Feline weekend

Yesterday's playing time with the Jaguars- Chinese (L) vs Japanese (R).

OK so, I didn't really pit one against the other. I simply love the Chinese for its mahogany + P-90s. This is really a winning combo. Fender should offer more Jaguars with simple electronics but some of us are rooted in tradition despite the need for something manageable controls in terms of electronics. I also like how clear the P-90s are under lots of distortion but the humming is unbearable. Thank good ness for noise gates.

The Japanese started out as a loser. Yes, I like the guitar but not really the tone. If you think all Fenders sound brilliant & represent a flagship of sorts in single coil territory, the Jaguar is best described as an under-achiever. The twang wasn't really convincing plus the bottom end isn't really there. So there you have it, double whammy (no pun intended). All that dissent till the pickup swap. The current single coils in there are a pair of Mojotone Knockouts; higher outputs for some real punch. Took some courage to order them for an unproven performance & a real chance of not hearing any difference but they proved otherwise. Worth every cent as they are not cheap.

Hope you people had a better week than me. But I still play my guitars 😋

Fender: Modern Player Dimension bass

Another adventure in the Chinese territory- the Modern Player Dimension bass. The Chinese origin always gets the flak even before getting started. If you wish to implore the fact that such instruments are actually disguised duds, then it's entirely up to you; there is no compulsion for embrace. However, upon a chance encounter, do not forget to acknowledge (no praises necessary) the fact that the MP Dimension bass is a well-made instrument through & through (Disclaimer: Test model is not always a true representation of the herd). What might be a little objectionable here is the fact that the Dimension bass manifests a neck diving encounter when played sitting down; we do note the scaled down body as opposed to the P & J basses. Strapped on, it's a different story.

Tone-wise, you won't hear a specific single coil affair coming from a 'Fender'; the pickup is a Triple bucker, it's inclining towards a Stingray affair, more than anything else. Then again, it's not an accurate inclination but it's in this territory & that would be a good reference. Another displeasure here is the fact that there's no tone control, you get a 5-way rotary selector manipulating the triple coil's various possible combo; from a compromised single coil to a real humbucking affair & everything else in between. Again, upon a chance encounter, so acknowledge the fact that this bass sounds contemporary & there's no hiding its move away from its immortal P & J siblings. Slap players looking for an affordable humbucking instrument would be rewarded with those deep but defined tones.

As far as I am concerned, the Modern Player series are very acceptable permutations of traditional Fender takes & they should be treated with respect. Dissenters out there would highlight the fact that it's a product from the Chinese Squier factory, one which had been re-labelled into a 'Fender'. That's absolutely true but its sheer goodness is present for your consideration. Recommended.

Fender: Modern Player Dimension bass

Availability: Swee Lee Co.

Price: $699

Chinese irony

I don't know if the White Rabbit sweets I ate (excessively during my childhood) are responsible for some memory loss & unexplaianable eccentricities I manifest, as these sweets are tainted with formalin... (currently withdrawn from the shelves in many shops). This is one of the contemporary dangers of buying Chinese edibles...

...but the world still shuns superb, poison-free, Chinese crafted guitars due to the reputation of MIC products in general.