Rick's Fine '52

[quote name='Immo' post='1353562' date='Aug 27 2011, 01:52 PM']But isn't the neck titled down a bit? I love that 'feature' in Fenders, most P-Basses have this 'loose neck problem' as well.[/quote] ???????

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='1353310' date='Aug 27 2011, 08:39 AM']I was expecting the BIG 4x10 & 1x15 (vinyl covered) with the MAHOOSIVE amp with the UV light... that rig's the baby one! I had both of the above set ups (way back when, and the compact rig was the first generation vinyl covered) and I'm sure my present rig is every bit as good as those rigs at half the weight and size but time plays tricks on you and I would love to blast through those old rigs one more time... so long as I didn't have to carry it back out to the van. [/quote] I don't remember calling it a 'baby', as I hauled it up the stairs! You're right though it wasn't the biggest one they did, i was just a sucker for the green carpet, must be a kinda bass gear fetish thing!! As you say, I'd love to have another blast through it, i'll never forget that classic Trace tone, every time, never failed ya! Time does play tricks, and its easy to get nostalgic, but i think you're probably right, you can get a similar quality rig now, for half the weight. What you need is a strong roadie.....and casters!!!

[quote name='Stingray5' post='1353187' date='Aug 26 2011, 11:45 PM']I'll vouch for that! That's almost my set up, except I have the 15" combo GP12 SMX with an older series 2x10 (w/2x5) cab. Funny thing is I've been toying lately with finally letting it all go in favour of something a little more lightweight but am just not sure. Whenever I go out with it, it just does what I need it to do. Ah well... maybe I'll hang on to it a little longer... [/quote] I wouldnt have sold it if i was still gigging. Like you say, does everything you want, reliable; responsive, simple controls; sturdy, brilliant kit. Heavy, but then most bass gear is isnt it?!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1353183' date='Aug 26 2011, 11:33 PM']Haha, I agree mrs stingray I'm sure prefers me to have the Genz shuttle to something like that although I do have a nice little stack of cabs growing in the dining room [/quote] Bass gear does actually [i]grow[/i], as I'm sure you tell your good lady too. As long as we all stick to that theory, then there'll always be someone to back us up. Some instruments dont just grow, they also pro-create too. Many a morning I've woken up to the sound of my wife, going in the spare room, opening up a cupboard, and saying "Were there always 4 guitars in there?, I'm sure there were only 3 the other day!". Its a fact. National Geographic Channel should do a series on it!!!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1353172' date='Aug 26 2011, 11:09 PM']With Flea using them I bet they will start to appear soon Rick?[/quote] I hope so! Personally, i always liked the simple/basic look of them, but they sounded poor, if the new ones are up to scratch (And the anticipated high price), they will be worth having a play on. Not sure I'd buy one though, big rigs take up too much space now for my current needs, and Mrs. Rick would definitely not be impressed with a new 'wardrobe', especially if it looks like an industrial A/C Unit!!!!!

Firstly, I have absolutely no affiliation with this sale. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trace-Elliot-/110733088523?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Amplifiers_RL&hash=item19c834d70b"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trace-Elliot-/11...=item19c834d70b[/url] I used to gig with an identical rig around '94/5. It was a fantastic rig, with perfect tone. Seeing this took me right back to lugging the heavy cabs out the car to the pub door, up the steps.....they werent the lightest, but they sounded fab. Someones gonna upset the neighbours with this great set up . Future classic vintage piece i think. Love 'em. Must be the green carpet!!

Nice purchase Gary, looks barely played!? Sunburst and maple, simple, and still the best combo.. Good job!

I agree with most replies already posted. You said its a player, so make it playable. A collectable vintage bass loses a considerable portion of its value if its been refinished, half the buyers on the vintage market will already have discounted it, adding a refret is going make almost no further difference in value, in fact, if its done properly with period correct frets, and you retain the old frets in a bag in the case, then it may make no further depreciation at all, as it is a great playable instrument. I'd definitely do it if it was mine. If it was all 100% original, and in fantastic condition, i'd maybe advise otherwise, depending how unplayable it is of course, maybe just making the action a little higher would help. Go for it, and enjoy playing it!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1353063' date='Aug 26 2011, 09:29 PM']I bet it sounds ace though![/quote] It certainly looks like it sounds ace, and i'm sure they do. The original 70's ones that Jaco is alleged to have favoured, actually sound pretty crap. I've tried a few original heads, as at one point a few years ago, i thought they must have 'something', they didnt, they were solid state, and were not great. The quality is refelcted in current prices for 70's heads and cabs, pretty reasonable. Would love to try these new ones though, havent seen them anywhere in the UK yet?

[quote name='molan' post='1352190' date='Aug 26 2011, 11:15 AM']That's exactly what I meant - well interpreted I definitely stand by this and have heard many, many people agree with this broad concept. Often it's the people who are less experienced and with less technical playing ability that would agree most. Some of them will find playing some things very difficult indeed but having something that generates that enthusiasm can help them break through a 'learning 'barrier'. As for playing the same riffs and patterns repeatedly I have to say I can't see an issue with this either. In my experience, the more you play the more fluid your playing becomes, the more you want to pick up an instrument = the better player you become [/quote] Agree on all fronts. How's the '[i]new[/i]' P coming along?

[quote name='Blademan_98' post='1348202' date='Aug 22 2011, 06:04 PM']I am thinking of adding an ashtray to my Squier Active Jazz. I am un-decided at present. There will be no going back because of the obvious holes! What do you think? If you have no opinion, I have a 'don't care' option [/quote] On your particular bass, no, it looks odd without the chrome control plate, as others have commented. In addition, the one you have isnt a Fender one, and is shorter than a real one, hence why the pickup is visible, which doesnt look good. Chrome covers look good if both are fitted, and the control plate is chrome. On my '62 Jazz, i have them both fitted, but when i play it (Not that often these days), i remove the pickup cover as it gets in the way of my style of playing. I used to remove it when i played gigs with it, and then put the cover back on when it was hung up. For yours, it's a no from me.

[quote name='Doddy' post='1351856' date='Aug 25 2011, 10:46 PM']I know it's about how much you spend....I was just picking up on the comment that if you have an expensive bass that you want to play,you will improve. I'm just saying that isn't the case-you may get the inspiration to pick up the instrument and play it,but that doesn't mean you will improve.[/quote] Disagree. I never said if you have an expensive bass you will improve? I said if you play more, you'll improve. I'm struggling to think of an example of [i]anything[/i] that you do more often, and fail to improve.

[quote name='Doddy' post='1351678' date='Aug 25 2011, 07:36 PM']If everytime you pick up the instrument you play the same licks and songs,there comes a point very quickly where improvement stops...it doesn't matter what bass it's played on.A nice expensive instrument may inspire you to pick it up but that doesn't guarantee improvement. Just what i said then? If you play and study stuff that is beyond you,that is how you improve as a player-by pushing yourself to play something that you can't already do.....just picking up and playing alone won't improve you.[/quote] If you understand it, yes, if you don't understand it, like i said, then it could have the opposite effect. This thread is about how much would you spend on a bass. No-one is saying an expensive bass will make you play better. If it makes you play more often though, you will improve, unless theres something wrong with you. [i]Everything[/i] improves with practice. Jeeez

[quote name='Doddy' post='1351575' date='Aug 25 2011, 05:47 PM']I disagree with this. A nice instrument may inspire you to pick it up often,but it won't make you a better player-that is down to what you play/study on it,not the cost of the instrument and how often you pick it up.[/quote] I think you've over analysed. I think he simply meant (Correct me if I'm wrong Molan!), if you have an instrument that inspires you to pick it up and play more frequently, with added enthusiasm, then it will improve your playing. As with anything, the more you do it, the better you will become. If i analyse what [i]you[/i] said, becoming better does not depend at all on what you play/study. If your'e studying stuff thats beyond you, and you dont understand it, it could de-motivate you and make you less interested and worse as a player. Similarly, if you simply play open E all the time, it won't make you better either, but then I'm over analysing. Sorry, in one of them moods today!!

[quote name='daz' post='1350562' date='Aug 24 2011, 06:22 PM']makes no diff, if i saved for years or won [i]el gordo[/i], bases are for playing. Guitars [i]on the wall [/i] as ornaments is silly, unless they are just hung there to keep them from the dog chewing or cocking a leg on them, or the missus knocking it over whilst doing the hoovering.[/quote] Why is having a bass on the wall silly??, I never understand people who say things like that? It's nonsense. It’s all relative surely. My passion is Vintage Fender Basses, I love them, I’ve spent many years buying and selling them (Mainly buying them, I find it very difficult to sell!). It is anything but silly. If it makes me happy, then it isn’t silly. I have a collection that is worth a few quid, and yes I have spent considerable amounts on individual guitars, because to me, they are worth it. Anyone who collects anything, will tell you that the chase for that Holy Grail item is part of the fun, and I’ve met numerous, fantastic people during that process. All my basses are worth considerably more than what I paid for them, and they are worth considerably more than if I’d put the money in the bank, and I’ve had the benefit of playing and enjoying them for that time. They are a great investment, if you buy the right instrument of course, and you know your stuff. Is it ‘silly’ of me not to take my near mint ’52 to jam night at the Dog and Duck? No, of course not, surely a no-brainer? It should be in a museum! I have other instruments that are far better suited, and easier to play, that I can drag down the Dog and Duck. ‘Basses are for playing’ I hear you cry? Yes, of course they are. My ’52 was meant to be played in 1952. Almost 60 years on though, and it’s become an instrument of significant interest. If it was a house, it would be Grade 1 Listed, and rightly so. I’ve said this before, but it’s the same with cars. Cars are for driving? Yes, of course they are. But if you were fortunate enough to own a 1962 Ferrari 250 GT Daytona, worth £3m, would you use it for the school run? No. Would you use it for the weekly shop, and leave it in the multi-story next to Aldi? No, of course not. No difference. If antiques was your thing, and you had a 15th Century silver spoon, worth £5k, would you use it everyday to stir your coffee?, what?, No?, but spoons are meant for stirring surely! It’s a simple case of Horses for Courses. Whatever floats your boat (Bass wise that is). I think people who pay £1500 for a Rickenbacker 4001/3 are ‘silly’, they are ghastly, ugly contraptions. Players who buy Gibson Thunderbirds should seek psychiatric help, and as for those who pay top dollar for headless Status basses, words fail me, they’re not even basses, they look like shovels, with strings! Like I said, we’re all different, and thank God we are too, because the world would be a dull one if we all played Precisions (Although it would be a more attractive one! ). Having expensive basses certainly doesn’t make me/or make me think I am, a better player, I’m not, I’m pretty crap, but I love playing, love collecting, and love owning these instruments. My JV Jazz is arguably the cheapest bass I have, and it is one of the best sounding, and definitely the nicest to play, out of all my basses. So it’s not about the sound or playability either. As for hanging them up so the missus doesn’t knock them whilst hoovering, obviously I am loaded, so we have cleaners who do that for us. And for those who are concerned at that statement, don’t worry, I never allow the cleaners into the East wing, where the studio, well, one of the studio’s is located, so that’s never been a problem! Oh, and before you hit the ‘reply’ button, yes, that last paragraph was a joke!! Rick.

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1342396' date='Aug 16 2011, 08:47 PM']I think it's bollocks, just like a Badass bridge, and adds nothing to the sound, except maybe 1 millisecond more sustain. Same with 'bolt on' vs 'thru neck'.[/quote] Absolutely, couldnt agree more. Leo started with a string through, and changed to a top loading simple top bridge in 1957 (I've read that this was more to do with the cost of producing the ferrules, and routing, and the fact that a threaded 4 saddle bridge offered more precise intonation, and had nothing to do with sustain), Fender still sell most basses with an identical bridge, i guess if fender have sold the same bridge (Virtually), for 55 years, it must be pretty decent! Badass bridges look horrible in my opinion, i certainly wouldnt even show a bass one of those, let alone actually fit it. I've played identical basses with and without them, and heard no difference. Regarding someones comment on string-thru offering more sustain, this is true, my pre-57 basses have more sustain than my '58 & '59, as do my Tele basses, its marginal though, and nothing to analyse too much. Age of strings in my opinion influences sustain far more than anything else. From my experience, most players i know have their basses poorly set up, people often dont tamper with bridges because they dont know what they are doing, if you take time to properly set up any bridge arrangement, it will make an improvement. As for the comment about string angle etc, etc, i fell asleep halfway through that particular explanation. I think, from only a few months on this forum, that either i'm not geeky enough, or some people have too much time on their hands. Don't get me wrong, i love my basses, but plug a well set up Precision into a bassman amp, and thats all you need, it sounds like a bass should. But then this Forum would be pretty sh*te if we all had the same opinion!!

[quote name='KevB' post='1342801' date='Aug 17 2011, 09:56 AM']A good quality picture of a Rickenfaker with 'F**K YOU JOHN HALL' under it. And sell them on eBay.[/quote] Perfect! I'll take a gross of those.....Ta. "Bass........The Final Frontier" (Not a very novel idea I know, but no-one else mentioned it yet!)

Odd one this, as from the pic you say its a Vintage, but it doesnt look very 'vintage', neither the tuners?, looks like a late 70's Gibbo though, surprised at getting one from the US, the customs charges and duty taxes must've cost as much as the bass? Look forward to 'the reveal' though!

[quote name='Immo' post='1338768' date='Aug 13 2011, 02:04 PM']I guess in future basses like this 58' P-bass will be treated as holy artifacts by bassists of the 24th century, held in sealed, bulletproof glass cases with controlled atmosphere and surrounded by a cult following... ...no, wait, it happens already.[/quote] I think its inevitable that anything significantly rare, completely original, and in excellent condition, will require preserving, and looking after. I think its a good thing, and only right that they are, and they should be respected, and not misused. They should be played though, although not every day, and not in a sweaty, smoky pub. There are other instruments that are more suited to that. (For that reason i have excellent relic copy versions of my oldest basses). If you were fortunate enough to own a Ferrari 250 GTO, you wouldnt use it for the school run, or leave it in a multi-storey car park, to be scratched, or leaving it susceptible to unneccesary damage. Use it, but with respect, care and caution, they should be played, but they should also be preserved for future collectors, and indeed, points of reference. I have a few vintage Fender basses that you could argue should be in a museum, but then i wouldnt enjoy them, i'll leave that decision for future owners, should they so choose.

[quote name='gregsguitars' post='1337701' date='Aug 12 2011, 02:42 PM']So [url="http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2011/Aug/1958_Fender_Precision_Bass.aspx"]Premier Guitar magazine[/url] did a spread on my 58 Precision bass.........[/quote] Nice bass...not as nice as mine , but very nice bass!

[quote name='Johnston' post='1325631' date='Aug 3 2011, 01:32 PM']I suppose it could be natural if the owner was a plumber and was using the neck as a head shield when soldering pipes.[/quote] Having looked again, the work he´s done to the back of the neck is inspired, if he´d continued with the whole neck, he could have passed it off as an exotic wood, the likes of which, Alembic would be proud!!

[quote name='Johnston' post='1325631' date='Aug 3 2011, 01:32 PM']I suppose it could be natural if the owner was a plumber and was using the neck as a head shield when soldering pipes.[/quote] It´s a fair point, well made, i take it back. I´ll contact the seller, and advise him/her to list it under the correct heading, that being, ´used welding equpiment´and not, musical instruments. An honest error methinks.

There are some, good, genuinely authentic looking relic´s out there, although thre are far more bad úns, how about this one, without doubt the worst i´ve seen, some people have genuinly missed the point about what a relic look is supposed to replicate; [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Squier-Affinity-Standard-Strat-Neck-Worn-RELIC-/190561927794?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item2c5e604272"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Squier-Af...=item2c5e604272[/url]