Rick's Fine '52

[quote name='PierBea' timestamp='1368659711' post='2080041'] Great comments, everyone: I see the value in all of them. I myself especially agree with EssentialTension's (both in his positive and his negative comments). Be that as it may, I won't be drinking beer for a while (I prefer wine, anyhow, and what a wonderful off-topic this can be)! That is to say that this wonderful bass has a new home in Italy (40th birthday gift to myself). And, yes, it is a dream (IMHO, the sound does match the looks: they are both incredible)! It's been said that we're all different (and I couldn't agree more, thank goodness): to me, this is THE electric bass. Doesn't mean it's perfect or there's nothing I would change. However, even so, this is THE electric bass. Period. Thank you Mark Stickley for being so helpful and courteous! ... and thank you Dennis Galuszka for ... you know ... building this beauty! Ciao, all. Pier PS. Please don't classify this post of mine under "bragging" but, rather, under "happy and in a mood to share this" :-) [/quote] Good for you Pier. One mans meat is another mans poison as they say. If it's [i]the[/i] bass for you, and you've managed to not only find it, but buy it, then thats [i]all[/i] that matters. Many musicians spend their whole life looking for [i]that [/i]special instrument, and never find it, you have, and you have [i]every[/i] right to celebrate it!! I'm delighted for you, because i know how it feels to land your very own holy grail. Rick.

Nice job! Congrats.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1368465611' post='2077422'] Pino's was Fiesta red over an original desert sand finish. I think 'cos of the fashion thing of fiesta red due to Hank Marvin's strat. [/quote] Many Fenders in the mid 60's were refinished by Selmer, in the UK, to meet the demand of the UK players, who wanted Fiesta Red, like Hanks. These guitars are known as 'Selmer finished', and advertised as such. Selmer simply refinished imported guitars, and basses that they already had in stock from imports, and finished them, in the UK, before passing them to dealers/shops. Imports at the time were in very limited numbers, and so they simply met demand. This is well documented. I'm not sure if Pino's is one of those (Not sure what year Pino's is?), but it certainly could be.

[quote name='Oversoul' timestamp='1368463780' post='2077401'] You're right, but me personally I can't get that from Fender as well. They're overpriced fad tools, that's it. they look cool, but far away from a real old soul. Fender just uses it's history to charge big time for a half-assed, badly baked instrument that could come in the Squier catalog. (It would make more sense.) [/quote] Couldn't disagree more. I don't think anyone who has played a real 50 year old Fender would imply that a relic comes close to it in terms of sound or feel, but if you cant afford £5-20K for a real one, then what's wrong with having one that looks like it, yet has all the modern benefits, that some players may like. Half arsed? Badly baked?, I haven't seen a Custom Shop bass that ticks either of those two boxes, and I've played lots! Certainly not comparable to a Squier either, I mean not even close. They are also available for around £1200-£1500, unless you want a rarer edition, which is exceptional value. I don't think you can get anything else with that vintage vibe for that price, that also will continue to maintain its value. Just my opinion of course, but I've never experienced a custom shop bass to be either of what you have described. The quality of parts, and assembly has always been excellent, it's their attention to period detail that always bothers me, like the wrong screws, terrible selected tortoishell material, incorrect finish for era, making random hybrids etc, etc, and that's just because i'm obsessively conventional, especially when its supposed to be a reissue, but Squier comparable, badly baked. Nah.

[quote name='Ziphoblat' timestamp='1368438287' post='2076943'] I don't get relicing, but I especially don't get why you'd want a relic that had a brand name stamped on the headstock of a brand that's only been around a few years. Instead of looking potentially old/mysterious/full of mojo (at least I assume that's the goal with relicing) it's simply going to look like it's been abused beyond belief in the short time it's been on this planet. Surely the appeal of having a beat up instrument that looked as if it's old with a story to tell is predominantly aesthetic, and therefore surely a period-correct logo such as Fender is part of that aesthetic? [/quote] I agree, good point. Same with Nash mash-ups for me too.

[quote name='Stacker' timestamp='1368426887' post='2076811'] Have a look at [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1973-Fender-Precision-Bass-BLACK-OVER-SUNBURST-Vintage-Electric-Guitar-1972-1970-/370813996264?pt=Guitar&hash=item56563c8ce8"]this[/url]. Seller says original condition. Was this 'Black over 3TSB' something that Fender regularly did back in the '70s? But, like Rick says, why do it over a '50s model. [/quote] Fender did use sunbursts (Normally one's that failed the QC), for custom colours (Particularly black), certainly in the 60's, and from your link maybe into the 70's too. I've seen many examples of this. I've even seen Olympic White over sunburst. I'm sure some have been done by the owners since they left the factory also, but many were done in the shop, and are considered 'original' finishes. Rick

[quote name='tredders' timestamp='1368380904' post='2076328'] Ah, thanks Rick - makes sense. Just to make sure I understand, I'd better borrow your '56 Precision for a while. Purely for research purposes, you understand [/quote] You're not far away,always welcome to come have a play......purely for research purposes of course. The variance of necks between all my P's is quite staggering, all completely different, the '58 is my own personal fave, ultra thin.

[quote name='tredders' timestamp='1368375451' post='2076255'] What's a 1955 Soft “V” neck profile like? I get a bit lost beyond A, B & C neck profiles... [/quote] A, B etc, refer to the neck width at the nut. The 'V' is referencing the shape (or section profile), of the maple on the back of the neck. V profiles were common between early '56 and late '57 (They do appear outside of these dates though, but some have been shaped by the owners, and not factory), and are still considered the most comfortable necks to play, and highly sought after. Its shaped that way, to fit snuggly in the V of your hand between thumb and first finger, when its wrapped around the neck. My late '56 Precision has a strong pronounced 'V', and it is very easy on the hand. Hope this makes sense?? Rick

Oooh, forgot to add, even with the truss rod access at the heel, the walnut cap/plug at the headstock (Like all the current 50's reissue maple necks), would still be an issue for me on a replica of these. For me, it has to be a maple cap, nice clean headstock, truss at heel, no skunk stripe. They 'aint cheap though. I even struggled to find a luthier who would even consider making one for me. As a one-off, personal bass, it's fine to go to that extent, but others may not want to pay for that level of anoracky attention to detail. I just happen to be extremely obsessive, anal, sad, OCD, call it what you will, when it comes to Fender Basses.

[quote name='slab66' timestamp='1368356794' post='2075980'] For sure! You did a great job on that slab! Very nice work indeed! Have you ever managed to get your hands on an original?! It's quite an experience!! I have been much vexed by the neck. There is a big part of me that wants to do the heel truss rod! It would look much better. I will be going one with an Allparts neck as I do like them and a good lutheir friend of mine swears by them. However, as you mentioned it's all about cost!!!! I suppose if you are dealing in quantity, you can negotiate, 'some' discount! The owner of the original 66 slab wasn't bothered about the truss headstock, he seemed more concerned with, "that sound". I very much appreciate you input and comments. [/quote] I have played an original, they are something else for sure! Phil Harris had two, one with a slightly warped neck, which he sold, I've been trying to buy his other one for two years now, and despite being his 'first refusal', I've not managed to tease it from him...........yet!!!!

Resurrection of old thread that's just been bought to my attention. Not that anyone should need an excuse to see pics of tele basses. Here's my pair, both from mid-'68, same owner since new, both in fab condition, the paisley is almost mint, tags, cloth, cords etc still in the cases. The blue flower is all but sold now though

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1368312327' post='2075676'] How about selling it for another, more standard bass? [/quote] This is also a good point, humbucker tele's are available for pretty reasonable prices, and you may be able to sell this for the same price as you can get a standard one already how you want it, blonde is far more commonly found too. Worth looking at before this one gets further modded?