Vintage Fenders

[BassAgent]

Honestly, I would ask your luthier. If you have a good one that knows about vintage Fenders he'll advise you what is best for your bass.

[snorkie635]

52 minutes ago, ossyrocks said:

Ok chaps, I'm going to get my '73 sunburst/rosewood/tort Jazz bass refretted.

 

What is the modern equivalent wire these days which compares to what was fitted originally?

 

Also, would you go slightly bigger, and what would you use if you did?

 

Thanks muchly,

Rob

Dear Rob,

 

I have no idea regards fret-wire, but am happy to offer my services to find out for you. If you care to post your bass to PO Box 666, Chelmsford, I will personally take it around the world until I find a match. I estimate that this should take us well into the 2030s, but I am sure you will be more than pleased with the result.

 

 

Snorkie635

Just outside your back door, checking the locks work. (You never can be sure).

[MrFingers]

3 hours ago, ossyrocks said:

Ok chaps, I'm going to get my '73 sunburst/rosewood/tort Jazz bass refretted.

 

What is the modern equivalent wire these days which compares to what was fitted originally?

 

Also, would you go slightly bigger, and what would you use if you did?

 

Thanks muchly,

Rob

The closest would be the 6150 (0.105 x 0.042) or the 6200. They are rather wide, and not that high. You can always take a vernius and ballpark the original frets in terms of size, and work from there.

 

 

 

Anyway: here's mine. A 1966 P-bass that has been carefully played by the first owner (I'm the 2nd). Not babied, but you notice it came from someone who took care of it. 5MAY66C, pots from week 23 1966 (2nd week of June), and greybobbins from the 19th of September of that year.

 

It's not the best sounding or playing P-bass that had the misfortune of being the subject of my grubby hands. It's very distinctly indistinct, as it's one of the thousands that were spewed out of Fullerton that year. It's not a bad instrument at all, but it's nothing mythical. I dare to argue my American Original '60 is, objectively spoken, the better instrument. The '66 has a thinner neck, which feels a bit more relaxed. But apart from that: It does exactly what you would expect from a P.

 

Then why?!?

• Because I could. (and because it doesn't have a deadspot on the C#).

Edited 1 hour ago by MrFingers

[Mrbigstuff]

2 minutes ago, MrFingers said:

The closest would be the 6200 fretwire (0.084x0.038).

 

 

 

Anyway: here's mine. A 1966 P-bass that has been carefully played by the first owner (I'm the 2nd). Not babied, but you notice it came from someone who took care of it. 5MAY66C, pots from week 23 1966 (2nd week of June), and greybobbins from the 19th of September of that year.

 

It's not the best sounding or playing P-bass that had the misfortune of being the subject of my grubby hands. It's very distinctly indistinct, as it's one of the thousands that were spewed out of Fullerton that year. It's not a bad instrument at all, but it's nothing mythical. I dare to argue my American Original '60 is, objectively spoken, the better instrument. The '66 has a thinner neck, which feels a bit more relaxed. But apart from that: It does exactly what you would expect from a P.

 

Then why?!?

• Because I could. (and because it doesn't have a deadspot on the C#).

Because you could is a great excuse and one I hope to use one day. If the sound isn’t there, maybe it could benefit from a pickup rewind?

[MrFingers]

9 minutes ago, Mrbigstuff said:

If the sound isn’t there, maybe it could benefit from a pickup rewind

Don't get me wrong, the sound is there, directly on tap. It's a very lively sounding bass, and exactly what you would expect from this year (I have the impression that 1966 P-basses are a bit more punchy and aggressive compared to previous or later years). But it's not a sound worth 1000's of monies. I dare to say that with the amp-settings that I play at, my assembled mogrel with the Vintera II '60 pickup has a superior sound in terms of girt & dynamics.

[Reggaebass]

16 minutes ago, MrFingers said:

It's not the best sounding or playing P-bass

Ive been looking at a few 66 Precisions so Ive been using my AVRI 62 more lately to see if I can get comfortable with the wider nut , it’s going alright really, can I ask what it is that your not liking about the sound or playing of yours 

[MrFingers]

3 minutes ago, Reggaebass said:

can I ask what it is that your not liking about the sound or playing of yours

You can, and there is nothing wrong. It is a good sounding bass, but not 1000's euro's better in sound than a modern instrument.

[Geek99]

3 minutes ago, MrFingers said:

You can, and there is nothing wrong. It is a good sounding bass, but not 1000's euro's better in sound than a modern instrument.

This. ^^
Total sense. 

[walshy]

The pick ups in 66 tended to be a bit hotter than usual due to the extra wind they got that year, thats why they are my favourites. I have had fair few P based through my hands and the site and 66 always comes out on top for me. Hey, it would be a boring world if we all liked the same thing I guess