Fender Bass Guitar questions

[Kiwi Phil]

I'm not sure what to do.

I am left handed and want a new Bass Guitar.
I seldom get anything for myself, so Anita said, "Phillip, go buy what you want and get the best".

Love the Fender, and would like an American Made, but from what I can learn from here in Aussie is, they only make L/H in 2 colours, black or sunburst.
Is that the same over there, or can you get more options?

What do you play QC?
Anyone else with any suggestions?
I have looked at a Carvin, but don't like the long horn on the body. Fender just looks better.

My Hofner Icon is ok QC, but a bit tinny, but it was a cheaper version, and it is right handed.
Got my 1st (cheap) L/handed Ibanez, (changed strings so E is at the bottom), and a L/handed model is the way to go as opposed to play a R/handed upside down.

What I have found is Fenders "Crafted in Japan",

http://stores.ebay.com.au/josmusicshop

but in this section are just left-handed basses. They have a big range of L/H models in many colour options.

http://stores.ebay.com.au/Jos-Music...66374011&_sid=793114241&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

But they are still not the 'top American made ones'.

like this one, "Fender Japan Lefty ' 75 Reissue Jazz Bass JB75US/FC/​LH" with chrome guards (ashtray and pickguard) on body, oblong inlays on the fret board, but can't decide on is a colour.

but what about this sucker, "Fender Japan Reissue Jaguar Bass Left Hand Model JAB/LH".
I have only ever seen a picture of one. They look great.
Anyone ever had one, or got a comment?

I actually have one of these in the Right handed version, "Fender Japan Aerodyne Jazz Bass Left Hand model AJB/LH" which I have played upside down and backward.
Nicer that this one too, way-way nicer, but won't sell it, will leave it for the kid if ever he wants to swap to bass. (want to mount it over the air-condition like a rifle, but someone wan't let me)

If you are interested, here is the Japan Fender website translated into English. Probably won't interest many. (Huge range of styles, vintage, colours).

http://66.163.168.225/babelfish/tra...en&trurl=http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/top.htm

So have any of you any comments or opinions?
Would appreciate them.

Cheers
Phillip

 

[BaileysBoat]

Re: Fender Bass Guitar questions

We had a choice when my wife and I purchased a Strat for my son.

We had a choice between the deluxe American strat & the mexican made version. I don't play guitar, but the difference in quality was very apparent when the 2 stats were side by side. The fittings, tuners, and wood was better. The price difference was at least $500, but my rational was the American strat would appreciate in value, and the Mexican one would depreciate. Seemed to sound better.

At any rate, my son got the american model. (Spoiled brat) I figure when he needs money I can by it back as an investment

Kind of think buy the genuine USA model, at least you can get back what you paid for it. The color might grow on you.

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: Fender Bass Guitar questions

Not a lefty myself, but married to one who's always 'right' . I love my Ernie Ball Musicman Sterling. I preferred it over the Fender, both the precision and the jazz models I tried. Warwick also makes some sweet playing basses{imo}.

Here's a link you may enjoy browsing thru...{scroll down so you don't miss any}
http://www.southpawguitars.com/bass.html

Bottoms up in your search

 

[avenger79]

Re: Fender Bass Guitar questions

i have a mex strat. i love it. i is sunburst in color and i added the pearoid pick guard. thing stays in tune forever. money wise yes the american will hold value longer.
the pickups are slightly more sensitive in the amer. overall I couldn't hear a difference between amer and mex. the mex is now made of the same wood as the amer. used to be poplar instead of alder.
if you can get a mex in a color you like, get it. if you feel you want a better/different sound you can always change the pick ups.
i wouldn't buy the japanese or korean versions as those are very cheaply made but the mex seems very sturdy. i have a few friends who play semi professionally with mex's.
now if i was looking for the best guitar for me to buy i would go american. color wouldn't be the deciding factor though. if color is important get the mex.
I also have a schecter that I love and it is made in Korea.

 

[Dave Barnett]

Re: Fender Bass Guitar questions

My cousin is a lefty. We took a Fender jazz bass reversed the pick ups (turned them around so the correct lead would be under its correct string) and turned the pick gard over and put it back on the top side after a little cutting to fit the new profile. It took a little engineering (nothing to difficult) but it sounds great. Aside from the notable Fender design being upside down the bass is in everyway a lefty bass now.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Fender Bass Guitar questions

..... but my rational was the American strat would appreciate in value, and the Mexican one would depreciate. Kind of think buy the genuine USA model, at least you can get back what you paid for it. The color might grow on you.

Not a given that any guitar will appreciate in value. Most likely a US made Strat will hold it's value better than a non US made, but it's anyone's guess if they'll appreciate. I have an American Deluxe Strat, sunburst with rosewood fretboard. It's about 3 years old, and it's unlikely I'd get what I paid for it- when you can get a brand new one for about that amount. Maybe in Canada it's different. But not here.
Still, it's an extremely well made instrument, and I happily paid the extra to get the US made. Ironically, Fender's Mexico factory isn't all that far away from their US factory. Main difference is the cost of labor, and the components- Fender was forced to compete with cheap knockoff imports and this is how the had to do it.
You really wanna go low end? Check out the Squier by Fender line, you'll jump on a Mexican made pretty quickly!