basshead56

As someone who's tried both (I have the Fender one), buy the Fender! Try and get a secondhand one if you can (think Old Horse Murphy has one for sale here on BC) as 550 is a bit much new. But they are GREAT basses!!! I swapped out the pups for SD 1/4lbs, but that's cause I wanted a sound closer to the Mark Hoppus bass (which I later bought anyways). The stock pickups are great though! The Squier is pants! Not dissing Squier in any way at all (am planning on getting a VM Jag soon), they have had some great models lately and their general effort of late has been greatly documented and praised here on BC and other forums! But the Mike Dirnt Squier is awful-based on both the ones I've tried (both Black and White models). Its lightweight (really lightweight!), the frets were like razors and the pickups were seriously weedy and tinny-couldn't hold a candle to the Fender one IMO. I honestly don't think trying to mod the Squier model would be a worthwhile enterprise, as the foundations are all wrong to begin with-kinda like the Squier Frank Bello-looks great, plays lousy. Save a bit and get the Fender, I would suggest. Though again, this is based solely on my own experiences. I would gladly hear from Squier MD owners who have better things to say about them I've put mine out on loan for a few seasons (the girl that has it can't part with it ) But I do miss it around! I wish the Fender one came in the white finish though! There's a thought-get the Fender back and refin in oly white Hope that helps some man Anyways, I'm off to bed-up early to get a train to Dublin to see Blink 182 tomorrow evening, Col

[quote name='J.R.Bass' post='938787' date='Aug 28 2010, 02:20 PM'][/quote] +1000 In latin: Quad the f**k?!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='938775' date='Aug 28 2010, 02:01 PM']Its just the same as why people buy used cars from a dealer who are the stereotypical aurtur daleys but a lot of the time who else can you go to? Thats why a good friend or a trader you trust in both cases are important.[/quote] Agreed. If the dealer is a mate, then I´m sure they´d see you right-trust is important. But if I had no prior dealings with a dealer or even the word of someone I trust who spoke well of them, I would avoid. But seeing as taking a car apart to verify parts is impractical... Still, if this 63 is the real deal, then perhaps as an investment (maybe with a view to letting it appreciate in value and moving it on) it would be a good move. But again, more info and detailed pics or an up-close inspection by someone in the know would verify this. I wonder if BC should send a delegation? Who should go: Howard (Bass Doc) ? Beedster ? thoughts?

[quote name='nobody's prefect' post='938764' date='Aug 28 2010, 01:44 PM']wow - you guys [i]really [/i]know your stuff! I suppose I'll take a better look at the bass and if it plays well, I'll get to negotiating the price. Some crazy prices you've quoted here for basses in original config though![/quote] Sounds like a plan man! Stay objective though-if it isn´t what you´re after, walk away-another will come along that might be exactly what you´re looking for. They are vintage, but not too rare. More like buses- you spend your time waiting for one... As for the reward-pop that pint in a waterproof envelope and send it to... Good luck mate

Fair point, but dealers are the reason the vintage market has gone the way it has IMO. They automatically attach value based simply on brand and age. Now, admittedly, an old Fender or Gibson will always be valuable but there were duds coming out of both shops back in the day too. Not all of Fender´s products in the 70´s were of the highest quality-loads of dogs when it came to Telecasters and Precisions especially. And a dealer would have no second thoughts on slapping a huge price tag on such an instrument these days-knowing that there is a certain romantic notion of owning an old Fender. Now, most do it with the customer in mind, but remember, they are businesses too and may not always be too considerate when it comes to playability vs price etc.

No way of knowing without far more detailed pics and info. That colour looks very ´new´ to me, but that could be down to the camera or lght or anything. If it is genuine, then 2k is a bargain-even factoring in how ridiculous vintage prices have become of late!

If it were all 100% original and in store-fresh condition it could be worth anything a collector is willing to pay (typically, ridiculous money!) Given this is not the case however, I would estimate at the very most it would be worth around 1700 pounds. I´ve seen 78´s gor for anything up to 2,200 pounds-but those are stupid prices (usually aroud 1200-1500 is more accurate) Again, the replacement pg would detract from that price, as would mojo/damage and lack of original case. In the end, it´s really only worth what you think it´s worth. Try and have a play on it if you can and decide. If it´s only being considered because it´s vintage (and you want a vintage Fender), fair enough, but if it´s just cause it´s a Fender- consider saving yourself some cash and getting a new Am Std. P bass (or 2!)

The black P has re-ignited the GAS I just quenched! Just got another 78, but still, the black/black/maple 70´s P continues to elude me! Nice!!!

fantastic. simple to use and informative-which is what I assume you were aiming for? If so, mission accomplished man. Only recommendations for updates I would suggest have already been made (5 or 6 string maps, alternate tunings etc) Who really uses any frets after the 12th anyway?! Great job!

I just landed another 78 Pecision, with the help of a good mate. It is waiting for me when I get off the plane in New Zealand in a fortnight´s time. Thats 78 number 4 for me and Precision number 8. I may have a problem. I still want a few more though: a black/black/maple 70´s Precision, An Eastwood Rocket, a Danelectro DC59, an Aria CSB 300 and a Dean Stylist Cabbie I swear, once i have all those, I´m done.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1976-USA-Fender-Precision-Bass-/270625541616?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV"]here[/url]

Looks right to me. I have three (4th on the way) 78´s. The lefty logo from around 76-79/81 (muddy dating period sometimes) was a different story to the righties. Its a split logo, so that the Fender logo could match up with the bottom of the headstock more evenly, or so I´ve read. Though I imagine thats not the original pickguard-most likely it was black.

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='936889' date='Aug 26 2010, 10:31 AM']I'm getting into the bitsa basses & I'm the other way around. If I had a Jazz I'd stick a P-bass neck on it.[/quote] Done that with my very first Fender! Loving it! [quote name='ezbass' post='936951' date='Aug 26 2010, 11:17 AM']The deluxe Fender Ps had/have J width necks IIRC.[/quote] +1. The Zone bass also has more of a jazz neck profile.

Usually the T-Bird is as ´Pointy´ as I go, But considering my obsession with the Misfits (and lack of money preventing me from ordering an October or Rand replica bass), I´d go for a Widow or perhaps a Virgo- not the weirdest shaped BC´s, and they have two sets of Split-coils. The only reason I havent sprang for a Warwick Vampyre (rockbass verion) is because there are J type pups in it, and that would not suit my inner Jerry Only!

There was a Fender Japan Phil Lynott sig. Only made for 2 years IIRC. (sure there was a thread here before) I´d love to see a Bruce Foxton P Bass!

Koch amps? Assmaster? Attack goat? Black Finger?

If only I had a first born son or daughter I could sell to get my hands on one of these! they just look so beautiful!

[quote name='Shaggy' post='933469' date='Aug 23 2010, 11:17 AM']I saw that too; fab body and p/ups / electrics, not so keen on the neck. At that price; worth it for the Dark Stars alone![/quote] +1, The body and DarkStar´s look fantastic! Very unique neck too, perhaps not to everyone´s liking, but agreed-the price seems great considering the parts alone.

The Dean Stylist are aslo pretty good, but the pckups let it down somewhat-though they can swapped out for something nicer later on for not much money. Itali also do sime nice semi-hollows. The epi JC is a gorgeous looking and sounding bass, but again, the difficulty in finding a case would put me off it a bit. I was on Ebay last night and saw this-looks very nice: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Telecaster-Bass-Guitar-Warmoth-Dark-Star-Audere-Preamp-/190433054071?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV"]here[/url]

done and done. Cheers

Hi guys, I am considering swapping out the pickguard on one of my 1978 Fender Precision´s I want to get a 3ply black one (pref with holes for pup cover and thumb rest) I am wondering would a current replacement Fender PG fit? -have the dimensions/measurements changed since the late 70´s? Or would I need to look at trying to track down an original 70´s pg? Any help would be greatly appreciated