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My life story. In basses. With pictures.


wateroftyne
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Hi all

I'm feeling reflective, so... here's what I've had (as far as I can remember).

The story begins in about 1988, before cameras were invented:

My fist bass was a [b]Kay P copy[/b], which I sprayed with metallic grey car paint. It came off on my clothes. My mam sold it when I wasn't looking.

Next up... a [b]black pointy-headstocked Epiphone something-or-other[/b]. I pulled the frets out and ruined it (I was listening to Graceland a lot).

Then came along a black [i]Japanese J copy[/i] with a Fender logo on the headstock. I really liked it but it was heavy.

Around this time, I discovered Rush and obsessed over Geddy's black Wal. I (obviously) couldn't afford one, so I bought a black [b]Hohner Jack headless bass [/b]instead. It kinda looked like the Wal. Kinda. Well.. it was black. It sounded bollocks though, and the bridge screws kept stripping. Rubbish.

Suddenly... joy of joys! I found out I was going to be working for a year as part of a work experience thing. I decided to blow the lot on a Wal just like Geddy's. Thankfully, I failed my exams so that plan never came to fruition.

To numb the pain, I bought a Black'n'Gold[b] Fender Precision Lyte[/b]. Didn't like it. It sounded thin. I also, somehow, ended up with a 1972 [b]Rickenbacker 4003[/b] with chequered binding. It actually HURT to play. Sold it...

I got my first posh bass. A 4-string [b]Overwater Progress[/b], in translucent blue. I got it for a great price direct from Chris May. It had a 2+2 headstock just like Geddy's Wal. It sounded nowt like it, though. I didn't like it at all... it sounded thin. So, in one of my first 'classic mistakes', I swapped it for a Jim Cairnes Music Man replica (that was advertised on here recently, as it 'appens.). No offence to Jim, but it just wan't my thing. I sold it.

Around this time, I decided to go retro-ish (I think Geddy noticed and followed soon after) and bought a [b]Sunburst MIM Jazz[/b]. It was OK... I did lots of upgrades and had the horrible white neck & headstock aged. It never really sang to me, though.

Anyway, around this time, cameras were invented. I also happened on an ad in the local rag for a [b]'78 Antigua Jazz[/b]. It was totally cool, so I bought it:



(It turns out the seller was BC's very own Marcus. I didn't realise this until many years later.)

This bass was fab. I did many, many gigs with it and it accompanied me on two US tours. With the benefit of hindsight, I should have left it safely at home.

Around this time (2000-ish?) I got severe GAS and things get very blurry.

I got a [b]MIJ '62RI Jazz [/b]for a great price:



...which was OK but dull. So I sold it.

Then I got a [b]1972 Telecaster II [/b]bass from a shop in Seattle:



Acoustically, the best sounding & feeling bass I've ever played. That humbucker can only be heard by earthworms, though. I sold it to him out of It Bites. Had then been now I would have stuck a Dark Star in it. Ah, well.

Around this time, I traded my Antigua J for a [b]1971 Fretless Precision [/b]from an Italian friend of mine:



I love this bass. It's still with me, and it ain't going anywhere.

Next up was [b]MIJ Sting [/b]from eBay:



Which I just didn't get on with it (but probably would now!).

Sold, and replaced with a [b]1981 Walnut Precision Special [/b]from a shop in Germany:



This is a great, great bass. I used it a lot. One of the best E strings I've ever heard. Weighed a bloody ton, though. I hung onto it for a long time.

In parallel to all this, I bought a [b]MIJ 1975RI Jazz[/b].. I have no idea where from:



...I didn't get on with it. Dull as dishwater.

Then.. a [b]MIJ Duck Dunn signature P[/b]:



This was one of the best basses I've ever had. It weighed nothing. Really. Resonant, punchy... and I sold it because I didn't like the colour. IDIOT. One of my big regrets.

However, it well and truly gave me an appetite for Precisions... '57 styleees in particular.

First was an [b]MIA American Vintage '57 RI in Inca Silver[/b], bought on eBay from the US. Rare as hen's teeth. Sold it... I can't remember why or where it went. I'd like it back. If only to take a photo of it to prove it existed.

Next.. a[b] 2-tone burst American Vintage '57RI[/b]:



I haven't got a clue where I got this one from, either. I didn't get on with it (I was missing my Duck Dunn by now), so... off it went.

At this time, marriage beckoned and my lovely wife said I could have a bass instead of a ring. She's a good'un.

Here is my wedding ring - a [b]1983 Walnut Elite II [/b]purchased from Trutone in Santa Monica:



It was a blingin' work of art, but weighed a ton. I sold it to a bloke in Texas (much to Mrs. WoT's horror - quite right, too).

I sold my Walnut Precision Special around now too, to a friend of mine. The lucky so-and-so.

Continued...

Edited by wateroftyne
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..continued:

These last two sales were inspired by the purchase of this STUNNA from a bloke in Indianapolis:



It's a [b]1971 Precision[/b]. I hit totally lucky with this, as I was still naiive in the ways of eBay. I got it for a great price, and it's immaculate. Another keeoer.

Next up, I got the Jazz bug again, and I bought this [b]'74 Jazz[/b] from a chap doon the road in Darlington:



This was a wonderful, wonderful bass, but... I'm a P guy. I forgot that minor detail. I sold it recently to a vary happy local chap.

I needed a backup fretted P (of course!) so I picked this [b]'72 Precision[/b] up for a steal from the 'Bay:



The pickup was totalled when I got it, so I dropped an overwound Wizard in there and now... it's a growly monster, on a par with my two 71s. I love these early 70s necks.

I thought I needed a fretless with a J pickup in it, so I bought this [b]Fretless Tony Franklin signature P[/b]:



I didn't need a J pickup at all. I just had bad GAS. Fab bass, though... if I needed a fretless tomorrow, I'd buy one of these bad boys in an instant.

Err... that's it. I'm left with the three Precisions. I think that's it.

For a while. :)

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I have a feeling that you & Beedster are planning to buy the whole early output of Fender Precisions between you!

Seriously though, your P's are seriously nice. I think it's after seeing them so often on here that I want a new American Standard in the same colour scheme!

Excellent collection, mate. What's next on the list?

Rich.

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Yep, always got alot of inspiration from your collection and exploits. Good work sir. Is it the original pickup in the fretted 71? or did you bung a thumper in there? Ive got a 75 P and Im toying with the idea of giving wizard a go.

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Fantastic post mate and a really good retrospective on letting basses go but living to regret it at a later stage (one I can certainly relate to).

I can't believe you sold your "wedding ring". :)

My wife and Mum bought me a Stingray between them a few years ago and I know that if I ever moved it on, neither of them would speak to me for months......hmmmm, tempting.......

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Cheers, all!

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='194268' date='May 7 2008, 10:58 PM']Excellent collection, mate. What's next on the list?[/quote]

Nowt. I'm done. Oh.. hang on. I have a new amp on the way. When that wear off.. probably a different cab. And then.. who knows! :)

[quote name='stinson' post='194466' date='May 8 2008, 09:59 AM']Is it the original pickup in the fretted 71? or did you bung a thumper in there? Ive got a 75 P and Im toying with the idea of giving wizard a go.[/quote]

The Rosewood P has the original pup in it, albeit rewound to vintage specs. It's very warm and round.

The Maple P has a Thumper in it.. it's still vintage P, but it's far hotter and growlier.

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