(SOLD) Fernandes Mitsugu Watanabe Signature TEB-75MW Black 1989
Fernandes TEB-75MW, black, made in Japan circa 1989. This weird and wonderful creation is the signature model for Mitsugu Watanabe, bass player for iconic J-rock act PERSONZ. It's a take on the Telecaster Bass genre, but with plenty of interesting twists. First: the body is a little oversize, so it's a whisker wider than the Fender models. It's got a passive P-style split single coil pickup, but with handy active bass and treble boost/cut controls alongside the standard volume and tone controls. The Tele-Deluxe style oversize tort guard and flash gold hardware tie the look together perfectly: it's got a certain black-tie-pirate swagger. The hardware is really sturdy and it holds tune firmly, plus the body resonates enthusiastically and the neck feels quick and comfy in the hands. The tone on offer is a meaty, kick-in-the-chest fullness with a sweet hit of detail through the highs and mids, which will surely sit perfectly in a mix. This sold for around double the price of a Fender Japan Standard model when it was new, so it was a pretty deluxe offering back in 1989. Still deluxe today, I reckon.
Model: Fernandes TEB-75MW
Made: Japan, 1989 approx (no serial on this one)
Finish: black, gloss poly, 3-ply tort guard
Body: basswood
Neck: maple with maple board, 34" scale, 13.77" radius, 39mm nut, slim C shape
Weight: 4.490kg
Mods: none
Pickup: FGI Technology P passive single coil
Controls: passive volume, passive tone, active bass boost/cut, active treble boost/cut
Case: basic non-original gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some minor dimples on the end. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has widespread light scuffs and surface scratches, most notably in the middle of the body and on the back edge, but no major marks. The sides have some light scuffs on the horns and some small dimples in the elbow area and near the jack. The front has some minor dimples in the elbow area and some scuffs around the bridge and pickup and some minor play wear on the guard and horns. Overall: very good condition (8/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. The frets look great, minor wear only, 9/10 for life left. Set up with fresh 45/105 Moonshiners strings.