Incoming Performer

[dadagoboi]

I passed on the Performer b/c of the extra-narrow string spacing and the long scale. Couldn't get comfortable with the combination. Hope it works for you. No doubt you can fix this one up and make it look like new.

Yeah the string spacing is a head scratcher.  I haven't had a problem with my H-22s but they're SS.  My SD Curlee has a narrow neck that barely contain the strings.  Arrives tomorrow, all will be revealed.

A fretless Performer played through an old Snarling Dogs Bawl Buster through an Aguilar DB359 head into an Eden 210XST cabinet made my ex-wife physically nauseous. ...so it's got that going for it. 

[gearHed289]

Looks like something out of Japan circa 1965, right down to the skinny neck. And I noticed they even made the Fender logo pointy! I like it.

[Dave W]

I found this FDP thread from 2005 where John Page discusses the Performer. It's about halfway down the page.

http://www.fenderforum.com/forum.html?db=&topic_number=473518&offset=2

[dadagoboi]

I found this FDP thread from 2005 where John Page discusses the Performer. It's about halfway down the page.

http://www.fenderforum.com/forum.html?db=&topic_number=473518&offset=2

Thanks, Dave!  Very interesting about the shape starting as the back of a Strat.

[Happy Face]

I bought one based on the description of the neck size here a while back. I am really comfortable with the feel of the neck, but my other basses are Guilds and Ricks which all sport pretty thin necks.

One point is that I found the sound to be too "zingy" when i put rounds on it so I replaced them with flats.

[Highlander]

 

[Alanko]

How do these things sound?

[dadagoboi]

How do these things sound?

Good.

[Alanko]

Excellent. There was I thinking they might sound 'bad'. 

[dadagoboi]

Excellent. There was I thinking they might sound 'bad'. 

Well, they could. 

It just arrived today so I'm still figuring it out.  Meaty sound from the neck pickup but the bridge is weak.  I couldn't balance the two for output by height adjustment.  Strings are new EXLs and they re very high off the neck.  After a set it up I'll have more to say. 

So basically neck, good.  Bridge, bad, too far south for my liking.

[Alanko]

It looks like '70s Jazz bass spacing, or that the pickups are located further apart? Definitely an odd fish, but also very '80s like a Countach or similar.

[dadagoboi]

The Performer pup is 1/2" closer to the bridge than a '70s Jazz. (I measured both from the twelfth fret to the centerline of each bridge pup).





That much makes a big difference in my tests with 'The Mule'.

[chromium]

Route that sucker and cut a new guard- fixed! 

I recall playing a few of those when they were new. Body shape drew me in... always thought they had a cool look, and I seemed to enjoy playing on them at the time. Blast from the past.

Look forward to seeing the refin if you go that route. Nice catch!

[Dave W]

Don't you know a guy who can repair that pickup? 

What's the neck width at the pocket? Isn't it narrower than a Strat?

[dadagoboi]

Arrived Yesterday afternoon, the unwrapping:



Neck is 2-1/8" at the 24th fret, string spacing centerline to centerline E-G is 1-15/16",  The neck is narrow but not thin.  Plays fast and easy.  Trussrod does its job well.  Cleaned and set it up this AM.  Color is a very fine metallic 'champagne'. Body edge radii are smaller than trad Fender and really crisp.





Got the action very low and managed to balance the pickups.  I added some helper foam to the original black sponge.  The strings are stainless EXLs.  Sound is OK but volume pots are almost on/off, very weird taper.  Gotta change the strings after I fiddle around a bit.  Plays great, though.

Steve won't be modding these pickups!  I might take Joe's advice and relocate the bridge pup but I think I'm just going to play it like it is for a while.  The dings and scrapes don't bother me either.