Customer Reviews

The Fender Bass

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Klaus Blasquiz'"The Fender Bass" purports to give a history of this important family of instruments, and is full of information. It is not exhaustive - hence its compact dimensions and reasonable price. Clearly,corners were cut here.Written in English, one gets the impression that either (a) Mr Blasquiz is ill at ease with the English language as mistakes in grammar and idiom are quite numerous,or (b) more seriously, that it was very badly proof-read.Some details: the very cover features two of the short-lived Precision Pluses from the early 90's-hardly the model that springs to most minds when considering this revolutionary instrument. As regards the text, it is compacted into frames on the page which make for difficult reading.There is little if any continuity in the text. The whole thing resembles a high-school project rather than the serious work that this important subject had called for,and which is yet to appear.This is a pity, as clearly a lot of work went into the research, and and for the sake of a few dollars extra per copy, "The Fender Bass" could have been an attractive and interesting work as there is clearly a lot of information at hand.It cannot be considered to rank with Duchossoir's works on the Stratocaster and Telecaster guitars. Mr Blasquiz at least attempted such a work-for that he is to be commended. It is a pity that the whole thing doesn't quite hang together.This is a story that will have to be retold.

The 50th anniversary of the first Fender Precision Bass is closely approaching. Klaus Blasquiz has detailed the first 40 years of development of the two principal electric basses -- the Precision Bass and the Jazz Bass -- and has included ample information about other basses produced by Fender. Abundantly illustrated (including four solid pages of color photos), both common and unusual models are displayed in catalog shots, detail closeups and in the hands of bassists who have favored Fender. If you are looking for production lists, this is not your book. However, if you are looking for a thorough history of Fender basses, this book will leave you well satisfied.

Will be well used. More than a reference book. Lots of pictures and a short serial number section.

Klaus Blasquiz's book is a noble effort, but weak on details, weak on pictures and unbelievably weak on editing and proofreading. One gets the impression that English is not his first language - and the fact that nobody fixed this in editing is unforgiveable in a "professional" reference book. I recently got the Black and Molinaro book, it's WAAAY better with lots of luscious photos.

This book is poorly researched, badly written and with a questionable selection of photographs. The cover photo basses are not even mentioned in the text! Only upside, a few rare photos from the fifties. Normally, you get what you pay for, so put your money into one of the more serious books on the subject.

That's right, if you love Fender Basses, this book is for you. One of several cool book with great pics and historic data.

This book isn't bad, especially when you consider the price. It does a good job with a brief history of all of the different model basses that fender has offered over the years, but the photos are small and in Black and white.