ossyrocks

‘‘Twas you!

Hi all, As some of you may know, I’ve just acquired a late 70’s P bass. It came strung with rounds (no fabric wrap either end). I did note that the saddles were already adjusted quite a way back to get the intonation right, but it was intonated, so I wasn’t concerned. I’ve just got some flats for it, with fabric wrap at each end, and just looking at them, I knew this wasn’t going to work the way I hoped it would. Once fitted, the fabric wrap extends over the saddles, so there’s no real metal to metal connection there. On comparing this one with my ‘73 P bass, and measuring the distance from nut to the back of the bridge, there is a big difference. The ‘73 measures 90cm from nut to back of bridge, whereas the ‘78/79 measures 89cm, and is markedly further away from the edge of the body. I have had a close look to see if La Bellas would work, but I think even with those, the string would reach the saddle before the end of the wrap. So, I have a dilemma. What do you think of the strings on it the way they are right now, with the fabric wrap sitting on the saddles? Or, I could get the bridge moved back by 1cm to be same as my ‘73, and everything would work just fine. But, it’s an original bass, and I would be drilling it, and also I’m sure there would be marks in the finish which showed the original bridge position. I’ll add some pics so you can see what I mean. The first one is the bass in question with Thomastiks, the second is my ‘73 with La Bellas. Rob

Cheers. That’s only 12 minutes walk from where we’re staying according to google.

I’ll be spending a couple of days in Newcastle later this week. My wife and step daughter are on a course at the puppet festival, and I’ll have time to kill in the day. At the risk of upsetting my wallet, is there anywhere good in town for me to browse? Thanks, Rob

A 1969 Precision has appeared on Facebook Marketplace, for a good price too. No affiliation. https://www.facebook.com/groups/UKBassgear/permalink/2839960266137290/?sale_post_id=2839960266137290 Rob

There are some great suggestions here, thanks all. I went to custom-lynx and ended up ordering quite a bit of stuff! Damn internet shopping! Cheers, Rob

They are exactly what I’m looking for, cheers.

Which one? 😂

My wife and I have had this conversation. I keep a spreadsheet of all my gear in our Onedrive. It has details, serial numbers, purchase price, current value and whether or not it's named on the house insurance. She's under instruction to contact Richard Henry (an old guitar dealer friend) and have him sell everything on consignment. She would get a good price for all of it with relatively little hassle. The only downside........she knows exactly what I've got, and exactly what it cost! Rob

Every IEC mains cable I have is as stiff as a board, doesn't uncoil, and lies kinked and spiraling from the amp to the socket. Where can I get some nice slinky flexible ones from? First world problems! Rob

That’s the bit I don’t get either. Maybe it was being sold by someone who it was left to after a death who doesn’t have a clue what to do with it.

Cheers for those. I’ll check ‘em out.

If it’s VAT on the total, then it goes up to £4166.40. That’s quite a hike.

So, what will the buyer end up actually paying with 24% buyers premium + VAT? Is that VAT on the buyers premium, or VAT on £2800 + 24%? Rob

My new vintage P bass arrived in Morecambe last night courtesy of @CHRISDABASS. It’s a lovely thing indeed. Only 8 lbs 9 oz with the covers off, so my back and shoulder are very happy. This has the same 41mm nut width as my ‘73, but has a fuller more rounded neck profile when compared. Quite a difference in the neck profiles in just five years of production. It’s really comfy in the hand though. It will be strung up with flats ASAP. Rob

Cheers. I’ve ordered it. Rob

I've just received a late 70's Precision from Chris. It's everything I'd hoped it would be and more. Great to deal with, lots of good comms, and our shipping arrangement was probably unique, but suffice to say I ended up collecting it very quickly after purchase from a house 2 minutes from mine. Highly recommended. Cheers, Rob

Can anyone recommend a book about vintage Fender basses? I’d like history, timelines, details of features and changes as they evolved, and lots and lots of lovely pictures. Ta, Rob

Nice bass! I doubt that case (with more pictures than the actual bass) is original to it. '71 should have a tailed logo. However.......it's purdy.