Rick's Fine '52

[quote name='Chris Horton' timestamp='1348256792' post='1811615'] What an exciting project ! I shall follow this with Great interest [/quote] Thanks Chris, I'm excited too!

[quote name='Mabrothrax' timestamp='1348261391' post='1811698'] $800?! Ouch! Didn't realise Slabs had a different pickup resistance. Will you be comfortable with a modern 'vintage' pickup though, or are you gonna hold out for the real thing? [/quote] There's no evidence to suggest the pickups were any different to regular pickups of that era. There are some quotes about them being more lively than others, but from the experts view, thats just myth and rumour. Apart from the neck and body, everything else is from c.1966, so I'm hoping to get some original pickups as well, but I'll settle for a modern reissue, while I wait definitely, if the right ones turn up, I'm not paying $800 thats for sure. If the rest of the bass is finished and ready to go, then I'll get something to drop in, so I can play it, and keep hunting for the real mccoy.

[quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1348254913' post='1811586'] Rick, you're making me feel dreadful. I want you to post nothing until it's finished, then just one small picture and never mention it again!! :-) If I knew how to do it (or had the equipment) I'd measure whatever you measure on pick-ups and give you the readings for the genuine slab pick-up I have in my bass. If you would really find it helpful, tell me what I need to do and I'll try and get it done. That would settle the pick-up question for certain. [/quote] Here's how; I guess putting the reader on the pots would also work. This is the reading I'd expect on the slab pickups, somewhere between 10.5 & 11.5. This particular pick is one of the highest I've seen. These are '66 pickups, but at $800, I'll pass.....and wait!

[quote name='rubis' timestamp='1348248381' post='1811473'] This is fascinating reading, very best of luck with your 'quest' I can totally understand your reasons for starting this project and admire your tenacity Have you seen any of the builds which Gail Yarron has shown on the TDPRI site, he has a similar obsessive nature, particularly in his Les Paul build, but he is a bass player foremost with a particular soft spot for Precisions Here is a link to a list of his build diaries [url="http://www.tdpri.com/forum/search.php?searchid=7145695"]http://www.tdpri.com...earchid=7145695[/url] thanks for posting this Rick Harry [/quote] Thanks Harry. Yes I've been a fan of his work for some time, although a different league, I'm more an 'assembler' than a maker, I wish I had his skills, time, and patience. I certainly share his obsessive desire for accuracy though.

[quote name='Mabrothrax' timestamp='1348233506' post='1811204'] Lovely stuff so far. There's something about the slab p-bass that makes me all excited. I've got the 'bass culture' book of Entwhistle's collection and the slab bass in there is just gorgeous, made me seriously consider trying to build a slab bass of some sort, perhaps with a 51 body from warmoth. [/quote] Thanks, I agree, there is something about them, not sure what it is, its just a Precision really isnt it, albeit one thats merged into holy grail like status. I can't wait to get it finished.

[quote name='pobrien_ie' timestamp='1348230682' post='1811156'] Thanks for a great thread! In relation to some of the other posts, I have to say I think what you do is cool. I saw your ad for the '58 replica, and I don't think you could have been any clearer that it wasn't a Fender production bass. Please keep this kind of stuff coming [/quote] Thanks pobrien, appreciate the comments.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1348235653' post='1811232'] That`s more than generous, but knowing how messy the gigs at The Billy can be, I think it`s best (for you certainly) that my own gear gets trashed [/quote] Thats the beauty of Relics though isn't it, especially a thick slab body, it would take some trashing. John Entwistle even makes specific reference in Baz Matthews' book, about the difficulties of smashing a slab precision! Keep watching the thread, and see how progress go's leading up to the gig.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1348227847' post='1811094'] That slab-bass is/will be a beaut, Rick. If you`re ever playing at The King Billy and using it, let me know, I`ll come along, would love to see one of these in real life. [/quote] thanks Lozz. The King Billy!, now, I havent played there for a looong time, brings back memories of some very messy nights!! When I get it finished and set up, and you're playing round this way, let me know, and you can have a borrow of it. It may even be ready for November 10th?? I have a pickup issue at the moment though!?!

[sub]This is a pic of the bridge on an original slab;[/sub] [sub][/sub] [sub]This is the bridge I have, it's from a '67 Precision, it's not as clean as it looks in the picture (Bad photographer), but it's a nice one;[/sub] [sub][/sub]

This is the part that started it all. I saw this advertised about 5 years ago now, as a 1966 Precision Pickguard. I was drawn to it because it was black; the thumbrest screws were beneath the strings; it also had the wide bevelled edge, and slim truss access scoop. I thought it may have come from a real slab, as this style is unique to those. I got it for a silly price anyway, so took the chance. The rest of the bass has basically been built around this, after finally getting it all underway. The shield is perfectly matched, all holes aligned, and definitely came with the guard, as the rust, age rubs etc are the same. It's quite worn, white pretty yellowed, and some screw rust, but I have based the rest of the project on this level of wear, so everything else is getting a medium relic treatment to match.

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1348183788' post='1810703'] I've long wanted to build a slab replica. I doubt it would be as accurate as yours! I have that Barry Matthews book, I was a little sad that it didn't really shed much light on the supposed 'unique' tone these things were suposed to have. It mentioned it several times but didn't really delve into the cause. Still, never mind eh. [/quote] To be honest, whilst I enjoyed the book, and any other bass related book, I was very dissapointed, and thought it was a real missed opportunity. The tone, the finishes, the woods, all the things that make it unique were hardly mentioned. People talk about overwound pickups, higher outputs etc, there is no evidence to suggest any of this, but the book didnt cover it. The pictures are also quite poor. I suppose to make it a bigger, glossier affair, would have cost too much to produce for what would be a fairly limited market, and credit to him for even putting it together, but I was expecting more. I'll be posting some more pics of my project later today.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1348181013' post='1810668'] one of these would improve it maybe? [url="http://mosesgraphite.com/productpages/mp-144-p-bass-4/"]http://mosesgraphite...p-144-p-bass-4/[/url] [/quote]

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1348143767' post='1809915'] Good work Rick. Will watch this build with interest, looking forward to next installment. [/quote] Thanks Gary.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1348174221' post='1810538'] What is the body wood going to be? Bass Doc, IIRC, reckons the originals were tulip wood. [/quote] I've had conversations with Howard about these, although not specifically the wood. He has a great knowledge. There is no reference to anything other than ash for these slabs. There's also vague referencing to the bodies having blue veins showing through the finish. Baz Matthews though makes no reference in his book to these veins, and thats in a book dedicated solely to these 25 basses, and no word. All the pics I've seen also show white blonde finishes, and no evidence of blue veins. lots of mystery, myth, and legend surrounds these, so I'll take the word of those who have seen all the known examples, studied them, taken them apart, and written about them. Some finishes are thicker than others, more transluscent, some are more solid looking, almost olympic white. Some are heavily yellowed with age, others not. Telecaster basses from '68 are similar though, the logs say they were blonde, but some are also much more transluscent than others, so i guess the wood, and person in the spray shop had a big influence on finish during this period. All formal, informed reference I've seen, states ash, and white blonde, so thats what mine will be.

I'll join in, bought a book from Mal, perfect comms and service, nice one, always recommend folk like this. Nice n' easy. Thanks Mal.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1348170990' post='1810464'] Rick - apologies if I'm mistaken, but I seem to recall that you've advertised a detailed (and lovely) fake relic on BC before, clearly described as a fake - but with no markings on the instrument to make it clear. [/quote] It was a '58 Relic build. It looked right from a distance, but it could never have been mistaken for a real one. The headstock truss rod walnut cap was the elongated one, found on modern reissues, and never the originals. The tuners were modern reissues, the body had a different control cavity routing, the finish was poly, all parts were modern reissues, pots and wiring also. To anybody who would be likely to buy one, they'd know as soon as they opened the case, let alone taking it apart. That particular instrument didnt need any REPLICA note burnt into it, any more than a modern reissue doesnt. I accept some people will have issues with it, but it's my project. I have no problem with others opinions on it though, although it does seem to be dominating the thread!!

[quote name='Who's Who' timestamp='1348166476' post='1810368'] Looks awesome Rick. If it's even a patch on that '54 Replica Precision you did it will be an absolute gem. Can't wait to see the finished product. [/quote] Thanks man, I hope to improve with every step, so I'm hoping this will be the best I've done, I have mostly original '66 accessories too, which will be nice. Can't wait to get it done now.

[quote name='Johnnysonic' timestamp='1348154372' post='1810122'] [attachment=118902:IMG_3244.JPG] The P Bass is nice - an early '63. [/quote] Stunning example.

[quote name='Huge Hands' timestamp='1348151164' post='1810064'] Hi Rick, Interesting comments - don't get me wrong, I am enjoying watching your build (and others) and wish I had the patience and skills to do something like this myself, This is borne out by my own attempt at modifying a bass which is still sitting there nearly 4 years later! I understand what you say about replica v fake, and applaud you if you do burn replica into the neck should it ever be sold. Again none of this is criticism, I'm just typing questions out loud whilst trying to get my head around it. I thought this might be an interesting point of discussion to see what people thought - perhaps I should start another thread instead of hijacking your build (apologies about that). [/quote] I'm not going to argue with a man with huge hands!! I welcome all comments anyway, I knew [i]that [/i]picture would stoke some debate though, so I can't ignore the comments it raises. The subject has been covered elsewhere though. If I sold it, I would be sure to make it obviously a fake anyway, as there [i]are[/i] unsavoury folk out there. Trust me though, it's not [i]that[/i] accurate. This is simply my little indulgence.

[quote name='Huge Hands' timestamp='1348148395' post='1810017'] I'm sorry, but I don't get it. I can understand wanting to make the finish look vintage and look the part from the casual viewer's eye, but why go so far as to fake the date stamps? Even if you're honest and sell with a big REPLICA in your advert, what's to stop the buyer passing it off to someone else as an original? You say it's obvious, but to my untrained eye on your photos, the date stamp looks fairly genuine, even if it is straighter than most I've seen. I would have thought fans of the range would want to stamp out fakes out there on the market? Please note I'm not trying to slag you off or be nasty, each to their own. I'm just interested in discussing the chain of thought that goes into this. [/quote] Happy to receive your comments. It's a personal thing, I like to make things as accurate as possible, I enjoy the search and build process, this is my 4th one, and each time I've made them more accurate. It's [i]my[/i] bass, for [i]my [/i]use. If I sold it, I would burn REPLICA into the neck heel anyway. Besides this, [i]you[/i] may think it looks right, but there are several obvious things on the neck itself that show immediately it isn't real. Anyone spending around £10k on an instrument would spot these details from 10metres away, let alone during close inspection, so in reality, it wouldn't be an issue. Theres a big difference between fakes and replicas. Fakes are pretty easy to spot generally. I have no issue with someone making a good copy for themselves. I'm sure there are lots out there, I just show mine on here, because as a bass player/fan/collector etc, I love to see these kind of projects, especially on rare instruments like the one I'm replicating here. I'm not flogging it as a no-returns policy sale only. Not me, and it will be very much de-flocked if i ever decided to sell.

[quote name='Johnnysonic' timestamp='1348148780' post='1810023'] I simply don't agree. I have been collecting and writing about vintage Fender basses for over 30 years. A chunk of my collection is in the Fender Golden Age Book by Foster and Kelly, and I have owned pre CBS basses in almost all the colours (Sonic Blue, Fiesta Red, Burgundy Mist etc), and never in that time have I heard anything negative from collectors about Black. Quite the reverse in fact. Black is super hard to find, and few people have seen real ones. I'm not sure I would take the experience of a '68 Tele Bass as a guide, as few people are looking for those in any custom colour, let alone Black. We really must inhabit different universes! Johnny [/quote] I've not said anything negative about black, and have said all along that it's a very rare custom colour. I just haven't come across anyone that wanted one, or considered them desirable when compared with other rare custom colours. Thats my experience, as your comment is yours.

Here's the last 3 pics of the finished neck;

[quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1348144538' post='1809938'] Very interested in this project, as a previous owner of one of these (would love to have recorded the serial number to see if it's on your list). Are there 2 at V'n'R now or are those the most recent 'sightings'? Steve [/quote] Thanks Steve. The 2 at V&R are long gone, they are an extract from the book that is around 5 years old I think?