ossyrocks Posted December 31, 2022 Share Posted December 31, 2022 (edited) Finally got this in my hands yesterday. The sale was agreed a week ago, but we needed to arrange a meet up. 2016 American Vintage ‘63 Reissue in faded sonic blue. The tort guard is a Fender guard but not the original, however the original is included. 8lbs 15 oz. It had La Bellas on it, but really heavy ones, so I’ve swapped those for some La Bella 760FLs. It needed a truss rod tweak to reduce the relief even after fitting lighter strings, some saddle adjustments and the pickup height. It’s now playing really well, very low action with no fret buzz, and sounding great. It has a piano like clarity unplugged which is really noticeable compared with my other basses, very resonant. I’m get used to the wider nut width and I think it will be fine. I’m really looking forward to taking it to rehearsal next week. Cheers, Rob Edited January 4, 2023 by ossyrocks 23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted December 31, 2022 Share Posted December 31, 2022 Me like lots, congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahambythesea Posted January 3, 2023 Share Posted January 3, 2023 That’s nice, faded blue looks almost white. I like the dark tort plate as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Stingray 62 Posted January 3, 2023 Share Posted January 3, 2023 Looks great 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ossyrocks Posted January 4, 2023 Author Share Posted January 4, 2023 Ok, a few days in now. It’s a really great bass. It’s tight and punchy, plays superbly well, it’s well balanced on a strap, not too heavy, I really like it. Apart from one thing……… the side dot markers on the neck. It has them, but they are very indistinct, so playing in low light requires more concentration over my left hand positioning. I’ve googled it, and it’s an issue with these AV reissues, lots of people are having the same issue. The question is, what to do about it? I love the bass and I want to keep it. I’ve been in touch with a luthier and sent him pictures. Right now I’m contemplating have the side dots replaced. What do you think? Rob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Munurmunuh Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 11 minutes ago, ossyrocks said: What do you think? As you get used to the exact feel of this exact bass, the distinctness of the markers will become less of an issue. I'd wait for a while, see how much better muscle memory gets first 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamIAm Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 (edited) I "upgraded" some hard to see side dots using an ultra fine tipped UniBall POSCA paint based marker pen, they are inexpensive and available in a variety of colours: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Uni-Ball-Posca-PC1-MR-Bullet-Marker/dp/B0046ZAH9E It has worked well, seems to stay on and as it is water based should come off (with a bit of elbow grease) if I ever want. S'manth x Edited January 4, 2023 by Smanth 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ossyrocks Posted January 4, 2023 Author Share Posted January 4, 2023 4 minutes ago, Smanth said: I "upgraded" some hard to see side dots using an ultra fine tipped UniBall POSCA paint based marker pen, they are inexpensive and available in a variety of colours: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Uni-Ball-Posca-PC1-MR-Bullet-Marker/dp/B0046ZAH9E It has worked well, seems to stay on and as it is water based should come off (with a bit of elbow grease) if I ever want. S'manth x This is definitely worth a try, thanks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MungoBass Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 Congratulations, fantastic basses! I had an AO 64 Jazz with the same camouflaged side dots. I like @Smanth idea of using a pen to highlight them and if I still had the Jazz, would definitely try that first as opposed to a luthier replacing them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 Lovely bass and personally I wouldn’t go drilling out the markers, I’m sure someone here had a similar experience and used tiny luminous stickers for dark stages, not sure if that’s an option for you 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppet Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 Same issue here. I use small white 'letraset' type transfers over the original dots from this chap https://www.rosetteguitarproducts.com/new-page-2 I have a thumb on back of neck style of playing so I don't rub them off but if you grip your neck like a baseball bat then I'm not sure this solution would be a long term one! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Stingray 62 Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 I think you should just sell me the bass👍😂 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 I have used these on basses with poor dot visibility https://glowtec.co.uk/product/starglow-fret-finders/ 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ossyrocks Posted January 4, 2023 Author Share Posted January 4, 2023 2 hours ago, Muppet said: Same issue here. I use small white 'letraset' type transfers over the original dots from this chap https://www.rosetteguitarproducts.com/new-page-2 I have a thumb on back of neck style of playing so I don't rub them off but if you grip your neck like a baseball bat then I'm not sure this solution would be a long term one! Thanks for all the input. I’ve looked at all the options suggested and I’ve gone for these above ^ in the first instance. At first I tried to find them in the Uk, to no avail. But if you do buy direct from the US, they’re only $6.90 and postage to the UK is free. I’ve gone for the smaller ivory ones as they are the same diameter as my current dot markers, the 1/8” ones might be a tad too big and look a bit odd. Anyway, I’ll post an update once they are here and fitted. Fingers crossed. Rob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 Ever the tightwad, I bought a sheet of cheap self-adhesive luminous paper and attacked it with a hole punch. I then emptied out the bits and used them. A bit clunky but it worked for a while. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaggy Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 I fit Luminlay side for markers to all my gigging basses, which does involve drilling the original ones out. There’s still a problem with importing these though, so I recently had these off eBay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/407pc-Glow-In-The-Dark-Round-Dot-Luminous-Sticker-Sheet-Self-Adhesive-Room-Decal/165753031622?pageci=239ab921-0aea-4092-8b2b-37e779ab8fa6&redirect=mobile I just used the small ones, and they’re impressively good. Clean the area you’re going to stick them to with meths first to get a really good stick (unless your neck happens to be French polished, in which case don’t....), and they also come off leaving no marks to the finish. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 Yep, same problem on the one I had. Unbelievable misstep by Fender. I just put some sticky dots on it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppet Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 4 hours ago, ossyrocks said: Thanks for all the input. I’ve looked at all the options suggested and I’ve gone for these above ^ in the first instance. At first I tried to find them in the Uk, to no avail. But if you do buy direct from the US, they’re only $6.90 and postage to the UK is free. I’ve gone for the smaller ivory ones as they are the same diameter as my current dot markers, the 1/8” ones might be a tad too big and look a bit odd. Anyway, I’ll post an update once they are here and fitted. Fingers crossed. Rob Good stuff. This is them fitted to mine. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MungoBass Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 8 minutes ago, Muppet said: Good stuff. This is them fitted to mine. Excellent! Thanks for sharing! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunion Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 For what it’s worth here’s my pre cbs 63P they actually look lighter than they are in this picture. I did have a few minor mishaps when I first got it. Plenty of playing and no problem anymore 😄 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 They make a huge difference @Muppet 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ossyrocks Posted January 4, 2023 Author Share Posted January 4, 2023 58 minutes ago, Bunion said: For what it’s worth here’s my pre cbs 63P they actually look lighter than they are in this picture. I did have a few minor mishaps when I first got it. Plenty of playing and no problem anymore 😄 They don’t exactly stand out do they. I can see where Fender were coming from with the reissues, but I still think your 60 year old dots look more distinct than my six your old dots! Lovely bass btw, congrats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted January 4, 2023 Share Posted January 4, 2023 2 hours ago, Muppet said: Good stuff. This is them fitted to mine. These are very good. Got me thinking, found some 'vintage' Decadry (like Letraset) dots on eBay for not much. Might work? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ossyrocks Posted January 12, 2023 Author Share Posted January 12, 2023 So, the dots arrived this morning, 8 days after purchase, from the USA, not bad. The instructions are clear, fitting them is fiddly, especially getting the placement just right. These are the smaller ivory dots and are exactly the same diameter as the existing inlays, so positioning is crucial. The kit says you get 12 dots, but I got 14, which was good as I wasted 3 of them. The result is better than I expected, they look good, can be clearly seen, and hardly felt. Here’s some pics. Rob 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MungoBass Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 That is a huge improvement. Thanks for sharing! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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