jd56hawk

I'm just not a fan of Fender preamps. Of course, it's been quite some time since I've played an American Deluxe Zone bass and the strings might have contributed to the poor sound quality, but when I try out basses, and I try out quite a few, I generally remember the ones that wow me and the ones that fail to move me...and I've read the preamps in those had more issues than just a poor/rushed design. Other than that, if you're interested in owning a bass with a preamp, you can't do better than a G&L L2000, USA or Tribute...they have a preamp bypass so you can also play passive...even with a dead battery.

You might just consider buying an inexpensive DI and adding black tapewounds...must be a reason I have them on eight basses including two of my Jazz basses. (I'm guessing your VM is the natural finish with the maple fretboard...black tapewounds will look great and sound better.)

Pics of the bass and pickups might help, but it's more than likely not going to work.

You'll be changing the preamp?

Of course, for all we know the jackets can be red instead of the bass. I've seen many black-and-white photos of classic cars where lighter Grey's often turn out to be red.

The curtains aren't blue, they're grey because the photo apps seldom do a complete job.

Definitely! I know what a yellowed clearcoat can do. The one on the left is transparent black...I've been hoping to find another one like it for six or seven years.

Especially since Shoreline Gold looks more like silver. Of course, Fender often has a problem when coming up with appropriate finish names. Firemist Silver? More like Metallic LPB. Sonic Blue? They should rename it Barely Blue!

Yes, but how so? The red strings? I haven't used them myself in seven years and the Epiphone is long gone. The Chinese Classic Vibe? Excellent bass! Surely not the mute?🤔

I wouldn't have it refinished at all. Looks great! I'd just spend some pocket change and make a red stting mute and add some red Aurora strings.

Colorize black-and-white photo app..five different ones show it as red. I've tried this in the past with similar photos, of course, and I was pretty sure it was red before the conversion.

Wow, they've been smoking all this time?

I own ten basses, not one with tort, but I think that looks great!. Especially in the last shot where the pickguard looks a bit brighter.

It was made in China. Doesn't matter to me if the Great Wall Rice company was the manufacturer.

I haven't the slightest idea, that's why I asked.

And if that childish name isn't enough... This new approach allows us to make the most of all the advantages of living in Italy, with our “Italian Style”, allowing our “Glocalisation” to win over globalisation. By “Glocalisation” I mean that we are able to make the most of our “Local” world, with the unique Italian lifestyle that’s envied throughout the world. Seriously, what are they smoking over there?

Horrible control knob layout. Who picked out the ridiculous name, though? Sounds like something a new mom might say to her toddler. Nice headstock but totally ho-hum otherwise.

So glad I'm not a Sire fanatic. I'd never be able to deal with such chicanery! Seriously, though, is this truly an issue of concern for Sire lovers?

Nice! I haven't seen too many new Fenders with a fretboard like mine.🤔

Yes, I've played quite a few MIM Player series basses since their inception and I really wanted to like them...they're nice $500 basses, but for $799 and up, not nice enough for me. Other than that, I own ten basses and every single one was purchased online...sure, a bit of a gamble but... (Of course, trying before buying is the best way to go for most people...hey, I've played a new Musicman or two with this or that problem.)

Sure, and the Squier '50s CV Precision basses are very nice...I wish they'd come out with a FSR model, though. Right color and I'd pay $100 more than they're selling for now. Other than that, people spend more money on Fender MIMs, and I wouldn't buy one at a 50% off sale. I went a little bit crazy the past year or so buying basses...stimulating the economy. I paid a lot for my CV Jazz, but I also bought an untouched $2,000 G&L Custom L2000 for $1,400, so..

Piezo in mine with maybe the best acoustic preamp made, so I'd have to suggest that route. Mine is fretted, though. https://youtu.be/Nsf2ydAbHxI

Good question. Maybe they were built better, maybe the necks, pickups, bridge and everything about them were better, maybe that's why they stopped making them, as others have suggested, but I've tried quite a few new ones this year, many more the past three or four years...twenty or more...and not one was as good as my old CV or my new one...not even close.