NBD: the one granny to rule them all.

[MrFingers]

Some things in life you know are bound to happen somewhere along the road, you just don't know where, or when. Today was that day for me. By sheer luck everything aligned: the instrument itself, locally for sale, within budget, generous tax return which sweetened the already more than fair deal, and a feeling of "If I don't do this, I'm going to regret it massively later". So, since today I became the proud 2nd owner guardian of a September 1966 P-bass. Fully original, including the case, except the missing bridge cover, and some filled holes where someone installed other tuners, but the ginormous Klusons 546's cover those up very nicely. In a very, very good condition (buckle-rash the size of a coin), frets at de-facto factory condition, slightly faded red, but still plenty present,... And that patina, that's something you can't fake (nor the smell). Rather lightweight, very resonant, a bit neckheavy due to those tuners and the very light body, it has that extremely pleasant 60's C-shape (wide, but thin). It has the newest additions that were introduced in 1966: Indian Rosewood fretboard, a 45° bevelled pickguard and the wide frets. Made by the same people that made the early 60's ones, using the same methods, and virtually identical materials... just under a different contract.

 

It has seen some action, but it was also very well babied and cared for. And given it's a '66, it's an absolute growler. There's something about '66/'67 basses that gives them more raunchy punch compared to 1965 or 1968 onwards. And if it's good enough for James Jamerson, it's good enough for me!

 

Going to install an old set of LaBella's tomorrow, see if I can reduce the action a bit.

Also: going to thin out the heard a bit. Given I've now got "the original", the "American Original '60s" may leave the premises, my Jazz Bass as well, my 500/1 that hardly saw any use, maybe the EB3, although: that's so quirky I might just keep it. But with this, I kind of arrived at the end of the line.

 

 

Edited October 27 by MrFingers

[Mudpup]

.

Edited October 27 by Mudpup

[MrFingers]

Works now?

[Lozz196]

Lovely looking bass

[42Hz]

Nice. Congratulations. It certainly looks really nice and in good shape. Must be a proud feeling, being 2nd owner on an almost 60year old bass.

[Reggaebass]

Very nice indeed, congrats that looks a beauty, I’m normally into 68-72 Precisions but I’ve been looking at a few 66’s lately 

[HeadlessBassist]

Congratulations, MrFingers. Make sure you have an Air Tag hidden in the case. Looks like a lovely bass, a great talking point and something to enjoy and be proud of. 😎

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

nice!

[bassbiscuits]

That’s lovely. What a find and at the perfect moment too by the sound of it. 
 

Then again, bass is all about the timing, right.

 

Nice one. 

[mikeswals]

Very lovely looker!

[MrFingers]

... and player. Recycled a crisp set of LaBella Deep Talkin' 0.045 flatwounds (a mere 12 years old, so virtually new), ordered a set of full-length neckpocket shims, and spent the afternoon dialing the thing in. Pickguard shrinkage meant that the pickup sits VERY firm in the pickguard, but with some strong thumbwork, I managed to raise them a bit. I was kind of fearing it would have a "ski jump" at the heel of the neck, as notes chocked out above the 14th fret, but the shim and a gentle nip of the trussrod made that go away.

 

It was already a good sounding bass, but with these minor interventions it became one of the best P-basses that I ever had. She demands hard work and perseverance for it though 😅.

 

 

 

 

Edited 39 minutes ago by MrFingers

[chris_b]

On 27/10/2025 at 21:12, MrFingers said:

. . . .  But with this, I kind of arrived at the end of the line.

 

 

When you know, you know.

 

Nice bass.

[Richard R]

Great bass!

 

Missing pix though.  Is there something up with Imgur? About half the threads these days just show this:

 

 

Photos can be directly inserted into BC, and if you're out of space then old ones can be deleted from your account.

Edited 2 hours ago by Richard R

[Reggaebass]

Same as above for me 

[MrFingers]

Fixed?

[ezbass]

2 hours ago, Richard R said:

Is there something up with Imgur?