molan Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 I've borrowed a couple of old Fenders to compare to my two and it's really interesting to play them back to back. Each has their own distinct sound & character & each feels slightly different to play. I have my personal favourites, based more upon tone than looks, but thought I'd ask the BC 'massive' which one they thinks looks the most attractive. . . Top line details are: '63 Sea Foam Green - old refinish showing wear, amazing neck, great snappy tone, really good for more agressive rock or slap - my 'reference' vintage J '64 Three Tone Sunburst - newer refinish, slightly faded 3TS, wider than standard frets, neck refin in gloss, bright and very full sound, goes deeper than the '63 but doesn't quite have the zing at the top end '65 Lake Placid Blue - another old refin and this one has seem some serious wear, all those dings are genuine & not a fake relic job, neck is also a refin but nicely worn and has a great profile, darkest sounding of the bunch, would probably work really well with flats '71 Cherry Sunburst - refinished a while ago and heavily modified, all hardware replaced but body, neck & pickups original, super thin neck re-profile with binding in natural maple and neck sanded smooth, really nice to play and the tightest, most focussed of the 4, relatively low output requires some bottom end boost to compete with the other 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckstop Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 '71 all the way! Such a pimp bass Truckstop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntLockyer Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 The 63 is my fave but that LPB one is lovely too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 The 63 gets my vote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PURPOLARIS Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 The '63 gets my vote for looks and also because it's my year of birth. I want it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Higgie Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 I think I'd have to say the 65 LPB. That's how a bass should look after 40+ years of gigging. The 63 comes a close second though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoVeryTired Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 I'm not one for the deliberately relic'd basses, but that LPB is sweeeet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted October 17, 2012 Author Share Posted October 17, 2012 [quote name='SoVeryTired' timestamp='1350473267' post='1839255'] I'm not one for the deliberately relic'd basses, but that LPB is sweeeet! [/quote] It's not deliberate - it really has been played a lot, lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyK Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 LPB for me.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoVeryTired Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 [quote name='molan' timestamp='1350473714' post='1839275'] It's not deliberate - it really has been played a lot, lol [/quote] Exactly - I probably like it because it looks real! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 The blue and green ones look really nice. The one with the '70s neck would look really nice if it didn't have gold hardware and a pukey finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noisyjon Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 The 63 for me based on your reviews Molan, but the 65 looks just great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 (edited) [quote name='PURPOLARIS' timestamp='1350472916' post='1839247'] The '63 gets my vote for looks and also because it's my year of birth. I want it. [/quote] +1 in all respects from another '63 baby Edited October 17, 2012 by Clarky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted October 17, 2012 Author Share Posted October 17, 2012 Should be able to add the Herbie Flowers Rep next week & can put my '78J in the ring as well. I've really got the sound of each bass firmly established in my head now. So much so that I heard something earlier & decided to play along and immediately knew that the '64 was going to sound best. I then tested each of them & I was right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstriper Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 I went for the LPB because you said it's the darkest sounding and would suit flats - they should all have flats to be period correct IMO. My 'customised' '63 is the deepest sounding bass I have ever played and I'd love to compare it to these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTB Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 The LPB '65 for me please. It looks the best, it's my YoB and based on your description, I'd like its sound too. A kind man loaned me a '62 Jazz for a few months some years ago and I still miss it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drTStingray Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 [quote name='molan' timestamp='1350488285' post='1839595'] I've really got the sound of each bass firmly established in my head now. So much so that I heard something earlier & decided to play along and immediately knew that the '64 was going to sound best. [/quote] Forgive me for asking, but are you guys playing authentic 60s music on these - I could imagine the sound fitting a Beach Boys tribute or something, but NOT a Beatles one. I like the 71 - lovely wood - not so sure about the metalwork though but it's your bass etc. Is that one ash and the others alder? I also like the LPB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subbeh Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Has to be the '65 for me, great colour combination, the wear gives it bags of character and from the description it's the sort of sound I'd love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted October 17, 2012 Author Share Posted October 17, 2012 [quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1350493912' post='1839692'] Forgive me for asking, but are you guys playing authentic 60s music on these - I could imagine the sound fitting a Beach Boys tribute or something, but NOT a Beatles one. I like the 71 - lovely wood - not so sure about the metalwork though but it's your bass etc. Is that one ash and the others alder? I also like the LPB. [/quote] No 60's music here, the only one I've played on a lot is the '63 and that's mostly been rock/funk type stuff Funnily enough I've never really thought about playing a particular bass for a style of music based on its age. Only time I can think of was for some Motown & Stax where an old '63P really nailed the core tone. The '63 & '65 are mine and the hardware on the '71 wouldn't be my first choice (although I'm actually warming to it, lol). Not sure about the body wood but it does look like it's probably ash. Given the age it would have been a trans white / blonde I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted October 18, 2012 Author Share Posted October 18, 2012 Interesting that the most battered looking bass is getting the most love from the BC collective - looks like we are still rather fond of a genuinely old & abused beauty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emanew Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 I vote 64 sunburst. I've got a crunch on.... 3TS even if this one is missing some larger black contour. Cool anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson Posted October 19, 2012 Share Posted October 19, 2012 That sea foam green '63 is mind blowingly beautiful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted October 20, 2012 Author Share Posted October 20, 2012 [quote name='risingson' timestamp='1350608286' post='1841288'] That sea foam green '63 is mind blowingly beautiful! [/quote] Possibly my favourite ever Fender colour I quite like it from this angle: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson Posted October 20, 2012 Share Posted October 20, 2012 Absolutely stunning mate, the things I'd do to get to play a bass like that. My favourite colour too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnozzalee Posted October 20, 2012 Share Posted October 20, 2012 (edited) It's the Ash body that's doing that tightness for you - I picked the '71 - I have ash in both my Strats . HOWEVER I probably would have picked the '65 if it has a black/white/black pickguard and white pickup covers - that look is doing it for me massively atm not enough LPB going around It's a really hard choice btw!! Again i'd prefer a black pickguard on the '63 but the '64 is in the classic colours and if I had to buy any for investment purposes it would be that one. Edited October 20, 2012 by Schnozzalee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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