Rick's Fine '52

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1355524605' post='1899722'] how have you not soldered it together yet? I no way have that patience! I wee build I'm doing the only way I knew that I would let the finsih cure for long enough was leaving it a week before ordering the parts! [/quote] Good things come to those who wait!! I have two weeks off at xmas, starting next Thursday, so will have a look then, I still need to locate a good picture of what wires go where, it's been a while! Been playing it unplugged today, it's awesome!

[quote name='SlabMan' timestamp='1355487719' post='1899016'] Hi Rick, What can I say? Brilliant doesn't really cover it - if it sounds anything like it looks it'll be just great. For My money you made absolutely the right choice with the Rotasounds - you can't whack 'em. This is an instrument that is meant to give off pure unadulterated raunch - the vulgar (I use the word advisedly) uncultured tones are the perfect 'bottom end' for any rock band on the planet, in my humble opinion. As you know I recently stripped one down to the pick-ups for the first time since I bought it 35 years ago, and there was a bit of a disintegrated mess where somebody had put some pink foam rubber under the pick-ups. Under one pick-up there was still what was left of the original black foam, which I assume was fitted in the Fender factory. My question to you is - what kind of foam did you use under the pick-ups, as I really need to replace it? [/quote] Thanks for the comments Wally. I used late 60's grey bottomed pickups, and they came with the original brass ground plate, and the rubber, albeit sticky, was pretty intact, although hardened somewhat, so I just used that, and I'm hoping when it's soldered up, it will sound as it should. You can get reissue foam pads, like the one here. You can get them on there own, without the brass plates, which would only cost a few quid. I'll try and PM you a link. I may even have some, I'll have a look over the weekend, and if I find them, I'll send you them.

OK, I received the tuner ferrules today, so finally got to string her up. surprisingly it needed little setting up. The neck was straight, and perfectly aligned within the neck pocket, so no shimming. Very slight saddle height adjustments to match the slight radius of the neck, and we were good to go. Nice low action, no buzzing (The neck is new, so wasnt expecting too many issues there). It plays and sounds lovely unplugged. The only thing left to do is to solder the grey bottom pickups onto the '66 pots, and then fire her up. This can wait until the christmas break, when I have a couple of weeks to do it properly. Delighted with the results. The body and finish are nothing short of spectacular, if not perfect from the brief I gave. The neck has surpassed my expectations when i set out on this, and the rest of it is original '65/'66. I'm a happy bunny. Here's the pics just taken of the tuners, and it strung up. I'll try and get some nice pics that show off the finish in the daylight at the weekend, although some of the pics on my last update post show it off pretty well. heavy, but still transluscent white blonde, medium weather checking, lovely and veiny, just right. Thanks for looking, and everyone's comments along the way. I've enjoyed this more than anything else I've done, probably because it was so difficult, and therefore challenging, and ultimately rewarding. I'm glad I stuck to my desire to have original components, despite urges along the way, (Fuelled by my imatience to finish it), to use the odd new reissue part, and hopefully this will result in the closest possible replica/tribute bass. Hopefully the next update will be some sound clips, or worse still, a dodgy youtube upload! I wish all subscribers to this thread, and all of basschat of course (Although they won't see this), a very Merry Christmas, and I hope Santa brings you what you want!! Cheers, Rick.

I think the idea was good, and appreciate all the work that was involved, but the informalness of the marketplace, is kinda nice.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1355357578' post='1897475'] Woah - really? Do you know where I might find one for sale? I must have one! [/quote] I'm amazed Luke's is still for sale, best fender bass for sale on here for months.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1355354236' post='1897439'] booger, teaches me for opening my mouth on things I know nout about. I should stick to japanese copies of this bass from the early 80's.... [/quote] IMO, the JV's are better...in [i]all[/i] categories, and more accurate necks/bodies.

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1355333701' post='1897123'] I don't think the saying 'its worth what someone will pay for it' applies to a quality instrument. Its worth whatever the seller WANTS it to be worth, and if people can't stretch to it, they don't get it! Simple as. [/quote] Also true, especially applies the rarer things get.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1355320613' post='1896878'] ................(though to be a pedant this isn't a '57ri) [/quote] Actually, it is, albeit rare finish. Original blonde/maple/gold '57's are exceptionally rare. I've only seen 2, and this is the second; [url="http://www.gbase.com/gear/fender-precision-bass-1957-see-through-blonde"]http://www.gbase.com/gear/fender-precision-bass-1957-see-through-blonde[/url] Fullerton, in '82, made the; 3-tone '62 reissue P, 2-tone '57 reissue P, blonde '57 P, and, starting in December '82, the stack knob Jazz, in 3-tone. Lots of other finishes followed later.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1355333064' post='1897111'] It's a Fullerton RI. Fender were at the top of their game around this time, and that's why they command good money. Yep, the price is on the high side but if someone wants one, they'll pay it. [/quote] This. Best USA reissues ever, by a country mile. Price [i]is[/i] high though, but that finish is very rare.

[quote name='BassBod' timestamp='1354801238' post='1890543'] Now, once the strings are on, we are all expecting to see your YouTube version of the My Generation solo. I know it was played on a J bass with flats, but even so....its the decent thing to do after all that effort. Live in Northampton. [/quote] I may give it a go, but I know my limits, and thats probably beyond, but will be fun, to be honest, I always found that a very awkward sounding solo. love it though. We used to do a cover, of The Who's cover, of Summertime Blues, so I may do that instead, another great bass part from Mr E.!

[quote name='v8bass' timestamp='1354795903' post='1890421'] You know my thoughts on Fender .....but .... Thats white ..my YOB .....and lovely ... Good..... no Great job ....nice floor too Gary v8 Thanks for the kind words Gary, it [i]is[/i] a nice floor! [/quote]

[quote name='walbassist' timestamp='1354792599' post='1890363'] Oh dear, I was born in 1966..... I hope you have no plans selling this Rick! [/quote] i haven't even finished it yet!!! No plans on selling it, it's been a dream build for me, for many years, and taken me a year to make after I first acquired the scratchplate, but never say never, I have constant GAS..ahem...and my previous builds have all been eventually moved on, but certainly no short term plans to let it go, this is by far my best build to date, and because of the time and effort in sourcing the period parts, its unlikley to be going anywhere fast. Its also worth a few bob in parts alone, so any asking price would probably put most people off anyway. In order to sell, and make it affordable, I'd probably have to swap the original parts for reissues, which for me, would take the shine off it somewhat. It's mine.......all mine!! Mwah..ha...ha..ha!!

[quote name='Chris Horton' timestamp='1354740621' post='1889958'] When finished , How much roughly do you think that it will cost to put together ? [/quote] I'll email you the exact cost sheet Chris, showing the full breakdown. But it cost, in total, less than £750, and it has about the same value, or more of original parts alone. If I had gone reissue on the parts, it would have been about £450, but the original parts cost me more...obviously. My budget, having allocated potential outlay costs for each component, was £1300 when I set out, so delighted at some of the purchases made. The neck was the big saving for me though on this one. I've sourced and purchased another set of ferrulle bushings, which are on their way to me from texas as I type, so hopefully have it finished soon! (BTW, your strings should be with you tomorrow, I was a day late posting, due to a personal issue!, apologies)

Jamiroquai Led Zep Green Day No Doubt Cream RHCP The Jam U2 (yeah, really!) Stone Roses There's probably 100 more, but its late! , these immediately spring to mind though.

[quote name='dragan' timestamp='1354718121' post='1889509'] I guess I made an mistake for using "bullet".. I thought you were saying that trussrods were at the bottom on the neck,as I claim it's on the top (at the headstock) [/quote] No probs, bullet truss, is the large chrome dome (Bullet), that sticks out of the truss rod plug, at the headstock, on a 3-bolt neck plate. '82 era Fullerton vintage reissues (V serial) have traditional heel end truss adjustment, and walnut plugs at the headstock, as the originals. The '83 Dan Smith type models (as these pics), and generally E-series, tend to have the headstock adjustment, with an attempt at concealment, within a classic styled plug (Plastic, not walnut).

[quote name='Hutton' timestamp='1354701650' post='1889224'] Here's pics of my 83 (bottom pic) and 84 (top pic)headstocks. Confusion has arisen as 83 was a transition period with parts being used up. However, 83-85 Standrad Jazzes and Precisions didn't have bullet truss rods adjusters. This was the time when the bi-flex truss rod was introduced hence the change in adjusters. [/quote] This.

I leave the bridge cover on when playing, but the pup cover stays off, as its where i play. When I'm not playing, and theyre hung on the wall, both covers are fitted. Damping has never been a problem because my technique is so good, i don't use my palm, thats for amateurs.

[quote name='dragan' timestamp='1354613804' post='1887945'] AV allright, but standard 1983 P basses had bullets on the headstock. [/quote] Incorrect.