Rick's Fine '52

[quote name='hillbilly deluxe' post='1255180' date='Jun 3 2011, 10:58 AM']what was the price of a new,say 1962 Precision,and how would that price sit in todays Fender line up ? I dont think that many Fender basses,apart from the really early ones,are particularly rare,but to find an unmolested one in good cosmetic condition is probably a lot more difficult. AC,could have been replaced at any time in his career,but hasnt.Im no fan of U2 for the fact that they just dont do it for me,but from what ive heard of them,i cant see anything wrong with his playing.[/quote] I have a 1957 Fender Catalogue & Price list. A Fender Precision in 1957 cost $225. After a little research (So don't shoot me), the average house price in California in 1957 was $4600, which works out at around 5% of the average house price. Todays market, with the average UK house price at £164k, would make a new fender P Bass at £8,000. Not sure what this tells you though?? This is not really comparable though, because at the time, in '57, there were no other basses available, so there is no comparism, as to whether Fenders were expensive, or cheap. They certainly didnt cheap out on quality parts in the 50's, and everything was hand finsihed. It wasnt until the mid 60's when they got cheap alternatives of almost all components, and started the 'production line' system of mass production.

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1255148' date='Jun 3 2011, 10:24 AM']Fender are the world leader in terms of sales... but in order to maintain this position and remain competitive, this has lead to them being basically a fashion brand... a vast amount of their sales are due to people buying an image not the essence of the instrument (and certainly not the quality) hence all the different style versions of the same meat 'n' veg. [/quote] I think there's 2 way's of looking at this. there's the purists view, that Fender's, made by true craftsmen, and luthiers, like they were 'back in the day', hand finished, and generally made with care, and attention to detail, were desirable, and remain so to this day. Vintage fenders are highly prized, not just for their collectibility, and rarity, but also because they play, and sound fantastic. the Custom Shop are, in their own way, trying to give that level of detail, and time. fender have also given everyone, despite budget restrictions, the opportunity to own a Fender. Obviously the price will dictate the quality, and some of the chinese/indonesian fenders do lack some of the finesse, but they have made a decsiion to make their brand accessible to all, which has made them the Worlds biggest instrument manufacturer. I think everyone recognises that a Chinese Precision for £120 brand new, is not going to compare to a £3000 Masterbuilt Model. Most manufacturers, even the high-end ones, have almost all succumbed to the eastern manufacturing lure, and now offer far cheaper models as a result. Because Fender are now so big, you can buy the very best thing they make, all handmade etc, for less than £3k, or around that figure, which i think is reasonable, compared with some other basses at that kind price. There is a demand for signature guitars, which Fender started in the 80's, everyone is on the bandwagon, and Fender are cheaper than all of them. they are also trying to attract beginners with these models, take the Mike Dirnt model P-Bass. Its mexican, and you can get one for £250. If you don't like the AC Gold Edition, then don't buy it, personally i dont like it either, but i bet they sell them all. Oh, and No, i don't work for Fender, i just think they do things better than most. Something for everyone.

[quote name='Lenny B' post='1255052' date='Jun 3 2011, 09:06 AM']Any chance...er... I could possibly.... borrow... the Mani Rick for it...? [/quote] To be honest, i'd be happy to lend it, but the pickup wires need soldering to the pots. The wiring harness is complete, and soldered, but not the p'ups. I've soldered fender wires to pots, which is easy, as its solid core, but with Rickenbackers, its braided wire, and i wouldnt have a clue how to do that, and i dont know anyone local who i could take it to. I must try and organise it, and if you're gigging later on, then i'd be happy to farm it out for action, no probs there at all.

[quote name='Lenny B' post='1254836' date='Jun 2 2011, 11:37 PM']That looks fantastic, what a great job I'm playing She Bangs The Drum at a gig in a couple of weeks, so have been dusting off the 1st album and rediscovering it - great stuff![/quote] Thanks Lenny, good luck with the 'Bangs' cover, i hope the gig go's well. Oh, and yes, it is a great album, true classic.

[quote name='hairyhaw' post='1251194' date='May 31 2011, 10:41 AM']I think the best recorded example of the 4005 would be "Going Down" - nice mellow growl. That's probably your best frame of reference. Anybody known the last time Mani actually gigged with it? He's pretty attached to his 3000's these days.[/quote] I think the last time he used it was in 1990, i read somewhere that he never used it after 'The War Of The Roses', with Silvertone. He used a sunburst Precision at Spike Island. Second coming tour he used two different 3000/1's, and an EB3. His original 4005 is now on show at the 'British Music Experience' exhibition, at the O2 Arena, if its still on, i went about 12 months ago, but i think its a resident expo?? Here's a pic of the bass, and JS's clothes from the Elephent Stone photo shoot, with the huge perspex sheet, and lots of paint. [attachment=81584:1231.jpg] Nice...

[quote name='Telebass' post='1253924' date='Jun 2 2011, 01:23 PM']Howdy! I play slabs also. Reissues only, though! Still a great bass by any standards, and a tribute to the rightness of Leo's thinking![/quote] Howdy to you telebass. they are very cool basses, no doubt, rare example of someone getting it right first time around, which when you consider there was no benchmark, no comparable, completely new concept, and they are still making the exact same basses today, its quite incredible.

[quote name='AndyTravis' post='1254409' date='Jun 2 2011, 06:51 PM']I follow Fender Custom Shop on twitter... They've just announced an Adam Clayton precision bass, looks a bit pants, but nicer than the reverso! I know as a player he divides opinion, I think he suits U2 well, and it's a bit too easy to slate him, I appreciate his playing, just not his taste in basses, or his singer... [url="https://twitter.com/fendercustom/status/76084584307113985"]https://twitter.com/fendercustom/status/76084584307113985[/url] In other news, this bass is fit [url="https://twitter.com/fendercustom/status/75693655033249792"]https://twitter.com/fendercustom/status/75693655033249792[/url] So, what will Warwick boys be least chuffed about today, how many reversos have they sold anyhow?![/quote] Agree on the AC divides opinion. Personally, i think his playing suits U2 perfectly, and don't think they would be the same without him. I like bass players to hold down the rythym section of a band, and not try and be too clever, or complex, i like his playing. Listen to the bass line on their song Vertigo (I think thats what its called, its the opening track on the ...Atom Bomb" LP), its very deeeeep indeed. The other thing i like about him, is that he is one of the coolest bass players in the world. Also, just imagine being paid as much as he does, to play those lines 20 nights every 2 years!! On the gold sparkle issue, definitely a 'marmite' thing there. The original '64's are super rare indeed. Not my cup of tea though.

[quote name='Telebass' post='1253933' date='Jun 2 2011, 01:27 PM']Wow Rick, if Detlef Schmidt had known about your collection, you'd probably have featured rather prominently in his book on 51-54 Precisions! Wow! Again, wow![/quote] I didnt know about him, or his book, until 3 months after it was published, and even then only made contact by chance. I've since had lots of discussions with him since though, and he is hoping to a second issue, as he has had contact from another 30 owners, so would be far more comprehensive. Nice bloke is Detlef. It's rare to find someone equally obsessed with pre-57 Precisions.

[quote name='uke' post='1253246' date='Jun 1 2011, 10:22 PM']Ok, competition time! How many holes under the bridge ? Under the bridge mind! don't count the "6" round the bridge! I would love to have a look! [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FENDER-1973-PRECISION-P-BASS-RELIC-NEW-CASE-/140558946801?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item20b9f751f1"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FENDER-1973-PRECISIO...=item20b9f751f1[/url][/quote] Thats nothing, if you're talking about unneccessary holes destroying a fine bass, take a look at the pics this guy has on this ad... [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1956-Fender-Precision-Bass-Vintage-Sunburst-Tone-Mojo-/120659323512?pt=Guitar&hash=item1c17db2a78"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1956-Fender-Precisio...=item1c17db2a78[/url] Makes you cry!!

[quote name='BottomEndian' post='1252670' date='Jun 1 2011, 01:44 PM']I'm saying £2.9k followed by a generous helping of buyer's remorse, resulting in a non-paying winner and then a relisting next week. And then £1.8k the second time round. If all that comes to pass, it'll totally freak me out.[/quote] That is probbaly true!! I thought it would go for £1800 tops. they dont appear very often, but for £2.5k, you can get a rarer, and nicer (IMHO), first series, dot neck in sunburst......with the impossible to replace pickup cover. I think this is a refin anyway. If 2 people are looking for a white block neck though, then it could get sillier than it is already.....

[quote name='jasethebass' post='1251967' date='May 31 2011, 08:05 PM']Hello and welcome[/quote] Thanks Jase, appreciate that.

[quote name='watton_earth' post='1251157' date='May 31 2011, 10:14 AM']Out of curiosity what did you do for the bridge? I bought a 6 string, and then converted it to look like this.... [attachment=81365:bridge.JPG] [url="http://www.winfieldvintage.com/parts/combo-bridge.html"]http://www.winfieldvintage.com/parts/combo-bridge.html[/url][/quote] Got your email, thanks, sent a reply earlier, hope you got it ok?

[quote name='Clarky' post='1251175' date='May 31 2011, 10:27 AM']Very cool job you have done there. I love Mani's playing too - very underrated (some really good lines on the Second Coming which was woefully under-appreciated, as well as the more obvious lines like Adored and Resurrection). I once owned a Rick 3000, inspired by Mani, but just couldn't get on with the short scale so ended up selling it.[/quote] Thanks for the kind words. Mani is definitely underrated, some of the stuff on Second Coming is excellent. Bass on 'Straight To The Man' is much harder than it first sounds. Its actually an excellent album, great guitar, great songwriting, and some of the best drumming since John Bonham in '72.

[quote name='james_guitar' post='1251236' date='May 31 2011, 11:19 AM']Tasty collection! Welcome to the forum. If you've promised yourself not to buy anything else, then avoid the 'Basschat Marketplace'; it's like crack! P.S. I have a Fender 1x15 cab going cheap in there [/quote] Thanks fella, appreciate the comment. I was drawn to the marketplace, and so far have avoided temptation, i know what you mean though!!

[quote name='watton_earth' post='1251157' date='May 31 2011, 10:14 AM']Out of curiosity what did you do for the bridge? I bought a 6 string, and then converted it to look like this.... [attachment=81365:bridge.JPG] [url="http://www.winfieldvintage.com/parts/combo-bridge.html"]http://www.winfieldvintage.com/parts/combo-bridge.html[/url][/quote] I went for the easy route!! Bought a real one. Not the cheapest rourte though. Your bridge looks like a great bit of work, unfortunately i dont have such skills!

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='1249187' date='May 29 2011, 02:12 PM']Welcome. Great collection [/quote] Thanks Burrito!!

[quote name='alanbass1' post='1250649' date='May 30 2011, 07:07 PM']Welcome aboard, I see you love your pre CBS fenders[/quote] Ahh...you noticed. To be honest, they are the only basses for me, i've tried allsorts, and whilst i've had cravings, and impulse purchases, they never really compare to a 60 year old block of Leo's finest. I've now made myself a pledge to never buy anything on impulse again, always sleep on it, unless it's a fender, in which case, be quick, and snap it up, as they rarely come around. Thanks for the comment.

[quote name='The Bass Doc' post='1250115' date='May 30 2011, 11:49 AM']It's got to be real - you don't want to go forge something that never took off first time around. Collectors will like it, bit as a player's place? Nah - sorry Leo, it was one of the rare failures (imo) in an otherwise excellent range of innovations.[/quote] Agree, this is collectors only piece, not great to play, and the 5'ers among you wouldnt be tempted after a play, it wouldnt compare to a cheapo new 5 string bass. They are quite scarce though, especially in the uk, the bridge cover is correct, its missing the equally important, and impossible to find, pickup cover, which would be an issue for me, as a collector. Personally, if i [i]was[/i] to buy one, which i would, it would be the earlier dot neck sunburst model. Not a big fan of later block necks, on any fender bass if i'm honest. Does the finish look original on this?, the headstock has the expected nitro checking, but the body has none, not sure, could be a well looked after original poly job.

[quote name='watton_earth' post='1250903' date='May 30 2011, 10:42 PM']Hi, both yourself and another chap who I think was called 'legoheads' on this forum were the inspiration for my own mani-a-like project. I saw your build here [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f57/rickenbacker-4005-copy-283322/"]http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f57/rickenba...05-copy-283322/[/url] I tried to contact yourself and the other chap to see if you/he wanted to sell up but got no reply. So I took the plunge and started buying bits. Personally... I freaked out when I was about to take the bandsaw to the donor bass, so I got a pro to do the build for me. Your bass looks awesome! PS: Do you have any Stone Roses tabs?[/quote] Thanks for the comment, i have all the Stone Roses bass tabs books, if thers a particular track you need, then PM me your email address, and i'll scan and email them for you. Also, would love to see pics of your own mani-a-like? I actually bought a shaftesbury 4005 semi-acoustic bass, from 1968, which was originally going to be my donor bass, as it was almost there already, just needed the upper and lower horns to be extended, and re-shaped. But i needed the triangular MPO inlayed neck, which was going to be diffuicult, so i did it the hard way. I just remembered about the shaftesbury actually, i must sell it, it already has a correct scratchplate, and wiring harness set. Thanks for the compliments

[quote name='jonthebass' post='1250630' date='May 30 2011, 06:53 PM']That is very cool, Well done. Makes me want to get '...Resurrection' on!!![/quote] Go dust off the record, and get it playing, and when i say record, i mean vinyl....of course!! "I can feel the earth begin to move, i feel my needle hit the groove, spiral through another day........etc" Top stuff. Thanks for the comment.

[quote name='Pow_22' post='1250619' date='May 30 2011, 06:44 PM']4005 - my dream bass. Please make me one too [/quote] To be honest, whilst i would be happy to make another..although time doesnt allow it, i don't think anyone would pay the costs for the parts. Pickups £120 Tailpiece £110 Wiring harness & knobs £100 Scratchplate £60 Tuners £60 Wood £70 Paint/Canvas £30 TRC £15 Strap Buttons £10 as you can see, it cost me about £600, who would pay that for a Project? I made it firstly because Mani's my bass idol, his bass is iconic, and i wanted one. You wouldnt buy a £5k bass then paint it. I wuld make the money back on parts if i ever got bored (Unlikely), as they hold their value well enough. If i win the lottery, and don't have to work every day, i'll make you one.....