Rick's Fine '52

[quote name='cloudburst' timestamp='1347810027' post='1805279'] The first production fretless bass was the Ampeg AUB-1, introduced in 1966. It had a scroll peghead [/quote] I was close!

ET is correct, the first fretless P was 1970. The ampeg baby is an upright, they did 2 fretless basses with scroll headstocks, dont recall the models (From memory; AMB1 & ASB1???) , they are known as the scroll bass and devil bass, one had full depth f-holes, the other had horns, they were available from '66. Not aware of a pre-'66 production mainstream fretless? I'll be looking into the quote later, it's somewhere, but i have alot of fender/bass books, so may take a while!!

Macca wasnt too bad either!! Lead vocals, harmonising, and fairly busy basslines, not easy. I'm awful, as soon as i open my mouth, my right hand just stops... (Theres's a joke in there somewhere I'm sure, but can't be arsed to change the sentence, you know what i mean!)

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1347727567' post='1804406'] Not a Fender bass V - it was an undisclosed make of fretless. [/quote] I'll stand corrected if wrong, but it is quite a famous story, which is claimed, by a fender R&D rep, to have damaged the reputation of the Bass V. I'll find the actual story at some point, its quite a famous story, as the original poster stated. Can't imagine JJ having an issue with a fretless, as he was a doghouse player, ewhereas the Bass V, is just a dog to play! I'm off to trawl my many books to find the story......

I'm trying to find one component that actually looks remotely like a genuine fender one? Thumbrest? £150, and not finished yet!!!, someone is gonna get hurt, it ain't worth £30

[quote name='walbassist' timestamp='1347516178' post='1801812'] I'm pretty sure the reputed bass was a Fender Bass V and not a fretless P. [/quote] This.

[quote name='rogerstodge' timestamp='1347576601' post='1802801'] I can imagine your boy saying "its my turn now dad" .. In a minute son.. In a minute [/quote] More than once!!

[quote name='rogerstodge' timestamp='1347568997' post='1802664'] hi Rick, do you tune those small basses EADG? Cheers [/quote] Yes, just the same, great fun for me too, nice and easy to play chords on with the short neck.

[u]Full story;[/u] [u][url="http://www.21frets.com/Squier_History.html"]http://www.21frets.c...er_History.html[/url][/u] And here's the man himself;

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1347449832' post='1800890'] Has he made his bed yet? [/quote] No, he's too busy shredding, to do his bedding!

Chris, Not sure how small/age group you're looking for, but I bought my Son a Westfield Precision for his 6th birthday, see below. He's 11 now, and still uses it, and they're still made, it cost about £80, along with a used Ashdown perfect 10 combo, was ideal as a starter bass. It came with a strap, lead, DVD tutor, and a little battery amplifier, great value for £80. They did it in black, white or red. I can try and track down where i got it from if you're interested.

Here's my bass + rig. All from early 1952, the original 'bass rig'. 1952 Fender Precision, original plastileather bag and strap. 1952 Fender TV Bassman, 1x15, tweed. [url="javascript:void(0);"][/url]

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1347313724' post='1799327'] I've seen several. It seems to have been quite a common side-effect of neck re-sets over the years, and can cover a multitude of sins. I've also had a couple of active Hofners where the cover plate for the electronics was in tort. It always looks horrible, inappropriate, and horribly inappropriate. [/quote] Indeed, why wouldn't you just use pearl??, senseless, it's a new one on me, obviously more common than I thought, I love finding out new stuff though, thanks.

[quote name='Chris Horton' timestamp='1347132701' post='1797343'] That is REAL porn !!! [/quote] Thanks Chris, I have the original hang tag too, and forgot to put it on the bass! It's a fine set, the original 'Bass rig'!

The truss rod cover on these is a 3-ply (BWB), the one in the ad is a singly ply black, unless the picture is square on..exactly, although there is a slight bevel, so you should still see it?, I think thats what makes it look odd? Maybe a replacement, everything else looks ok, apart from the aforementioned tuners, although i havent seen a tortoishell neck joint cover shroud before? Here's a late '64 TRC.

[quote name='gareth' timestamp='1347196169' post='1797877'] not quite sure what you mean by that? [/quote] Sorry, thought it was obvious, it was actually you're quote. I meant, thankfully you don't have a tadeo precision that's having its finish faded and cracked due to being exposed to light every day, and the bakelite guard cracked to swithereens by palm sweat. If it was played regularly, as you say it should be, it wouldn't last long in nice condition. Rare, significant and important artefacts, whether modern or ancient, including basses should be preserved, its obvious, we're not splitting atoms here, you don't agree, which is fine, I'm just glad you don't own one, it's an opinion, which I'm entitled to, as are you.

[quote name='gareth' timestamp='1347194610' post='1797856'] thankfully i do not [/quote] Thankfully for the vintage bass community that you don't as well.