Real Fender Custom Shop?

[The Wiz]

Fender Custom Shop P-Bass

Just came across this on my local craigslist. If its real then its a great deal, but the color looks questionable to me (although im no expert). I texted him, and he said he didnt have a certificate of authenticity, but he sent me this

Never seen this logo, but after some research i was able to conclude that Alan Hamel was a master builder at one point. Obviously im very skeptical, this would be a wild price for a master built fender.

Definately not jumping on this right away, but what say you? Real or fake?

 

[DigitalMan]

Not sure. I'm not familiar with the neck overhang from CS. Can you authenticate with a serial number? Is there any other CS marking such as neck plate or mid headstock?

Looks nice and the fretwork is above reproach.

 

[TMARK]

If it is fake, its good. Is that a quartersawn neck/ not many fakes with quartersawn.

 

[The Wiz]

Update:

Seller sent me image of full headstock with serial number. This makes me feel more confident that its real. Also the neck definately looks quartersawn in this picture.

Emailed fender to see if they could verify the serial number. Hopefully they get back soon because I'm meeting with the seller on wednesday could be a NBD coming soon...

 

[Lownote38]

That is not legit. The Fender Custom Shop never did logos like that one on the back of the headstock, nor did they ever do serial numbers like that. Plus, in the ad, the front "Precision Bass" logo is stretched funny. It's not quite right. I say it's fake. Very sketchy!

 

[Fab Superlative]

Actually that bass is totally legit.
This was from the early days of the Fender Custom Shop, and that IS a smoking price for that bass.

 

[Lownote38]

I guess we'll find out when/if Fender gets back to the OP.

 

[Fab Superlative]

Here is another quick example of how the early Custom Shop Masterbuilt, logos appeared.
Hey there @The Wiz, if you dig this bass, and can swing it...jump on this deal. The CS, will be able to issue another COA if you so desire.

 

[The Wiz]

Thanks for the input so far... Been searching the web for similar pictures.

Found this from the back of a telecaster build.

Will be interesting to see what fender says.

 

[FranF]

The decal is absolutely fake. 100% They never ever ever used bogus decals. Never.

 

[FranF]

The overhang is very odd, the case candy is easily available from several Ebay vendors, and just happens to not have the certificate. Hmmm.... He'd need to prove me wrong.... ;-)

 

[FranF]

Also, the Tele Hamel stamp looks real because it is. It's dark, clearly printed and the number has his initials too. The bass one, well.... lol

 

[ICM]

Fake or not, it seems high quality. Worth getting IMO, you could probably barter it down significantly because of these discrepancies.

 

[wvbass]

What neck overhang are you guys talking about? The CL pictures look like a fairly normal neck, although the angles and size of the photos make it hard to see details.

 

[BigBigGuy44]

I had a Jason Smith masterbuilt bass with a similar logo. It was so faint against the Birdseye neck that if you didn't look close enough you would miss it.

 

[FranF]

The neck heel maple should extend into the body/pickguard as far as the fingerboard (i.e. equal) Something looks wrong there.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Just a head's up, the Fender Custom Shop double dips on serial numbers. If they come back with a totally different instrument have them double check.

I felt my guts fall out when my FCS Jaco came back as a Telecaster. Turns out they just used the number twice.

 

[Fab Superlative]

Also, the Tele Hamel stamp looks real because it is. It's dark, clearly printed and the number has his initials too. The bass one, well.... lol

The number on the Tele is a separate decal applied at the same time, Hamel tagged most of his Tele's in similar fashion, just like the number on the bass and the sig decal are separate, although obviously they have wider spacing. Why he did this on the bass, only he knows. But this is a legit Alan Hamel Masterbuilt bass. And I have bought a Fender Custom Shop bass or two in the past that did not have a COA attached. However, I have subsequently obtained COA's for them directly from the Fender Custom Shop.

I really don't understand the "They never ever ever used bogus decals. Never." well of course not. And it just so happens that this example it is not a bogus decal.

And since there appears to be some hangup with the overhang that is one of the traits that differentiates a Master Built, a customer can specify details such as this to be incorporated with the build.

Interesting to note that Jason Smith, has recently adopted a signature style logo, that is similar to Alan Hamel's old style logo decal. As can be viewed here-
SOLD - Fender Custom Shop Jason Smith Masterbuilt NOS 75 Jazz

Oh golly! he used hipshot ultralite tuners on that piece, hope folks don't get too hung up on that.

Over the years there have been a few different and unique signature logo decals for each Master Builder.
And all of them are exceedingly rare.

 

[Nobody]

I seriously doubt that Fender Custom Shop would forget the frets like that. I say it's a fake.

 

[DigitalMan]

What neck overhang are you guys talking about? The CL pictures look like a fairly normal neck, although the angles and size of the photos make it hard to see details.

Notice how the fretboard extends toward the pickups beyond the heel? I'm only aware of third parties such as Warmoth doing that. Any way to get pics of the neck pocket and neck heel? I'm not saying that CS couldn't. Just pointing out that I haven't seen it before.