Fender Custom Shop

[jumbodbassman]

interesting bass.  I just don't understand where Fender and the custom shop price structure comes from.  I cannot believe anyone actually ever  buys this stuff.  I thought the lotto bass was insane at 5000. which they now make a close copy for about 600

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-Custom-Shop-NAMM-Masterbuilt-Precision-Bass-Sunburst-P-Bass-Guitar-/260733798924?_trksid=p3286.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D3%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D7831449120250851533

[Dave W]

About 10-11 years ago I played a Master Built single coil Precision with a pine body. IIRC it was built by Mark Kendrick. Had a list of about $6500. Someone did eventually buy it, probably for about $4000 to $4500.

It sounded and felt fantastic. Really. The buyer must have been pleased. But even if I had the money to spare, I just can't see paying that much.

[drbassman]

I think the basses they build are beautiful and often sound great.  But the price tag is just plain silly IMHO.

[Droombolus]

I owned a 1991 51-er P, which was built in a serial of "40th Anniversary" Precisions ( the CS certificate called it Tele Bass   ) which I got in 1993 for HFL 2500 ( approx EUR 1250 / USD 1625 ) because it was supposedly used for promo activities at trade fairs. After I replaced the ( bakelite ? ) bridge with a normal vintage bridge it was a magical instrument, even more so when I mounted a hi-mass vintage bridge when those babies became available. Even so I'd never pay today's prices for such an instrument.

[rich briere]

As for WHY people buy the High Priced Stuff:  I commissioned a run of 20 Custom Shop "John Lodge" (Moody Blues) P basses. They were all sold BEFORE they were built.....and 18 of the 20 went to....Female Fans of the band. To the best of my knowledge, NONE of the ladies could play, but several built SHRINES in which to house their basses. People with money HAVE money. The rest of us???  Not so much. 

[leftybass]

As for WHY people buy the High Priced Stuff:  I commissioned a run of 20 Custom Shop "John Lodge" (Moody Blues) P basses. They were all sold BEFORE they were built.....and 18 of the 20 went to....Female Fans of the band. To the best of my knowledge, NONE of the ladies could play, but several built SHRINES in which to house their basses. People with money HAVE money. The rest of us???  Not so much.  

Yep, I read the article about those basses, intrigued me as I play bass/sing in a Moodies tribute band.
And, I must admit, I own the late Dee Murray's Steinberger, and it sits in a nice shrine of its own!