spongebob Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 I was on the hunt for a second, gigging bass. My main instrument ('74 4001) is my pride and joy, and YOB bass (only a month older than me!), and although I do gig it, I'm not keen on dragging it around certain places. More rarity, really - it's probably my only ever 'stayer' bass, as I had some super resto work on it as well. I did own another '74 4001, which I sold on a few months back, as it just wasn't in the same league (tone and playing-wise) as my Jetglo. Had a little experiment with an SG bass, but short-scale wasn't me. So the slot was open.....so it was back to the P. I had a white one which I sold last Summer, and have regretted it since. Saw the recent price drop....but then I found this one, even cheaper. Brand new ('15 serial number), must have been hanging in the shop as there's a little dust on the pickups! They were chucking it out on Ebay - I made a (cheeky) offer - and to my surprise, got it. I thought it would be a gamble given the price - but it was the real deal. Gigged it for the first time last night, and it was very good indeed. I hate to feel 'obvious', but there's good reason why these remain the bass of choice for so many. It plays so easily (strung with Fender 9050L flats, always use these), and filled the sound space with ease. EQ'ing was virtually done for me. Never had a black Fender Precision, so it's a change. It also matches my 4001. Que poorly taken photo of my pair - [attachment=231588:IMG_20161106_154513.jpg] Only thing I keep coming back to is the pickguard. Leave as is, or change.....I keep thing about black, going all Jean-Jacques Burnel....? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 Looks great but would be better with a black guard, particularly with that nice maple board Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted November 6, 2016 Author Share Posted November 6, 2016 [quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1478455498' post='3169145'] Looks great but would be better with a black guard, particularly with that nice maple board [/quote] That's what I was thinking. Is a MIA 'guard easy to change? I've looked online, as there's a million different versions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbayne Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 Definitely black. Its the law you know, like tort guards on sunburst P basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 [quote name='spongebob' timestamp='1478455640' post='3169148'] That's what I was thinking. Is a MIA 'guard easy to change? I've looked online, as there's a million different versions! [/quote] Yes easy enough. Do your research get one with the right number of screw holes and the truss notch and your good to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted November 6, 2016 Author Share Posted November 6, 2016 [quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1478457027' post='3169158'] Yes easy enough. Do your research get one with the right number of screw holes and the truss notch and your good to go [/quote] Great stuff. There's nothing electrical attached to the underside of the guard? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M@23 Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 Very nice. Wise choice on the black PG 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbayne Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 [quote name='spongebob' timestamp='1478457492' post='3169162'] Great stuff. There's nothing electrical attached to the underside of the guard? [/quote] Maybe some shielding. Shouldnt be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 [quote name='spongebob' timestamp='1478457492' post='3169162'] Great stuff. There's nothing electrical attached to the underside of the guard? [/quote] Just carefully undo all the screws, remove the output socket nut and washer, remove the volume and tone knobs and the nuts and washers. Then lift the guard off. Sometimes it can be a little tight around the pick ups but some gentle tweaking will get it done. I recently got one of the cheapish 3 ply black/white/black guards on Ebay for about £13. Perfect fit, it didn't have the cut out for the truss rod access but a bit of time spent with a couple of files and the job was a good 'un. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 [quote name='spongebob' timestamp='1478455640' post='3169148'] That's what I was thinking. Is a MIA 'guard easy to change? I've looked online, as there's a million different versions! [/quote] I`ve just ordered one from Thomann for my at-home-Precision, a proper Fender replacement part. They`re about £40 but the quality is much better than the ones you can pick up for £15 or so, plus the Fender ones have the cut-out for truss-rod adjustment. I`m replacing a tort one as although I love tort, my other two Precisions are black/black/maple and the OCD is taking hold. Great bass btw (well I would say that seeing as I have two of them). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlfer Posted November 6, 2016 Share Posted November 6, 2016 Gold plate, go all 50's Cracking basses Mr. Bob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted November 7, 2016 Author Share Posted November 7, 2016 Thanks for the kind comments, chaps. Got some ideas for the PG as well now......! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbiscuits Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 P basses are the ultimate plug in and play bass. I've got some other basses which all sound good, and do more variety of sounds etc but need a bit more EQ'ing etc to get them how i want them. The P on the other hand just sounds right as soon as you plug it in. It does just one thing, but very very well. Love 'em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewisK1975 Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 Yep - Black / Black / Maple!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted November 14, 2016 Author Share Posted November 14, 2016 [quote name='LewisK1975' timestamp='1479133749' post='3174174'] Yep - Black / Black / Maple!!! [/quote] This isn't helping! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevsy71 Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 '75 4001 and a black guard P here - but on an Oly White Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted November 14, 2016 Author Share Posted November 14, 2016 [quote name='Kevsy71' timestamp='1479144489' post='3174305'] '75 4001 and a black guard P here - but on an Oly White [/quote] Nice pair! What month is the 4001? Notice it's sporting the 1-inch spaced neck pup - from memory, this occurred mid-75. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevsy71 Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 [quote name='spongebob' timestamp='1479145438' post='3174317'] Nice pair! What month is the 4001? Notice it's sporting the 1-inch spaced neck pup - from memory, this occurred mid-75. [/quote] Cheers! April '75. I have no idea if that's the correct spacing though, the original (oversized?!) pickguard is long gone. Looking at the neck pickup cavity it could have originally been closer to the end of the fingerboard. The P is a '79 from Basschat, fantastic tone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted November 14, 2016 Author Share Posted November 14, 2016 [quote name='Kevsy71' timestamp='1479148321' post='3174351'] Cheers! April '75. I have no idea if that's the correct spacing though, the original (oversized?!) pickguard is long gone. Looking at the neck pickup cavity it could have originally been closer to the end of the fingerboard. The P is a '79 from Basschat, fantastic tone [/quote] It looks great either way! Like most things Ric, the change kind of filtered in over time. At least it gives you the option of both positions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbartlett Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 Fender flats are superb. I've got the 9050m on all my basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted November 14, 2016 Author Share Posted November 14, 2016 [quote name='jimbartlett' timestamp='1479153360' post='3174402'] Fender flats are superb. I've got the 9050m on all my basses. [/quote] They are, Jim. Of all the strings I've tried, they are the best all rounders. I've got a set of Fender nickels in the drawer - never tried them as I'm scared to deviate from the flats! Had a set in the Ric for over a year, and they sound amazing...just seen to get better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewisK1975 Posted November 15, 2016 Share Posted November 15, 2016 [quote name='spongebob' timestamp='1479143552' post='3174296'] This isn't helping! [/quote] Neither will this then: [attachment=232083:Pbbm.JPG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted November 15, 2016 Author Share Posted November 15, 2016 Oh, you tease! I can see the way this is going.......! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazzbass Posted November 17, 2016 Share Posted November 17, 2016 who is the peanut at Fender that thinks white pickguards look good? sack him even if his name is Leo Fender III My MIM 3 tier Sunburst Jazz came with a white pg, wth? UGLY as sin til I changed it to tort. swap it for a black or black pearl pg imho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted November 20, 2016 Author Share Posted November 20, 2016 Black PG ordered from Thomann. Guess I've always lusted after the B/M/B combo...the Jean Jacques Burnel thing. Thanks to Lozz for the Thomann tip and PG offer...nice one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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