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Post subject: What the heck is this #9
Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2015 11:57 am
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Post subject: Re: What the heck is this #9
Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2015 1:41 pm
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A Fender Performer


http://uniqueguitar.blogspot.ca/2010/07 ... ormer.html


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Post subject: Re: What the heck is this #9
Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2015 2:51 pm
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Yes, it started out as one. Actually, it started out as two, parts quality Performers, and was modified from there. Can you spot the differences?

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Post subject: Re: What the heck is this #9
Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2015 5:03 pm
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Ummmm ... It's Metallic Green!


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Post subject: Re: What the heck is this #9
Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2015 7:42 pm
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Third pickup, extra nob and 2 extra toggles. None of these were offered from Fender although they appear to be correct for a Fender. Looks pristine!! Could maybe use some Mojo. But I guess those mods provide plenty of Mojo.


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Post subject: Re: What the heck is this #9
Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2015 7:47 pm
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Parts correct for Fender PERFORMER. And I don't believe Fender ever offered fret less--Way cool. Fretboard appears a bit darker than the rosewood 24-fret performers I've seen but could just be the lighting.


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Post subject: Re: What the heck is this #9
Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2015 6:44 am
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If the extra toggles indicates active electronics then I believe you have created the 'ghost' Performer Elite with 3 pickups and Ebony fretboard.


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Post subject: Re: What the heck is this #9
Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2015 12:56 pm
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Outstanding! And what a great idea it would have been to actually build an Elite Performer. Unfortunately, I never thought of it, the bass is passive. The switches are simple off/on for each pup. Three volume pots, one master tone. Really a lot of sound variations just through pup selections.

The fretboard is dark, but it is original rosewood, not ebony. When I compare it to other Performers I own, it looks about the same. I am wondering if they used a different grade or country of origin when they made these in Japan?

It is really clean. I have been collecting Performers and parts for years, so I had a lot of near mint items to put into it. But the switches and pots are all new. The old ones are in my parts bin now.

Edit: And the pickguard is new. Had to add some material on the bass side when the neck pup was moved forward so it would be completely surrounded, so it is slightly larger.

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Post subject: Re: What the heck is this #9
Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2015 6:05 am
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Steve actually hot rodded a Fender! :shock:


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Post subject: Re: What the heck is this #9
Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2015 10:10 am
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lol. let's keep that a secret just between you and me.

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Post subject: Re: What the heck is this #9
Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2015 12:40 pm
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I think that a fretless Performer bass is very cool and I still can't believe that I had a chance to buy one of those Performers for $250 about 15 years ago and i let it go. Bad move.

What are you gonna do with the left over parts?

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Post subject: Re: What the heck is this #9
Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 9:56 pm
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I have sold some of the parts, the rest I just stock. I have a body yet to sell. I kept the second fretted neck so the custom job has two. Lots of knobs and pots, one pup, a couple jacks. Enough I should be able to make any needed repairs on my others, at least for awhile.

I just sold the last of my "extra" Performers BC. Wish I would have known you wanted one. If my custom job continues to please me, I might sell my white that I gig with. Super fine bass. Deep finish.

I still have my "A Team" of five, one of each color, all near mint. The white I gig with. The lime green custom. And the Elite Jazz proto that started the whole thing. So I have 7 or 8 depending on how you want to count the proto. The white is the only one I could see letting go of at some point down the road.

I sold ten, so I really thinned the herd. Unfortunately, it appears they magically transformed into pre CBS Ps&Js.

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Post subject: Re: What the heck is this #9
Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2015 10:15 am
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affprod wrote:
I sold ten, so I really thinned the herd. Unfortunately, it appears they magically transformed into pre CBS Ps&Js.


:wink:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: What the heck is this #9
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 6:29 pm
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I have decided to donate my Performer gigger to charity. I love it too much to sell it, but my modified bass is filling all my needs. This is a solid $1500 bass, perhaps even a step above that, and includes a period direct Hipshot Expander, back when they were an add on, not one piece, and original case.

My guess it will go locally, but if you know of a charity, or a kid, that has the talent but no options, please let me know. Has to be an acceptable charity for USA tax deduction, but any country is okay. It is the kid that counts.

Thanks.

Fender, I understand if you have to delete this, but as I am not looking to sell, I thought I would give it a try.

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Post subject: Re: What the heck is this #9
Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2016 12:04 pm
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Since I have gone this far with this modification, I am going to take one more step. An internet friend is building a Performer like bass from scratch, which I have been following over at talkbass. One thing that attracted my interest was a more robust bridge, with an aluminum bridge block routed into place below it. Well, the bridge was made from a rectangular tube, cut in half, so there is an extra one available. I am going to have that bridge and block installed on this bass - just because I am curious, and I can't see it doing much harm, where as the upside might be interesting. Stay tuned.

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