jd56hawk

Available before the price increase on 8/10?

They're Fender's latest foray into the thousand-dollar plus MIM basses. Nothing wrong with MIMs, of course, I mean, I wouldn't buy one, certainly not for nearly $1,500, but the Vintera quality is definitely a step up from the Player series beginner basses.

They went with maple.

Looks pretty good to me!

I'd say that's a big coincidence, but...

Not the end of the world, but the f hole on the right looks much better. The one on the left looks like an afterthought from someone not very familiar with f holes or aesthetics. Not a fan of either one on a bass that traditionally doesn't have one, Jazz or Precision, but I do like f holes on some basses. A week's pay says my Imola blows it out of the water for a much better price, too.

Thanks. Window-installation foam and felt.

Fit and finish as fine as a bass that costs three times as much. Lighter than I expected...my Contemporary Active P bass weighs a ton! The neck is as smooth as silk, great fretwork, too. I've heard that the stock strings on Squiers aren't very good, but these are just fine...I'm waiting for a set of Galli flatwounds, but roundwound fans won't be disappointed with the ones that come from the factory. Funny, because I've never been a fan of Fender active basses, but I have three C Squiers. Maybe they just work better with flatwounds or tapewounds.

One of those new basses you find you just can't stop staring at!

Arrives tomorrow. Take a look at my other Contemporary Active basses on the first page. I also own this one.

They actually have Avocado Burst and Avacado

Couldn't resist. Had to buy this one. Damned glad I did!

The same pickups and electronics are available in the Mercalli and Dub King...some of the best stock pickups made. SPLIT BRICK Strong lows and highs, open mids. Like a vintage P bass pickup but with more beef, yet retains clarity. 43 gauge wire, ceramic magnet, 8.5K ohms. THICK BRICK Warm and thick with strong mids. Output and punch like an active, but more organic sounding. 42 gauge wire, ceramic magnet, 7K ohms. Why they discontinued Medieval Red is beyond me. (Andy Irvine must like them, he has maybe half a dozen youtube videos.) https://youtu.be/Q43cb02XMw0

This one has ProBucker 760 humbucking pickups, so I believe the sound is the Thunderbird sound.

New Reverend Thundergun color. I'm guessing it's just like Fender's Antigua...either you love it or hate it.

For anyone concerned with the ergonomics of the Thunderbird, Epiphone people say the Embassy basses sound identical. Not my cup of tea, but...

Vintage Pro or Classic Pro, both get the job done, but the Vintage is special...the price is ridiculously low. By the way, don't let anyone tell you the current Gibson T-birds are better. Other than that, a good gig bag is readily available if you don't want a hardshell case. I've been using mine for seven or eight years.

The soundhole makes it look funny. Other than that, I'd like to see this guy playing one.

I'm waiting for the official video. Not necessarily to hear how it sounds, but to hear how Fender tub-thumps it.

Easy, I'd let someone else do it.

I've only tried maybe a dozen active Fender basses, never found one that had me reaching for my wallet, but these really surprised me, especially the P bass...impeccable fit and finish, fantastic neck and fretboard, and the pickups and electronics seem made for the GHS tapewounds

I had the chance to buy this for $750 last summer...it was heavier than usual, but I still regret it.

The band who will make you forget all about Fall Out Boy?

I have ten basses. I keep mutes on several instead of storing them in this or that case. I use them, too, of course for that nice thumping tone.

You're welcome. (I've been a G&L guy since 2017.)