Fender Masterbuilt Basses. Are they worth the hype?
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- Опубликовано: 25 авг 2024
- Over the years, I’ve fallen in love with pretty much every bass that I’ve ever seen come out of the Fender Custom Shop in California. And just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, we get the Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt instruments. This is Fender Custom Shop AND THEN SOME!
In today’s new video, I delve into some of the questions that I keep getting asked about these awesome custom instruments, namely: who are they for? Why are they so expensive? How are they built? And are they really worth the hype?
As always, see you in the shed…
Scott :)
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Congrats Scott. That bass sounds and looks killer. I totally get why got that instrument. May it bring you years of joy and happiness. Cheers from Canada.
I've never even spent $700 on a bass... I like my used MIMs just fine. They often come relicked for free too
Then you don't know what you're missing. ;)
I’ve never spent over $400, and I’ve got some great basses and guitars!
I’d rather have variety of instruments, amps and speakers than one or two “great” ones, even though I consider my Ibanez Roadster bass as good as any bass ever built!
@@xdoctorblindx stop talking, la , la , la , la 🤣
@@lillianbrown6005 lol
@Osama Bin Liftin’ hard work and a small loan.
To be honest, most of the value of a master-built instrument is psychological. We tend to perceive instruments that are built by one person as being better than the equivalent instrument that's built by several people. However, if the builders are highly skilled and quality control is properly implemented, then there should be no real measurable or discernable difference. Anyway, that's a dope-ass bass, breh!
It's an objective reality that the master-built instruments are made with the highest quality components Fender has on offer and with the highest possible standard of quality control which does make them "better" in most senses of the term. The real question is whether that improvement in quality is worth the premium upcharge you pay for one, and the answer to that is more nebulous and subjective.
Many don't like to hear this but different players have different requirements. Most wouldn't notice much if any of a difference between a $300 bass and a $3000 one. Cool, you got off cheap. But if you appreciate a certain feel, playability, sound, look, etc. you may need to go up the food chain.
I often get people saying how much they wouldn't spend on a bass, hand them one of my custom basses and they're drooling uncontrollably. You don't know until you've played a better instrument. It can be mind blowing. Or it might not.
@@Brad5161 Exactly, it depends on the situation, your needs, budget etc. A high end instrument isn't magically going to make you a high level player, but in certain situations, it may be the best possible tool for a high level player to make full use of their skills.
@@user-do2ev2hr7h If Fender were to become a boutique producer (which it isn't) your first sentence would be true. The average joe can't tell the difference between a masterbuilt bass and a custom made bass. What's the ratio between the component(s) "quality" on both? 2:1? 50:1? I can't tell. Can you?
This is all based on what they tell you, not show you. If I were playing an original '65-66 bass can I tell the difference between that and a current off the rack 2021 bass? Probably. But your last sentence is much truer than the first.
@@jemsar2 As I said in a previous comment, a big part, perhaps the lion's share, of the difference comes down to attention to detail and quality control. Can the average (or even the average pro) tell the difference in sound alone in a truly blind test? probably not. (there have actually been studies on this) On the other hand, is (for example) the neck likely to be more stable over time on a custom shop instrument? Also likely yes. Again, they're marketed towards those who have the money and are willing to pay a premium to (hopefully) be guaranteed the best possible example of the instrument model they are buying.
One of the reasons vintage instruments tend to be so highly regarded is that in their day they were built to a roughly equivalent standard of quality and price point as today's (basic) custom shop instruments. That's also why there were so many off brand guitars back in the 60's, because Fender, Gibson etc. weren't really in the business of making lower end models back then.
As long as it’s worth it to the owner, that’s all that really matters. 👍
ruclips.net/video/N3zywmQUmW0/видео.html
That is true.
Here, here. And this cat seems pretty enthralled by the instrument and it's particular building process. So good for him.
Yes! So much this.
Exactly. Yet people claim that someone who can afford it has more money than brains. Scott has over 70k subscribers on a very popular RUclips website. The bass is likely a business expense. Some people just dont do the math.
I play professionally. My tools are deductible. And fun too. I have great tools because I didn't get mired in surface dollar amounts.
$7k for a Pbass is just insane. It's just a freaking bolt-on bass with a single pickup.
Exactly. Why not buy an off the shelf P bass and ask a good luthier to set it up and customise it to your liking? Would cost about a quarter of that.
Honestly at that price I'd just as soon have an old one. At least then the silly relicing would be real playwear!
@@ArchimedesWoo or a spector, warwick fodera, etc etc. A lot more work and craftsmanship is required to make those instruments, in those cases spending that kind of money is justified.
Agree. I have a new custom shop '57 P-Bass and paid a fraction of that. Love it. This bass is too plain for a $7K instrument. When price goes up, you're paying for bling and this one doesn't have it. A $2K bass is plenty for any artist and then the magic is in your fingers. 'Nuff said.
To each there own… enjoy 👍 all musicians are a bit nerdy and obsessive so if you have the money do what keeps you creative and feeling inspired
I have one master build jazz bass and it is a step up from a custom shop. I had a few Fender Jazz Basses but this one is a keeper. Better feel and details I can admire. I feel pleased to own one, Expensive? Yes, but I gave up some other things to get this one. It is more of a personal choice.
So much love for Vincent!
Brilliant player, incredible builder and he also shows the bass community a lot of support on social media - I’d be overjoyed to own one of his basses some day
At a certain point, the added functional quality hits a wall. The price point then becomes more the visual, the work and story that makes it art. I guess. Great vid. Great bass. Thanks
Agree. Like a collector’s item!
Well put
@@rafbass He's playing it. On his platforms.
For my money, I'd rather have a master luthier carefully go over (and possibly customize) a production line instrument, rather than doing everything from scratch. But for your money, you got something that you had a burning desire for, and something that is bringing you happiness. That is awesome to see (and hear).
I have a 99 Warwick Thumb 5 that was built by one person. I paid 3k for it in 2000 and now it’s worth a little less than 9k. So in the long run, a master built will appreciate in value over time. I love my Bass, it’s been around the world with me and I have played it for every show I have ever preformed. It’s been through the wringer being played for thousands of sets, and yet, she is my soulmate!
just passing by to say that those bass lines were AMAZING, Scott! would totally listen for hours of it.
It looks devine but $7,000 for a P-Bass is nuts.
Fender has wisely turned the luthiers in the Custom Shop into "celebrities". Not only the signature logo's on their builds but the intense marketing Fender has attached to some of these projects.
There are probably several luthiers working today at other shops or independently that are just as talented as John Cruz. But since they're anonymous we'll never know about them. Introducing the Custom Shop guys to the public has added another level of status to their instruments. So in addition to saying "I spent 7 grand on a guitar" one can also say "It was built by Dennis Galuszka dude!" a guy you couldn't pick out of lineup if your life depended on it...
I remember when the custom shop opened. It was primarily to build a guitar with the features you wanted that were just not on the current production list. A premium bump for that service, sure. But now Fender has of course exploited this like all money grubbing corporations do....and essentially they are making the best instrument they can (and should be doing anyway) and then turning around, and making it seem like now it has some special Mojo, that you need to pay thousands of dollars for...its a frigging racket.
I think Fender Master Builds our amazing. Getting that complete customization is unmatched. Having a ‘master builder’ builder do the final set up is absolutely a huge part of what you are paying for. It is true that you get what you pay for, having Fender do it will hold and keep the value for years to come. One way you can come close to this on a value budget is to search and actually buy a neck you like and a fender body from the year you want. Then assemble it with the pickups and hardware you love. If you are not confident in your abilities pay someone to do the final set up; While this wouldn’t be the same as a Fender custom build and will not carry the same value, you will have an excellent instrument at approximately a 1/4 of the price.
Thanks Scott for this video and all of your awesome content.
A final set-up is insanely easy to do, once you've been adjusting basses for a few years. It shouldn't cost a premium to do a setup, since it's really easy to do that on any bolt on bass that's competently constructed, it just takes some allen keys, wrenches and a screw driver and a set of relief gauges.
So it's $1000 for the bass and $6000 for the setup... It has to be a hell of a setup! 😂
Considering that the original intent of Fender P or J basses was to have an easy to mass produce instrument of good quality it would seem that there is not all that much other than super tight quality control that a master built or even custom built bass brings to the table. Okay maybe it uses slightly more expensive components (tuners, pickups, etc...) but alternative components from a stock P bass don't cost that much. Maybe the overall quality is a bit higher since the build is subject to a higher level of quality control. You could buy a MIM Fender and take it to good tech to address all the little short comings (better setup, fret leveling, etc...) and maybe even replace pickups or other components. This would probably cost far less than custom shop or masterbuilt. As someone said it's a bolt on bass with a single pickup, not some hand carved piece of art.
Great bass Scott! I see you’ve never talked about De Gier basses out of Nederlands. They’re worth looking at!
Scott, it would be nice to see a comparison of this bass and the Olinto
I can’t ever ever see myself spending more than like 2k on a bass and that would be like if I’m making stupid money
I agree, I had come into some cash earlier this year and the most I was willing to spend was 2k for an American Original. I ended up getting a Vintera 50s for a little over 1k. Like you said even if I’m making good cash 2k is the limit.
Agreed!
I said that recently when looking at Music Man basses. I just like too many, if there was a way to guarantee that the $2k+ bass was the only bass I'd want or need for the rest of my life then sure I could understand spending that much.
$7000 for a bass? Nice to know Scott’s Bass Lessons is making some big bucks. The average guitar/bass teacher is driving around in a car that didn’t cost $7000 and has to wait tables for extra cash to buy strings.
What's wrong with SBL making money? What wrong with a person who make a living on playing basses buying any bass he wants? It's not your money.
After searching a few listings for basses manufactured for the masterbuilt line, it appears that they're running around seven grand US, approximately, and that's really stupidly high, even for a handmade. P-Basses are by their nature a basic, straight-forward instrument. Charging more for one than any of the boutique bass brands like Alembic, Ken Smith, Spector, Warwick, etc is really totally absurd. This bass is still a really really simple instrument not requiring refined hand fitting and finish, it's a bolt on instrument, a single pickup, and a slightly contoured body, really nothing requiring intensive crafting.
You're paying for the brand name. I'd like to see how this bass might compare with an instrument built by, say, Jon Shuker, a UK luthier who specialises in bass guitars and has a penchant for chocolate hobnobs.
Having Fender Masterbuilt on the headstock will mean it keeps it's value, so long as theres a buyer who values the brand name as much as Scott does.
@@Mikey__R It's odd that Scott doesn't have two or three basses from some of the UK luthiers of note. I'd think that a JayDee or Status Graphite bass would be extremely interesting to hear instead of all the P-J style basses that he's featuring lately, since no one is able to really hear those basses outside of the UK, or at least very rarely.
My thing is, that's just how the bass/guitar industry is. Even when we talk about brands like Alembic, Ken Smith, Spector, Warwick, F Bass, etc, there are brands that make basses that can do most of what they do for $500-$1000. Ibanez, Yamaha, Schecter, etc make shockingly good instruments at that price range. At the end of the day whether you get a souped up F bass or a "straight forward" Custom Shop P Bass, you're really just paying for the brand (and the labour), not so much the practical stuff like "features," or sound quality
Absurd! I spent $6k on a Pedulla, and it is the most beautiful, best sounding and most comfortable playing bass I've ever seen in over 40 years of playing. I have a CS 1963 Precision and isn't even on the same planet as a Pedulla, along with many others.
@@offbeatbassgear the problem is, a Fender gets your video clicked. Fewer people would be interested in a video about a bass that isn't available in their country and is made by a luthier they've never heard of. Scott is on the clock, his videos have to make him money, so I certainly don't begrudge him that.
He's bought an expensive bass, but it's one he can recoup the value of if he ever needs to sell.
From a person who usually don't care too much about P basses, I gotta say that is one of the most beautiful sounding p basses I've heard. I will never get a bass in that nut width tho.
It's just my opinion, of course, but instruments are like wine. Once you get into a high price range, you can't find much difference. In my experience, listeners couldn't care less what you play- unless it's the wrong thing. I've 3 Warmoth custom basses that cost less than that one Master Built; and for me, it's money well-spent.
Warmoth came to mind also. I'm thinking about getting a Jazz from them to put on a Mitety Might Jazz body I bought a few years ago. In fact I will probably use them for part's to finish this bass.
To me it's just fetishizing a tool. I'm sure it's a joy to play but honestly - how much better than a american made or custom shop bass can it really be? Let's not get carried away.
Have to kind of agree. And I'm saying that as a modulus owner. At least I get a habdlaid carbon neck, but considering this is more expensive than a Sadowsky, I'm not sure why you'd buy one other than you desperately need the fender logo on the neck.
@@peadookie That's the thing - it's "just" a pbass. You can add a great story about who made it etc. but it's still a very simple construction. You're paying a few grand extra for a step up in quality, which 99% of bass players probably won't even notice when compared to custom shop. Sorry, to me it's mostly just marketing at this point.
Agreed. I'm not a Fender player and my #1 has always been a 90s Stingray. I recently bought a used Sterling Ray 4 for $200 and honestly, I prefer to play that over the EBMM. Like you said, It is a tool, and I happen to like using that tool better
I think it depends on how the instrument feels to the player.
I’m sure the playability is amazing and it is cool to say Ron Thorn, Paul Waller,Todd Krause, Dale Wilson etc. made you a 64 precision or a 71 jazz, the price tag does not mean it is 3 times better than a american or even mexican production instrument. As always, the player is only as good as the amount of time they put in to playing. Tone is in your hands. I would love to get one and I think I will down the road(custom shop not masterbuilt)but like the original commenter said, these are simply tools.
I have a fender 63 p bass ...all i can say is 1963 was fender last year before leo fender sold fender to cbs in 1964.
In 1963 the fender p bass was at his peak moment in quality and perfect bass tone plus the pickups with more bobbin TURNS than any p bass ever made before 1963.....
Btw.....James Jamerson Fender P bass was NOT a 1962 as people and fans believed...
James jamerson Fender p bass was a 1963 as he declared himself in the Dan Forte interview for bass player magazine........
That bass looks and sounds incredible. I can only imagine the playing experience completes the appeal. Well worth the price for a serious musician. It’s a modern-day Stradivarius. Gorgeous bass, Scott.
It's a beauty for sure! 🧡
my 82 Fullerton 62RI Jazz and 88 first year Corona 62RI Precision sound and play just fine..
But I appreciate the demo!
I’m sure they’re amazing, worth the hype? Wouldn’t say so. Hard to hype spending that much when it can be only so much better than a Mexican P bass
Get a Mex bass, and customize it yourself. Master Built.
@the3-dkiller1 For 7 thousand dollars, yeah, I think I would care
These basses don’t really go down in value. So unlike your standard Mexican or American Fender you will always be able to recuperate your money.
or a squier CV... :)
@@JunacCRO I got one of those and man, I like it better than my Nash PB63 pbass.
the ENTIRE BASS COMMUNITY DROOOOOLING
🔥🔥🔥
Last week labella pbass was the best, today Fender masterbuilt is the best, please Scott as Aretha’s song RESPECT
Labella make strings for basses and stringed instruments, not actual basses themselves. What are you talking about😆😆
@@josephwalton487 Google La Bella Olinto 😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆
I love my „Heavy Relic“ CS J & P Basses 😍 from 2014. Both sound incredibly good and are great to play. Used for under 3000€👌
If you love it, it's worth it!
Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿❤️
We need comparison between all your p-basses and original 60s fender pre cbs p. It will be most hype video on your channel!
I'm in love. Your child always be your child, with this instrument I feel is the same story. When you own one, there will be for life. Congratulations Scott. Greetings from Poland.
Other than custom-requested visual appointments, there’s no difference between team built and master built, I feel. The only difference is the price tag.
I spent $1400 on my American Performer Jazz Bass and it's pretty amazing. Can't imagine spending much more on a bass tho. Like how much better can a bass really get
The P-Bass was designed to be easily factory made. A master built P is just wrong.
That didin't ever occur to me. But for sure, it was meant for mass production. Not like the '59 LP gold top by Gibson or something.
I agree, same with all Fender models. Slab body, pull a neck from the bin and bolt on, add quality hardware and setup. Great instruments but "master built" and "custom shop" is just silly imo.
Bah, I can make every bass in the world sound equally good. How good? You'll be weeping tears of joy when I've finished playing.
I had one Jazz Bass custom shop team build replica of the first 60 stack knobs and it’s an awesome bass, with all the mojo of a relic old bass and a sublime sound. It worths every single dollar. Due to pandemic crises I sold it living a huge hole in my soul...
Even if I were a multi millionaire touring bassist, I can't see spending 7K on a bass. 2.5 to 3K would be the limit and THAT would have to be a pretty special bass. I respect the master luthier paid his dues to get where he's at and is damn good at what he does, but I'm not going to pay him a surgeon's salary when I can make any good bass play as well and sound just as good as his. It'd be different if bass building were on par with brain surgery, but it's not.
Plus, you can go buy a 1966-70 P Bass in immaculate condition with OHC for $7K.
And the wood is better and properly kiln dried over a longer period of time, not like today's wood which is forced to dry in a shorter time.
Plus, the mojo of time is impossible to duplicate, no matter how much the luthier beats up the instrument. There just is not any replacement for the passage of time.
@@beatlesrgear Try an A Bass if you can get your hands on one. They feel completely broken in when new. There's a wide range of skills among luthier. I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss things out of hand without personal experience.
Here's an obvious question: what does the bass Scott's playing FEEL like? How does it respond to YOUR touch? Does that even matter?
It matters to me. I've picked up basses I couldn't wait to put down. I've played basses I've refused to put down. Those are the ones I try to own. It doesn't matter to most people but I'm not most people.
I feel sorry for anyone who hasn't had a "Holy crap!!!" moment with bass gear. I have, many, many times. It's a great feeling as a musician.
So what, as a multimillionaire touring bassist WOULD you spend your money on instead? If you really loved bass and an expensive bass really touched you, you're saying you wouldn't buy it because of the price?
Okay.
@@Brad5161 - Land. A few resto-mod classic muscle cars. Gifts for family / friends. No, for me it's the principle. Plus, as a multimillionaire touring bassist, I'm used to getting gear for free and having the best bass techs and luthiers at my disposal. I suppose if it were very hard for me to be touched by an instrument I may have to consider it, but all I need is a well built bass set up perfectly, with the 'right' strings and I'm in heaven.
I'd say it's a matter of perspective. If you compare this 7K price to a vintage 60s P bass, the Masterbuilt is a bargain (and likely a better instrument). I have the Pino signature P bass, and it's really (mine specifically) a very good one. I've played more than one, and mine is lighter, more resonant, and just had that feel vs the other. That being said, I'm open to the possibility of a Masterbuilt instrument, in fact after seeing this video, now I really want one too. The only problem is I also like Strats and Teles, ha ha. Your P bass sounds PERFECT in this video. And it looks great too. Well done.
I'm going to repost this coment I wrote for another video, is about the P basses Scott's had:
-P Bass of Doom
-Overwater active Scott Devine Signature
-Fender Nate Mendel Signature
-Rock N Roll Relics WC blue
-Moollon silver and red
-AV 5 string
-Olinto gold relic
-Fender Masterbuilt
For 7k or even less, I'd rather buy an original '60-63 P bass, woods were better, lighter and well dried, just that.
I'm with you in theory but have you looked at the used market lately? $7k barely gets you a *refinished* pre-CBS P these days.
@@rabonour Right, but do they sell really the price tag ? Not sure, except for an original custom color.
@@strat0871 Really depressing to say, but yes, they really do sell for that price, and now the seventies era basses sell in the seven grand range as well if they're a bit rare, though I really can't understand why.
@@rabonour Look around more diligently, you'll find good basses from '66-'70 in original condition for $7K.
Not a chance you'd find an original 60-63 for under 7k. Not. A. Chance.
Ahhh....so a bass I'll never be able to obtain. Got it 👍
Yeah .. this video, as the other ones made my day. Thank you Scott for your groovy approach. Have a wonderful 4 stringed 2023 (4 is enough 😂). Love
I just posted this elsewhere. I ordered a Custom shop Lefty 1959 Fender precision bass. The truss rod was frozen solid. It would not budge. Don't know why but I returned it Asap. I own a Master built lefty 1975 Jazz bass. It is amazing. I can actually bring the strings down to the frets with 0 buzz. Built by Denis Galuzka.
Awesome dude!
I have a master built tele and it really is that good. There’s something about it from a sublime neck to pickups that just do the tele thing. Best thing about mine is I got it second hand from a motivated buyer. Happy days.
They're absolutely worth the money in my opinion.
They just feel totally different.
You're Very Close to 1.M Subscribers
So which do you prefer: this one or the Olinto?
He gave this one away, so Olinto
There are good instruments, great instruments and then there is the rare Unicorn 🦄 level of absolute magic ✨
This one clearly is the latter, the tonal evenness, soft dark clarity. Killer looks too.
😂😂😂 It’s impossible that you said NO, your sponsor wouldn’t permit it
Not at all!!
Spot on 🤣🤣🤣🤣 but Scott is da-man!
the ''extra'' you feel is the extra money you give!
One has to ask about "attention to detail". Does that mean this "Attention" does not apply to other Fender basses. Got to be thinking that surely.
It does really undermine some of the lower lines in the Fender catalog, since there are a ton of Fender basses in the Custom Shop range and reissue classics also asserting that they have really superb crafting and attention to detail.
I haven’t watched anything past the intro jam yet but to my ear this thing sounds beautiful!
After giving this Masterbuilt bass such high praise, I never see you using this one. I see you use your custom shop one still but not this one.
Would you do a video on Split pickups vs Bar pickups? Keep up the awesome work.
This Masterbuilt series is a modern version of "The Emperor's new clothes" A clever strategy to sell the same with upper price.
Next time he buys a Bass should he ask you your opinion first or is it is his money he's spending?
I can agree with this!
Love it mate - that bass sounds sooooo smooth ! Enjoy !
Depends on how you look at it. I build basses as well so I do have some perspective on this. Is that actual bass, in a vacuum, worth 7k$? Absolutely not. Is the time and labor of a guy with decades of high level experience and a shop setup specifically to do the work worth 7k$? Now that's a conversation to have.
Third? Joh cruz was hands down the best at relic'ing so the fact that vincent studied under him shows why he's taken over the mantle after cruz was fired (unfairly in my opinion).
Exactly! why should someone who is featured prominently as a part of a company have to think twice before publicly posting a joke about killing people protesting police brutality. /s
Yeah, this guy casually joked about wanting to kill protesters...not really that unfair of a decision by Fender if you ask me
Exactly! Piss on Fender
@@dragostego Wow I bet he did nazi that coming! Did he Herr Goebbels??
@@yareshs I guarantee he did nazi that coming, Herr Goebbels.
A bass lover's dream bass,
So Scott, you gotta do a demo of this bass with flats, Thomastik jazz flats to be exact would be cool 😎😁
Does it still have dead note(s) around 5th-7th fret G string that plague PBs??
Enjoyed watching/listening to this.👍🏽🤗 Still, I ain't feelin' 7 grand, much less 5, for a 4 string bass that recreates the sound of a bass made over 60 years ago. Yes, to each his own taste, but...one could, for example, make a kit bass with premium components for a fraction of the cost...AND, I am willing to bet...that a random A-B audio comparison between the aforementioned bass and the 7,000.00 bass would reveal little or no sonic difference.
I’m glad you said yes Scott. I’ve got a Mike Lull M5 and as far as I can tell, his products are made by a single craftsman. I’m totally delighted with it. It just performs brilliantly at every gig and I haven’t needed to have it set up since the day I got it four years and about 200 gigs ago. Mike’s web page lists new M5s at over $6,000 albeit I didn’t pay anything like that back in 2017.
I think buying such instruments as Custom Shop, or Mike Lull or Sadowsky are totally worth the money. If you get 20 years out of them and that should easily be possible, then the through life cost is actually quite low.
Yes I can hear the arguments such as “the audience won’t know the difference”. But I do notice and obviously anyone who invests in such instruments will notice the difference too 🙂
At the end of the day it’s the value you appreciate in an instrument rather than the price
Scott, your playing is so incredibly good. That C-F-Bb groove in particular just blew me away. You sound fantastic on this bass, but then we have to acknolwedge that you sound like YOU on anything. Granted, I'm not a relic fan - I kind of get it, but I don't get why folks want to pay extra for it. That said, I can't do the Fender thing. They've proven time and time again that they're an evil force in the industry, skirting every rule in their own playbook and frankly screwing over everyone - their retailers, most certainly their competitors, and of course, ultimately their customers. IMO, there are too many builders out there who offer a superior product at a lower price. As just one example, I'd love to hear you A/B this bass against the Mas Hino Olinto instrument in your arsenal. This is all subjective, of course, and represents only my take on things. I remain ecstatic with my Mike Lull P basses, and if there is a next one, it'll likely come from Devon Bass. Thank you again for the review, and for sharing your insanely great playing with us.
How did Fender screw over its competitors? Never heard that one before. OTOH I've seen a ton on competitors shamelessly rip off their designs.
Guys, there's nothing functional for a p-bass above 1k $$. It's all about the feel and what it's worth to you personally. People buy luxury goods not because they have magical features. A masterbuilt bass is just another luxury good.
I have a one of a kind, custom built to my specs Jazz bass made by Dennis Galuzka ... I had it fit with Joe Barden pickups, a Sadowsky pre-amp, and was made with an blackest ever ebony fret board over ¼ saw AAA master grade maple neck with amazing bits of figuring .. abalone block inlays, abalone pick guard, and not a drop of "relic" on it.. nitro gloss clear finish on a one piece ash body.. Buttery low and fast action, steinway piano tone, and I wouldn't part with it for anything.. cost me close to $10K.
Vincent is an artist man, and super nice guy too
These are connoisseur instruments. They're for the guy that wants that pricey one off custom rat rod bass for show and tell and has the means to afford it. A collectable.
Check out Le Sklar's custom "P" studio bass for a real masterbuilt bass.
Gee I believe I met Vincent when I went on a Fender plant tour. I think it was 2015. Really nice fellow. I got a pic of he and I together with me holding up a Jimmy Hendrix strat.
She’s a beauty, enjoy!
My Mod Shop P-Bass is being delivered on Tuesday. I can't wait!
Cracking finish on it, gorgeous colour, sounded great too!
I like the bass, the playing and the reliced glove.
About 12 years ago I bought an American Standard P in Olympic white, tortoiseshell pick guard, maple neck and fingerboard for £950. The white has aged beautifully except for a tiny spot where I have had a pick tucked under the scratchplate. Lovely neck, superb action, plays like butter, sounds incredible. Love it to bits. A few dings now but hey, I swear it sounds as good as this bass so don't need to upgrade to an expensive fake "old" one 😆
Cool colour though Enjoy!
There are many arguments I could make about instruments where "it's in your hands" or "throw in a pro pickup; it'll sound the same" - but that's not the case here. (*Please note I have no fiduciary or any other relationship with Fender.) These instruments just sound different. That P-Bass just speaks. Clear, idiosyncratic, classic, yet different. Long live real luthiers! (**and the bassists who can make the most of their work)
I would have to say yes it is worth it. After spending $7k for a fender I would have to convince myself that I can play better with the instrument verses one off the line from Mexico. After all, that is the purpose is to make your self play better. And if scuffing up the finish makes me play better so be it. Would love to see a blind test.
Given that they're not the most ergonomic basses out there, I'd say a player can make themselves play better on a cheaper, more modern and ergonomic bass that is more malleable sonically. Is the difference between a Mexican one and this £7k instrument really THAT big?
@@cd0u50c9 I recently bought a MIM P bass for $600 new cash. So to answer your question, YES the difference is that big.
I wish you would get your hands on a P style and J style Kiesel/Carvin bass. They are great. Would love to hear your opinion of them.
If it makes you happy, it’s worth it. FCS stuff just feels good, I’ve only ever tried out one or two duds that came from the custom shop, they rarely miss.
I love the disclaimer with every attemtpted justification: "seem to".
Congrats. You have confirmed the ages-old Marketing101 principal: *value is perception.* That's closely mimicked by another addage: *there's a sucker born every minute"
.*"
Thats why ken smith is great..
That’s a great sounding bass. Really wish you hadn’t put the idea of buying a master Fender into my head. AAAARHGG!!!!!
Beautiful bass to be sure , but if I dropped 7k on a bass my wife would murder me . I payed 2k for my American standard Jazz and thought that was a lot .
Very interesting video Scott.
Can you also share with us the rest of the settings? I mean amp , effects and so on?
It would be nice to understand better that beautiful sound
Thank you
The beat P I’ve played was the Pino Custom Shop and that’s a team build. I usually don’t like the 1 3/4” C neck , it’s just too wide up around the 5-7 frets. But that Pino was different and easy to play. It felt like a 50 yr old worn in bass.
Great looking and sounding bass! Lovely!
Interesting
Great to see master craftsmen work on display
I have two custom shop team built P Basses and they are near perfection, if a master built is even better it has to be just crazy. I have a 59 with a 7.25 radius and 63 with a 9.5, I prefer the 59. I originally bought the 63 for $4300, then found the 59 locally used for $2700, which was a steal it was never played.
The only difference I found on custom shops are the wood and distressed work ( I would not call it relic) , and sometimes for the worst, I had a custom shop twisted telecaster that was horrible! Wood was so soft/light ash that feels like pawlonia (nothing wrong but is If I want a pawlonia body I’ll look elsewhere) and the rust work on the bigsby bridge was so intense that hurt my hands and break strings, the neck was the fattest neck I ever felt and Im a bass player, but this was outrageous and the action from factory was like a bow, I couldn’t believe if the purpose is to get an unplayable mistreated old instrument that need a lot of restoration or what but after that no more Fender Custom 💩 for me
The thing about Fender basses is they’re bolt-on necks and the pickups can always be swapped. I wouldn’t spend over $5k for a Fender bass whether it be a CS model or a Vintage one. Could care less about the super expensive master built ones. My personal taste is vintage all the way anyways but to each their own
Hi Scott! You absolutely have to try an Alleva Coppolo P Bass 😉 The are awesome. For disclaimer, I'm not selling anything
That P Bass is extremely beautiful though.
Much like a high-end Porsche with all the option boxes ticked, this is a luxury product.
"Law of Diminishing Returns"
Is it really, really good? Yep.
Is it really worth $2500 *more* than an already-expensive Custom Shop bass? If "the market" is willing to pay that, then apparently it is.
This is the value of a strong brand.
A bass with exactly the same parts, made by exactly the same people, with exactly the same techniques, without the Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt name on it, couldn't sell for half that.
Here's the thing if your bass is good axe off the rack you supercharge or a master built bass . It's still gonna sound like you playing it .
If I ever spend 10 grand on an instrument it's either gotta be a really slick vintage or some type of custom shop to my exact specifications.
It sounds incredible!
Hi Scott, Roger here from the Netherlands. I was following Vincent for a little while and his succes story to work his way up to the Fender Customshop as a Dutchman who is always nice responding on his insta makes me proud! I ordered an Teambuild Custom shop 60's P Bass with roasted Alder and Neck. I am still waiting for it almost a year. Its my dream bass in Sherwood Green. After seeing this Video it makes me wonder if the price difference makes also worth the difference in team and masterbuild.... For me personally an Customshop teambuild is already the once in a lifetime buy.
"There's always a bigger fish..."
I hope my Custom shop teambuilt will be worth his 5000. Its Crazy. I know. But the this is the feeling i get from this video. @scott i think the rounwounds are sounding awesom, you should leave it on there!! Sometimes a P is Flatwound type, this one is a roundwound one for sure, it realy sings man!
NO MENTION OF ROGER SADOWSKY????
I was thinking the same thing.
Also you could pick up an NYC 4 string with master grade top wood for under 7k. More usable preamp as well.
@@brendanerskine4158 Suppose you want a passive Fender? That Sadowsky doesnt check those boxes.
@@Brad5161 The Sadowsky pre amp has a passive mode though (having not played a passive fender) I've read it's a bit sterile in comparison
Wow, lovely P bass, indeed! I was wondering how this instrument compares to a P bass actually built in the year 1963 as well as to a my own P bass from 1965?
Thanks for any information!