am
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2011 1:34 am
Posts: 125
TheKingofPain wrote:
While not the same thing as it has a J neck. I know the McKagan Sig P is basically a reissue of his 80's Jazz Bass Special. This gives you the three stage selector, and the passive TBX circuit. Duff is a HUGE fan of Fender Japan offerings. I know the GC in Albany used to get older JP90s and J and P Specials in from time to time. I'll be making a run to one on Friday I'll keep an eye out for any hanging around.

Thanks. Jazz Special does sound right. Before you wrote this, I tried searching JP Special, as that adjective popped in my head. I'll still look for a photo.

UPDATE: Dang! I can't find a clear shot of it among the few vestiges of years past. I'm visiting my folks in a few weeks, so I'll go through my things in the attic, as now I really wanna know what he was playing!

_________________
http://www.facebook.com/the321s
http://www.facebook.com/calicosounds

1983 USA Fender Bullet Bass Deluxe (Ivory)
2004 USA Fender Highway 1 Jazz Bass (Honey Blonde)


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Why was the fender prodigy series discontiuned?
Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2018 7:26 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Feb 28, 2018 6:53 am
Posts: 7
old thread question.

so the collaboration began, up and down Highway One....but its confusing because theres a article of the fire in 1994 where the CEO is saying after 94/fire the CNC machines were installed in Ensenda.

these 1990 series wouldnt have been cut in Ensenada if thats true?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Why was the fender prodigy series discontiuned?
Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2018 9:51 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4240
The internet consensus on early MIM Strats, Teles etc. seems to be that the bodies were cut in the US until Ensenada got its CNC's.
I don't know the situation with the Prodigy basses, but I think US-cut is more likely that Japan-cut.

(That "early MIM's were actually MIA's" is a Fender Fun Fact to bring up every time someone opens the "MIA's are better than MIM's" wormcan...


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 16 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: