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I’ve been doing some deeper digging into the origins of this unusual half-moon brass bridge and whether it was actually factory-installed. One detail that really stood out: the two outer screw holes on the bridge are not drilled into the body—both on the bass I just bought and on the example currently listed in Japan. Only the four inner screws (under the strings) are used. I emailed the Japanese dealer about their bass, and this was their reply: “The bridge you are asking about is the original High-Mass Brass Bridge adopted by Fender for this Precision Bass Special, which was a change from their traditional bridge design. This brass bridge is a high-mass, top-load type. It was a modern feature Fender included to improve sustain and tone, following a popular trend at the time. Unlike the traditional Fender plate bridge, this one has a thicker, heavier design. The increased mass helps transfer string vibration better to the body, which is believed to result in longer sustain. Some players did find the design a bit less comfortable. Thank you, Teeda” I’ll also be emailing Fender on Monday to see if they have any additional info on this bridge. The good news is that, based on the mounting pattern, it appears this bass could accept a standard Hi-Mass brass bridge without having to plug or drill any new holes, since only the four inner screws are used. If so, it would be an easy swap, and I could include the original bridge with the bass if I ever decide to sell it—assuming I even want to change it out at all.

The cabs have a marmite tone that you will either love or hate. At the South West Bash they were voted top in a cab shootout one year and bottom the following year,

Has anyone found a wireless DMX system that does not operate on 2.4GHz? Tgere is too much WiFi, Bluetooth and microphones/IEM systems working on 2.4GHz to make it reliable for lighting.

I've found generally that there is a set of trade offs between aesthetics and ergonomics which kind of shows there is a limit to the classic Modernist design mantra of 'form follows function'. I tend to think of it as a prioritisation exercise...priotise ergonomics up to about 70% of the body shape and compromise a little for aesthetics. If you go beyond that threshold, it's possible to end up with some fairly unattractive body shapes that are exceedingly comfortable. I'd offer up Vigier as an example and maybe the Klein steinberger/Strandberg Boden bass. I'm sure it must be possible to cobble together a 2 axis graph somewhere showing attractiveness vs comfort given access to enough survey data. Strandberg Boden bass Klein/Steinberger bass Vigier Passion SIII 5

You want ergonomic?get a Ken Smith if you can. X

The Lumberjack Song - Monty Python

Not a problem, AWG 16. Equates to 1.5mm squared. At 8 ohms that would be good for around 1000 watts. As the Fane 8-225 is 225 watts, you have loads to spare.

Big Log - Robert Plant

Mo' pics. SN CD115xx

I owned a Precision Walnut Special back in the early '80s, bought it brand new. An expensive piece of gear it was and likely my favourite Fender P out of the myriad that I've owned over the past 45 years. Never have I seen a bridge like that on any Fender bass from this era which doesn't necessarily mean it's not original...another head scratcher from the Dan Smith era I guess. These are exceptionally well-made instruments in my limited experience. May you get to play it in good health and enjoy it thoroughly!

I must admit that playing an Eb neck has me keeping well clear of that end of the neck. If the bass is one you will keep, fashioning a new nut makes a lot of sense. It can sit on the present fingerboard.

I think you can hook up a morning star midi device and access more preset sets but that another cost.