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Mustang Sally, every Tom, Richard and Tracy do it and it just bores the living bejesus out of me

Fender Cabronita Bass – Made in Mexico and dates to May 2014 according to the serial.

This one has been modded by myself to match the specs of the Limited Edition Borrocha and Porazzo versions in that I have upgraded the pickup to a TV Jones Supertron which gives a much improved string balance with the blade construction rather than the individual pole pieces.  At the same time as this I took the opportunity to upgrade the wiring to a KioGon harness but swapping the usual cabronita .22 cap for a standard .47 cap to give a smoother, warmer tone.

I’ve also swapped out the Fender badass copy bridge to a semi spiral bridge giving a more vintage vibe and again more akin to the ltd editions versions.  This matches the bridge that comes on the ltd edition ones too.

Ive had both the squier and the fender version and the neck on the fender is far superior, a real nice vintage type neck with a nice solid depth to it.  The previous owner on this one took the laquer off the back of the neck to give a smooth played in feel.  Furthemore the Fender version comes with the vintage style reverse tuners.

I have fitted flatwounds to this which gives an awesome beefy growl of a tone.  These basses are certainly ‘hotter’ that standard P basses and have a more grainy/growly tone especially through a nice valve amp.

Collection would be from Bolton or can travel within reasonable distance for a basschat style meetup

Trades/part ex -

* Fender jaguar modern player (black/white/maple black block long scale one)

* Yamaha BB434 in black

* Squier 77 jazz bass (black/maple/white blocks

* an Ampeg SVT Tube DI would be really handy right now!

Cash sale preferred but just throwing it out there

Had one for years, superb amps with one of the 'richest' tones ive had

I know Ashdown isnt exactly an 'unsung hero' but for me their hidden gem, as it were, is the Spyder Dual Tube series.  Ive never been a fan of their cabs but as a P bass/flats player the Spyders sound stunning through an array of cabs ive used over the years, the pinnacle being the Ampeg 212AV

https://thebassgallery.com/collections/bass/products/mikey

Seen a few cheapo ebay basses turn up with a massive increase at Bass gallery recently!

Ignore, different bass.  D'OH

Hmmm, if i can shift my Cabronita bass i could well be tempted by this!

I moved on a MIJ 75RI jazz a while back.  Advertised it on here but think it eventually went on FB Marketplace.  Whilst it weighed an absolute tonne and was very (naturally) gig battered ive really regretted it ever since.  There is one on Fender Fever at the moment but mine looked great with its natural roadware and the upgraded Wizard pickups.  Id love it back

So with my works systems being down today you may have realised i have a lot of spare time on my hands 🤣. Ive popped the neck…..interesting!

Seems this is a PB57-55 looking at the neck stamp.  The pocket stamp is prettt indeciferable seems 3TS for three tone sunbust which i strange as mines a 2TS 🤣 

7 minutes ago, Jonesy said:

I love this range of MIJ basses, they're among the best I've played - particularly the US versions. The necks, frets and pups are just great!

 

As others have said, the larger tuners point to this being a US model. The other tell tale sign is the bridge - the US versions have spiral saddles like yours whereas the export models have barrels. If those pups are original then they'll be US too and there should be a stamp on the neck/body that confirms this. 

 

As well as Fender catalogues, this site is pretty handy....

https://japanfender.wordpress.com/products/about/precision/

Hmmm, interesting.  The US ones seem to have larger plate tuners but seem to be reverse or certainly long stem vintage style.  Im wondering if mine are original?  Certainly seem it but neither of the models in that catalogue seem to match 

14 minutes ago, soulstar89 said:

Hey mate. What a lovely bass. I’m a fan of anything Japanese lol. 
 

On the bass. Looking through the Japanese catalogues. You had a top tier model which end mostly in 95 (PB57-95). And a model just lower ending 75 (PB57-75). This represented how much they cost. Both had large tuners. 
 

the top tier would have us electronics and pick ups. Some also a nitro finish. Basses which have been well kept still has the circular sticker at the back of the headstock regarding the model number. 
 

The PB57-75 didn’t have us pick ups. 
 

I’ll copy the catalog of the year of this back in here. 
 

https://brochures.yokochou.com/guitar-and-amp/fenderjapan/1985/en_index.html

not sure how to tell if the pick ups are us made. 

 

funny how I have gathered this info solely on trying to source a top tier MIJ bass lol. Had no clue before 

Cheers for that, very informative!  Ill pop the neck soon and see if there is more history under there.  Whilst i dont think mine is nitro the paint has certainly sunk into the grain a little and in the right light has an almost 'dimpled' effect.  Hard to describe and even harder to picture!

Pup shot. Definitely seem alnico rather than ceramic (thats sponge on the bottom not a bar magnet). There a brass plate under the pickups too.  Will report back with neck pockets pics

Cheers @Reggaebass some useful information there.  Mine differs slightly in that it has the period correct decal as opposed to that one on the thread.  When i get time ill try and get a pic of the pups and maybe pop the neck again to check for any further codes/stamps

Ive had this bass for a few years now and is my main and most favourite P bass.  I know that MIJ/CIJ basses often have chequered history in as far as body material, pups and even serials can be hard to date.  This example has an E serial number and very luckily also a clear pencil neck date - 16th December 1985.  It also features the larger plated tuners more commonly seen on 70's style USA Fenders (not the reverse style that would be more in keeping with a real 57/58).  I do still have what appears to be the original plain white pickguard also

Ive been told that the E number and also the presence of the larger tuners suggests this one should be loaded with US pups rather than the ceramic Japanese ones from later dates.  I *THINK* the body is alder but i do know from searching online that some of this period are also basswood.

Ill try and get more detailed pics particularly of the pickups but would be interest if anyone else has one similar or if anyone with more knowledge than me could chip in any more about the lovely early Japanese basses.  There seems to be an increase in value of these also (not quite to JV levels though!) so i may also need a steer on value when i renew my instrument insurance

If old school thumpy (like me - i do P's rather than J's) but i did fall in love with a MIJ RI75 jazz bass.  I stuck Elites Groundwounds on it and doubled with a set of Wizard 84 pups it sounded full, meaty, thumpy and P-ish but kept the J growl

As some of you may know ive been after one of these old hybrid heads for a while, ever since i saw the Zutons at Jools Holland and their bass player, Russ Pritchard, played one.  They were originally branded Sunn but overheating issues apparently plagues these and the rebadged Fender ones had additional heat sinks and ventilation added to sort the issue.

Finally one came up in need of a good service which i jumped on.  Im really enjoying the amp now it has had some much needed TLC but the power on it is phenomenal.  I believe running it through my Ampeg 2x12 4ohm cab the head can deliver around 800w which is far more than i need but tone wise its great.  The amp has 2 channels - Ch1 is a clean type channel using 1 of the 12ax7s, channel 2 (which cant be used on its own randomly) is an overdrive type channel using the 2nd 12AX7.  Both channels have input volume, channel 2 has a gain and then there is a blend knob so plenty of options.

I do find the the pre amp is clipped easily even at lower levels so im toying with the idea of swapping the 12AX7's for some 12AU7's to tame it a little bit.

Anybody else use one of these or the little brother of it, the TB600?  Any EQ tips?  Anyone done much valve rolling in one?  Interested to hear anyone's experience with these

Just seen that one on AB's site.  Very nice but that 59 is beautiful!  I have a thing for slightly beat up burst/gold/maple P basses.  ill have to make do with my 85 MIJ reissue

Only cut the E string for my p bass, rest of strings are uncut but have been fitted on my MIJ P for a few hours. Silks in great condition and these have the newly introduced coloured ball ends. Decided i prefer my elites. £25 posted to your UK door

Ive drooled over this one at Bass Gallery for days and days.  Seems reasonably priced but I'm not enough of an expert to know what a re-fret and new nut does to value

https://thebassgallery.com/collections/bass/products/fender-precision-1963

Following my above post i can now fully recommend Mike Powell (MPAV Services) of Bolton - www.mpavservice.co.uk.  Mainly a hifi type repair man but he does take on guitar amps (when i dropped my amp off he had a few Trace combos in his workshop).  Completed my repair - new volume pot and 4 new output jacks - on my bassman in 2 days at a very reasonable cost and to a great standard.  Definitely recommend for any fellow North West BCers

Their usual bass player, a Spector toting guy called Leigh Foxx, had a bad injury involving his back a while ago and has been out for a while.  His sound was massive with a spector through an SVT rig.  I believe Glen Matlock still uses an old Fender bassman 100 from his old Pistol days!

Numerous straps for all tastes.

Prices all include UK P&P

1) Levys MSS90 in Black - Nice wide strap which is great for long gigs and heavy basses.  £45 delivered, will need to find the extension piece but i have plenty....somewhere.

2) No name brown leather/buckle strap - £15

3) Levis MSS80 in a lovely vintage deep red/brown.  Very comfortable strap - £25

4) Classic Fender ala John Deacon - £15

5) Bear Straps in a deep red.  This does have a few marks including what looks like a slight sweat/dye run around the shoulder. £20

At some point all will have had Loxx strap locks fitted but still all the ends are in good condition.

Pics to follow asap

Something slightly different but still precision - my MIM Cabronita that has been modded. I once played a highly ltd edition Borrocha bass that comes from the cabronita line and it was sublime. These ‘standard’ ones share the same outstanding neck so I replaced the pup with the TV Jones Supertron like the borracha and swapped the bridge to a BBOT. Strung with fender flats it is pure thunder and growl 😍

Heavy duty rack case used to ship my latest acquisition in. The internal brackets need refixing to the case. Absolutely no use for it and its taking up space.  Free to good home.  Collection only from Bolton pls

Heading to Sheffield this weekend so something could be done around that delivery wise if any interest