Pow_22

So the tuners on my 76 P are a bit stiff and there is definitely some grinding going on.  I stripped them down and gave them a good clean and lubed them with chapstick (recommended on a youtube vid as opposed to thin oil that can damage the wood/headstick finish.  Whilst they are better they are still incredibly hard work.  I dont really want to look at replacing them at this point with it being a vintage bass but of course it needs to be playable.  Anybody got any useful tips that may help get them going a bit smoother/easier?

Just now, The Attic Man said:

wish i had some spare cash thats a gorgeous looking bass

Cheers pal, the tort guard has a lovely genuine look to it that is hard to picture.  Even the indent left by the thumbrest looks genuine.  Ill post a pic tonight of her wearing all her jewellery and the case i can chuck in

Superb pedals these, if it wasnt xmas and all the associated skintness id have this off you

Quick check on the neck stamps tonight. Really loving the bass so far, has a really nice ‘eveness’ tone wise string to string. Nice narrow neck width with a chunkiness front to back.

From the 70's Fender group on faceboo they have deciphered it as:-

01 - Precision

04 - Rosewood

48 - Week (december)

5 - Year 1975

2 - Day of the week

So it seems the neck is late 75.  I cant check pot dates as they are non original.  There is no sticker on the back of the guard that i can see as it has been fully covered in grounding tape (given the route).  Pickups will have a date on them though so i should have a look at them too.  Not that it really matters but just geeking out

Bought on a whim, im really not a pedal man. When i have too many knobs to twiddle i spend more time messing than playing. Can send in UK if i can get some packing stuff together. Great working condition and the RPD (ric, precision, drive) labels will pull straight off

20 minutes ago, la bam said:

If you fancied a swap for the trace twin valve just let me know

No probs at all if not. 

The twin is an awsome looking combo, not sure my back would agree though unfortunately.  Even my current LH500 head sometimes feels like a small car

Unfortunately i don't have an amp here at the moment as it is at our studio so haven't heard her fully sing yet. 

Acoustically she is very vibrant and resonant, great neck and very well set up from @Willfunk at Bass Bros.  As per the original advert - she has a route under the pickguard presumably for some previous active electronics, you cant tell at all with the pickguard on tho and in person the route is much smaller than the pics suggested.  Original pickups are back in situ and the only non original parts seems to be the pots and the plastic pickup covers.  I have a battered old bridge cover that ill stick on and ill seek out a suitably worn looking thumb rest.  I do have some worn looking pup covers but the lugs are too large for the pickguard so will source some others.

Look forward to getting the amp back from the studio to hear her properly.  After that, despite being a flats player, this will get a set of Fender 7150's (the pure nickels) and become my number 1

So she has arrived. Quick unboxing on my lunch hour with full details/review etc to follow.  My 1976 P bass 😍

Bought around 12 mths ago as a B Stock from Guitar Village. The B stock label is due to the paint dent on the arm contour. I have drop filled it slightly with black nail varnish and it has never bothered me but it is there. I upgraded the wiring to a 60’s style loom from Jagged Offset guitars and had a full set up at PSG Guitars in Radcliffe. It has had a bridge cover previously fitted and i do still have the tugbar somewhere. Can provide an old shaped case of needed.  Collection would be from Bolton but can discuss meetups and potentially UK postage

Trades/part ex

Handbox r400

Mesa Walkabout or 360

Markbass R500

Warwick Tubepath 5.1

Orange bass terror (mk1)

8 minutes ago, briansbrew said:

Any pics 

its en route - will update once it lands.  I just felt for the price that i could live with a hidden route and changed pots.  Now its about string choice - my usuals are Elites Flats but in this band I've found Elite Halfwounds more fitting and give a bit more growl

On 24/10/2025 at 15:17, Mrbigstuff said:

A chambered fender bass before sadowsky or anyone did it 😂 https://bassbros.co.uk/product/1976-fender-precision-bass-4/

So i eventually succumbed to this......

Like busses these. You are local to me and one came up the other week almost as local.  Only thing that stopped me was my back

Didnt go on ebay with a £275 reserve   Open to offers.  Trades considered - Markbass R500, Origin Effects 64 Black Panel, 

Been offered £1600 as a trade in so ideally looking to beat that before i go ahead?

https://richtonemusic.co.uk/trace-elliot-gp12smx-bass-amp-ra300-power-amp-collection-only-2nd-hand/

Anyone seen this backbreaker over at Richtone?

On 24/10/2025 at 15:55, Steve Browning said:

My 66 slab had a rout under the pickguard, where a mudbucker had been fitted. I had absolutely no idea and only found out well after it was sold. I had been under the impression it was all original. My current Jazz has a huge rout under the scratchplate and you wouldn't guess from holding it.

Im just wondering if missing such a large chunk of wood would have an effect on the sound/resonance?

21 minutes ago, Mrbigstuff said:

A chambered fender bass before sadowsky or anyone did it 😂 https://bassbros.co.uk/product/1976-fender-precision-bass-4/

At least it looks neatly done but still such a shame

Rickenbacker 4003 from what I believe is 1998.  Bought very recently from bassbros but to be completely honest (and I do this a lot) whenever I buy a ‘bucket list’ bass I always find my way back to P basses.

The recent I went for this specific one is it has a really warm fireglo.  Some look very bleached in the middle but this is lovely and vintage looking.  It has had a full set up at PSG Guitars in Radcliffe where it was fitted with my favourite Elites Groundwound strings.

What comes with the bass:-

·         Original Ric hardcase with keys

·         Bridge pickup bezel with thumbrest

·         Zero Mod clear thumbrest as per pics

·         Neck pickup cover

Currently has Loxx strap locks fitted, can leave on and give you the strap fittings too or I can switch out for plain strap buttons.

Ive tried to love this bass, I really have.  It looks stunning and some evenings it sits on its stand and I just stare at it J.  However, as per when ive bought Spectors, Burns, Warwicks etc in the past its only really Fender P’s that feel right in my hands – to this affect im going after something late 70’s fender P – black/black/maple would be ideal but the search continues.

Condition – its played and is absolutely not a case queen.  There is buckle rash to the back, several dings on the sides which ill try my best to picture and a few small knocks.  Ive highly recommend coming to play and view this in person.  Im also willing to travel for the right deal.

Im looking to recoup close to my initial outlay (ignoring the set up, strings, zero mod etc) if at all possible but im very conscious of the current climate so serious enquiries and offers would be cosindered.

Trades – as mention I like vintage P’s (late 70’s blacks with maple boards) J’s are a constant tease to me also.  Not into 5 strings, actives or anything other than standard Fender thigs to be honest (I know im boring).  Location is Bolton, Greater Manchester

Been eyeing this up for a while. If i can shift my Rickenbacker any time soon id be all over this.  Have a bump on me 

So the Rickenbacker is really not bonding with me (or vice versa) so im considering trading it it and going back to a fender (either P or J).  Initial feeler searches have thrown this up locally@-

https://www.sellusyourguitar.co.uk/product-page/fender-jazz-bass-natural-1976-vintage-electric-bass-guitar

Ad states replacement volume pots and a refret.  Doesnt seem to mention the pickups.

Origin Effects Black Panel Bass Rig

Bought this as ive always wanted to try the big box Cali76 pedal and reviews state this is extremely similar and a much lower premium. Worked wonders on beefing up my Rickenbacker and helping with the hollow sounding E strings rics are famous for. A genuinely superbly engineered piece of kit. Price includes UK postage.  Would consider trades/part ex for a Sansamp programmable DI or the VT deluxe version (the 3 or 4 channel jobs)

So in conclusion - it sounds great with the Rickenbacker, really fattens it up and helps with the whole ric hollow E string thing.  With the precision its very subtle and not very noticeable.  I'm probably going to move it on as my current main need is one of those three channel programmable sansamp thingymajigs but was really good to try one out after wanting the big box cali for so long

13 hours ago, Quatschmacher said:

I did my daily trawl of Richtone only to find it had already sold before I had chance to go and try it. It’s been on my list of stuff to try for a while. 

Ah ok, ill give you a PM if it doesnt work out for my needs

Just to add to the discussion - Last week i bought a bucket list bass for me, the most expensive bass purchase thus far in my bass playing career, in a 1998 Rickenbacker 4003 from bass Bros.  Answered my queries regarding neck dimensions quickly, delivered quickly and expertly packed.  Ive bought a few things over the years from them both in person (Ashdown fliptop valve amp) and online (p basses mainly) and never had an issue.