The Bass Doc

[quote name='OldGit' post='661584' date='Nov 22 2009, 10:03 AM']Just off to check the lofts of all my uncles [/quote] I've already tried that and the only one I found was an original 1963 Precision beloning to old Uncle Sid. He was always fond of a bit of kidology and I noticed he'd added a couple of quirky decals saying 'Affinity Series' and 'Made in China'. I do believe the bass to be genuine however, and worth about £6500. Dear old uncle Sid, a right joker eh?

Bass Underpins Musical Pleasure.

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='660099' date='Nov 20 2009, 01:17 PM']Without knowing ANYTHING about this subject, when I started reading this I guessed that he meant what we used to call a D.A. or "Duck's Arse", where something kicks up at the end, usually a hair-style. In that case, he'd be describing a neck that suddenly rose at one end or the other, or possibly just the fingerboard doing it.[/quote] This is the most likely - a rise at the end of the fingerboard. Come to think of it a duck's tail does look to 'kick up' at the back so the description of duck tail starts to make sense. Apologies to my regular readers but I've run out of ornathological puns.

Sounds like an intro to a Little Feat number - I keep expecting Lowell George to come in (but apparently he's not very well).

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='659618' date='Nov 19 2009, 08:36 PM']Maybe the ducks burrowed into the tree, before it was felled?[/quote] I think you may be confusing this with the Woodpecker which can indeed be found in-cider tree.

I wonder if it's based on a Donald Dunn model.

[quote name='maxrossell' post='659613' date='Nov 19 2009, 08:29 PM']This probably a stupid question, but what's a duck tail?[/quote] Maybe there's a quack somewhere.

S8... does indeed indicate 1978 in my experience although some S8 necks made it into the early 80s on what are sometimes regarded as 'mongrels' i.e.composed of parts from different eras. Not as late as 87 though.

This is not the 'fairly common' split from 1st machine head hole to the nearest edge. Whilst that particular one wouldn't cause great concern (though taken into account on valuation) this crack looks serious enough to steer clear. There is always the possibility of looking out for a replacement neck in the future so a price to reflect such a plan may just work - medium term.

Just play about with some cardboard until you're happy with it, then to transfer to plastic is no big deal - I've made dozens that way.

Looks OK to me.

[quote name='hillbilly deluxe' post='657130' date='Nov 17 2009, 03:55 PM']Was that in the arcade in Newcastle ? Was there a cab built that would'nt fit out through the door,or is that a myth ?[/quote] I'm pretty sure that's true. Greg Burman had a request from local eccentric bass player, the late 'Bumper Brown' to build a 4x18" cabinet. He duly did and found it would not fit through the shop door when finished. I imagine some part of the doorway surround had to be removed. Fancy standing in front of the cab when 'Bumper' wacked a bottom E! It was the 70s when flared trousers were all the rage so that's when I reckon the expression 'trouser-flapping bass' was coined.

This is a very nice bass and worth proper dosh in it's own right - not to mention the butterbean tuners[quote name='wateroftyne' post='656262' date='Nov 16 2009, 07:15 PM']Butterbean tuners!! It's going to be 68-ish. I think the butterbean tuners lasted longer on the Mustang than the Jazz. Oh - did I mention the butterbean tuners?[/quote] Oh, I thought I told you not to mention them.

I am now semi-retired, but have done dozens in my time at a cost of £65. A lot of people I know have done their own with varying degrees of success.

Nothing sounds like an upright as good as an upright. That said, the closest I can get is with a bridge pickup (on a relatively bassy setting) as this retains some of the definition a lot of upright players seem to achieve. You wouldn't want to cut into your Precision to get that result but trying the neck on a Jazz might just prove something one way or another.

Welcome aboard - you recently reminded me I sold you your Pre-Ernest Testicle Stingray best part of 20 years ago so it's probably due a set-up by now - looking forward to converting you to flats. (Pre-ET - well it is Sunday).

Eye karnt cee ennithing rong wif de avdert.

£2K should get you a good early 70s Precision in original finish - check out E-bay and pass on any suitable link to the guys in here. We'll help as much as possible (with appropriate disclaimers!).

An idea of what you would like to spend may help so that we would know what particular era to look at.

[quote name='OldGit' post='652904' date='Nov 12 2009, 06:55 PM']is that the "1970's" jazz bridge position?[/quote] Looks like the 60's position to me - 70's took a step back. The guy is probably right if anyone cares to measure a 60's Jazz pickup position and transfer that measurement to a Precision is does result in the pickup nearly 'bumping into' the scrachplate.

You'd have thought he would have tuned the thing up properly before starting the recording.

You've got the right style for the era - there may be cheaper places to get them over here.

I agree around £3,000 if it's a private sale but it's difficult to be accurate without the thing in front of me 'cos I'd be looking for other pointers like original frets and to check all parts (including screws!) for authenticity before going to 'top dollar'.

I'd like to put a good word in for D'Addario Chromes. If I've ever needed replacements for my usual 1st choice of La Bellas, the 45-105 Chromes have provided a very close match (and would seem to be readily available).

At that price they've got to be passive.