discreet Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 (edited) [b]NOBD - USA Fullerton 1976 Precision Bass *AUDIO* [/b][b]New Old Bass Day![/b] [b]*[url="http://www.mediafire.com/listen/gb8bayu5b4ak2qq/Tears_of_a_Clown_BASS_COVER.wav"]AUDIO FILE[/url]* [/b]Me pretending to be Bob Babbit and failing. But hopefully you'll get some idea of how the bass sounds. Long story short - I bought this bass brand new in 1976. I sold it four years ago to Rumple (Dave) of this parish when GAS got the better of me after spending far too much time on BassChat. I regretted selling it, to say the least. I have now been able to buy it back and I thank Dave for looking after it for me. It is absolutely 100% stock and original - apart from the pickup foam, which I replaced a while back (I still have the original foam thanks to Dave, who lost it then found it again ). The pickguard has been off once to replace the foam. That is all. The neck has never been off. To say I'm glad to have it back would be an understatement. I know every single ding, dent, scratch and stain. So it turns out the only proper way to 'relic' a bass is to play it for decades... I stuck a lit fag behind the E string in 1979 and accidentally scorched the headstock. If you had told me then there would come a time when you wouldn't be able to smoke while playing bass in public, I would have laughed in your face. I've been playing it this morning and it's like the return of an old friend. And I've given up smoking. I've just done the 'bathroom scales' thing - it weighs [i]eight pounds[/i]. Yes, it's just wood, wire and plastic. Yes, I'm probably a sentimental fool. But I don't care... What is this thing (below)? This bird-shaped burn or scorch-mark was on the bass when I bought it. It is UNDER the clear coat. I asked the shop guy what it was when I bought it and he said 'Er.. they've all got that - it proves it's a real Fender...' My 16-year-old self was happy with this explanation, but I always wondered why it didn't appear on other Fenders... for a while I was convinced every Fender I saw was a fake because it didn't have this mark on the back! You can see the original Olympic White colour through this forearm-contour wear (below) The creamy yellow colour is a result of the degradation of the clear coat. Underneath this, the original colour is just as white as when the bass was new. Edited April 28, 2015 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Wow you've got it back Really pleased for you, just hang on to it this time! What a lovely colour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Fantastic, Disney should make a film based on that story, with a slight deviation in plot relating to the 'What is that thing below" question (clearly the mark of a bass destined to one day be reunited with its original owner). Lovely looking bass as well C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinB Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 (edited) That is a thing of beauty..... and you're forgiven the 'sentimental old fool' part. Edited April 24, 2015 by ColinB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Outstanding! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted April 24, 2015 Author Share Posted April 24, 2015 [quote name='ColinB' timestamp='1429877238' post='2755866'] That is a thing of beauty..... and you're forgiven the 'sentimental old fool' part. [/quote] I thank you... and less of the 'old'... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaytonaRik Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Absolutely lovely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisheth Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 That is lovely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 So glad to see it back home. Good on Dave for being such a fine custodian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 (edited) Seeing as the mark is on the center line of the body, I wonder if it's been caused during the handling in the painting process? I believe they inserted dowels around that point and then cut them off. Edited April 24, 2015 by Billy Apple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumple Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 [quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1429878392' post='2755889'] Good on Dave for being such a fine custodian. [/quote] It's weird, as gorgeous as it was it never felt like it was truly mine, it always seemed like I was borrowing the bass. It's back where it belongs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted April 24, 2015 Author Share Posted April 24, 2015 (edited) [quote name='Rumple' timestamp='1429878870' post='2755894'] It's weird, as gorgeous as it was it never felt like it was truly mine, it always seemed like I was borrowing the bass. It's back where it belongs [/quote] Thanks, Dave. Is it because I kept referring to it as 'my' bass? Edited April 24, 2015 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumple Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1429879034' post='2755897'] Thanks, Dave. Is it because I kept referring to it as 'my' bass? [/quote] I almost got to the point I thought of it as 'our' bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howdenspur Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Great story - and a fab looking bass. I'd quite fancy an old P... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ras52 Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Lovely - the elder brother of my '78 in the same colours! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles'tone Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 I love a happy ending It's a beautiful bass, love how the colour has aged. Congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Oh please stop, I'm welling up. May I just ask that you don't sell this lovely bit of Fenderism ever again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 [quote name='Rumple' timestamp='1429878870' post='2755894'] It's weird, as gorgeous as it was it never felt like it was truly mine, [/quote] It wasn't Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 That is not only a lovely looking bass but a cool story too and i'm very pleased that you've got it back. Oh and seeing the pickup and bridge cover just makes me want to fit them on my mine. Enjoy ☺ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Will you play it with the ashtrays on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 [quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1429889585' post='2756077'] Will you play it with the ashtrays on? [/quote] My bet is bridge cover only Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 8lbs of creamy custard-coloured Precision goodness. What a bass, what a story! So what are you going to do with all the others now this fella has returned home? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 [quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1429889585' post='2756077'] Will you play it with the ashtrays on? [/quote] There seems little point these days since smoking in venues has been banned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjohn Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Ahhh, happy days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman Sam Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Great story. Now don'the sell it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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