Rick's Fine '52

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1332706188' post='1591986'] I regularly do that and actually did it with this guy but it was a none starter! Some people can't be bothered with waiting in for couriers to turn up and/or they fear that breakages (or if on ebay 'alleged' breakages) will give them more grief than it is worth. HOWEVER, worst case scenario happened to a friend; he sold a remote control car on ebay and the buyer paid via paypal and phoned my mate asking if he could organise a courier. Not a problem so my mate duly packed it and it was collected next day... just over a week later the buyer demands a refund for none delivery of item! My mate doesn't have a leg to stand on as he has no 'proof' that he sent the item, as the buyer did all of the booking etc. A cautionary tale. [/quote] You're right to warn of caution, i'd never considered that, although i always send copy of the courier paperwork/invoice to the seller (Not that anyones asked for it?), i just feel better showing my openness and honesty, it also contains all the collection dates/times so it helps avoid any confusion there, and also (In the event of situations like the one you quoted) provides evidence should PayPal seek it when fraudulant claims come knocking! Awful story though, there's obviously people who make a living from that, not nice at all!! As with lots of things, its the actions of the few that prevent more freedom for the majority!

Whenever i come across sellers not offering postage, i just ask them if they will put bubble wrap and a box round it, and i'll have a courier pick it up (Arranged by me for collection at a time to suit them.....usually their work address), so far, i've [i]never[/i] had that option refused by a seller. I pay £12 for a courier to collect a bass from anywhere in the UK, and bring it to my door. Well worth considering guys, dont be put off from a potential bargain because buyer wants collection only!!!

OK, I'll play, as the sun's shining; My '52 [attachment=103367:#52.jpg] My '56 [attachment=103368:#56.JPG] My '58 [attachment=103369:My58.JPG] My '58 Self build Project [attachment=103370:#58build.JPG] My Bassman [attachment=103371:bassman.JPG]

I'm always reading on here , people criticising Fender for making too many models/options, yet people still feel the need to chop up a perfectly good Bass. Don't get me wrong, I'm not being critical, I just find it amusing. When you can buy every possible configuration of guitar you can think of, why do this. I've never seen a bass like this sell, and recover even half the money spent.

[quote name='The Bass Doc' timestamp='1332273315' post='1585983'] Cheers Rick, I'm afraid I don't own one now. My favourite presently resides with Barry Matthews. He's a nice guy who may let you visit to try it out. If you need a number on him I can put you in touch via PM. I note your point about twiddling to equalise the sound of a couple of Fenders but I meant to refer to the acoustic properties being different to begin with. I go along with the fact that the pickups/amp settings govern the final result but, on the other hand, if the bass rings differently before you plug in, the pickup/amp end can at first only amplify what's there to begin with (does that make any sense?). Anyway, I like the fact that different opinions exist on this splendid forum. Never forget what dear old Uncle Adolf said 'Opinions are like testicles - we've all got one'. [/quote] Thanks for the great info. I'm definitely with you on the acoustic thing, despite my earlier comments, you put it so much better!! PM'd. Cheers Rick

[quote name='The Bass Doc' timestamp='1332269643' post='1585898'] OK, here's my take:- Firstly the neck. Maple-on-maple with the fingerboard 'rolled' as opposed to slab cut. This was the only time Fender did that as far as I know. I have spoken to players of '66 Telecaster 6-strings with the same configuration and thay tell me their model sounds brighter than either rosewood boards or solid maple. Secondly the pickup was wound slightly higher than my other Precisions - not far off 12K I seem to remember. Body wood (and yes I know about the experiment with a piece of scrap wood). It was light for a slab and I discovered afterwards from the late Jim Cairnes that the peculiar colouration I described to him suggested tulipwood/magnolia had been used instead of ash or alder. So these three points combined to give the bass it's special flavour - all just in my opinion of course but I hope dear readers will accept that I speak as one who has experienced more Fender basses than notes I have played on them! I am Morethan Semen. Thank you for listening. [/quote] Thanks, interesting stuff. Don't doubt any of it. The maple cap point is an interesting one, I've always been curious as to why it would make such a difference tonally. Having played hundreds of vintage rosewood and maple fender basses, the main difference in sound comes from the the pickups/amp etc (To me anyway), and the difference in wood makes a much bigger difference to the [i]playability[/i] than the tone. I can make a maple neck '52 P sound almost as warm as a '62 Jazz, with a few knob twiddles, but they feel completely different of course. I must find a maple cap!! the one i played wasnt markedly different, although i didnt spend long enough with it to make a proper assessment. I must borrow yours for a couple of years!! I guess, as you, and many others suggest, its a combination of all the unique traits, that make this bird different to other variations Fender have produced. Thanks, this is the kinda reply i hoped for. How long have you had it, if you don't mind me asking?? Rick

[quote name='The Bass Doc' timestamp='1332267716' post='1585865'] No jumping on bandwagons here. As an owner I concur with Mr. Entwhistle - more aggressive, growly and ultra bright. Also a tad uncomfortable in the belly department but that's maybe my fault for being a funny shape. [/quote] Fair enough, I take that back, I'm only going on books I've read, research done, comments from other owners, and the simple fact that there is nothing different in the components that would realistically make a difference, but you are better placed than me to make that comment, as its based on proper experience, and not my readings alone. Thanks for that. What do you put the difference in tone down too then?, is it just the higher output pickups?? Interested to know more. Cheers

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1332257916' post='1585680'] What's the big deal about this bass - just the rarity? I would have thought that if it was actually any good there would have been a re-issue (probably from Japan). [/quote] Rarity alone, end of. There is nothing in the build up of the bass to suggest it has any tonal differences. John Entwistle said once that it had more growl, and lots of folk have jumped on that band wagon. My '57 has more growl than my '56, basses are all a bit different. Its super rare, that's it. Contoured P's [i]are[/i] more comfortable than slab P's though.

[quote name='dlloyd' timestamp='1332204561' post='1584929'] [/quote] Is this yours, or just a pic of one??

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1332198160' post='1584838'] I'm sure someone here wrote and published a book about the slab P. Thread maybe 3 or so years ago. [/quote] Yeah, Barry Matthews, its not a bad book, but it could have been sooo much better, missed opportunity if you ask me, but contains some decent info.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1332196888' post='1584816'] Here you go: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/133166-i-miss-my-66-slab-precision-so-much/page__p__1210198__hl__slab%20precision__fromsearch__1#entry1210198"]http://basschat.co.u..._1#entry1210198[/url] ...and here: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/113225-hens-teeth-1966-slab-bodied-precision-rears-its-head/page__hl__slab%20precision"]http://basschat.co.u...lab%20precision[/url] [/quote] Thanks, great Who clip on there!

[quote name='Johnston' timestamp='1332193569' post='1584743'] Is this the one Entwistle had made of tulip wood or something? [/quote] Err, no(?), but he owned, and indeed smashed, a few of them!!

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1332193221' post='1584735'] I find myself mysteriously drawn to any talk of the fabled Slab Precision... [/quote] Me too, I've been on here for about 10 months now, and not seen any reference, so thought I'd ask?? Do you have any personal experience of this rare bird??

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1332192891' post='1584726'] "The Holy Grail" [/quote] Wow, that was a quick response, less than a minute!!

I'm curious to see if anyone either has one/has played one/owned one/knows someone who has one etc?? There's a few known examples, and the chances are that someone on here has had some contact with, or knowledge of, one of them? I was offered Steve Curries a few years ago, but passed on it because of all the mods it had, one of the few 'serious' vintage basses I've been offered, that I [i]don't[/i] regret passing on. Other than that, I played one in a New York Vintage store about 3 years ago, although it was the rosewood version (Doesn't count in my book!!), that's as close as I've got. Any other stories? (Real ones please! ) (Sorry if this has been posted before, i did a quick search and couldn't find another?)

[quote name='CBbass' timestamp='1331826540' post='1579560'] I pretty much know how to put together a bass in theory, I have never done anything remotely like it though and I don't want to screw up such expensive parts. [/quote] If you're just assembling parts, there shouldnt be anything to 'screw up', you may have to do things more than once, or tweak/adjust things, but nothing that will damage the bass or components. I've assembled 3 basses from scratch, i have no skills, but a screwdriver, a soldering iron (Not neccessary either with some pickup/pot assemblies), and a keen eye is all you need. My three are fab, and were cheap too, and I used all Fender components.

[quote name='Johnston' timestamp='1331752912' post='1578375'] [url="http://www.themusiczoo.com/product/13480/Fender-Custom-Shop-Limited-Masterbuilt-Dennis-Dunaway-Billion-Dollar-Jazz-Bass/"]http://www.themusicz...llar-Jazz-Bass/[/url] And people thought the dusty was a bit much price wise. [/quote] That is ridiculous....oh hang on...whats that?.....free shipping!! Quite reasonable then!

[quote name='Fitz666' timestamp='1331732490' post='1577878'] [sub]That has to be the single ugliest bass I have ever seen, nasty[/sub] [/quote] Which one?, I can see three under your comment. (Runs for cover........)

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1331593769' post='1575688'] I bet they are. I would. [/quote]

[quote name='Johnston' timestamp='1331588749' post='1575555'] Of course I'm eager I'm a perv [/quote]

[quote name='Johnston' timestamp='1331587217' post='1575517'] am I the only one denied access to his other items? [/quote] LOL, I can sense your eagerness to see more!! Most of his items are blocked, but there are a few, keep scrolling!!

Welcome Mr. Richards, have fun here!!

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1331402766' post='1572497'] Being a keen art student, I thought I had better investigate further, of course. [/quote] Good shout!!

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1331402161' post='1572486'] Um... he's not really selling basses though, is he?? [/quote] That's true, i never thought to check his other items before, I'd seen enough, interesting to know you were keen to discover more though!