Clarky Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 (edited) Here is my '63 P, which is all original bar OW refin. Sourced recently from the US by BC'er Si Clifton. The celluloid scratchplate is badly shrunken and cracked and I am trying to decide whether to stick with it for true authenticity or to put on a very authentic-looking repro celluloid guard (made about 20 years ago and nicely aged) that I have acquired from a US source. I think its rather lovely, the neck is wonderfully playable and it sounds superb (well, just like a good P should). [attachment=77098:P1040183.JPG][attachment=77099:P1040192.JPG][attachment=77101:P1040190.JPG] Edited April 10, 2011 by Clarky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stinson Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 Lovely. I'd change the pick guard and keep that one safe. That way you can pull the jack out without flinching every time. Fretboard looks gorgeous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 Nice. Replace the scratchplate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bajistaman Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 If you dont mind how much did you pay for that beauty? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted April 10, 2011 Author Share Posted April 10, 2011 [quote name='bajistaman' post='1194469' date='Apr 10 2011, 12:06 PM']If you dont mind how much did you pay for that beauty?[/quote] About £3k as it was re-finned (100% original oly white '63 non-refins are very hard to find, much more so than sunburst basses; I tracked one down in the US and it would have been over £5k, so that decided me to go the refin route) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 Beautiful! Save the guard though and wrap it lots of bubblewrap (or something!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 Lovely mate. Use the guard, it'll only shrink more if you take it off, and a repro never looks as good (or smells like the real thing). The back plate will prevent quite a lot of further damage anyway, and if you're worried about the jack socket, reinforce it a little. Glad you're happy with it, Si gets some great basses C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon1964 Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 Very nice indeed. Welcome to the YOB Precision club - its costly being born pre-CBS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wesfinn Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 looks great with the original guard mate! keep it on there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozbass Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 Absolutely lovely Clarky - well done! i'd keep the guard on and reinforce the jack. The old Brazillian board looks fantastic with the clay dots. This is an absolute classic and one of my favourite looks - I'm very envious! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 If you take the scratch plate off screw it to a piece of wood so that it can't shrink or twist any more than it has already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted April 10, 2011 Author Share Posted April 10, 2011 [quote name='gareth' post='1194690' date='Apr 10 2011, 03:35 PM']Any observations/comparisons with 70's p basses and more recent USA reissue p's?[/quote] Its pretty light (<9 pounds; definitely noticeably lighter than your/my old ressue P with added J, Gareth, but about the same as my old 73P). The neck is obviously much chunkier than my old 73P but is so worn that all the varnish/lacquer has gone, which makes it very smooth and tactile and surprisingly fast to play. Sound-wise I would be lying to say there's much in it as there's only so much difference between split P pickups. To my ears it sounds deep, woody and rich, like a good P bass should Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnozzalee Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 Keep hold of original guard and wrap it safely and store it somewhere and replace it with the new one. Lurvely looking bass though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noisyjon Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 [quote name='chris_b' post='1194672' date='Apr 10 2011, 03:05 PM']If you take the scratch plate off screw it to a piece of wood so that it can't shrink or twist any more than it has already.[/quote] ^ This if you're going to go for the change. It's a beauty Clarky and well done once again! Regards, Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 Excellent. It looks just like a copy of my '62 reissue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 Looks awesome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambo Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 congrats, looks real nice. are you going to play it out or baby it at home? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted April 10, 2011 Author Share Posted April 10, 2011 [quote name='Shambo' post='1194966' date='Apr 10 2011, 07:46 PM']congrats, looks real nice. are you going to play it out or baby it at home?[/quote] It will get gigged, as soon as I get an electric gig! No babying at all planned. I play DB in my current band, Rattlin Bone, so there's no opportunity to use it in anger at the mo' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jigster Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 yes, very nice - congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wesfinn Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 [quote name='Clarky' post='1194970' date='Apr 10 2011, 07:49 PM']It will get gigged, as soon as I get an electric gig! No babying at all planned. I play DB in my current band, Rattlin Bone, so there's no opportunity to use it in anger at the mo'[/quote] If you need it used in anger mate I can gig it for you to keep it warm hahaha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platypus Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 Congrats, lovely looking P bass you have there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stag Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 porntastic! Love it. Good job by you and Si! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 That be one great bass Clarky. I think the opinions stated earlier are right, swap the pickguard and keep the original safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raggy Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 Dats purdy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 Naaa, leave it on and get it played...what's gonna happen to it?, it's already knackered lol. If you do take it off, as mentioned earlier, screw it to something, otherwise it'll shrink more....a good reason to just leave it on I think Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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