BlueMoon

Same questions being asked and assumptions being made on the Dutch site (basgitaarforum.nl) and that other forum where they talk a lot about bass. Not sounding good overall.

I don’t have inside knowledge, except for a comment from an official dealer when asked what was happening with Vanderkley……..”he’s selling all his stock and inventory”. Doesn’t sound great and it would be a sad loss if it folds. I have both amp and cabs and they are top notch gear. (Weet een van onze Nederlandse collega’s er meer over?)

Dimarzio Model J would be my suggestion

They do look like Grovers from what we can see. Either Rotomatics and it’s a 4001 from mid 70’s or “Wavy” slimlines if the bass is a 4003. These were fitted around 1982 for a short while.

Sound advice. ^^^^^^^^^^^

Flat neck and clank is absolutely normal. It’s all part and parcel of the Ricky experience. Especially when playing with a plectrum. Embrace it, Enjoy it!

Nothing particular to advise. The above recommendations are on the money. I use glue very sparingly, in a single spot, on the base of the nut. This should avoid a repeat of the present cause but also allow removal of the nut as necessary at another time. I have had to deal with removing a nut that was glued in with so much glue it was a real pain to remove……..and, it was a bound neck. Nasty.

Very true………and Fender has a history of falling behind. An earlier example was the Precision Bass Special, which was their first active bass coming out in the early 80’s. I know that was a troubled time for “Big F” but having a big brand name is just not enough, especially these days.

Correct……they anchor by replacing the washer under the threaded cylinder shaft of tuner. I added one to the B string of an American Professional P5 and it cured an annoying rattle. Pricey for what they are though!

Unfortunately it seems every time Fender dares to bring out a modern instrument it tends to bomb with the hard core P and J fans, and they pull it. The Dimension is a case in point. Not a bad bass, but it didn’t last long. Tweeking the existing high demand instruments and charging a huge premium for the name seems to be their philosophy. I found the mid 90’s US output a notch up in terms of quality (coincides with John Suhr’s input, no doubt), as well as mid 2010’s. The Ultra is a step down from the Elite in my eyes. No longer a MM truss rod wheel adjuster and no string though body option. Onwards and upwards?

B C Rich?

When I first saw the pics I thought the binding was special and I vaguely recall seeing something similar on a Pensa-built creation. Pensa builds at Rudy’s Music Shop……..is that what thethe “R” refers to? Long shot……best I can come up with at present.

Colour is a recurring question in any new acquisition (purchase or trade). If my wife likes it then it’s a green light for me on all other things. Shallow……I hear you say! My wife thinks I’m colour-blind.

No, it’s not you. The quality of recent stuff is poor. Another one here who drills pilot holes and uses candle wax……….but I’ve still wrung a few over in my time. It goes without saying that not all Phillips-head or Posidrive screwdrivers will correctly fit every time, thus creating yet more chance to foul it up for you. If they snap midway it can be a pain to restore cleanly.

I’ve played most of the range of Fender basses. For me, Fender Japan puts together the most consistent instruments and they represent the best value for money. Other opinions may vary, of course.