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[quote name='sprocketflup' timestamp='1482671937' post='3202167'] I know its not quite natural, does the 'amber' finish tickle your tastebuds? [/quote] As in the discontinued VM Precision? Yes, I've been considering finding one, just for the body, to try with a Fender neck. I've never actually seen the Squier in the flesh, so I don't know if it could pass for the aged natural finish.

I'd definitely consider a Warmoth body, but I'd like to think there's a UK luthier who'd be happy to supply something comparable. It's the look of the mass produced, everyday, turn-key bass I'm after, and I'd like to make it as genuine as I can afford. Something that has a simple quality about it, a classic workhorse Fender and a players instrument. I could give a new body it's own 'road worn' look by not being too precious about it. If Fender had specified a natural finish with their new line of USA basses, (along with the staple black, white and 3TSB), I wouldn't have started this thread. The Jazz has got its natural '75 RI, so why no Precision equivalent?

[quote name='Cuzzie' timestamp='1482661879' post='3202119'] [url="https://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/1965-fender-precision-bass/1200656437"]https://www.gumtree....bass/1200656437[/url] [/quote] That looks like a bass with a story or two to tell... but it's too rosewood and genuinely priced. If I had £2.5K, burning a hole in my pocket I wouldn't want to spend it on a bass. I feel that expensive things kind of end up owning you. You have to worry about it and provide security for it. Could anybody recommend a UK luthier to supply a 70's style, natural P-Bass body finished with a 'vintage tint'? Nothing 'coffee table' fancy, alder or swamp ash, not too heavy and not too valuable?

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1482590457' post='3201653'] [url="https://instagram.com/p/BDWIPHykbpN/"]https://instagram.com/p/BDWIPHykbpN/[/url] Hopefully this link will work via my mobile. Funnily, I have a really nice Fender neck here that I am looking for a CIJ Alder body. That's taking a bit of time to find I can tell you as I want a natural one! [/quote] That looks very nice but... it doesn't look exactly like the bass I have in my minds eye. Is it the fretboard radius? The pickguard? Knobs? Bridge? Perhaps just the angle of the photo. My head tells me I should be just as happy with a quality lawsuit Ibby or Tokkai but my heart says it's not the everyman Fender I hanker after.

[quote name='gareth' timestamp='1482587203' post='3201623'] [/quote] Yes. That's the simple look I'm after, used but not abused. I can't afford that though, (the top of my imaginary budget would be about £800 for a USA model), and the thing is, even if I could afford it, I'd spend more time worrying about it being nicked than playing it. I'm thinking my realistic way forward is to buy a second hand precision, force it to have sex with an after market body, then sell the original body.

[quote name='police squad' timestamp='1482495917' post='3201031'] There are Jap reissues. This is a fretless one that I have. They are out there, you just have to search and be patient [/quote] I've spent many hours looking for the Jap re-issue. They don't turn up very often.

For me, it does have to be a Fender. Partly because I've just wanted to own such an iconic instrument for a while and partly for eventual resale purposes... I don't tend to keep a bass for more than a few years. Preferably American, but I'd be happy to find a Jap or Mex version. Last time I saw one for sale on here was about a year ago, somebody had mated a Mex neck and parts with an after market body. The price was right at around £300/400, but I was skint at the time.

I've had a long term itch for a natural Fender Precision. Nothing fancy. I'm too much of a prole to order anything bespoke. 2nd hand and a bit battered better suits my wallet and conscience. The kind of 60/70's precision with a black scratch plate and a maple board I USED to see all the time... new Fenders, old Fenders that had been stripped, Japanese Re-Issues. Just a passive, plain natural Precision. But where are they all now? Nearest I can find in the current Fender catalogue is an active, Elite PJ thingy that I don't want and can't afford. I've had one eye on the marketplace here for a suitable bass and spotted nothing for what seems like forever. I trawl ebay worldwide looking for the Jap version and find nothing but expensive 70's American instruments. I've even taken to watching in the 'Other musical items' forum for a suitable body I might mate with a Fender neck, but haven't seen the right thing for me yet. Sometimes I think I might have to buy a Warmoth body with a vintage tint and mate it to an equally expensive Fender neck. What are my options? Why is this classic combo so difficult to find? Am I not looking in the right places? [attachment=234518:1981s9precision2.jpg] (this sort of thing, an example that got away)

Have you considered the Classic Vibe 50's Precision?

Butt clenchingly awful. It's all so earnestly vapid, (IMO of course). I can't help but feel a bit grubby after that.

My favourite is 'The Junky's Christmas' by William Burroughs & The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkO_-6cCYXY[/media]

I double box, even triple box, send next day delivery and despatch early during the week to make sure it doesn't hang around in the courier system. No issues so far... touch wood.

My guess would be the seasonal temperature change. Winter is here and even if it's in a case, in a house, it can still be affected. If it were mine, I'd put a touch more relief in the neck as described above, and perhaps remember to turn the truss rod back the other way six months from now.

I used to own a couple of these that I ran with a LM2. Perhaps one used to be mine? Always regretted selling them. Good score.

After 24 hours on the guitar, action medium low and a bit of buzz across the A & D on the 7th fret. The neck is very straight so, absolutely no issues with the ability to handle the string tension. I've slightly loosened the truss rod and the buzz has gone. I'll let it settle and see how it feels tomorrow...see it I can get the action down a bit lower.

La Bella's just fitted and sounding and feeling lovely. Just the one schoolboy error. [attachment=231433:WP_20161104_13_43_44_Pro.jpg] I'll give them a couple of days on the guitar then begin a proper set up.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1478199349' post='3167527'] IMO any modern bass that can't handle high tension strings is obviously faulty and should be returned to the shop for a refund as "unfit for purpose". [/quote] Absolutely, but it's pre-loved bass on this occasion... every occasion TBH, when it comes to my instrument purchases. I'm not too worried though, having confirmed others have fitted them to CV and VM basses with no problems. Perhaps I did imagine the issue? Maybe it wouldn't be advisable with an Affinity bass? I'm hoping to make a couple of tweaks and find my high tension/low action happy place.

My old S1 Jazz had overwound pups and Jamerson flats and, in series with a bit of tone rolled off, got me many compliments for a 'proper bass' sound. Not many people would say it sounds just like a Precision... only Fender marketing department said that. It heads in that direction though, but best to think of as another very useable option in your sonic arsenal.

La Bella 760FS on their way.

I like La Bella flatwounds. I love their tone and I like their heavy tension. I've also taken recent delivery of a Classic Vibe 50's Precision, which would seem like an ideal candidate to fit with my favourite strings. I have a hazy memory of reading somewhere on here about someone who had encountered neck issues with a Squier and heavy flats. Something about their pull being too strong for the truss rod to fully compensate for. Did I imagine this? Any words of caution or should I just go for it? I'm thinking about the 'standard' set, (not the heavier 'Jamerson' set), and I've got an allen key and I'm not afraid to use it.

Karl sold me a CV 50's Precision and I couldn't be happier with the transaction. Many thanks Karl, I hope to deal with you again soon.

Has anybody tried one of these yet? I think they're available in the UK now.