pobrien_ie

This one was put on hold for a while after I had a bit of a change of heart in the direction I was going. I had the chance to buy a Road Worn P Bass recently, so I decided to use the neck, pickguard and tuners for this project. It's a little bit more period correct (1.75" nut width) than the MIJ neck I was going to use. Anyway, it turned out to be one of the most comfortable necks I've ever played. I know it's a cliche, but they really do have a great 'worn-in' feel. Not to everyone's taste, definitely the stupid cigarette burn , but I like a light bit of aging. Everything else is as above; Highway One body with nitro finish, '57 repro capacitor, cloth wiring etc. The only thing I need to replace is the nut (see pic!). After a bit of a mishap with La Bella flats I ended up breaking the nut at the G string. It's now strung with Chromes It's sounds great, at least to me. It's a nice addition to my recent '62 project, which thanks to the road worn body, is also currently getting a facelift. [IMG]http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh504/pobrien_ie/57%20P%20Bass/571_zpsbad65871.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh504/pobrien_ie/57%20P%20Bass/572_zps1590852b.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh504/pobrien_ie/57%20P%20Bass/573_zps540c60b2.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh504/pobrien_ie/57%20P%20Bass/574_zps8be08f24.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh504/pobrien_ie/57%20P%20Bass/575_zpsba658531.jpg[/IMG]

I actually have the sheet music in tab (and notation I think) from Guitar World's Bass magazine if that's any help. I could scan and forward to you. I think it even gives the left hand fingering for the main bridge part.

Cool. I ask as I have Chromes on one bass and La Bellas on another, and although I prefer the sound of the La Bellas I actually find them stiffer/harder to play! I've only had them on a couple of weeks, so maybe I'll get used to them yet. I definitely agree with you on the Rotosounds...they don't do it for me on this comparison.

Best comparison video I've seen yet. Thanks for posting. As a matter of interest, which set do you prefer?

[quote name='witterth' timestamp='1356862306' post='1914311'] Thank you guys and all that is good advice (Im trying it out now) any decent you tube links? ( I know its cheating!!) [/quote] Try basscamera.com. I saw it before, and while I don't think it's 100%, it's a good start. Will you be playing with a horn section or guitars? Important to make sure you're all playing the same bit. Although not necessary to learn completely, for me, the last chorus is where it get's really hair!

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1356767518' post='1913320'] I'd try all 3 and buy which played and sounded the best. This is what I did when I bought my last P which was a 50s MIM, Roadworn, Lakland Bob Glaub shoot out. The Roadworn won, great basses. FWIW there's one just appeared in the FS section http://basschat.co.uk/topic/195214-fender-mexican-roadworn-precision-fiesta-red/ you could a whole lot worse than get one of these (provided you don't care about the whole relic thing). [/quote] +1 I don't think you'd go far wrong with one of these. They just feel right!

I think it's important to establish the difference between a "basic" player who serves the band/song. IMO a bad bass player is one who doesn't end up on the recorded track and is only in the band because of their look (Sid Vicious) or because bass doesn't matter to the band (Guigsy). Either way each to their own. Generally those "basic" players are the ones I prefer to listen to in bands. They play in the studio and live. I can't think of any band that I really like that has a "virtuoso" player, and they're all the better because of it.

Nut width should be easily found online if a bass is standard, but this isn't always the case. To take one example, Fender MIJ nut widths on reissue P Basses can be different from year to year or depending on model type (which with Fender isn't always obvious). To me at least, nut width is hugely important so I think definitely a fair question to ask. Then when it comes to weight, even two basses in the same range can have different weights, so again an important consideration.

That's what I was lead to believe, but earlier this year they quoted me for a Fender 62 AV P Bass and again for a different Fender a couple of months back. I know the likes of Musician's Friend don't ship new Fenders internationally, so maybe Sweetwater had to toe the line too.

Great performance! +1 about the Precisions....two P Basses are better than one! From the first song at least I thought you took care of the twang and the other guy the thud. Anyway, interesting approach to the low end!

Yeah I'm sure the price difference wouldn't always be as attractive as it was for what I was looking at. I should add though that the Sweetwater reps supposedly have a good bit of scope to negotiate.

It's called Controversial TV for me too. I have it on the sky+ now but don't have the wherewithall to get it on to youtube unfortunately.

Might have already been suggested, but have you considered buying from US? I was close to buying a P Bass from sweetwater.com earlier this year. Although I ended picking up a used one locally, Sweetwater's service was great. Even with customs charges I would have ended up saving between €700 and €900 on a bass that would have cost €2,100 on Thomann. And Thomann were cheaper than I would have paid locally. I heard about Sweetwater on another forum and a few people had even reported the sales reps as identifying and resolving any QC problems with instruments. They definitely seem to add the personal touch. Might be something to consider.

These could easily change given my mood, but right now... Rats - Pearl Jam....great main riff and outro, but also love the cool groove going on behind the solo. Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder....obviously the horn/bass unison section, but love the restraint shown during the choruses until the last chorus where Nate Watts lets rip. So Lonely - The Police....simplicity personified and a tasteful key change is never a bad thing in my books. Lounge Act - Nirvana....the reason I picked up a bass in the first place. Some nice things going on in the chorus too.

[quote name='LiamPodmore' timestamp='1355924029' post='1904525'] Nope, same as BassPimp66 for me, just lots of viagra, [u][b][color=#ff0000]holidays to Ireland[/color][/b][/u] and casinos for me, oh and emails from Epiphone for some reason. Liam [/quote] Hey that's not spam

This was my second time to deal with Gary, and again it was smooth and hassle free from start to finish. I couldn't recommend him highly enough!

If I had the cash spare I'd definitely pay that for this type of bass. The early 80's Fullerton AVRI's have a good rep and seem to command such a price.

Also musikraft.com. The necks aren't cheap but the list of options looks impressive. Beent threatening to buy one off them myself for a while now.

Thanks for that link! I actually watched the 4th one of those videos this morning! Seems to be good, no BS.

Unfortunately luthiers are hard come by around this neck of the woods. I contacted two local shops (who supposedly do repairs) and neither are remotely interested. I've ordered two blank fender bone nuts and will order the proper files so will try it myself first and see how I get on.

I bought a 57 AVRI less than a year ago and the covers were on it. I kept them on and just found that I got used to them straight away. It's funny, a few years ago I hated the look of covers but have slowly warmed to them.

Thanks for the offer! I've since found some blanks online that happen to be 1.75" wide. They also come in packs of 2 so you might be right about it being a good bit of diy! Do you think it's a job a complete novice could do with the right tools?

I need to replace the nut on a p bass. The problem is that the nut-width is 1.75" and Fender don't seem to stock this as a replacement part. The only option seems to be to buy a blank nut and get the slots cut out. Does anybody know where I can get this done? Does anybody here on BC provide this service? Any help would be much appreciated. Cheers!