Bridgehouse

No, but I'll give you one for free A good friend of mine - Feline Guitars based in Croydon. Jon really knows his stuff and he is an absolute expert and a gent. He makes the most beautiful guitars and basses, and he services a lot of guitars played by some of the worlds best - he's seen his fair share of proper authentic vintages owned by guitar heroes and expert musicians alike and he would be a good starting point..

I will give you two answers to that. Yes, and no. Yes - with a very real example. The fingerboard edges on my 64 are rolled due to years and years of play. Even when done with a tool it's not the same. It feels played in - and played in over many years. And no - I'm sure some of the feel is because I've bonded with it so much.

Yeah, I'd spot my shrinking tort pickguard even with my ham fists

You can. Having said that, there's only a couple I would trust..

True. Which was what attracted me to a vintage bass in the first place, having owned a few vintage guitars.. My only controversial thought on vintage basses is thus: Whether it's the material, the ageing or whatever, once you find one that you really like, I think they do feel different to a more modern instrument.

Yep. Agreed. Don't forget - even though I'm a vintage owner I'm in the "price is not proportionate to playability" camp. My view is simple. In a non-price based test, some will prefer a vintage, some a modern instrument. The same person might even rank a set of instruments by preference (let's say all P basses) as a vintage, then a modern, then another modern, then another vintage. You choose an instrument based on the sound and playability that you like. I have never said that as a general rule vintages sound different to modern and are better. I played 8 pre CBS jazzes and hated every single one. I tried two Pre-CBS P basses and hated them as well. I then tried the 64 I own and loved it. I have had similar experiences with modern too..

Not at all. I suggested that we each hear things differently and some perceived differences can be apparent to some people but not others. However, I reckon that I could probably (and I stress probably) tell my 64 from my AVRI in a blind test.

Of course. But it does depend on your own ears. Some people hear differences that others don't. Some sounds are more pleasing to some and not to others - if not there would be one bass design with one set of pickups and one amp. Mind you - as a guitar type too, you should see how this debate goes when it's guitars and not basses you're discussing.. sheesh!

My 64 and AVRI sound different.

In answer to your original question, then yes. As I posted a little while ago, if you take out the price and the "snake oil" then choosing one over the other is no different to choosing one new brand over another. Some will like one, others a different one. Purely based on subjective likes. The reason this subject comes up so much though is the muddy waters created by collectibility, price, reverence and a market which is essentially not based on the instruments playability or sound.

I have recently acquired a 2009 AVRI 62 Precision. It's the same colour as my original 64 Precision. Same dimensions, same nut width, same neck profile. Let's just split out a couple of points and give my prespective on things. 1. If we take out prices, and age, and I walked into a room and was asked to pick one of the two, I would pick the 64. Why? How it feels to play, how it balances on the strap, and how it sounds through a variety of amps. That's a simple A/B comparison as done in real life. They are close - damn close. But the 64 edges it for me in those areas. Someone else might feel the complete opposite. So if we all had a chance to try a range of basses old and new, vintage and modern, I suspect some would go away with a new one, some with a vintage. And herein lies the problem. The vintage vs new debate is often clouded by the issue of price - if price were at parity, it would be a question like any other A vs B - some will like one, some another. Now, pre-CBS fenders probably did use a slightly better wood - often it was aged as stocks were available - not so much these days. Mine has a braz rosewood board - it feels nicer than Indian to play. Similarly, tools and techniques differed - I'd say the 64 has a bit more "character" compared to the AVRI. But, 2. Pricing. Is a vintage bass worth what it's often advertised for? Only the purchaser can decide that. Scarcity, age, uniqueness, history etc come into it, but ultimately it's only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it. I don't think price is a fair indicator of relative quality as an instrument for a vintage bass - the price often doesn't reflect it's relative "quality" compared to a modern equivalent. The vintage market is difficult. Mainly because it's now more about collecting and possessing rather than playing or how it sounds. It's sad, but it's the way it is. My conclusion: is my vintage 64 better than my AVRI? Yes, for me. Is it worth the massive difference in price? Proabably not. But maybe for others in it's collectible value rather than it's value as an instrument.

I put dimarzio DP126s in my PJ The J is split coil so not noisy at all. Nice, punchy sound too.

Ha! I see your tactic now. You wouldn't have got any chancers saying "I had my Wal stolen! It's mine! Er, and it's banana yellow..." Having said that, I like it a lot..

I plugged the Ibanez directly into the QSC K10.2 this morning - really nice subtle acoustic double bass type sound. Really impressed with it!

I'm sure another will come along - they aren't especially rare in black and maple. Got to say tho - the AVRI has really impressed me - it feels Custom shop standard at least, and is one of the nicest modern basses I have ever played.. if you haven't tried one, I would do..

I miss loads of stuff on here due to the sheer number of basses that get posted for sale. Still think you should do a Partscaster with a wide neck.. did you see this one that I did?

It's gone! Advertised on here for about a week!! I was surprised you didn't bite at the time tbh!

Some people like the more subtle modern tort. Personally I like my tort to be as outrageous as possible! The AVRI is very nice though. Once the Chromes have dulled a bit I'd say the sound will be pretty damn close between them. Played the Ibanez again this morning. It's surprising me - really nice sound for the money.

Yeah, I'm sure a live video will happen I will post one up.

Well it's found a permanent home now. It's my chance to gig the 64 without gigging the 64!

I suspect it will Really pleased. It's borderline so good that I was almost slightly annoyed that it made my 64 look like a total waste of money. Not quite - but really close

The Ibanez is interesting. Weighs about 6 1/2 lb, and balances really well. It has a 38mm nut, but a pretty flat board. So whilst I'm not normally into thin nuts this one is really nice to play. Piezo pickup only. I was expecting a sort of clanky acoustic tone. What I got was a really woody thumpy sound that was quite double bass in timbre. Really surprised - I reckon it will be really useful in our band context. Build quality is top notch. I like it a lot, and it's going to get a good work out.

Whilst I was out the nice courier delivered bass number 2... I have been hankering after one for a few months actually, and when one was up on eBay from Absolute Music I copped it in their 20% off day. Retail on these is £609 - I got it for £412 Ibanez SRH-500-DEF

Made a snowy trip over to Chester to see @drlargepants - what a nice chap!! I've wanted a gigging bass that was like my 64 P without being my 64 P - just too much risk. Did the deal and came home with a 2009 Fender AVRI 62 P. It's really very similar in feel and tone to the 64. I would say it gets 95% of the way there - will be perfect for gigging! Most happy.. Spot the difference: 64P: AVRI 62P: