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[quote name='Clarky' post='993129' date='Oct 19 2010, 08:25 AM']Given my knackered left hand I will be using my Fender Precision for the first couple of gigs in my new band, rather than the DB. Does anyone have any recommendations for strings to make my P-bass sound as DB-ish as possible? I have tried Trubass strings in the past in the past but TBH found them very thick and unwieldy. IIRC, however, there is another set of black strings that are easier to play and sound quite DB-ish - can anyone tell me what they are - or alternatively recommend something else? Obviously I can also stick some foam under the strings by the bridge if needs be (as I did at our rehearsal on Sunday). Thanks gents and ladies[/quote] If you're still looking for sugestions - GHS 3060 Black Nylon Tapewound - my favourites I've got them on my Skjold 35" scale usualy downtuned DGCF, on my '51P & will be on my '57 shortly. They're like the Rotosounds but better made & 'normal sizes', soft feel, just right tension, sound very DBish plucked or thumbed up by the neck. They last too! I'm waiting for some from the states now, can't find them here at a sensible price Cheerz, John

I haven't found a site that deals with serial numbers beginning with V, as in Vintage series I suppose. I asked the shop to ask Fender for date of manufacture + any other info. but haven't heard yet. BTW - If I have the neck off, would you expect a date stamp & anything else maybe on the heel? I'm playing this every day & definitely have no worries at all about it now, even putting up with roundwounds until my GHS get here Cheerz, John

Whatever we think about Fender they've been getting it right for a very long time, by which I mean "money in the bank Frank". Long after Leo & his inspirations have faded away, they're still coining it in day after day from 'us', around most of the world. Sixty plus years on & most musical instrument shops you look in will have something with a Fender logo, with a price ticket on it, if you don't like it - don't buy it, simple. A bit like Sainsbury's or LloydsTSB or BP - etc. etc. etc, a lot of people moan about them, what they do & what they sell/provide, but their tills are still full at the end of the week. There's a lot of musical instrument makers jealous of Fender's track record & very few that will ever achieve anything near it. Yes they're a bit Volkswagen & oh yeah - they're doing alright too! Cheerz, John

Years ago a mate was a steel worker & he did that - pissed on his hands every time - the moral of the story is > > > > > Never shake hands with a steel worker

Those 2 P's look like they could tell a story or three Lovely

[quote name='krispn' post='989950' date='Oct 16 2010, 09:06 AM']Having had a disaster last night when the input jack of my Squire decided that it wasn't feeling like doing anything remotely what it's supposed to I'm gonna go get a soldering iron - a guy I know did a full rewire on this bass recently but didn't change the input jack as I had thought (and asked) - so I'm gonna do it myself and be safe in the knowledge if it screws up I've only myself to blame. Just wanted a heads up on the recommended voltage and a pointer at some decent solder. I know Maplins and Ebay are full of these and I may even construct a varitone box once I get up to speed with the soldering. Thanks in advance folks.[/quote] If you are investing in a tool to do all & do it well + last for years, an investment, if you are going to get the use out of it, then get a Weller temperature controlled iron with interchangeable tips for different jobs. It's what you'll find on practically every pro & hobbyist workbench. Not cheap but you get what you pay for, there's usually some on ebay. Cheerz, John Edit: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Weller-WTCP-50-Soldering-Iron-Station-Set-/280574496585?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item41538b0f49"]A good example[/url]

[quote name='Delberthot' post='989907' date='Oct 16 2010, 02:20 AM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2x-ASS-cabinets-/110596911418?pt=UK_ConElec_SpeakersPASystems_RL&hash=item19c016f13a"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2x-ASS-cabinets-/110...=item19c016f13a[/url][/quote] OMG - "Both drivers not working Need a lick" HAha

I'd say it's like notches on the bedpost - nudge nudge - maybe a lot of good times?

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='987478' date='Oct 13 2010, 10:02 PM']I like the case [/quote] It's the case that's the sunburst - innit? Oh dear

[quote name='Vibrating G String' post='987835' date='Oct 14 2010, 11:07 AM']If I'm looking at those neck pocket pics correctly you're all missing the biggest flaw on this bass. The flat top un crowned frets. And I always thought re issues were poly, have they started doing them in nitro?[/quote] Au contraire mon amie. Those frets are some of the finest things Fender do IMHO! The 'Vintage Frets' are about .085" wide & only .025" - .030" above the fingerboard. One of my reasons for wanting this model, along with the one piece Maple, both massive factors in how fabulous the neck feels & plays. They are similar to but even better than my '51 P RI - my previous 'best to play' Both my other P's are MIM with Medium Jumbo frets on Rosewood which seem to be the standard, I certainly don't need such big frets for my playing style I suppose even if I have got BSF (Big Sausage Fingers) The Nitro Cellulose finish on body & neck, as the original '57s were finished, all part of the American Vintage Series. Fender say: "Our American Vintage ’57 Precision Bass pays tribute to this landmark instrument with accurate detailing, including electronics and hardware—from the split single-coil pickups to the vintage tuning machines and nitrocellulose lacquer finish. A true Fender classic." Cheerz, John

[quote name='bh2' post='987207' date='Oct 13 2010, 05:58 PM']Very lovely! [/quote] Cheerz - yes she is More good news - Fender have said they'll send me a set of strings Free Gratis, along with a replacement pickguard, (in case it's buckled). I have to say the shop have been pretty good in helping sort this out, communicating with Fender, very quick replies etc.

[quote name='bh2' post='987071' date='Oct 13 2010, 03:52 PM']Piccys of the whole please.[/quote] What whole? Has anybody seen the whole?

[quote name='Musicman20' post='986162' date='Oct 12 2010, 08:11 PM']BTW - I reckon if you barter you can easily get one for £1400 or less....offer the cash and they will accept! Bass specialists especially.[/quote] I don't think so I've been looking since end of July & quotes I've had were around £1699 - £1728, the new one on ebay they would drop to £1649, even a 'previously owned' on thebay now is £1495 & the seller can't be arsed to answer email The shops advertising online below £1600 don't have any stock & can't give a definite date or guarantee that price when they come in, new VAT rate in January, one shop reckoned could get by end of October another said not until January. Even Thomman say 'special order'. One so called bass specialist even had a '57 advertised but when I looked at the info - it was clearly not! They didn't answer my email either So you can't say I haven't tried! I'm pleased with the price I got this for, it's what I expected to pay. Cheerz, John

I had a look this morning & sent an email to the shop: "I took all the screws out & raised the pickguard enough to see the black wire joining the pot bodies was trapped. I haven't removed the guard completely as the fit around the pick up & the neck is quite tight, I don't want to scratch anything. The wire appears to be OK, I've moved it carefully to a better position. Definitely should have been noticed by Fender quality control! [attachment=61259:13102010204.jpg] Could you also please ask Fender why they don't offer/supply Flatwound strings on their re-issue models? Perhaps they would like to send a set over with the pickguard with compliments as I'm doing their QC for them!" We'll see. I'm happy to keep it now, I've got a lot of love for this 'old P', every time I play it (& I'm playing it a lot) it feels so sweet - easy to play, the neck is perfect for me, the whole thing is a thing of beauty (in my eyes) exactly what I wanted. The pick guard is sorted, the neck pocket fit is OK, the truss rod infill - well it's a little quirky, possibly unique & the decal is right so all in all I reckon it's a keeper. Cheerz, John

[quote name='lanark' post='985908' date='Oct 12 2010, 04:45 PM']If I had those problems on a Squier it would be reason enough to send it back, never mind its more expensive, illustrious parent. Just shows that the name is no guarantee that you're not going to get a friday afternoon lemon.[/quote] Definitely not a lemon - looks lovely, plays & sounds great! [quote name='BurritoBass' post='985985' date='Oct 12 2010, 05:52 PM']Fender's QC can occasionally be a bit hit & miss. If it plays great I probably wouldn't worry BUT everyone is different and now is the time to shout. You could just go for a full refund. I too can confirm the logos were like that in the 50s but the rest is just poor workmanship. None of it is life or death but it is enough to take the edge off an instrument for some people. It's also the danger of buying online occasionally. A roadtest instore could have cured your GAS for this bass.[/quote] In this case instore roadtest probably wouldn't have helped, I didn't notice a couple of these things for a day or three! [quote name='chris_b' post='986000' date='Oct 12 2010, 06:03 PM']Well. I guess that I'm still in a minority here. I'd get the scratch plate sorted but the other stuff? The truss rod plug is 2 mm to the right? Sorry but how can that even register on the problem scale? Why does a truss rod have to be exactly center? There are tolerances in all manufacturing processes. The neck pocket looks better than many that I've seen and it's way better than my Precision. Leo Fender wouldn't know what you were talking about if you took that back to him! It's only guys like Sadowsky who make exactly fitting neck pockets. Fender has never offered that! You definitely haven't got a Friday afternoon bass. If it was you'd have one or more of the following; buzzing frets, intonation problems, misaligned bridge/ tuners/neck/pickups, marks in the paint work, etc etc. What you've got is a bass that plays well and sounds good so it sounds like a good Fender to me.[/quote] Agreed! [quote name='Johnston' post='986011' date='Oct 12 2010, 06:09 PM']I'd agree with that . My MIM Dirnt has a few things but it plays great and unless you look really hard you don't know so why worry. IT looks like the neck pocket is sloppy too, tried loosening the neck recently to adjust the rod and it is in there tight no matter how it looks. How long have you had it for anyway before you noticed things? Edit to add. Thats a 50's isn't it. Are they not poly with the RW version being Nitro?[/quote] It was delivered last Friday - spent most of the weekend playing it - started noticing things after a day or three! It's a '57 re-issue, American Vintage series, definitely Nitro Cellulose, body & neck laquer. [quote name='Slipperydick' post='986017' date='Oct 12 2010, 06:14 PM']Pickguard/Knobs issue makes me wonder if it been taken off to sort out a snag. Been caught out like this myself. Bet you if you ask for another one, they'll say they aint got one ands wont have for weeks. If you get a refund, could you get another at the same price elsewhere ? Long shot, but would they be prepared to pay for it to be checked out by another dealer local to yourself ? Up to you, but unless it plays really well, and you really love it, I'd send it back. You could always contact Fender and see what they have to say.[/quote] Yep - long time for a replacement & No I don't think I'll ever get another at that price. [quote name='mcnach' post='986018' date='Oct 12 2010, 06:14 PM']personally, the pickguard I'd look at myself... it could be a very minor thing easily corrected. but the neck pocket fit would be clearly the most important. If it's not right (and there are no pictures here to see), I'd send it for a replacement. Not a cheap bass! Some things I can live with, cosmetics, but a neck/body fit is an essential part of the instrument. edit: ah, just saw the neck thing... not as bad as I had imagined... in fact, and this is the sad part... it's not terribly unusual to have those gaps on Fenders... no guarantee next one would be better[/quote] Will be sorting the pickguard myself & yep the neck pocket ain't bad. [quote name='bh2' post='986044' date='Oct 12 2010, 06:37 PM']Looks okay to me![/quote] Yep - me too! [quote name='Musicman20' post='986049' date='Oct 12 2010, 06:42 PM']Neck pocket isnt really bad, but it isnt as good as it should be. As I mentioned in my PM, three of the recent ones Ive had (2 have been traded) had SUPER tight neck pockets...like perfection! I am super picky, but we all spend hard earned cash and deserve a well crafted instrument. If this was a Squire, I wouldnt be suprised....but Im guessing this was around £1300-1400?[/quote] £1400 + a bit! [quote name='BassBod' post='986096' date='Oct 12 2010, 07:24 PM']The scratchplate issue needs sorting - that's one for the dealer to do (properly!). Others wouldn't bother me, as long as the neck won't budge (even with reasonable provocation) and it plays well and sounds good. I actually don't like neck pockets that are super tight - especially with nitro paint! Good luck[/quote] I don't think any dealer could sort it as well as I can myself TBH, Yep - good point about a little bit of slack with the nitro paint! Thanks to everyone for their input, I'll be sorting the pickguard as soon as my new strings arrive (unless I get impatient) & unless there's a horror story underneath, I think I'll be keeping it. It looks like Fender are sending a replacement pickguard, that'll be handy! Cheerz, John

[quote name='Musicman20' post='985862' date='Oct 12 2010, 04:11 PM']Where did you get it from? It doesnt matter if they think its acceptable, its whether you do If there is space for a credit card between the neck and body, Id just say its not acceptable.[/quote] No room for a credit card at .030", I can just get the corner of a .012" business card in, on the E side, G side is OK, like I said I can live with that, it ain't perfect but I've seen far worse. Difficult to 'photo;

Changing the subject I've just been to the greenhouse & got some bits for a Chilli con carne tonight!

The latest from the shop & from Fender - very quick response, can't moan about that! "Hi John I have had an email back from Fender in relation to your guitar. It reads: Hi Rob, Thanks for your email. I can see from the pictures that the truss rod slot is not quite in line with the strings and seems to be slightly off centre. This should not actually cause any problems with the playability of the guitar and should just be a cosmetic issue. It is also possible that the string tree is slightly redirecting the string a little towards the nut to make this appear worse than it is. The truss rod itself will still function as it should and the neck should not be affected. With regard to the pickguard, it is possible that this has had either a wire or something similar causing it to bend slightly. If this is causing problems I can arrange for a new one to be sent to yourselves, subject to confirmation of a valid serial number. Finally, I have checked the details of the extras that are supplied with this model but it does not appear to include a polishing cloth. It should have had a tweed case, strap, cable and bridge/pickup covers If you'd like to send us the serial number, I can arrange for a replacement scratchplate to be sent over if necessary. Best regards Rob" Not exactly admitting their QC is crap is it? EDIT: I forgot to mention in my list of niggles that the 'Polishing Cloth' detailed in the Fender spec was also missing. From the Fender specs: Accessories Case Gig Bags: Vintage Tweed Case Included Accessories: Vintage Tweed Case, Strap, Cable, (Chrome Bridge and Pickup Covers are Unmounted and Included in the Kit) Polishing Cloth: Polishing Cloth Included Control Knobs: Chrome Knurled Style I can live without a Fender duster I suppose

[quote name='Lozz196' post='985791' date='Oct 12 2010, 02:47 PM']Think it depends one a couple of things. Will these things really be your main view of the bass, the things that you think of over how well it plays and sounds. If the answer is yes, and you can`t get past them, send it back. If however the bass is truly the best example you`ve played, may be a keeper, imperfections and all. I do agree though, for the price these basses go for, they should be perfect, but, as many others say, well thats Fender.[/quote] Exactly! Minor details - but shouldn't be, especially at the price - it's certainly a lovely player & that matters most to me. I'm leaning towards keeping it, I've only seen one other advertised in this country & heard next deliveries won't be until January

[quote name='AndyTravis' post='985772' date='Oct 12 2010, 02:31 PM']i'd speak to the guys you got it from. The pickguard gap may just be a wire, and the decal seems correct - have a look at some old fenders and it's quite pronnounced on some. The truss rod plug seems out on the photo, but without seeing it face to face i'd reserve judgement...have you measured it to see if it's centred or actually misaligned? They should accept it as a return and exchange it if you're unhappy. Did you buy it through a store or online? If possible, check your replacement thouroughly before closing the matter. If they've sent it out box fresh, they may not have spotted it and the blame lies with Fender...if they sold it as ex display then it's a shame they didn't raise these issues or rectify them, and it's their fault. Either way, keep cool and just ask them to sort it asap.[/quote] Yep, spoken to & yes measured it's 4.25mm nearer the G side. When I 'phoned to buy, the guy said is was "factory fresh" not ex-demo or display & he would check it over before it went out the door! The shop seem OK about it & I'm not too unhappy about it, as said it plays very nicely, the neck pocket I can live with, I think it looks worse 'cos it's white against maple, can just get a corner of a business card in at the top of the E side.

[quote name='Raggy' post='985767' date='Oct 12 2010, 02:28 PM']Just picked one up. I'm so excited I've just done a sex wee [/quote] Pictures? - guts & all - no not the wee!

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='985735' date='Oct 12 2010, 02:03 PM']The decal is correct. They sit on top of the lacquer.[/quote] Yep cheerz WOT, I thought as much & the shop confirmed

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='985753' date='Oct 12 2010, 02:15 PM']Typical MIM quality.[/quote] But I was expecting typical USA quality

I've just spoken with the shop; The Decal is on top as it is a replica of a '57 & that's how they were & as I thought, the Nitro Cellulose would Fek the decal if it was applied over. That's why 50's Fenders usually have the decal worn away in places The Pick guard - as suspected, I'll have to perform surgery! The truss rod infill - maybe they're not all perfectly central? I've sent photo's for them to look at. They don't have another in stock, will advise me on when one is expected & will 'have a word with Fender about these niggles. Also said - if it plays well & is otherwise brilliant, well I could always get a worse one! Cheerz for the input so far, John

My 2 Mexicans are RW & look/feel/sound lovely but my '51 P is one piece Maple & that for me looks/feels/sounds that bit better. My new '57 P is one piece Maple too & that is even sweeter! I haven't tried a 'stuck on' Maple board though, I suppose that would be more comparable to a 'stuck on RW than a one piece neck.