Bass Gear: Fender's Made in Mexico Zone Bass

It is safe to say that most folk, whether musically inclined or not, will show familiarity with the Fender name – and shapes even. Fender have a reputation for producing guitars of superior quality, lasting beauty and exceptional playability. And it is a well deserved reputation at that!

Like all high volume manufacturers however, the great American brand has for some time now been obliged to manufacture some models outside of the States in order to stay price competitive. In this case the Fender DLX Zone bass I was given to review is a Mexican-built guitar that retails for $2200 – less than half the price of the US version which is also available here – for a rather weightier $4800.

Having extracted it from the handy fitted soft gig bag that it comes with, my first thought on seeing the Zone was 'ready to rock man'! From the four shiny Gotoh tuning pegs to its staunch metallic grey alder body this bass lets its presence be known. It just looks like it means business. On reflection, perhaps it is just the colour because the shape is pretty much your standard Fender bass curves, though slim and with some serious shaping at the waist so it fits neatly into your ribs.

The neck is made from maple and the fingerboard a contrasting dark rosewood with white fret markers on the face and top edge. Strings are through-the-body with the fully individually adjustable chromed bridge set a few centimetres forward of the strap button. Not just up/down and front-to-back adjustments but each string has three saddle options so you can customise the string spacings to best suit your fingers or style.

I plugged into a Laney 500W combo amplifier and turned all five, yes five volume and tone knobs up and down in a frenzy to find my desired tone.
I calmed down a bit once I found some balance and was impressed with the wide variety of tonal options this bass had to offer. From a fairly high active growl to a smooth warm howl the Zone showed that it could be used for a wide variety of musical applications. Not surprising as it is equipped with three spring-mounted pickups in the combination 'PJ' set up. The front two, are slightly overlapped (a la 'P' bass), for a generally warmer, more balanced tone.
The J pickup in the bridge position is a longer thinner affair, a customised version of Fender's active Jazz Bass pickup giving that mid-range power and low end stick. The sound blend is controlled by one of the two bigger knobs, the other being master volume. Three smaller knobs right on the heel are your standard bass, mid, treble controls with a centre notch (detent). Good grip surfaces on all the knobs.

I discovered how to get the sound I wanted fairly quickly. Setting the first two on the centre detent they become fairly balanced in volume, the third I turned right up to give a desired amount (heaps) of bottom end. A warm yet grunty sound that when using a pick is delivered with punch.

So far the DLX Zone bass had made a good impression as far as sound is concerned. I took the bass along to band practice to see if it could offer the same sort of standard in a live and loud situation as it had in the bedroom. The tone selection was still available but it struggled a bit in volume output. Don't get me wrong, it was still there, I just felt like the rhythm guitar and drums were overriding it a little which made me have to play a bit harder.

During practice I swapped back and forwards with my own Fender P bass (which I bought for a similar price to the DLX) to compare. I found that the P bass was a bit louder in giving me the sound I like (why I bought it of course). The DLX was a little behind in volume, though you could change tone easily from the guitar rather than having to go to your amp for help.

When it comes down to it, what people buy will be determined by looks, sound, and price. I think Fender have covered all their bases (whatever!) by offering a bass guitar that is of nice solid construction, is easy to play, has good looks (if you're into that style), and is within a reasonable price range. The versatility (and price) probably positions it above the beginner and into the semi-professional bracket where it stands up nicely. I enjoyed having the opportunity to try this product which again combines value for money as well as the expected good Fender quality.

Jarrod Ross plays bass for Pan Am who will release their debut album (follow-up to 2002's 'New Concepts in Sound Recording'), later this year if their record company will let them.