cameltoe

Your info on Bravewood just makes me want one more!

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1383778236' post='2269154'] Is it a relic you're after ? There's a Nash is the sales section. I played a bravewood relic a few years ago, it was really quite odd, it didn't just look old, but it felt it too, it genuinely seemed to be old. [/quote] I have reservations about Nash on first glance. The lack of available neck options (stuck with 10" radius, for a start) and that they use a replacement parts supplier but won't say who. I heard it used to be Allparts. I also think some of the relic'ing looks just weird- some look really good, but some look like they've just had a belt sander taken to one corner of them.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1383778067' post='2269152'] Throwing something different into the mix, have you tried the Roadworns? Based on the 50s/57, and I think they are incredible. Don`t go a bundle on the fake relic looks but the playability and resonance of these basses is just amazing. [/quote] Yes, I am currently the proud owner of one in Fiesta Red. I've also considered adding a Sunburst to the mix as I also think they are that good. (and actually have a wanted ad up to that effect) Ideally though, I'd want another colour, (maybe white blond...mmm) plus 1.625-ish slim profile neck, as I find these massively easier to play due to my thick, stubby working class fingers. I've heard the actual '57's didn't have 1.75" width necks at all, more 1.68 ish with a V taper which made playing even easier.

I've started to dream about my next bass. After dabbling with mid-price instruments for the past few years (£500+) I'm ready to now spend some serious cash. Also, as I seem to be playing less and less, I feel one really good bass would be a better option for me than the current 3 mid-priced ones I have. I have played a few things over the years and the solid, dependable Precision Bass is what works for me. More specifically than that, I seem to prefer the older, vintage designed or inspired models. I like the way they look, but I just find they feel more comfortable and playable. I am looking, realistically, 6 months down the road before I am ready to order, but I like knowing what I am aspiring to! I find the GAS helps when it has a focus! I was dabbling with the idea of a JV series, but really, I want to push the boat out and buy my perfect bass. It will be a '57 style P bass. That's all I know at this point. I want it to be custom made, as I have a few specifics that I haven't found as available options on current off-the-shelf basses, and have narrowed it down at this point to Fender Custom Shop or Bravewood. Bravewood states he's not taking any more orders, but he is local to me. I love the way his guitars look, but I have never seen or played one in the flesh. I love the idea of the hand-crafted instrument, every part hand cut and finished. Custom Shop, I've played a '57 style and liked it, a lot, however it didn't feel like £1000 more guitar than my current precision. However I feel it's a safer option so to speak, as it's still Fender. If I felt like something wasn't right, or it didn't match my description perfectly, I'd have better comeback. So, any further opinions from CS and Bravewood owners would be gratefully received!

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1383588051' post='2266283'] why not save up for a custom shop? seriously - I think JV's are great, but they aren't exactly the budget option - but if you have a dream bass in mind why not save up and go for that? (or see if someone other than fender would make you it, bravewood or someone) [/quote] It's something I have thought about and probably will do at some point. Cost being the main factor. I'm also concerned that you're buying a bass you can't try out first- I've tried basses which have nothing wrong with them as such, but they just don't feel right to me. I've no idea how much a custom shop would cost anyway, £2k? The one I played was going for £1500 and was a very fine instrument, but not improved enough over my RW to think the extra money was justified at that point. Bravewood are local to me so I'd be interested, however i've read a few reports which concern me and he comes across really badly on his site. He also says he's not doing any more custom builds.

It's not easy to tell from the photo, but the eagle-eyed will spot it- I was a little over-exuberant in removing some of the last of the poly from the outside edge of the neck pocket. What was a perfectly straight edge now curves a bit! The neck plate still fits on ok so I decided to leave it. You'll be able to see it easier when I post pics of the back straight-on. Thanks for the comments!

[quote name='Chiliwailer' timestamp='1383507852' post='2265279'] For what it's worth, I used to have a JV Precision and a JV Stratocaster. I'd say that they are good instruments, but not worthy of the legend or prices in my opinion. My USA reissue '57 Strat was miles ahead of the JV version, and I always preferred my USA basses. Is a JV worth twice as much as a Jap or Mex reissue? I guess that's down to the guy buying it! [/quote] I guess that given I've seen a few MIJ/CIJ P basses on here recently for sub-£400, you may have a point.....

Hi guys, Not posted in this part of the forum before- I've dabbled in changing pickups and guards before but that's as far as I've gone. I'd always wanted a surf green precision since I first saw the colour. I also quite fancied having a go at refinishing/relic'ing a bass at some point in the future. I'd bid on a couple of Squier bodies in the past on ebay, various necks, hoping one day I'd be in a position to start a project without breaking the bank. The project started when i got hold of an MIJ Fender through this forum- It was a great instrument, but needed a bit of TLC. It also had a really bad sunburst finish, which was perhaps what got me motivated to finally try my hand. I decided this would have a relic/ road worn appearance, for two reasons; 1- I already own a Road Worn P and it's the most comfortable bass I have played. 2- I knew I would not be able to refinish this bass flawlessly. I knew if I tried, it would look appalling. Far safer to know any cock-ups can be made to look intentional! I wanted to be bold with the relic'ing- a bit more worn than the Road Worn series, but not as extreme as a Nash, etc. One step on from my own Road Worn. I think I've achieved it, and although there are still a few bits to do, it's feeling great! Whether it's looking great or not is a question of taste, but I love it. The poly was removed with a rotational power sander which literally ate through it in no time. I did make one tiny mistake during this process- wonder if you can spot it? (clue: last photo...) I used a white base coat, surf green Nitro from the Manchester Guitar tech, and amber tinted lacquer, most of which I then removed during final sanding, mainly because it made the Surf green look olive. I fitted the spare Road Worn tuners from my other bass (as they had been replaced by Gotoh GBR640's due to neck-dive), a vintage, threaded saddle bridge, metal guard, KiOgon wiring kit, Wizard Thumper (after I trashed my SPB-1 during the respray process), Fender USA knobs, and chrome pickup cover. All hardware aged by myself bar the tuners. I removed some of the thick finish from the back of the neck and stained it, and some from the fretboard. I'm still not happy with the neck though, and this is on my To Do list below! Anyway, time for some pics... Sorry, not great photos, the iPad seems to have put a weird haze on everything, and doesn't show the shine of the paint. More to come. In daylight! Things left to do: Tung Oil the bare wood parts- i have been using Briwax, and this really brings up the pale basswood (I think) grain, but it doesn't last all that long. Currently the wood is quite dry, which is why it is very pale. Tung Oil ordered! Worn neck plate- won a 70's one on ebay today that had plenty of genuine wear, so that will be fitted. Smaller headed pickguard screws- I have later, larger head ones that don't fit in the guard properly and look a bit weird. If you have any I'd be grateful! And... the neck! Although i have worn part of the front and back, there is still a very thick finish in parts. I'm tempted to strip it all off and Tung Oil the neck. I am also being bugged by the Medium Jumbo frets. They still have a bit of life left, but they make a strange sound when fretted, have gone a weird greeny colour, and I just don't like them. I'm considering a refret with vintage wire. Last but not least, and I really am in two minds about this- replacing the original Fender MIJ headstock decal with a vintage spaghetti logo decal. I'd have the originals reproduced, so it could be put back to original in the future if needed. I could do all the above jobs in one hit, so I'm mulling it over..... Anyway, whether or not the relic thing is your vibe, I've had fun up to this point, and it looks better and feels more comfortable than it did before so I'm happy! I'll post up better, more detailed photos when I'm finally finished!

Someone, somewhere, will buy this..... [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1958-FENDER-PRECISION-BASS-USA-BODY-/400585257094?pt=Guitar&hash=item5d44bdf086"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1958-FENDER-PRECISION-BASS-USA-BODY-/400585257094?pt=Guitar&hash=item5d44bdf086[/url] Heaven only knows if it's even legit! I think it's past the point of being able to tell.

Don't listen to drummers!

Ernie Ball- don't get on with them at all. Very rough feeling, and seem to tarnish up quickly too. DR sunbeams are my favourite, but expensive. Last ages and seem to stay in that 'sweet spot' for longer than other strings. Never seem to tarnish either. D'Addario and Fender Nickels are OK.

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1383427276' post='2264467'] Pretty similar to a Mendel then, in price. I like that the Mendel has Quarter Pounders, nitro finish, relicing and the 1.161" slim nut. I've played the same one in my local shop about 8 times already! I might just have to bite the bullet and add it to the collection. [/quote] I will have to try one again, with your comments in mind. Only two things put me off- Rosewood (i prefer maple), and the fact that I f****** hate the Foo Fighters.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1383427471' post='2264469'] The post-2008 Am St models have a [u]much[/u] thinner laquer coat , and seem fairly lightweight ( mine is about 8.8 pounds , and I've seen them even lighter . There are loads of other P-style basses on the market with a 1.625 width, too , if that is what you crave . Fender Custom Shop is worth saving for in so much as if you get a good Fender they are a lifetime investment , but also consider that for the same money or less there are lots of other Fender-style options that will potentially satisfy you . [/quote] That's interesting. I will certainly keep an eye out and try a more recent one when I get the chance. I'd love Nitro, really. Custom Shop isn't ideal, price-wise, and you don't get to try before you buy, either. [quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1383427861' post='2264479'] I promise you that ten years after Fender discontinue them , the Roadworns will have a similar cult status. [/quote] I agree. I tried my Roadworn back to back with a Custom Shop P bass a couple years ago, and if the CS was 10/10 my RW was 9.5/10.

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1383426483' post='2264451'] The Nate Mendel comes with 'road worn' swing tags implying is given the same treatment as the road worn precisions and features light relicing, whilst also coming with a 1.615 nut, which is what it putting it top of my list at the moment! The quality for £700 is great. [/quote] Yeah, the 1.75" neck is a drawback on the Roadworns, but they definitely have a magic about them, the three I have played anyway (including the one I own). I played a Nate Mendel recently and it was good. I paid £699 for my RW brand new, in 2010.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1383424619' post='2264423'] I used to have a JV Series Jazz Bass and subsequently a JV Series '62 Precision back when they were current , which must be thirty years ago now . Looking back , they were terriffic affordable basses at the time , but if I take off the rose tinted spectacles, I can remember them well enough and knew them intimately enough to say that they could easily be substituted with new instruments made in the present , and I would not even remotely consider buying one of these basses at the prices they go for today . They were nice budget basses, but that's all they were . The Holy Grail status they have taken on in the interim period is disproportionate to their true worth as instruments , and in all honesty , I would recommend that you take a look at the current American Standard range for a much better use of your funds if you want a solid and reliable bass that will give you years of good service . I would also question the worth of a JV Series Squier as a long term investment . It's only a matter of time until the bubble bursts and people start realising that the Emporer has got no clothes on in terms of the market value of these basses. Mental health care has probably changed a lot in the interim period , but if you had suggested paying the equivalent sum as they are going for today for one of the Squiers thirty years ago , you would have probably been Sectioned. I got my Squier Precision secondhand for thirty quid and it was in mint condition , ( but in those days you could always find hippies in need of cash). I think my Jazz cost £185 brand new. The Roadworn Fender remind me a lot of the old JV Series Squiers , and I wouldn't be at all surprised if they become sought adfter in a similar way after they are discontinued . The only drawback to the Roadworn Precision is the 1.75 nut width , whereas the Squiers had a 1.625 nut that lots of folks , including myself, prefer . That's the width on the current Am St bases , and they are superb basses . To give you some indication of how good I think they are , I went out a few years ago to buy a proper vintage Fender with enough funds at my disposal to buy anything that took my fancy , and came home with a new 2009 American Standard and most of my money intact . [/quote] Again, not helping my gas- I love my Roadworn, but the 1.75 neck is (was) a drawback. The fact the Squier has a 1.625 neck is even more attractive. I do hear what you're saying about the hype though, but my [b]dream[/b] bass is an American Vintage '57 in white blond, that's been worn-in and batted around a bit (so as it's a bit more comfortable, and I'm not afraid to put my own dings in it) with a 1.625" neck. So Custom Shop only? I have owned a fairly recent American Standard (2005 model) and it was a fantastic instrument, but I found it a touch heavy, the finish cold and thick, the neck very hard, and it felt more engineered than crafted. It just didn't have that organic, wooden feel that I've grown to love.

Try a Road Worn. Seriously! Mine is very special. Completely different to the Classic 50's (poly), and the lightest P I've ever picked up. Feels fantastic. And start your own thread! Back to the JV's......!

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1383419191' post='2264350'] Are you referring to the Classic '50s with flash coat lacquer finish & hardcase (which I think is a fantastic instrument withs thin finish and a real vintage vibe!) or the Classic '50s with no case and poly finish? [/quote] I was referring to was the first series, with poly finish, as I haven't tried the new nitro finished series. I do however own a Road Worn, which I would imagine is very similar to the new 50's lacquer.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1383417734' post='2264325'] Compared to the classic '50's …. not even comparable. Compared to the AV '57ri …. comparable - one feels and sounds very very modern though, one feels and sounds like the baselines on your old records How big are the necks? 43mm or so, an accurate vintage width (unlike the AV'57ri) How thick is the finish? My old one never chipped so not sure. No thicker than any other, not as thick as the classic '50s felt to me. Do they have rolled fingerboards? yes, and one of the nicest neck you'll play. Are they resonant? Yes and some, an amazing projecting acoustic tone when unplugged. Even unplugged mine somehow sounded like a P bass should do. Are they light? usually under alb [/quote] That's not helped the gas one bit! Especially the part about them sounding and feeling old. I've never felt comfortable playing a modern, 'new' feeling bass, which is why I love my Road Worn Precision. Oh dear....

I've been told I grunt when I do anything. People seemed to start commenting on this once I turned 30, so I can only deduce it's the classic 'dad' grunt. I don't even realise I'm doing it, although I occasionally catch myself when bending over to pick something up. I think it comes with age. Like back hair. Try not to fight it.

I'm a big fan of precisions, had a few over the years, and have pretty much figured out what made me like or dislike certain examples. Now though, having not had a change in a while, I'm developing JV gas. Mainly because there have been a few on here lately and the prices have been quite good in comparison to recent times. That and the reputation! I'd also like a 'keeper' bass- one I can use for years and stow away for the future, so the future owners of my house can find it in the loft long after I've copped it. I can't afford 'true' vintage, but I can afford modern vintage. So, how good are the JV series Precisions? How would they compare to something like the Classic '50's series? What about the American Vintage '57? How big are the necks? How thick is the finish? Do they have rolled fingerboards? Are they resonant? Are they generally nice and light, or does it vary considerably? I'd love to play one, and recently saw a guy with one at a festival I played in the summer, but it looked a complete mess and the action was soooo high I didn't want to touch it.

The CV '50's P bass I had was a very fine instrument- the only thing that put me off was the collosal amount of poly that was coated over the neck.

Wait til you try the Classic Vibe series! Brilliant basses for the money, although prices have crept up recently.

If you like your standard tone, but want a bit more oomph, the SPB-1 would be a good choice. QP will change your tone quite a bit. Best of both worlds would be something like the Wizard Thumper- more aggressive, but not as extreme as the QP. Keeps the essence of the P bass. If you want big lows, the Fender Original would be good. I found it a touch too boomy for my liking. Thats my experiences with the above anyway.

Yup, the Road Worn/ Classic '50's MIM models plus the American Vintage '57 all have the wide 1.75 nut, and are a handful, however they are not all that deep front to back so are not too bad to play. The thickest neck I've played recently was on my old Squier Classic Vibe '50's P Bass, which had a neck like a baseball bat! It didn't help that the poly finish was an inch thick, either. If you specifically want a big neck then the '57 reissues above are a good way to go and the three I mentioned at the start are all very good instruments in three different price brackets depending on your budget. I think there is even a Classic 50's and an AV '57 for sale on here at the moment. I don't find the modern P necks to be like J necks especially, they are still plenty chunky for my hands.