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Thread: NBD - Fender's Distant Cousin

  1. #1
    Forum Member dirtdog's Avatar
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    NBD - Fender's Distant Cousin

    Have been shopping for a 5-string bass casually for the last few weeks. Had my eye on a couple of used EB/MM Stingray 5's but couldn't make a deal happen. Thought I should go and try out a few new ones - a Fender Dimension 5, a Fender Jazz 5, Musicman Sterling Ray35. For shits and giggles, I pulled a Sterling Ray5 (Squier of the Musicman world) off the shelf for a few laps around the track. I liked it so much compared to the others, I brought it home. The fact that it was a fraction of the price compared to the Ray35 and Stingray 5 didn't hurt. And it was 20% everything in the shop yesterday. I didn't get my preferred colour (black on black with maple neck), but hell, this will do the trick just fine. Here she is with her cousin (MIJ '62 RI Fender PJ). Gonna take her out on a few tunes at our gig tonight....


  2. #2
    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
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    Re: NBD - Fender's Distant Cousin

    That's a fine looking bass!
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

  3. #3
    Forum Member FrankJohnson's Avatar
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    Re: NBD - Fender's Distant Cousin

    cool! I just had someone contact me about trading a Yamaha I have on Craigslist for one similar to this. I have never tried one - let me know bout the feel, neck, tones, action - fit finish etc
    Kenny Belmont
    >:^{I)>

  4. #4
    Forum Member CoyotesGator's Avatar
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    Re: NBD - Fender's Distant Cousin

    Nice!
    What happend?
    Who let the magic smoke out?

  5. #5
    Forum Member OldStrummer's Avatar
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    Re: NBD - Fender's Distant Cousin

    Very nice!

  6. #6
    Forum Member FrankJohnson's Avatar
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    Re: NBD - Fender's Distant Cousin

    I really like the look of that - I love subdued stuff like that. If I had a LP it wouldn't have an AAAA Top, or anything - it would be very warm looking - same with my basses. typically anyway.....

    Would love to hear the tone
    Kenny Belmont
    >:^{I)>

  7. #7
    Forum Member Gravity Jim's Avatar
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    Re: NBD - Fender's Distant Cousin

    Sweet! When you find a solid tool for dirt cheap, grab it.

  8. #8
    Forum Member chuckocaster's Avatar
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    Re: NBD - Fender's Distant Cousin

    Congrats! I really liked the one I had, but sold it as I already have a bunch of basses.
    "don't worry, i'm a professional!"

  9. #9
    Forum Member OldStrummer's Avatar
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    Re: NBD - Fender's Distant Cousin

    Quote Originally Posted by Gravity Jim View Post
    Sweet! When you find a solid tool for dirt cheap, grab it.
    Consider this the "Like" button.

  10. #10
    Forum Member dirtdog's Avatar
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    Re: NBD - Fender's Distant Cousin

    Quote Originally Posted by FrankJohnson View Post
    cool! I just had someone contact me about trading a Yamaha I have on Craigslist for one similar to this. I have never tried one - let me know bout the feel, neck, tones, action - fit finish etc
    BLUF: Feels, looks and sounds way more expensive than it was.

    It's pretty decent action right out of the box. It's got one really good meaty tone as opposed to the palette of tones you could get out of a single or double hum Stingray. Active tone controls, pretty straightforward. Slim neck for a 5-er, but that's what I was looking for. String spacing a bit tight as a result, though. Fret ends are noticeable, may need to have that dealt with. Other than that, fit and finish is of a very decent quality. Weight is average, about the same as my MIJ '62 reissue 4. Hardware seems pretty good. Not EB/MM's highest end stuff, but looks and feels the part. Plays nicely, it's my first 5-er so I'm just getting used to that extra string. As I mentioned, not my preferred colour, but like you said, subdued in a good way.

    First thing I'll change is the strings as I have been playing half-wounds for the last few years. The stock strings are overly bright and noisy to my ear.

    I'll try to lay down some tracks of it tonight and post them up...

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