New Fender Blacktops and.....

[Dave W]

I know the Blacktop guitars are made in Mexico, that almost surely means the basses are too.

[Pilgrim]

Not a blacktop, but now all mine!  Just put Labella Deep Talkin flats on.  Nice playing bass, light and sounds goo.  VERY bright with original rounds, more mellow with Labellas.

[wagdog]

I gave the J with  the double P's a shot yesterday.  My one word judgement: meh.  Construction was sub par with the controls essentially non-functioning.  The bridge P was so weak and tinny as to be useless.  It struck me as an instrument designed by the marketing team with no though as to actually making it work well.

[Chris P.]

Today I saw the new Fender pricelists, with the new tubeamps
Fender brings a Super Bassman of 300W (SVT Killer?) and a Bassman 100W. Prices over 2000 euro. They also have cabs: 1x15, 4x10, 6x10 en 8x10.

[Dave W]

Don't hold your breath waiting for any Fender amp to be an SVT killer.

[Chris P.]

Okay, competitor... It has six 6550. The 100W has 4 6L6s.

[Iome]

I've had a 100W Bassman and a 200W Studiobass, both tube amp. I love how those old Fenders sound. Much cleaner than Ampegs but still with a nice growl. I only sold them for my beloved Marshall JMP. I guess i've just never been an Ampeg lover.

[Psycho Bass Guy]

Keep in mind that Fender's last big tube bass amp was the Sunn 300T/Bassman 300, not exactly an inspiring competitor for the SVT..

[Dave W]

Fender hasn't been a factor in the pro bass amp market for ages. If they can change that, more power to them. It will take more than reusing an old name, though.

[Chris P.]

Hmm... I dunno. There are a lot of players of old Bassman's and of course a lot of Fender endorses will try one.

[Dave W]

I haven't seen an old Bassman on stage as a bass amp in well over 30 years, and I doubt Fender bass endorsers here would buy it just because of the Fender name. Maybe Europe is different. I can't imagine much enthusiasm here at US $1700.

[Chris P.]

I know quite a lot of (even pro) players with old Bassmans.

[Iome]

Just to get back in topic, here's a guy playing the Jazz (double Pee) with the bridge p.u. a little higher than the neck p.u.

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[SGD Lutherie]

Just to get back in topic, here's a guy playing the Jazz (double Pee) with the bridge p.u. a little higher than the neck p.u.

That guy looks like he has gas!   

I had a '74 P bass with two Ps on it. The P at the bridge sounds nice. It's a lot smoother than a Jazz bass bridge pickup.

[jumbodbassman]

IMO should be reversed though with the gd pup towards the neck .  actually just sold this one and shipped it out yesterday.