IBWT Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 (edited) Hi guys, I´ve tried this bass at a local shop. [url="https://31.media.tumblr.com/b174135b7c3bb8acbcaad3e0e57021f3/tumblr_n6fu9vL9a11td0va7o1_500.jpg"]https://31.media.tum...d0va7o1_500.jpg[/url] [url="https://24.media.tumblr.com/352b8b185d27011014f8e2f5cf41f710/tumblr_n6fu9vL9a11td0va7o2_1280.jpg"]https://24.media.tum...0va7o2_1280.jpg[/url] It´s a ca 73/74 Fender Precision, according to the serial number on the neckplate. The finish is quite beaten up: scratches, dings on the back, a slightly less than thumb-sized chip on the back of the neck and a small burn on the side (probably from a cigarette). Nothing really awful looking, but far from mint condition. The finish is nitro (I thought 70s Fender were all poly). All parts seemed original except for the mirror scratchplate, but since I didn't unscrew it I can't tell about the electronics. Action was a bit high but very playable, it had a bit of margin left on the bridge to lower it and I guess that the truss rod has room too. The strap buttons had been moved for whatever reason (upwards for the back one and downwards for the front one). After all the cons, let's get positive: the bass sounded great, a real 70s Precision in all its growly glory. Not very meaty (although it was plugged to a relatively small Peavey amp), but rolling off the tone the growl turned into a mellow, singing sound. Just lovely. And completely even across the whole fretboard, too! The body is quite lightweight, I'd say 4kgs max, lighter than my Road Worn Jazz Bass, which is quite surprising for a 70s Fender. Now to the tough part... the price: 1695 quid. I could afford it, but it will be another piece of equipment sitting in my room so I don't think it's worth the sacrifice... at least for now (I am in only one band and we don't even rehearse every week). Finally, when I was leaving the shop I saw a '66 (or so it said in the tag) Oympic white Jazz Bass with the covers, hanging there for 3000 pounds. Now at home I regret not trying it too Edited May 31, 2014 by IBWT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 Overpriced IMHO if it's a beater Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IBWT Posted May 31, 2014 Author Share Posted May 31, 2014 I wasn't sure at the moment because I'm not aware of vintage prices in the UK, but now that I've had a look at Andy Baxter's site (which is not particularly cheap) I see it is indeed overpriced. The front looked much better than the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted May 31, 2014 Share Posted May 31, 2014 Too much money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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