Rick's Fine '52

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1349179924' post='1822783'] [/quote] I can't cope with the orangeness of those two nuggets!!

[size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"]Does anyone have any more details about these heads. I’m a loyal fender man, and don’t know a great deal about [/color][/font][/size][font="Verdana"][size="3"][color="#000000"][size=3]Orange[/size][/color][/size][/font][size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"] gear. I’ve always loved the look of them, and they are clearly fabulous amps, with a high regard and reputation.[/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"] [/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"]I’ve been tentatively looking for a valve head for a little while, and was likely to get a Marshall Superbass, as the [/color][/font][/size][font="Verdana"][size="3"][color="#000000"][size=3]Orange[/size][/color][/size][/font][size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"] heads are always a bit pricey, when this turned up, completely out of the blue. [/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"] [/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"]The seller said he believed it was a late 80’s reissue of the 70’s Super Bass head. He said it was handmade, hand wired, point to point, in Huddersfield Orange/Matamp factory, and was a very limited run of this model. This model is apparently based on the OR120 (as they all seem to be?), it has modified guts, to specifically suit bass. [/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"] [/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"]It’s a full size head, in virtually mint condition, and sounds absolutely f’ing awesome, I love it. [/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"] [/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"]It was a complete impulse buy, but a 5 mile round trip last night, and it was amongst my flock.[/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"] [/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"]Does anyone have anymore info on this model, as google doesn’t turn up much at all, and if there is a way of checking the date of manufacture, as I’ve read these may have been issued in the early 90’s.[/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"] [/color][/font][/size] [size=3][color="#000000"][font="Verdana"]Anyway, it’s a ridiculous amp, and I now feel I need a nice wheat cloth angled Orange bass cab to go with it! [/font][/color][/size] [size=3][font="Verdana"][color="#000000"] [/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font=Verdana][color="#000000"]Here’s some pics of an identical head, although not mine, as I haven’t had a chance to take any pics yet.[/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font=Verdana][color="#000000"][/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font=Verdana][color="#000000"][/color][/font][/size] [size=3][font=Verdana][color="#000000"][/color][/font][/size]

[quote name='MrFingers' timestamp='1349109460' post='1821948'] P.S. You've got a PM about the booklet [/quote] No I haven't??

[quote name='pobrien_ie' timestamp='1349115396' post='1822051'] Would definitely be interested in taking a look at them Rick, thanks! [/quote] Sorry, got an offer on an amp i simply couldnt refuse, but had to pay and collect it this evening, which i did, so no time to dig the tuners out. I'll sort them tomorrow, apologies. Rick

[quote name='pobrien_ie' timestamp='1349103005' post='1821825'] Thanks Rick! Chrome covers and threaded saddle bridge are already in transit The only parts I haven't ordered yet are the reverse tuners. If anybody has a set for sale drop me a line. [/quote] I have a set, let me see if i have any pics....

[quote name='MrFingers' timestamp='1349026921' post='1820844'] There were some (how many? a few?) slab P-basses made in 1962. Slab body (honey blonde), tortoise pickguard, slab rosewood neck. I saw a picture of one a while ago on an auction site, but I forgot to download the picture, and the link has gone dead [/quote] Never seen a reference to one of those anywhere?

Looks great, don't forget the chrome covers! Do you need a vintage 'threaded saddle' '57 bridge unit?? I know someone who's selling one, it's light relic too! Rick.

[quote name='Ashwood1985' timestamp='1348929300' post='1819857'] Well I'm gonna get the u-bass just to out-member you! :-D [/quote]

[quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1349087713' post='1821473'] Wasn't there a recent Custom Shop version of this slab bass? Sure Thomann Had one on their page - Just had a scan and it's no longer listed. Either way, sure this will be a spectacular rendition. [/quote] Correct, they did 2. A rosewood neck, torty guard issue (wrong, wrong, wrong); [url="http://www.themusiczoo.com/product/4454/Fender-Custom-Shop-Masterbuilt-66-Slab-Precision-Closet-Classic-Bass-White-Blonde-/"]http://www.themusicz...-White-Blonde-/[/url] ..and a more correct version, Retailed at over $5,500; [url="http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/fender-custom-shop-66-slab-body-p-bass"]http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/fender-custom-shop-66-slab-body-p-bass[/url] Thanks for your comment, it's coming together rather nicely so far.

[quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1349017164' post='1820696'] I just spotted this on ebay real or not - I dunno [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Players-1961-Slab-board-Fender-Precision-/221118283124?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item337bad3d74&_uhb=1#ht_500wt_1201"]http://www.ebay.co.u...1#ht_500wt_1201[/url] [/quote] Looks real to me, shame its a slab board, and not slab body, mind you, it would be 5x the price if it was!

Any pics? Nice stash of basses by the way!

Welcome to basschat. I had a similar dilemna. I received this teachers CV, and thought she had all the neccessary attributes to help me improve my playing;

[quote name='tommorichards' timestamp='1348518259' post='1814768'] Ah, I was wondering why you wanted a second brass one, maybe some sort of not wanting to use the original incase it broke.... Ive got bone blanks too. Can knock one of those up easy. You already have ma details. [/quote] No probs, brass one's as good as in the post. Nice one!

[quote name='tommorichards' timestamp='1348517529' post='1814743'] A slug is how a material is supplied to a manufacturer before they work with it, like a blank. Heres a picture of it anyway [/quote] Thats what I thought, but I need a bone one, which is what i thought you were offering. I have a brass one already. PM'd.

[quote name='tommorichards' timestamp='1348515601' post='1814698'] The cost would not be as unviable as you might think. I do it mostly for fun, so chuck in a couple bob atop p&p. The brass slug i have i found at work, so no costs there. [/quote] Sounds great, PM me your address and I'll send you the original brass one to size match (I just found it after a lengthy search through the parts drawer, it was right at the bottom!). Very generous of you. What do you mean by brass slug?, sorry, excuse my dumbness!!

[quote name='tommorichards' timestamp='1348512248' post='1814629'] Ive got a brass slug about the correct thickness for a nut (just give yours a quick measure, the slug is barely over 3mm), and having made a few bone nuts before (my resume, [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/138446-homemade-bass-bone-nut/page__p__1337438__hl__bone%20nut__fromsearch__1#entry1337438"]http://basschat.co.u..._1#entry1337438[/url]) i could produce one for you. Awesome build btw.... [/quote] Thanks Tommo. fantastic work on the bone nut, very impressive work. I think the cost of getting one of these made would be unviable though, unless you wanted my brass one as a trade! I wish I had the patience to create one, like that. In fact, I've been looking for my brass one today, and it seems to have disappeared, which is not good!

[quote name='MrFingers' timestamp='1348511629' post='1814613'] [/quote] Thanks, if its even 10% as good as your shoreline, I'll be delighted! You need to make me a repro tag for it though!!

[quote name='BassBod' timestamp='1348507566' post='1814548'] Great project - look forward to seeing the final bass. I'd just go repro for the pickup, there are some great options these days. I've got a some Voodoo (Peter Florence) jazz pickups in a Fender clone, and they are everything you'd want or expect from an original Fender Jazz bass. [/quote] Thanks Bassbod. Yeah, I'm undecided on the pickup, I think I'll get something cheap as a stop-gap, rather than spend £100 on a good new one, rather save that towards some real ones. Not sure yet, I'll see what's out there whilst waiting for the body to arrive.

[sub][quote name='martin8708' timestamp='1348484090' post='1814034'] You cannot quantify these qualities in an old instrument , so can everybody put away their clipboards and whitecoats and leave the vintage stuff to the people who enjoy it . [/quote][/sub] Are we done then? Thank God for that, albeit 5 pages later than it should have been. Done.

[font=Verdana][size=3][color=#000000]OK, time for another instalment.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=3][color=#000000]Here’s the hardware for the Project;[/color][/size][/font] [list] [*][font=Verdana][size=3][color=#000000]Chrome bridge & pickup covers, these are originals from 1966[/color][/size][/font] [*][font=Verdana][size=3][color=#000000]F-Neckplate, with 131285 serial number[/color][/size][/font] [*][font=Verdana][size=3][color=#000000]Knurled knobs, again from ‘66[/color][/size][/font] [*][font=Verdana][size=3][color=#000000]60's original thumbrest, impossible to tell exact year.[/color][/size][/font] [*][font=Verdana][size=3][color=#000000]Pots, cloth wires, and jack, dated 6608/6609[/color][/size][/font] [*][font=Verdana][size=3][color=#000000]Strap buttons, these are from ’65, I need another one for the rear of the headstock![/color][/size][/font] [*][font=Verdana][size=3][color=#000000]Tuners, reverse Klusons. These are originals from ’64, and will do until I can get some ’66 ones, if at all? These are fine though.[/color][/size][/font] [/list] [font=Verdana][size=3][color=#000000]So that’s what I have at the moment. [/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=3][color=#000000]The body is currently being aged, so not 100% sure when that will be with me, these things take time.[/color][/size][/font] [s][font=Verdana][size=3][color=#000000]I also need a nut. I have the original nut that came with the neck, which is brass, and I’d like an exact copy of that made, but not sure where to do that, so I’ll probably just get a curved white nut, and hope it fits OK? [/color][/size][/font][/s][color=#FF0000][font=Verdana][size=3]Edit. Sorted, thanks to tommorichards top man![/size][/font][/color] [font=Verdana][size=3][color=#000000]I need another 60’s strap button for the back of the headstock.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=3][color=#000000]Pickups. This is the hardest bit. I have a back up in place, in order to get the thing working and playable, but I’m on the hunt for some 60’s, grey bottom pickups. If anyone spots some, I’d be grateful for the heads up, unless they are £500, like the ones on eBay USA at the mo!![/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=3][color=#000000]I think the next post will be when the body arrives, or I find some pickups. But, it’s getting there. [/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=3][color=#000000]Here’s the hardware pics;[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=3][color=#000000][/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=3][color=#000000][/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=3][color=#000000][/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=3][color=#000000][/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=3][color=#000000][/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=3][color=#000000][/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=3][color=#000000]Thanks for looking.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Verdana][size=3][color=#000000]Rick[/color][/size][/font]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1348441368' post='1813770'] Regarding the collectability and value of Alembics versus Fenders, I think the most significant difference is that the older Fenders are widely regarded to be better than the new ones , in the common public perception at least , and are in limited supply as only a finite number remain in existance . Alembic however , are still going strong as a company and are made better than ever , and although vintage Alembics are relatively uncommon, these basses are not in limited supply in so much as new Alembics are even better than the old ones, and if you hanker for an old spec. one , Alembic can make you one to vintage spec, no problem. [/quote] All very true.

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1348436102' post='1813703'] I'm not brand loyal at all. Most instruments disappoint me in one way or another, including Alembic. It's very interesting that you read so much into what I typed though. It's not really a clear example of the issues you talk about. The seller just mentions laminations as part of wear and tear but there's no indication of what has happened and where. We'll just have to take your word for the rest of it. Alembic wouldn't never admit to there being a problem unless they had no choice but if the lamination issue was as significant as you say, I'd expect to see a lot more online discussion about it. However I'm open minded about the issue and would love to learn more. [/quote] From your threads, I imagine most things disappoint you, not just Fenders and Alembics, and we haven't even started on your Steinberger yet!! I don't know anyone who owns a series 1 alembic, not many around, especially in the uk, so it doesnt surprise me at all that there's little discussion about it. Feel free to research the issue some more though, I care less than little about them these days.

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1348433063' post='1813650'] Basschat and many other forums hold the MIJ Fenders in very high regard. All I was saying is that they are good, but worth no more than usual. Hype comes to mind. [/quote] Never heard that before, in my experience they are better quality than the CIJ's though.