Rick's Fine '52

Interesting stuff, good to have the serial numbers stated too, as you can probably track them down, particularly the '53 and '66 Slab, and see where they ended up. I'm sure lots of us have similar tales, but it's all relative isn't it, everything has it's value at any given moment in time. At least you can say you owned these significant pieces, although from what you say, they weren't the best examples anyway, so if you got decent price at the time, probably a good thing. I agree with you that not all pre-CBS instruments are great, which is why the good ones command so much, because they are extremely special. Great bit of nostalgia there, and glad you shared it.

Latest addition, very scarce 3-knob 1961 Fender Jazz. Probably the nicest bass I've ever played, I've only seen one other, and after playing this one, just fell in love.

Latest addition, very scarce 3-knob 1961 Fender Jazz. Probably the nicest bass I've ever played, I've only seen one other, and after playing this one, just fell in love.

Great thanks for prompt reply, will give it a go later! (Presume then you just paste the link after the text, not via one of the icon links above?) Cheers

Latest addition, very scarce 3-knob 1961 Fender Jazz. Probably the nicest bass I've ever played, I've only seen one other, and after playing this one, just fell in love. [url="http://imgur.com/rNuOIMl"][/url]

So, having spent 2 hours trying to get a pic on here from photobucket, I gave up. Set up an imgur account as above, got the BBcode, where do I paste it on here though? Tried the usual icons but no good. Thanks in advance

There are 2 versions, the normal hardback version, and a limited edition issue in a boxed slip case, but even that isn't worth anywhere near that price!

Thanks Luke, good to hear from you, been a while, hope you and yours are well?

Thanks for the comments folks, appreciated, really pleased with it. Looks and sounds the part.

Almost done now, checking done, wear done, yellowed some. The yellowing isn't evident in the pics, but you can see on the pic of the back of the body, through the buckle rash rubbing, that its whiter underneath the top coat. It will increase with normal light exposure. Looks great in the flesh. [url="http://s208.photobucket.com/user/rosesguitar_2007/media/Slab/20161009_125935_zpsl1umr8vh.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s208.photobucket.com/user/rosesguitar_2007/media/Slab/20161009_125958_zpsysm0umut.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s208.photobucket.com/user/rosesguitar_2007/media/Slab/20161009_125922_zpswqjsxtig.jpg.html"][/url]

A bit more done. I finished the checking to the front and sides, and a bit of edge wear. Last job is to form some sympathetic wear to the rear buckle rash area, and some forearm rub to the top of the body, and finally some yellowing to the white, the white still looks too bright, this will help soften the appearance of the checking. Anyway, a few update pics; [url="http://s208.photobucket.com/user/rosesguitar_2007/media/Slab/20161002_204124_zps63n7fl4y.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s208.photobucket.com/user/rosesguitar_2007/media/Slab/20161002_204150_zps5q7wqdwg.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s208.photobucket.com/user/rosesguitar_2007/media/Slab/20161002_204259_zpsptio37sk.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s208.photobucket.com/user/rosesguitar_2007/media/Slab/20161002_205956_zpsgqkt7uew.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s208.photobucket.com/user/rosesguitar_2007/media/Slab/20161002_210111_zps6nkjcy7g.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s208.photobucket.com/user/rosesguitar_2007/media/Slab/20161002_210140_zps3cuppl1n.jpg.html"][/url] Nearly done.

Thanks Andy. I don't do this for others as a general rule, just my own fun. I do sell them on after a point though. This method doesn't work on poly, but there are alternative ways. I've PM'd you. Rick

[quote name='6v6' timestamp='1475268113' post='3144679'] I'm out but good luck with the project. [/quote] Sorry you're annoyed with the fact that I care about other people being able to make a living. Oddest post I've seen on bc yet. Goodbye there.

Thanks for the comments folks, much appreciated. I'll be finishing the checking to the top and sides this weekend, and maybe the ageing if time allows, so more pics to follow soon. I'm sure you don't really expect me to give out the techniques? There are people out there who make a living out of making good looking relics by what I assume are similar methods, and I wouldn't wish to deprive them of an income. I just do it for my own enjoyment, but others don't. It certainly doesn't involve a heat gun, although I have seen some quite ridiculous relic attempts which I assume started out that way!! Hopefully you'll appreciate my stance.

For me, there is no specific string type that works best with a vintage P, or any bass. I personally don't like flats at all, I find they have a lack of precision (no pun intended), a lack of flexibility, I don't find they respond to my fingering at all (to be fair, this could be more about my ability than the string though!). I do have flats on my rarer basses, as it protects the original frets, and I don't play them for hours on end, certainly not long enough for them to annoy me. All my regular 'players' basses are strung with rounds, I prefer rotosound personally, and can't stand heavy guage ones. The flats I use are Labella 1954's, I find most flats just too tight though. I've heard many say that Thomastiks are a lot slacker though, and may suit me better, I just haven't got round to trying them yet. I'd recommend using what feels right to you, not pursue a particular string that you think would suit this type of bass. For info, my '58 has roto rounds, and my '55 has Labella '54 flats. Good luck trying stuff out though, it's all good fun!

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1474665848' post='3139805'] Impressed with your work but not your choice of footwear for this type of job. [/quote] It was warm....what can I say!

So, its not finished yet, the whole process needs to take time, and has many different stages, the first being the harshest, so it all needs softening, but thought I'd share. Weather checking simulated, and a little bit of aged roughing up of the edges. So far, not to bad; [url="http://s208.photobucket.com/user/rosesguitar_2007/media/Slab/20160923_194546_zpsrohjkod4.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s208.photobucket.com/user/rosesguitar_2007/media/Slab/20160923_200907_zpsy4dozvel.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s208.photobucket.com/user/rosesguitar_2007/media/Slab/20160923_200929_zpswcmyx9ph.jpg.html"][/url]

OK, so started the relic process this evening, only done half of the rear side of the body, but its coming along. Still lots to do, its a bit harsh, but will soften once I've finished. Here's a couple of before pics, so you can see how it started (Brand new, shiny transluscent nitro white); [url="http://s208.photobucket.com/user/rosesguitar_2007/media/Slab/20160923_201018_zpsaf2nqi3e.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s208.photobucket.com/user/rosesguitar_2007/media/Slab/20160923_201009_zpsco2vrinj.jpg.html"][/url] Relic pics in a bit......

Thanks Oliver, not sure what you mean by 'Hybrid', but have emailed you regarding the number. Rick

Decided, the body is going to get a light relic.

Thought some would appreciate this. The bass is rare enough, but that condition is stunning, what a fab bass, and the case lining equally as nice, would be like opening it from new again. (No affiliation btw) http://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_fender-jazz-bass-1966-mint-and-all-original-no-reissue_id4721171.html