The Bass Doc

Out of phase? - maybe, but there is also the possibility of the pre-amp not matching the impedance of the SDs. Seeing that different pickups have been installed previously suggests that the pre has stayed put and and other pickups (whether active or passive) would not necessarily mate with the circuit.

I would say that's real - and a bargain.

You should have suggested a bass player could stand on a box to make the notes higher.

On the subject of shimming, Fender themselves have often used them. Anyone else noticed the light orange fibreboard pieces that have been factory fitted (especially late 60s into the 70s)? They tend to be quite thin but just enough to achieve the tilt that allows the bridge grub screws not to poke out and damage a bit of flesh. The Badass II is a nice bit of engineering whether or not it improves sound. Most people I knew who wanted it fitting in the early days did so because they found the original had a tendency to 'walk around' a bit when playing hard. Personally I've had a Badass fitted, then removed again without noticing any real difference in performance. I do think it gets full marks as a quality bit of kit when fitted from day one on say a custom build. To return to the point raised in the OP, I think you'll find that because Badass established the leading name in replacement bridges it's always going to be hard to beat them when it comes to 'cred' and re-sale value (the exception being if you've fitted one to a collectable vintage Fender - then you lose points).

A true 62 re-issue JV would have reverse-turning machine heads and a spiral bridge. Thinking I am the seller p!ss taking he is.

If you're REALLY heavy-handed you could play through to the maple! Apparently Pino did, according to one of his early interviews. I imagine he had it skimmed a few times.

There was an old bassist called Randy Who once was a musical grandee He changed bucks for rupees now plays the Sea Breeze In Goa, in the land freed by Ghandi Bum-bum.

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='817323' date='Apr 24 2010, 04:50 PM']It looks like it spent a week on the wall in your shop, Uncle H. [/quote] A Saturday would have done if both me and Pete were in.

I could do one in swamp ash - hard to keep it under £100 if you need the edges radiused and contouring done, but I would try. PM to confirm. H.

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='816831' date='Apr 23 2010, 11:45 PM']Do a deal with the Bass Doc. Leo Fender shook the Doc's hand - the Doc's hand touches [i]your[/i] scratchplate - instant Mojo and £100 on the value of the bass. [/quote] Cheers for that - I'll put my price up accordingly.

That finish should be called tobacco as opposed to the two-tone thing.

Oh dear, I feel thoroughly ashamed now that you've pointed that out. My great aunt, Lady Witherington-Titsworthy will be spinning in her urn at the very thought. I must promise to do more research at the Institute. Toodle pip.

You should expect overwound pickups to have more output but, if you keep on overwinding, the treble content starts to diminish. 5-10% isn't too much but, then again, a tweak on the amplifier gain with standard pickups gets you there anyway so I begin to think a bit of hype enters the equation. Point is, there's not much mileage in offering standard output pickups when the manufacturer is seeking to sell units which are regarded as an upgrade. Does this make sense? (I had a few lagers last night).

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='815676' date='Apr 23 2010, 04:17 AM']Couldn't help but notice the fingerboard wasn't slab. Is this typical for a '61?[/quote] Oi tink de fingerboard is slab - just a strange angle photograph. If it were cambered the truss rod nut wouldn't intrude?

I have been known to make 'one-offs' - anything in particular you're after?

The seller is not used to our earth currencies yet. Observe pic no.8 - he's a pointy-headed alien with strange google eyes.

Gawd that's terrible. I've owned dozens of pre-CBS Fenders over the years and NONE of them have aged like that.

The sale of my car would get nowhere near it. It could finance a couple of D tuners if I get an MOT on it though.

[quote name='tom1946' post='814603' date='Apr 22 2010, 08:20 AM']Not having had much experience modding basses, (I have modded guitar tuners in the past) why is a bass so much harder? Isn't it just a case of enlarging the holes to take the bigger bushings? Why does it need a router? Are they internally stepped or something?[/quote] Fender headstock holes are indeed stepped in a lot of cases but it's more to do with the fact that the larger holes will require opening in one direction rather than simply drilling out the existing small ones. That's to accomodate the larger backplates which would otherwise hang over the edge of the headstock.

"I really don't want to sell this" ......(that's why I put it in the 'for sale' section).

Welcome from me too. Don't concern yourself too much with dieting - we already have a Rich on here.

[quote name='neilb' post='811871' date='Apr 19 2010, 09:00 PM']So, did you have to enlarge the bush holes (matron!!)[/quote] Routing out is the way to go. Fenders themselves aren't drilled, they're routed out to a template. It's a tricky job requiring a very steady hand. In a very few cases the 'bush holes' can be enlarged if you have an expanding reamer (which I have - matron!!)