Fender Active Flea Jazz Bass - Silver (one of approx 250 - 275 made). £1800 Chesham

[Chiliwailer]

This was originally trade only, but I currently don’t need another bass - or to sell this one - but please PM if you’re interested as it’s just stored away now. 

 

This is an exceptional bass, but the length of it exacerbates my nerve pain, and no matter how incredible the tone is I need something a bit smaller that sits in a different position, like a Music Man. These are Jazz Bass size, with one extra fret, so a touch longer. 

 

I think that the magic of this bass is in the pickup, and not the pre amp as some folk have written online. I'm lucky enough to have bought a used pickup, which is pretty amazing as these basses are rare, so I'll be putting it into what ever bass I replace this one with - it has a huge output and sculpted tone.

 

A maximum of 550 of these were made, with 250-275 in silver and the same amount in pink. This is another reason I've been reluctant to let it go; and also why I'm not all desperate to trade it - this advert is just out of curiosity to see if there's anything out there. 

 

Made in USA for about 2-3 years, this one from 2019. 

 

Weighs approx 9.33lbs / 4.23kg

 

It's in a 9.5/10 condition, with just a few tiny marks on the back.

 

Quatersawn neck, alder body, compound radius fingerboard, Tim Shaw designed pickup, Aguilar OBP-1, BA style bridge.... It's a beast.

 

Comes with the original case and all candy.

 

Trade only - for an EBMM Stingray Special, or maybe a pre 2018 Stingray.

 

Cheers 

 

My feedback 

 

Sound Clip 

 

 

MODEL NAME: Flea Signature Active Jazz Bass®, Maple Fingerboard, Satin Shell Pink, Satin Inca Silver 

MODEL #: 0192612728

SERIES: Artist

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: US

COLOUR: Shell Pink, Inca Silver 

BODY: Alder

BODY FINISH: Satin Polyurethane

BODY SHAPE: Jazz Bass®

NECK MATERIAL: Quartersawn Maple

NECK FINISH: Satin Urethane

NECK SHAPE: "C" Shape

SCALE LENGTH: 34" (864 mm)

FINGERBOARD: Maple

FINGERBOARD RADIUS: 12"-16" Compound Radius (304.8 mm to 406.4 mm)

NUMBER OF FRETS: 22

FRETS SIZE: Medium Jumbo

STRING NUT: Bone

NUT WIDTH: 1.620" (41.15mm)

POSITION INLAYS: Black Dot

TRUSS RODS: Standard

BRIDGE PICKUP: Fender® Custom Humbucking

PREAMP: Aguilar OBP-1 18-volt

CONTROLS: Master Volume, Treble, Bass

PICKUP SWITCHING: None

PICKUP CONFIGURATION: H

BRIDGE: 4-Saddle HiMass

HARDWARE FINISH: Nickel/Chrome

TUNING MACHINES: Fender® Lightweight Vintage-Style Keys with Tapered Shafts

PICKGUARD: None

CONTROL KNOBS: Knurled Dome

STRINGS: Fender® USA 7250M Nickel Plated Steel (Gauges .045 - .105)

CASE/GIG BAG: Hardshell Case

 

 

 

Edited 3 hours ago by Chiliwailer

[Kev]

I can't believe so few of these were made, felt like they were for sale everywhere for years at a relatively low price point for a US artist model?

[Chiliwailer]

11 minutes ago, Kev said:

I can't believe so few of these were made, felt like they were for sale everywhere for years at a relatively low price point for a US artist model?

I think ‘relative’, for me, is the key here as the prices for US gear has gone up so much over the past 3-5 years. But it was always priced well for the spec I thought with the quartersawn neck and electrics. Just my opinion. 

[Kev]

2 minutes ago, Chiliwailer said:

I think ‘relative’, for me, is the key here as the prices for US gear has gone up so much over the past 3-5 years. But it was always priced well for the spec I thought with the quartersawn neck and electrics. Just my opinion. 

Yeah that's what I mean, so I'm really surprised the competitive price wasn't based on moving lots of units and they're this uncommon.

 

Lovely basses, I always looked at as a bit of a middle finger to EBMM for never giving Flea a sig bass!

[Chiliwailer]

7 minutes ago, Kev said:

Yeah that's what I mean, so I'm really surprised the competitive price wasn't based on moving lots of units and they're this uncommon.

 

Lovely basses, I always looked at as a bit of a middle finger to EBMM for never giving Flea an sig bass!

Aha, got ya 😊👍

[Chiliwailer]

This is an odd one for me, this bass was originally trade only, but I no longer need another bass - but I also don’t really need to sell it, so it’s now stored away in the case as a collectable. 
 

I don’t plan to bump this advert, but please PM if you’re looking for one and you’re interested.