FS: mid-late 70's Telecaster Bass project **SOLD PENDING THE USUAL** £750

[Beedster]

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_4310_zpsctlcl3rv.jpg.html"][/url]

More details of this bass project at [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/35826-so-who-on-here-has-a-telebass/page__st__60"]http://basschat.co.u...ss/page__st__60[/url]

I'd been watching this for a long time on eBay as the seller slowly came down from ludicrous BINs at vintage money to a starting price that I felt was reasonable (£750). The plan was to strip it, move the misplaced bridge, fill the back PUP cavity with a 'sympathetic' piece of wood, re-rout the back rout and move the lipstick in line with the strings and have a rather lovely old Telecaster Bass albeit one with a stonking back PUP that really complements the mudbucker well.

Anyway, a couple of conversations on and I'm not quite sure I want to be doing this, mostly because a couple of folks have indicated that as the 3tsb finish is quite rare on this model - and as it's actually very nicely and naturally aged - this could make quite a nice restoration project, and that's not really what I'd intended. I'm also finding that my other monstrous Warmoth Tele (see same thread for pics of that) is doing quite a nice impression of a 'proper' Tele, and I'm not 100% sure I need both, especially if this original 70's baby is going to cost me quite a lot of money.

So what's good...

The neck
The body
The tone

And what's bad...

The positioning of the Lipstick PUP (too far south)
The positioning of the bridge (also too far south but this appears to be Fender's fault). There are also a few holes around the bridge indicating that it has worn a few bridges over the years.
The micro-tilt adjuster has broken although the new parts are on their way and will be provided with the bass.

PUP, pickguard and some of the circuit appear original. I also have the original bridge and the original bridge cover. The neck is in very good shape and is a dream to play, seriously. The tone is also absolutely rock and roll, just perfect.

So, if I keep this it's going to lose the 3tsb and keep the Lipstick, albeit it in a slightly better position! If however you fancy a restoration job, get in touch! I will post some more pics or all of the details above when it stops raining and I can get some decent light.

BTW, it's perfectly playable as is, just could be a whole lot better

C

Edited May 30, 2015 by Beedster

[Beedster]

PS Badass III in the pic above will not be included, I'll reinstall the original bridge

[Geek99]

I'd keep it just how it is. Glwts

[Bass Pedal Geek]

Phew. Glad it's not a Telecaster style. Then I'd been in trouble... But looks great! :-)

[Byo]

Nooooo, not another one!
You have a lovely taste for P-Basses mate, this and the Squier sure look the part.

How is the neck on this one?

GLWTS!

Edited May 18, 2015 by Byo

[Beedster]

Thanks folks, yes, I do like a nice Precision or derivative thereof!

Some more pics

With bridge cover

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_4384_zps6ghq2sgz.jpg.html"][/url]

A rather lovely back

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_4376_zpsyovlehxc.jpg.html"][/url]

A rather lovely back 2

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_4378_zpsdp6pjixz.jpg.html"][/url]

I very much doubt this is the original neck plate, in fact I'd stake my reputation on it

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_4379_zpsthhqkvhw.jpg.html"][/url]

Some poorly filled holes around the bridge

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_4380_zpsz61kuzpr.jpg.html"][/url]

Pickguard off

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_4395_zps7pqtywl2.jpg.html"][/url]

A rather enigmatic '3' in the PUP cavity

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_4396_zpszmf2l8b9.jpg.html"][/url]

Nicely faded burst

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_4401_zpsnvlxx4ot.jpg.html"][/url]

I would like to ask the guy who did the routing a few question. 70's Fenders took some abuse, but the worst abuse appears to have been saved specifically for Telebasses

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_4402_zpsy5kbzso1.jpg.html"][/url]

Neck has a few dinks but feels otherwise very nice and still relatively unworn.

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_4394_zpswu01pwei.jpg.html"][/url]

Bullet adjuster in the right place

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_4385_zps8z5fgmwf.jpg.html"][/url]

Tuners are very nice revise winding so not original

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_4387_zps97nfzdtz.jpg.html"][/url]

That's as close up a shot as I could get of pots. Best to assume they're not original

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_4398_zpsyvvfj5du.jpg.html"][/url]

Plate appears original and suggests '77

[url="http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_4397_zpsr2k8rnvm.jpg.html"][/url]

[Beedster]

PS bridge and bridge cover

[URL=http://s80.photobucket.com/user/Beedster/media/IMG_4388_zpsnlfah5r2.jpg.html][IMG]http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j199/Beedster/IMG_4388_zpsnlfah5r2.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[Shaggy]

Nooooooooooo.....
Speculative PM sent

[Beedster]

This is still available until I fire up the V4B and SVT15E again and change my mind

[Beedster]

OK, I've decided to definitely sell this beauty. I spend too much time on project basses and not enough time playing them. This is perfectly playable as is, but I know that if I keep it I'm going to end up spending time and money on it, and both are in short supply at present.

Happy to talk cash offers.

[karlfer]

Fabulous looking bass Chris. I hope you don't mind, but I have put this up on the Yamaha Attitude Facebook page.
Billy's "The Wife" bass was quite close to this, so just in case any of them fancy a project.

If you would like it removing, just let me know.

Great looking bass with an awful lot going for it, especially at that price. Must resist

[Beedster]

Many thanks Karl, greatly appreciated. This bass is now on hold

Chris

[karlfer]

Thank God for that! Temptation and lust defeated

[Beedster]

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1432293662' post='2780078']
Thank God for that! Temptation and lust defeated
[/quote]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Well, I wouldn't speak too soon Karl.....[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]It's on hold because I've just had a chat with a very well respected and long standing member who not only used to own this bass, but in fact actually put this bass together form parts. So, it's a bitsa, the degree of bitsa-ness yet to be confirmed as it's a while since the BCer did the work.[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]This has a couple of implications. Firstly whilst it might be all 70's USA parts - and I'm emphasising the might - it's likely not a restoration project, which makes me more inclined to keep it, strip it, fill the holes, oil it and play it. On that basis nothing has changed perhaps, it's still a cracking bass. [/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Second, I'm going to pursue the guy I bought it from, who told a story about the bass which clearly isn't true, and it appears that the original owner/builder pointed this out to him via the eBay listing and was ignored when he did. Even were the bass all original, the seller's description as to its originality and condition was so far off that it was laughable (for example, he suggested he was regularly playing it, but when I received it part of the neck tilt assembly was missing, and looked like it has been for some time, meaning that it didn't stay in tune for more than about 20 seconds due to the neck moving in play). I emailed the seller about this when I bought it and received no reply, so thought 'sod it', spent £150 and did some work and got it back to playable. [/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Anyway, i'm waiting for a response form the eBay seller. If I don't get one I'll keep the bass and reveal the full details of the eBay seller so you good folks can avoid him, especially if you are active in the live/pub circuit in Nottingham (he plays g****r in a Nottingham pub rock band) [/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]So, in short, I'm happy to sell it, as I said above I'm spending too much time messing about with basses and not enough time playing them (I'm a sucker for the word 'project'). I will however wait to see if I get a response from the seller first regarding a return and refund, although I'm not optimistic as it's past the 45 days instant refund stage and he came across as less than honest when I was dealing with him. I'll have to content myself with the word 'fraudulent' in his feedback.[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I I sell, I think £600 is a fair price, but ahead of selling it I will get verification on the parts that I'm in doubt about, namely the body.[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Might even part it out....[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Basses eh![/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Chris[/font][/color]

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

I wonder how much, (and is it worth doing) changing the colour to seafoam or yellow?

[Beedster]

[quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' timestamp='1432297362' post='2780141']
I wonder how much, (and is it worth doing) changing the colour to seafoam or yellow?
[/quote]

Ha ha, defo not my colour scheme mate!

Folks, I've had a few PMs on this, thanks for that. I perhaps indicated above that I'm after the eBay seller, I'm not, I really don't care to be honest, it's a lovely instrument and once I've verified that all parts are in fact original 70's USA Fender, I doubt it changes much (let's face it, most late 70's Fenders were bitsas when they left the factory). I've emailed the seller suggesting that he was, shall we say, economic with the truth, but I doubt much will happen.

All of the above taken in to account, I'm probably happy to sell it and equally happy to keep it, although if the latter the finish is coming off and that PUPs going where it should be!

Chris

[Chiliwailer]

Hey Chris, sorry to hear how this one has gone down but like you say there are some cool parts there and I can already feel my trousers flapping... and that bass isn't even going through an amp yet! Agreed that this could make an exciting 'project' (hehe) for someone, bet it sounds thunderous!

Good luck with the sale mate, doubt the seller will even register his shame. In my experience there ain't no changing people like that, and there are plenty of wolves in sheeps clothing.

[Beedster]

Thanks Dan, really not a problem, I've checked it all out and it's all as described above, that is all parts are authentic and original (the tuners and neckplate excepted), it's just they didn't all originate on the same instrument, which - Fender's late 70's QC being what it was - probably means it's a better instrument all round than had it left the factory as one! I'm not going to chase the seller despite the fact he's clearly dishonest so have left feedback to that effect and will get on with playing some bass rather than buying, selling, modifying etc! I want to keep this bass because it has a great core tone, but I don't need this bass, so I'm happy if it goes but won't be unhappy if it stays. £600 seems a very fair price all things considered so I hope someone who both wants [i]and[/i] needs it comes along and makes my mind up for me!

Cheers

Chris

[Geek99]

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1432296302' post='2780127']


[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Well, I wouldn't speak too soon Karl.....[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]It's on hold because I've just had a chat with a very well respected and long standing member who not only used to own this bass, but in fact actually put this bass together form parts. So, it's a bitsa, the degree of bitsa-ness yet to be confirmed as it's a while since the BCer did the work.[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]This has a couple of implications. Firstly whilst it might be all 70's USA parts - and I'm emphasising the might - it's likely not a restoration project, which makes me more inclined to keep it, strip it, fill the holes, oil it and play it. On that basis nothing has changed perhaps, it's still a cracking bass. [/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Second, I'm going to pursue the guy I bought it from, who told a story about the bass which clearly isn't true, and it appears that the original owner/builder pointed this out to him via the eBay listing and was ignored when he did. Even were the bass all original, the seller's description as to its originality and condition was so far off that it was laughable (for example, he suggested he was regularly playing it, but when I received it part of the neck tilt assembly was missing, and looked like it has been for some time, meaning that it didn't stay in tune for more than about 20 seconds due to the neck moving in play). I emailed the seller about this when I bought it and received no reply, so thought 'sod it', spent £150 and did some work and got it back to playable. [/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Anyway, i'm waiting for a response form the eBay seller. If I don't get one I'll keep the bass and reveal the full details of the eBay seller so you good folks can avoid him, especially if you are active in the live/pub circuit in Nottingham (he plays g****r in a Nottingham pub rock band) [/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]So, in short, I'm happy to sell it, as I said above I'm spending too much time messing about with basses and not enough time playing them (I'm a sucker for the word 'project'). I will however wait to see if I get a response from the seller first regarding a return and refund, although I'm not optimistic as it's past the 45 days instant refund stage and he came across as less than honest when I was dealing with him. I'll have to content myself with the word 'fraudulent' in his feedback.[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I I sell, I think £600 is a fair price, but ahead of selling it I will get verification on the parts that I'm in doubt about, namely the body.[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Might even part it out....[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Basses eh![/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Chris[/font][/color]
[/quote]
Well I'm in Nottingham so I for one would like a heads up so I can avoid him/her

[Beedster]

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1432412550' post='2781283']
Well I'm in Nottingham so I for one would like a heads up so I can avoid him/her
[/quote]

Doubt he'll be selling any basses for a while

Bump for the Telebass

[tredders]

Hmm, I am horribly tempted by this, Chris. Just needs the magic Uncle Horrid treatment to make it look new again, and my Telebass is currently on tour with Mr Panter again.

Give me a couple of hours to consider...!