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Where can I pick up a 70s Fender Precision?


Cat Burrito
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I toyed with putting this in Items Wanted but as I'm after advice as much as feelers felt the Bass Guitar section may be more appropriate at this stage.

Having had quite the year I think I *may* treat myself to a 1970s Precision [b]if[/b] I can get the idea past my wife. :) I have some money coming next week so it could be viable and if it is I won't hang around making a decision.

I'm no expert on vintage gear although I know a bit - not as much as a few on these very pages though. What I'm after is advice and not getting ripped off. As far as my tastes go I'm very open to offers. I'd prefer a fretted bass and something I would look to gig. I don't want a wallpiece. I was born in 1973 but I have interests in anything from 73 to 79. I possibly lean towards a rosewood neck but do like maple too. I'd rather avoid sunburst but if it's the right year / condition this isn't a barrier. Also I don't mind small modifications but don't personally care for stuff that has been hacked about too much.

If anyone here either knows a good place to buy / try, has something, knows someone or just has some sound advice I'm open to any offers / ideas. I'm based in West Berkshire but have transport if it is worth my while.

Edited by BurritoBass
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[quote name='Beedster' post='666776' date='Nov 26 2009, 09:43 PM']Well I'm looking at 60's Precisions at the moment and all I see are bloody 70's Precisions! There's a lot out there.

Get a '73 mate :)[/quote]

That wasn't a lot of help in terms of actual basses in actual shops was it? But seriously, simply google a year and a type of bass and just follow the links. I've found loads of shops and dealers I never knew existed. You'll need to decide whether originality is important, and if it is, be prepared to both pay more and get fed a load of bull.

There's plently of guys on here who will be happy to help. Post pics of basses you like the look of and let us all take a look. If a dealer won't send you the pics you want (e.g., pocket, heel, bridge), cross them off the list.

All the best

Chris

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But if you want specific I find myself strangely attracted to this baby

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-precision-bass-1979-80_W0QQitemZ110462781206QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item19b8184716"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-precision-bas...=item19b8184716[/url]

C

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[quote name='Beedster' post='666883' date='Nov 26 2009, 11:20 PM']But if you want specific I find myself strangely attracted to this baby

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-precision-bass-1979-80_W0QQitemZ110462781206QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item19b8184716"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-precision-bas...=item19b8184716[/url]

C[/quote]

Yeah seen that one. I do daily checks on EBay & Google Fender Precision 1978 for example. The searches aren't throwing up many basses for some reason

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[quote name='BurritoBass' post='666897' date='Nov 26 2009, 11:33 PM']Yeah seen that one. I do daily checks on EBay & Google Fender Precision 1978 for example. The searches aren't throwing up many basses for some reason[/quote]

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=62459&hl=1978"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=62459&hl=1978[/url]

If Jon Shuker gets everything sorted out with a build i fancy then the above will be for sale again. I'm trying to source an original case and such too. If it interests you give us a shout!

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Don't forget to search for Precission.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320453135513&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT[/url]

I've also seen Percision, Precession and Persecution.


OK, I made the last one up.



But I wouldn't be surprised.

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[quote name='Happy Jack' post='666927' date='Nov 27 2009, 12:02 AM']Don't forget to search for Precission.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320453135513&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT[/url]

I've also seen Percision, Precession and Persecution.[/quote]

Thanks. My EBay searches are 1978 bass etc as it doesn't actually throw up that many. I'd seen that one too. Very nice but I think a little high in price for me. I've seen stuff go as low as £800 & I think I have to start questioning how badly I want it when it goes above £1600. I'd hope for a £900 - £1200 range ideally. I also think a later one might suit me more - I have a 1978 Bassman head so it could be a theme. Still as I said, I'm open to anything really

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[quote name='TheButler' post='666925' date='Nov 27 2009, 12:00 AM'][url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=62459&hl=1978"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=62459&hl=1978[/url]

If Jon Shuker gets everything sorted out with a build i fancy then the above will be for sale again. I'm trying to source an original case and such too. If it interests you give us a shout![/quote]

Looks great & I admired the thread at the time. I'd love to source it through this forum. It would of course depend on price & when it could be available (& I'd feel guilty taking your only bass!)

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vintage and rare have some 'as new' 70's pbasses on their website.
A bit overpriced, but usually well selected pieces.
The have an all natural 78 p on there at the moment, and my Mastercard is getting sweaty! But the killer is the 64 p in lake placid blue 'please enquire' for a price, i doubt i'd see change from £8000!
Next year i'm going all out for a 70's P Natural, maple board fretless.

Best of luck. The really good ones crop up every now and then.
I was offered a late 70's P once, and you could have put a .105 string in the neck gap, no worries. I still would have bought it, but the guy selling thought his bands minor success made it worth as much as the best of the best, i left it, still a bit of regret there.

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[quote name='AndyTravis' post='667056' date='Nov 27 2009, 08:40 AM']But the killer is the 64 p in lake placid blue 'please enquire' for a price, i doubt i'd see change from £8000![/quote]

That's a lovely bass. I played it (briefly) when I was in there with Beedster and it ticks pretty much all the boxes.

It's not 100% though, and I seem to recall the price was some way South of £8000.

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[quote name='AndyTravis' post='667056' date='Nov 27 2009, 08:40 AM']The have an all natural 78 p on there at the moment, and my Mastercard is getting sweaty! But the killer is the 64 p in lake placid blue 'please enquire' for a price, i doubt i'd see change from £8000![/quote]

Or £9000

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[quote name='Happy Jack' post='667068' date='Nov 27 2009, 08:55 AM']That's a lovely bass. I played it (briefly) when I was in there with Beedster and it ticks pretty much all the boxes.

It's not 100% though, and I seem to recall the price was some way South of £8000.[/quote]

Is south cheaper or more expensive! IIRC it was £8500ish?

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[quote name='Happy Jack' post='666927' date='Nov 27 2009, 12:02 AM']Don't forget to search for Precission.

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320453135513&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...e=STRK:MEWAX:IT[/url]

I've also seen Percision, Precession and Persecution.


OK, I made the last one up.



But I wouldn't be surprised.[/quote]


Dont forget ´Percussion´ have seen about 10 or 11 of these mis-labelled drum kits/Basses in the last 6 weeks. :)

I am definately a 70´s P bass fan.
I bought a MIJ RI Precision in oly white. Has all the chrome and thumbrests and bits and pieces and sounds the dogs! Could not ask for a more punk-looking plank!
Then I got lucky and found a guy locally willing to trade his all original (minor mojo)Sienna S/B 78 Precision. Instant boner-inspiring bass!
Everything about it is amazing! it has ´The Precision Sound´ and lucky for me, I get to run it through some great amps (my 70´s SVT, B 500dr and as of last weekend, a Marshall VBA400)
There are some who will say that 70´s Fenders aren´t fantastic by any means and that their current value is based on a vintage guitar market that has no real interest in quality but does in nostalgia.
That could be true in some cases.
But I know what I like, a big heavy body and THE classic sound that trumps everything else.
Already looking at another 78 (oly white and in great shape, though modded a bit). When will I bloody learn?!!!
:rolleyes:

Be patient and keep an eye on ebay, basschat and gumtree(thats how I found mine)

Edited by basshead56
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[quote name='Tee' post='670309' date='Nov 30 2009, 07:15 PM'][i]'Please enquire'[/i] always means [i]'too expensive'[/i] for me :)[/quote]

Yes, I agree. I'd maybe go on to enquire about plectrum prices though so I could walk out with some dignity :rolleyes:

Hoping to have an update for this thread soon btw

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[quote name='molan' post='668095' date='Nov 28 2009, 11:06 AM']Wath out for weight issues with later 70's P's. There's some monsters out there![/quote]

+1 to this, seriously. There's one in Angel Music that weighs about as much as an aircraft carrier, truly staggeringly heavy.

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