project_c Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 I've just found out that Fender used to make these back in the 80's, they're essentially a short scale Precision from what I can tell. Does anyone here have one? I would love to know general opinions & what they sound like in comparison to a Precision, the pickups look the same as a Mustang so I'm guessing they sound closer to those, but if the short scale version can get the midrange and grit of a p-bass, I will need to hunt one down. Photo is not mine, this one apparently sold only a few days ago, it was pretty cheap for a USA Fender, I think it was under £400. Not sure if it was the 30 or 34 scale though. I hear the Japanese version was also very nice, there are a few knocking around in the USA, none over here from what I can see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gareth Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 they are great basses came in 34" and 30" necks originally made in USA then re-badged squire and made in japan they are a much better sounding bass than a musicmaster as they have mustang (mini-precision type split) pickups specifically designed for bass rather than a strat pickup the bodies are also smaller and as a result very light Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 I like the look of these. Is the neck like a Tele ? True, they aren't seen much in the uk for some reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 (edited) Here's mine it's a short scale US model B30. The pick guard was custom made by our very own Bass Doc. The original guard is off-white. The bass is in the rarer walnut finish - most I've seen are red or cream as in the OP. I'm using this instead of my JV Squier Precision at the moment because of a neck and shoulder injury this is much lighter and manageable to play at long gigs. The neck is superb and it's surprisingly punchy sounding. I've owned the MIJ long scale version too and they are excellent basses but not available as a 30" scale version. If you find one of these in decent condition go for it. They are certainly capable instruments and relatively cheap for US made basses. Edited September 18, 2014 by ash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
project_c Posted April 12, 2014 Author Share Posted April 12, 2014 That looks great, Ash, love the colour too. If you had to compare the tone to a Precision, what would you say the main differences are? Any compromises or things you miss when playing the Bullet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 I had the USA-made Bullet Deluxe guitar. It was like a slimmed-down Tele with Strat-ish pickups. The body was a laminate (i.e. plywood!) - don't know whether the same applied to the basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliwailer Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 I used to use short scales and my mate had an awesome one of these, but the one I ended up getting wasn't quite as good, though still cool and fun to play. Both were USA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 The body is three pieces of alder and quite dense for the size - rings like a bell! The main difference between the P and the Bullet is that the small pickups don't have quite the same mid 'grunt' as my Precision. Easily remedied with EQ however. The scale length means it's much easier to move around on and personally I don't think the shorter scale makes it any lesser a bass in the tone department. I like the core sound of the Bullet, it's currently strung with a Elite medium roundwounds and gives a nice contrasting sound to my Hofner Violin which is very old school! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
project_c Posted April 12, 2014 Author Share Posted April 12, 2014 Yeah, that makes sense, thanks for your input. I'm definitely going to try to search one out. I'm also looking at the pawn shop Mustang, which does have more of a midrange grunt because of that massive humbucker, and it's available everywhere, but aesthetically it's nowhere near as nice as the Bullet with the maple neck, tele headstock and precision body. Quite surprised Fender only had such a short run of these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plasmarock Posted May 5, 2014 Share Posted May 5, 2014 My bullet bass. Fender us. Early eighties. Like new. Love the sound more medium than a pb. Neck is amazing. [url=http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=233971image.jpg][/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.