Chiliwailer

Unfortunately Strat #1 isn’t the first Strat, I suppose it was a NAMM Special?

Sounds like a job for EB Cobalt flatwounds, modern, bright and lower tension. Chromes are great, but similar (though better imo) ballpark to the Elites.

100%

Last year I was almost in a position whereby I thought I may need to sell my 66 P Bass for financial reasons, due to work issues. Whilst I was waiting to see what was to transpire I tried loads of modern Fenders that I could of potentially replaced it with eventually. Two of the many I tried that I’ll mention are the Mexican 50’s and the USA 60’s P Basses. Both were great, and on a bang for buck basis the Mex was excellent. The 60’s USA reissue was a great Bass tonally and visually, but it lacked that authentic feel I like. I’ve had other boutique Fender style basses, but for better or worse I was interested in a meat and potatoes P Bass. No bass I tried has the feel of my 66, and in a psychological (?) way I didn’t get the same feeling as when I pick it up. I’ve had a fair few original 50’s and 60’s Fender basses and for some reason they just feel right for me. But I wouldn’t say they are better, or right for everyone.

Chris, if it’s convenient would you mind posting a photo of the Precision page in the 66 price list? I’ve got a 66 and quite fancy the geek factor. Cheers

Corrected ^^^

The Fender Golden Age book puts it around 1000 made between 65 and 70.... that 1000 too many in my opinion! I’ve seen a few in the flesh, the excitement wore off pretty quickly the first time round! (And I’m a Fender fan )

Tuned E-C

Yeah, I wasn’t expecting the prices to be up there in 92. Edit- ignore that now you edited!!!

The Brazilian boards were phased out from around 64-66, wonder why the maple necks cost more then? Maybe the use of a skunk stripe for the truss?

Or the “it weights a blooming ton, let’s sell it at trade price and buy some lighter Japanese gear”

Geeking out a bit, but if you’ve got an old Fender it might be fun... https://support.fender.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000746086-Archived-Fender-Price-Lists-1968-2010-

This is pretty cool, 1968 - 2010 price lists, walnut is in the 1973 one. https://support.fender.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000746086-Archived-Fender-Price-Lists-1968-2010-

I guess that as it’s an old photo it may have changed the true appearance of the colour? I’d have said Dakota Red (but I am slightly colour blind!), though they stopped using it in 69, it wouldn’t be unheard of CBS to of found an old body and reused it in 72 (if it was new in 72?) Or if it’s a brown shade, it would be Walnut, which was sometimes called Mocha - see photo

It 'feels' like a refinish to me, and the pickguard has been changed too, so quite possibly done at the same time.

You lucked out in that MM only released a shorty at NAMM

Will that work on 30 inches?

I wonder if they are not following the stringing instructions? Two of the three packs I’ve had didn’t come with instructions, but luckily I’d read about them so always strung them that way with no issues. They are a great string, but as with most flats I’ve found they better suit some basses than others. I took them off my Stingray Special pretty quickly as they didn’t work for it, but just put them on my Old Smoothie Stingray last night and they are a real good match. Just a shame about the price as you never can tell.

Says from $1999 at NAMM

Unexpected things are happening at my place. I’m playing my Smoothie pretty much all the time now, and it’s even got rounds on it, which is odd for me. The Special is still a killer bass, but it’s not feeling too special at the moment.

They only do Relic, pay attention Pete 😜

Indeed, some myths out there are that the clean ones were shite, so never played, and the battered ones were awesome, so played a lot. Years back I had 2 x 1966 P Basses, both built around the same time and very close in serial number. One battered, one very near mint. Well... I prefered the mint one and it’s on my wall as we speak. There’s great vintage basses, and awful vintage basses. The one in the OP could be either

Jah Wobble - and it wrecked my head for a while to be honest. I was 21 and playing casually with Keith Levene, who primarily is like a brother rather than a band mate. Being huge fan of Jah and his style it weighed on my mind for some time - plus Keith had also spent a lot of time with Flea and Hillel from RHCP in the 80's so that was also a major weight I put on myself. It got better as I developed and got closer to Keith. Oh yeah, and also when I realised that I may be alright at bass, but would never be in their league!