Old Horse Murphy Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 (edited) I’ve recently acquired three pointy headstock basses from the late 80’s and early 90’s: a Charvel 1B from 1987, a late-80’s Fernandes PJ-45 32” scale and tonight I picked up a 1992 Jackson Professional Concert XL in metallic black. All were made in Japan and I am blown away by the build quality and playability. As mentioned in another thread, when these were all the rage I was way too cool to own one. Fast-forward the best part of 30 years and I’m even cooler and now no longer care! From the research I’ve done, at the time a price for these new was comparable to a Fender American Standard Bass. I was able to pick up all three for a combined price of just under £500. There are a few knocks and dings in them but considering they’re 30-odd years old, it’s absolutely to be expected. I appreciate they’re not many people’s cup of tea but I’m smitten. And who who says there’s no accounting for taste... EDIT: well, I couldn’t resist a 1988 Charvel 2B that came up for sale recently. Apart from a few chips and minor dings, it’s fantastic. It needed a good clean and a set up but it plays beautifully and I’ve not seen many in metallic red (Looks a bit CAR to me). Edited October 19, 2018 by Old Horse Murphy 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rikki_Sixx Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 That black sparkle is noice 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 That black lab is noice 😛 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbora Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 Totally love it. That Jackson is brilliant looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rikki_Sixx Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 8 hours ago, Geek99 said: That black lab is noice 😛 Yes! More dogs with gear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 Love them! Especially the Charvel. I used to have one like it, long after they were 'cool'. I didn't give a damn! Let me know if you ever want to sell it... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 I always wanted one but couldn’t justify it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cetera Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 LOVE the Jackson! Btw, I have red Fernandes with 4 pots (next model up from yours) which could be yours for the right price Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Horse Murphy Posted September 26, 2018 Author Share Posted September 26, 2018 1 hour ago, cetera said: LOVE the Jackson! Btw, I have red Fernandes with 4 pots (next model up from yours) which could be yours for the right price Dare I ask! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cetera Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 1 minute ago, Old Horse Murphy said: Dare I ask! PM me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbora Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 I have been doing the same thing for the last two years but with guitars. There is nothing like these pointy super strats from the 80s and 90s in crazy finishes. I can’t get enough of these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahambythesea Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 I know Jackson an Charvel are the same stable, but is the Fernandes too? The headstocks and truss rod covers seem identical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cetera Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 3 minutes ago, Grahambythesea said: I know Jackson an Charvel are the same stable, but is the Fernandes too? The headstocks and truss rod covers seem identical. No. Fernandes are an established Japanese make of some 40+ years, well known for their copies of classic instruments as well as their own designs. They also build under the Burny moniker among others.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudewheresmybass Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 more loveliness! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreadBin Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 Is there a 'Show us your pointy headstock' thread? There should be... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 The Jackson is reminding me of my youth when I wanted to be David Ellefson. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbora Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 39 minutes ago, fretmeister said: The Jackson is reminding me of my youth when I wanted to be David Ellefson. I would love to get my hands on a 5 string one of these Jacksons. And blast through Rust in Peace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Horse Murphy Posted October 19, 2018 Author Share Posted October 19, 2018 On 27/09/2018 at 11:19, bassbora said: I have been doing the same thing for the last two years but with guitars. There is nothing like these pointy super strats from the 80s and 90s in crazy finishes. I can’t get enough of these. I know. Unbelievably good value too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Horse Murphy Posted October 19, 2018 Author Share Posted October 19, 2018 (edited) Another pointy addition I’m afraid. This time it’s a 1988 Charvel 2B in metallic red (not seen one before in that finish that I can recall). Again, for a superbly built instrument from Japan, I’m astounded how little these cost to pick up (cheaper than most Chinese Squiers and Epiphones I’ve seen for sale recently). Apart from a few chips and needing a good setup and clean, it’s a lovely bass with a super neck. Sounds fantastic too. Edited October 19, 2018 by Old Horse Murphy 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbora Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 12 hours ago, Old Horse Murphy said: I know. Unbelievably good value too. I have been through 7 Hamers, Charvel and Ibanez. I would really like to find an ESP and life is good lol. I love Hamer guitars and to find 5 string Hamer Chap bass with boomerangs would make my life complete. Sad really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Horse Murphy Posted October 21, 2018 Author Share Posted October 21, 2018 22 hours ago, bassbora said: I have been through 7 Hamers, Charvel and Ibanez. I would really like to find an ESP and life is good lol. I love Hamer guitars and to find 5 string Hamer Chap bass with boomerangs would make my life complete. Sad really. Never tried a Hamer but I’ve heard consistently good things about them. I did always fancy a Kramer Ferrington to mess around with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbiscuits Posted October 22, 2018 Share Posted October 22, 2018 I had a black Charvel 1B from about 1990-1994. It was great. One of the few basses from my past i'd really like to play again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattbass6 Posted October 22, 2018 Share Posted October 22, 2018 (edited) You are really NOT helping 😂 Please step away from the pointy headstocks and we shall say no more about it. You are making want a Jackson more and more 😲 😆 Edited October 23, 2018 by mattbass6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Nada Posted October 22, 2018 Share Posted October 22, 2018 Was having the P pick-up the 'wrong' way-round for tonal reasons or fashion? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Horse Murphy Posted October 22, 2018 Author Share Posted October 22, 2018 1 hour ago, James Nada said: Was having the P pick-up the 'wrong' way-round for tonal reasons or fashion? It definitely makes a difference tonally and arguably it evens the strings out. It definitely tightens up the e string sound 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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