andydye Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 (edited) [b]N[/b]ew year of birth [b]B[/b]ass [b]D[/b]ay Yes, I know the mid/late seventies weren't a great time for Fender and, yes, I know that precisely dating instruments from that period is 'difficult', but, it says S7 and 5 of other numbers in the serial number on the headstock so I'm choosing to believe it's a '77 (even if it could well be from any time in 77 or 78)! Natural finish (not original) Ash body showing some wear, maple fingerboard, frets with a bit of life left in them, some obvious lacquer wear on the fingerboard, original ashtrays, case (+ keys), looks good, neck feels a tad deeper than my 2010 USA std p and the whole thing feels really light...I thought these were meant to be heavyweights (usually!). I'll weigh it when I get home as am really curious to see what it weighs, I should also probably strip it right down to see what's under the hood too. Huge thanks to NancyJohnson (and Mrs Johnson) for collecting it from the seller and packaging it up for shipping to me, Mrs Johnson stayed in especially waiting for the courier for me! both went above and beyond the call of duty for which I am hugely grateful!!! Teaser pic before I get it home and do a proper job on it [url="https://www.flickr.com/photos/andy_dye/14609445561/"][/url] [url="https://www.flickr.com/photos/andy_dye/14609445561/"]20140709_145852[/url] by [url="https://www.flickr.com/people/andy_dye/"]andydye[/url], on Flickr These are the sellers pics and this link 'might' work... [url="https://www.flickr.com/photos/andy_dye/14426063338/"][/url] [url="https://www.flickr.com/photos/andy_dye/14426063338/"]04[/url] by [url="https://www.flickr.com/people/andy_dye/"]andydye[/url], on Flickr [url="https://www.flickr.com/photos/andy_dye/14610603884/"][/url] [url="https://www.flickr.com/photos/andy_dye/14610603884/"]06[/url] by [url="https://www.flickr.com/people/andy_dye/"]andydye[/url], on Flickr [url="https://www.flickr.com/photos/andy_dye/14612143182/"][/url] [url="https://www.flickr.com/photos/andy_dye/14612143182/"]08[/url] by [url="https://www.flickr.com/people/andy_dye/"]andydye[/url], on Flickr [url="https://www.flickr.com/photos/andy_dye/14426280027/"][/url] [url="https://www.flickr.com/photos/andy_dye/14426280027/"]05[/url] by [url="https://www.flickr.com/people/andy_dye/"]andydye[/url], on Flickr Edited July 9, 2014 by andydye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Oh dear - I will need a new keyboard now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bh2 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Looks super... I wonder if it will have that 'smell' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 It's an ubercool bass. Happy to have been of assistance! P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 [quote name='bh2' timestamp='1404925695' post='2497084'] Looks super... I wonder if it will have that 'smell' [/quote] My keyboard does now . Very nice bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Hope it's as good as it looks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Yes - someone really liked first position judging by that wear on the necks lower edge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 That`s a beaut Andy. The weight of 70s Fenders can vary immensely - I had a 77 Precision which was 10.5lbs, a mate of mine has a 77 in exactly the same colour scheme, everything the same, except his weighed 13lbs. Looks like you`ve ended up with a fairly manageable one, am sure you`re going to enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Very nice! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted July 9, 2014 Author Share Posted July 9, 2014 [quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1404918351' post='2496989'] Oh dear - I will need a new keyboard now. [/quote] eeeeeewww [quote name='bh2' timestamp='1404925695' post='2497084'] Looks super... I wonder if it will have that 'smell' [/quote] it does have a rather wonderful smell to the case, the bass itself has an old smoke kind of smell too, now slightly masked by guitar polish [quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1404930174' post='2497140'] My keyboard does now . Very nice bass [/quote] [quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1404931223' post='2497158'] Yes - someone really liked first position judging by that wear on the necks lower edge [/quote] the wear is rather focussed isn't it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted July 9, 2014 Author Share Posted July 9, 2014 (edited) [quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1404927308' post='2497107'] It's an ubercool bass. Happy to have been of assistance! P [/quote] you were amazingly helpful, many many thanks again matey! [quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1404931024' post='2497154'] Hope it's as good as it looks [/quote] it sure looks mighty good doesn't it [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1404935897' post='2497213'] That`s a beaut Andy. The weight of 70s Fenders can vary immensely - I had a 77 Precision which was 10.5lbs, a mate of mine has a 77 in exactly the same colour scheme, everything the same, except his weighed 13lbs. Looks like you`ve ended up with a fairly manageable one, am sure you`re going to enjoy it. [/quote] it actually weighs a tad less than my 2010 which is itself just under 4kg so it's very lightweight for a p, especially a 70's one! [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1404936080' post='2497218'] Very nice! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! [/quote] thanks all for the kind words, it's a thing of beauty indeed! now for the 'finding out about it by taking it to bits and putting it back together again' Edited July 9, 2014 by andydye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted July 9, 2014 Author Share Posted July 9, 2014 (edited) now for the expert input please folks...there are numbers on things and I'm aware they mean things but I'd like someone who knows stuff to have a gander and give me an opinion...it looks to me like they might be '74 pups but with '79 pots? is that right or have I the wrong end of the stick...? the body also looks like it was intended to be natural if that stamp in the cavity is to be believed? is that consistent with a genuine fender body? [url="https://flic.kr/p/oifd5P"][/url] [url="https://flic.kr/p/ogigQS"][/url] [url="https://flic.kr/p/ogrbj3"][/url] [url="https://flic.kr/p/oifcRH"][/url] [url="https://flic.kr/p/nYZsvW"][/url] [url="https://flic.kr/p/ogtRQg"][/url] Edited July 9, 2014 by andydye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted July 9, 2014 Author Share Posted July 9, 2014 (edited) we also appear to have a rather hideous ground-type hum which gets much worse when touching the pole pieces I've had the bridge off and made sure the ground wire is touching the bridge and it certainly seems to be, any tricks forgetting the blighter to stay nicely attached? insulating tape the bigger to it perhaps? and the output is extremely weak (50% of my 2010 p bass) and containing no bottom end at all, pickup trouble perhaps what to do about the pickups though? is it a disastrous failure and should be returned to the seller with a slap or is there something I can try first? Edited July 9, 2014 by andydye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 The pickup could be on its way out, though this isn`t really my area of knowledge. Could also be one of the pots. I also had a lot of hum/buzz in my 78, so shielded the cavity and pickguard with tape. Took about an hour and now no buzz at all. Time well spent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theyellowcar Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1404941839' post='2497273'] I also had a lot of hum/buzz in my 78, so shielded the cavity and pickguard with tape. Took about an hour and now no buzz at all. Time well spent. [/quote] This first! I had the same trouble with a Squier P a while back and just shielding tape on the pickguard did the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted July 10, 2014 Author Share Posted July 10, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1404941839' post='2497273'] The pickup could be on its way out, though this isn`t really my area of knowledge. Could also be one of the pots. I also had a lot of hum/buzz in my 78, so shielded the cavity and pickguard with tape. Took about an hour and now no buzz at all. Time well spent. [/quote] [quote name='theyellowcar' timestamp='1404947248' post='2497311'] This first! I had the same trouble with a Squier P a while back and just shielding tape on the pickguard did the trick. [/quote] cheers guys, the tone pot feels a bit weird when turning it and isn't quite working right so I suspect it's a duff pot, there's a chance this might be causing the 'where's the bass' problem from the pup? ...at least it's an easy one (and relatively inexpensive) to try first shielding the cavity will be on my hit list of jobs once I'm satisfied that there's nothing dreadful or expensive wrong with the bass that would necessitate a return for a refund type thing... Edited July 10, 2014 by andydye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Regarding the bridge wire, I have some copper shielding foil with conductive glue - I just stuck The earth wire to the body with it and then screwed the bridge on tight Why don't you carefully remove the OE pots and put a Klogon loom on ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Regarding the bridge wire, I have some copper shielding foil with conductive glue - I just stuck The earth wire to the body with it and then screwed the bridge on tight Why don't you carefully remove the OE pots and put a Klogon loom on ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted July 10, 2014 Author Share Posted July 10, 2014 [quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1404982541' post='2497457'] Regarding the bridge wire, I have some copper shielding foil with conductive glue - I just stuck The earth wire to the body with it and then screwed the bridge on tight Why don't you carefully remove the OE pots and put a Klogon loom on ? [/quote] that is superb, exactly the kind of idea I was after! I've got some self adhesive foil, spot on! When I've satisfied myself that all is as it should be I'll be fitting a kiogon loom to improve reliability (keeping all 'original' bits safe of course), shielding the cavities and underside of the scratchplate and making sure the bridge earth is well attached I'll then know whether the pups are working fine or not... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Regarding the bridge wire, I have some copper shielding foil with conductive glue - I just stuck The earth wire to the body with it and then screwed the bridge on tight Why don't you carefully remove the OE pots and put a Klogon loom on ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 [quote name='andydye' timestamp='1404982911' post='2497467'] that is superb, exactly the kind of idea I was after! I've got some self adhesive foil, spot on! [/quote] It's GOT to have conductive glue though I Had just this same bridge wire issue with a squier VMP - rock solid solution. Spray the copper wire out then stick it down with sticky foil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted July 10, 2014 Author Share Posted July 10, 2014 [quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1404983170' post='2497473'] It's GOT to have conductive glue though I Had just this same bridge wire issue with a squier VMP - rock solid solution. Spray the copper wire out then stick it down with sticky foil [/quote] superb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Might be worth taking some pics for Klohon so he knows exactly what's in there now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 [quote name='andydye' timestamp='1404917620' post='2496976'] [url="https://www.flickr.com/photos/andy_dye/14612143182/"][/url] [/quote] How does that fingerboard wear affect the playability? I had a friend with a Strat with a maple board with similar wear and although he loved it I found the uneven surface caused by the wear to the finish made it really uncomfortable for me to play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted July 10, 2014 Author Share Posted July 10, 2014 [quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1404983383' post='2497477'] Might be worth taking some pics for Klohon so he knows exactly what's in there now [/quote] this is the best pic I could get last night, the cap is soldered obscuring the numbers on the tone pot but the volume pot data is visible as is the value of the cap... [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/andy_dye/14635001543/][/url] [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/andy_dye/14635001543/]20140709_204537[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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