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Topic: Opinions on a Fender 400? |
Paul Arntson
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 23 Jan 2006 9:35 am |
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Greetings. I've been a member for a while. Mostly a lurker. I appreciate all the great info people have on here, and I value all your opinions. Here's a question:
Is $600 too much for a Fender 400? Found a mint one.
Single 8, 4 on the floor. Jaguar style pickup (narrow with notched shield around the outside).Looks like mid 60's - black case. Beautiful shape.
I am a newbie with a standard D10 8x5 I am learning on, but I wanted to get one that got that old fender sound without hacking up the D10 pickups.
I know I would be getting limitations. The group I would be playing it with would be the perfect environment for the more limited capabilities of the pedals.
Opinions?
Think these will hold their value over the years?
Any info is appreciated. |
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Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
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Posted 23 Jan 2006 11:09 am
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That's a good price for a mint one. I'd grab it. And there are a bunch of us 400/1000 freaks around here who can help with repair tips, maintenance, tunings, etc.
So buy it already!
;-)
------------------
No chops, but great tone: Fender 400, 1000, '39 Ric 59 and 70's Dobro
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Russ Tkac
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Posted 23 Jan 2006 5:23 pm
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The 400 is a great instrument. I have two and play it more than my ZB custom. Now I love the sound of my ZB but this 400 thing is addicting!  $600, is good for a mint one!
Russ |
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Dave Zirbel
From:
Sebastopol, CA USA
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Posted 23 Jan 2006 5:34 pm
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How did I know I would see Russ and Jim on this thread?  My two favorite Fender freaks!
I agree that $600 is a good deal.
DZ |
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Tim Jones of Kansas
From:
Andover, KS, USA
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Posted 23 Jan 2006 5:46 pm
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For a mint shape 400, $600 is a steal.
I paid $550 for my 1000 and it's not even close to mint condition.
Tim Jones )~Fender 1000 and NOTHING else.~( |
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Bob Carlucci
From:
Candor, New York, USA
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Posted 23 Jan 2006 6:03 pm
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| If its in Very Good to Exc cond $600 is the right price unshipped... If its TRULY mint, that means NO wear, in AS NEW Unplayed cond, it is a GREAT price and you better grab it NOW... There are VERY VERY few true mint cond Fender steels anywhere at any price,,, The paint on those 400's was very fragile and chipped and wore off quickly... It is an unreal price,, IF its mint.... bob |
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Jay Ganz
From:
Out Behind The Barn
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Posted 23 Jan 2006 7:22 pm
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The one I recorded with awhile back was a '66.
I got it with the Fender volume/tone pedal and
it only ran me half that price.
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My MP3's, Pics, & Video
[This message was edited by Jay Ganz on 23 January 2006 at 07:23 PM.] |
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Paul Arntson
From:
Washington, USA
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Posted 23 Jan 2006 9:04 pm
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OK Thanks. Turns out it sold locally thru the craigs list while I was at work today. Couldn't get to it fast enough. According to the guy, it sold for $650. I couldn't tell how mint it was from the photo, but it looked all there and no dings.
Anyway, what is the most desired pickup config/ bridge, etc?
From reading other posts, I gather that the roller bridges and the "hog nose" pins are necessary to preclude string breakage.
I see the older Jazzmaster looking pickups and the newer Jaguar looking pickups. Is there a desireability difference?
Thanks all for chiming in. I won't let the next one get away.
-paul |
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Russ Tkac
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Posted 24 Jan 2006 5:01 am
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I have both. The newer one with the roller nut and cam bridge is tuned E9 and I don't break any strings. The older one with the Jazzmaster pickup is tuned B6 with fixed bridge and nut and sounds better and no string breakage with the B6 tuning. Check the one on ebay looks like a red refin with 6 pedals.
click here[This message was edited by Russ Tkac on 24 January 2006 at 07:05 AM.] |
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Jon Zimmerman
From:
California, USA
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Posted 24 Jan 2006 5:34 am
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| Yep. What Bob C. says...plus: if you changed your mind and did NOT like it, any of these Pavlov dogs would likely jump at the chance to take it off your hands. I think the older cable-pull Fenders help you to appreciate how much evolution has taken place --if you also play on a newer model. The sound is what 'hooks' everyone, though. Take your best shot, Paul. |
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Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
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Posted 24 Jan 2006 8:06 am
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There's also a transitional model with the Jazzmaster-style pickup, but a roller bridge rather than a straight bar. Sneaky's is like that, and I've seen a couple others in the last few months. Jody Carver says they were a Fender feild mod available to dealers, although some have said a few came from the factory that way.
Gary Spaeth's new bridge mod that's on my 1000, which uses round sliding bridge shims over the bar works great - it may be the ticket for those who want to use the E9 tuning and avoid string breakage, although I didn't have any problem with breakage myself Uusing Teflon lube on the strings). I think that system would work just great on both the bridge and nut of any long-scale 400 or 1000 that has the bar bridge/nut setup.
As far as tone, I like both types - the long-scale has a bit more bite, the newer ones have more mids and seem to do the rock thing a bit better to me.
[This message was edited by Jim Sliff on 24 January 2006 at 08:12 AM.] |
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Russ Tkac
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Posted 24 Jan 2006 10:41 am
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Jim,
Any Idea when Sneaky had his guitar redone? I've seen pictures with a fixed bridge and other pickups. Also, an old FBB picture with no knee levers.
Russ[This message was edited by Russ Tkac on 30 January 2006 at 06:42 PM.] |
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