danhkr

Gigged mine for the first time last night and loved it! It did need some work and a set up but plays like butter now. I've got a CS 59 relic which weighs not far off a pound lighter and I honestly can't feel the difference on a decent strap. Leads me to think the weight obsession we can sometimes have with guitars is overrated. Not that the flea is a heavy bass at 9lb of course.

Mine was a bit buzzy and the fret ends were quite sharp, so it went back and Fender have done a reasonable job sorting the frets out (although I might get my local luthier to look at them as it's still not perfect). Could've been effected in transit by the recent heat we've had, but tbf these things come from Mexico! Also it weighed in at 9lb which I was a bit disappointed with bearing in mind the weight of others, but it actually feels great on a strap, really solid and no neck dive. Despite these little issues, I really can't stop playing and loving it!

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1469022190' post='3095147'] Strange to see how the wear is so similar! On Maldy's pics, the rear picture shows a missing piece of finish on its own, with a 'smile' of darker colour underneath it. That is identical to mine. WEIRD. [/quote] The wear on roadworns is always the same pattern (specific to that model of course) unlike custom shop relics which are more random and individual. Whether or not all roadworns of the same model are absolutely identical (is that even possible?), I don't know, but they're all very very similar.

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1467987068' post='3087862'] Weight wise, it's light for a Jazz. I only ever worry about weight if I pick a bass up and think 'oh, that is weighty'....that definitely didn't happen with this. [/quote] Yeah same here really. MIM standards always seem to be heavy to me, but I had a RW P a few years back and it was fine. Anything under 9lb is alright by me

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1467976244' post='3087717'] Ta da... [/quote] Looks ace! Expecting mine at the end of the month, can't wait! Just hope it's not too heavy.

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1467016486' post='3080377'] I don't really get signatures like this. As stated, the MM pickup would make more sense for a Flea signature.... but hey, what do I know? [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/60-61-Jazz-Bass-STACK-KNOB-Control-Plate-Concentric-CTS-Pots-Repro-Caps-/191826768729"]http://www.ebay.co.u...s-/191826768729[/url] [/quote] You have a point, but look at the reason most people on here are wanting this bass...it's not because of Flea or because it offers something unusual, it's because it's a combination of classic Fender and Jazz bass features. It might seem a mundane marketing plan, but Fender don't stray too far from the norm very often because the norm is what most people want and have wanted since they came up with these designs in the 50's and 60's. And long may it continue IMHO

Just bought a strat from Hutton. He did me a bit of a deal on the price, was prepared to wait a couple of days for the payment, friendly communication, and the guitar's great and was securely packaged and sent. Recommended seller

Mikkel bought a bass from me, honest and straightforward negotiation, paid quickly from Denmark with no exchange rate anomalies! Trustworthy buyer and genuine nice guy, thanks Mikkel!

Jazzes. Love the sound, the necks and the look, just always feel weird on a strap. I think maybe the offset body shape just makes them feel massive. Always end up back on a precision.

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1457087521' post='2995118'] Dare I say it, perhaps more innovation on the 4003 (I realise they did it on other models) and some modern tweaks could make the 4003 an even bigger hit for Ric. I know its a tried and tested classic design, but I sometimes think if they just went all out and made a modern 4003 with bulletproof quality and tweaks to make it comfortable, they could do extremely well. I'm talking things like truss rod wheel at the end of the neck and just go for a normal truss rod, sort the pickup surround out, less fussy paint and binding, same pickups and elecs, same style but some contouring to let it fit to the body better even at the expense of some binding, offer a few new colours, hike the price, address the cramped string/neck feel, address the neck shape. Basically, make it sound exactly the same, look almost the same, but make it easier to use! [/quote] Problem Ric have is that they make so few instruments, they struggle to supply the demand of just the classic stuff. Very much doubt we'll ever see much 'modern innovation' from Ric. Kinda get what you mean tho