Bridgehouse

Ok, so, suggestions so far are:

- Fender Rumble 500
- Mark Bass 121 AC
- Mark Bass 151p (but I think that might be a bit too big and heavy...)

I think I may have to do some in-shop browsing..

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1488913425' post='3252913']


There endeth the thread
[/quote]

I see. It is indeed on the shortlist.

Is there anything else I should take a look at before I pull the trigger and just get one of these?

I'm currently using a Helix for most of my duties. I'm about to order up a FRFR (FR800) from Barefaced to use live, but I'd also like to get hold of a combo to have for backup and knocking around, etc.

- Up to £1k but preferably a lot less!
- Lightweight
- Enough volume for most normal gigging situations
- FX loop so I can shove Helix through it as well

Mostly P bass going through it so looking for classic thumpy P tone.

What would you recommend?

[quote name='chrisanthony1211' timestamp='1488663537' post='3250947']
When I get some good quality photos up I'd be interested to see the comparison.
[/quote]

Let me know - I will take a pic of just the guard and post it...

Actually, 106.5mm

106mm

Don't worry chaps, I don't mind you hijacking my thread with tort porn - after all, my 64 does have a fine piece of genuine tort on for you to compare and contrast

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1488647595' post='3250782']
I've been thinking about a 5 string Precision for a long time, but a Yamaha Attitude Standard 5 came up on ebay so I thought I'd have a punt



I got it during the week and although it needs a proper set up I used it at rehearsal this morning.

This is the bit that's annoying - it cost less than 10% of the bass I usually take with me (a Marleaux), and it sounded fantastic. It sat in the mix like only a P can do. I didn't even use the other pickup selections - just stuck with the P into my M900 with a little bit of grit for warmth. It's got a huge sound with a nice grindy quality to the mids (not surprising as it is from the Attitude line), and the low B is really strong.

It is now with my favourite local luthier for a full set up (might need a little neck shim), and I'm wondering if it might end up being my first choice.

It's a little heavier than I usually like, but it's well balanced.

Anyone else got one?
[/quote]

I've just ordered a multi pack of stewmac bass shims - shaped and unshaped - if you need one then you can have one.. they are .25, .5 and 1 degree each shaped and unshaped. I'm going to put the .5 shaped in the 64 P, but if you want one of the others then let me know...

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1488621609' post='3250484']


Can we see the pics, pleeease?

(But probably not in this NBD thread)...
[/quote]

Oh, that's ok - I like a nice bit of tort too! (Can't you tell!)

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1488570012' post='3250218']
Proper tort is just so SWEET. None of the modern stuff has that deep 3D celluloid loveliness.
Very nice bass, I can just imagine what it smells like.
[/quote]

It smells just like you imagine it would

The case smells like old vinyl and G Plan furniture..

[quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1488555398' post='3250011']
It's all about the Chromes right, have some on my '71 Precision and they're brilliant.
Beautiful '64 though! I almost bought a '59 once and bottled it........wish I'd bought it

Si
[/quote]

Chromes just do something on a P that's difficult to put your finger on. TI's seemed a bit, well, meh really. La Bella's were ok, but still not quite there.. Chromes just really brought out the sound of a P for me.

YMMV of course

That's a beautiful P!

GLWTS

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1488470326' post='3249241']
Oh dear - now I need a screen wipe


Lovely relic job there
[/quote]

Must have taken someone ages to get it to look that authentic.. but I'm disappointed that they didn't use much power sander on it

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1488464952' post='3249192']
Shed colour loooks ok to me
[/quote]

I've got used to it...

I've spent some time with it today.

First off was setup. I've put some D'addario Chromes on it - I really like them, and they have kind of become strings of choice for now.

Needed a truss rod tweak, obviously, but letting it settle and setting saddle height and intonation to match, I've got a rather staggering .006" relief and action of 5/64 E up to just over 3/64 G with absolutely no buzz. I'm quite amazed. Despite a 7.5" radius, the width (44.2mm) and straightness just makes it feel so flat and level.

It seems to like the Chromes a lot. Playing through the Helix and an Ampeg patch it's a touch thumpier and deeper than the '74 P I have, but it's also got a bit more crispness at high mids and in the treble. It sounds a bit wider, fuller and even a bit more 'stereo'.

Everything seems stable. The tuners are remarkably agile for the age. I swapped the '74's for hipshots as they were a bit sticky, but these are smooth and hold tuning well.

Will let it rest over night and revisit tomorrow to see how it's stabilised.

Oh, and don't worry - I know the A and D string spacing is off in these shots - I'd only just put the Chromes on it, and after these shots it got a proper setup so karma is now restored and string spacing fixed

I promised some natural light shots - so here you go!

(Apologies for wallpaper and shed colour - not my choice. If I let her have her way with the decor then I get to buy basses like this )

[quote name='Jus Lukin' timestamp='1488444240' post='3248929']
'kin 'el! That's beautiful!

Have you got the foam under that bridge cover?
[/quote]

Yep but it's a touch relic'd

It mutes the E but little else. I wondeeed about refreshing it, but I like the originality

After all the great advice on my 'spending loads of cash' thread, and having tried a truckload of basses over the last few weeks, I found one I just couldn't step away from.

2x '66 Jazz, 1x '65 Jazz = nice, don't get me wrong, they were nice, but they weren't me. Neck was a little too thin, but mostly too much depth and shoulder.

Then, a '64 P. Crikey. 44.2mm nut width and really flat. It felt awesome. Sounded awesome through the Ampeg B15 I tried it through as well.

It's all original.
Original case
Original Nut + Frets
Original Hardware
Original Pups
Original Pots

Neck date is Oct 64
Pots a bit later
Pups a bit earlier

It's an L serial (of course) and it's about as much original pre-CBS as I can afford. Or want. Makes the '74 P I have sound a bit thin and weedy. Plugged it in at home and one flick of the E string and I thought I was having a stroke and heart attack combined - it was like armageddon and WW3 had all started all at once. Blimey. There will be less thump at the heavyweight boxing on Saturday.

I'm now an official signed and paid up card carrying died in the wool cut me in half and I'll be labelled to the core P bass man. More so than I thought I was. Who'd a thought it?

We live and learn I guess!

Some pics for your viewing pleasure. I will take some daylight shots tomorrow as it's late and the lights in the house don't show off it's real beauty.

[quote name='ped' timestamp='1488310483' post='3247822']


I think it's made by Scott Dixon. I found it on eBay quite cheap. It's brilliant, takes up very little space compared to a normal guitar rack and with the lid on its very neat and good protection. It also serves as a limited to buying any more instruments (unless I find another, then I get to buy three more
[/quote]

Thanks for the info! I shall start researching!

Cheeky question, I know - but what sort of flight case is that? It looks exactly like what I need...!

[quote name='therealting' timestamp='1488133064' post='3246173']
Why not? And even then there are different P necks (A/B/C). My 61 has a 44mm neck. My CIJ has a 42mm, and I have played some which have 40mm necks.
[/quote]

That's a good point. My 74 P is a 42mm maple. The 64 P I tried was a 44mm Braz RW. Different, but in a good way.

More great food for thought.

[quote name='therealting' timestamp='1488131853' post='3246152']
There is no shortage of people who prefer J necks on P basses, so it shouldn't be too hard to make that happen.
[/quote]

I'm tempted to scratch the pre-CBS itch with a Precision. And then cobble together a J with a P neck for tones... Most of you will think I'm utterly mad, but, well.. you'd be right.

[quote name='fftc' timestamp='1488126150' post='3246069']


Better to know now than after you drop six grand on an oldie!
[/quote]

Very true. I love the Jazz tone - so maybe I do need to find a J body with a P neck - but it drops the vintage thing out tho.

And now I've tried some pre-CBS precisions... groan..

Cat. Pigeons. Lots of feathers.

Played about 15 Jazz's today.

Couple of old ones. A few 70s ones. A number of new ones and some alternates (Sandberg, Lakland etc..)

Didn't like the thin neck on any of them. Sigh. Just didn't feel right.

Played a '58 Precision briefly and a '64 Precision. Felt like home and they were both bloody beautiful to play.

Ugh. Talk about a let down