Shambo Posted December 23, 2016 Share Posted December 23, 2016 I've had a long term itch for a natural Fender Precision. Nothing fancy. I'm too much of a prole to order anything bespoke. 2nd hand and a bit battered better suits my wallet and conscience. The kind of 60/70's precision with a black scratch plate and a maple board I USED to see all the time... new Fenders, old Fenders that had been stripped, Japanese Re-Issues. Just a passive, plain natural Precision. But where are they all now? Nearest I can find in the current Fender catalogue is an active, Elite PJ thingy that I don't want and can't afford. I've had one eye on the marketplace here for a suitable bass and spotted nothing for what seems like forever. I trawl ebay worldwide looking for the Jap version and find nothing but expensive 70's American instruments. I've even taken to watching in the 'Other musical items' forum for a suitable body I might mate with a Fender neck, but haven't seen the right thing for me yet. Sometimes I think I might have to buy a Warmoth body with a vintage tint and mate it to an equally expensive Fender neck. What are my options? Why is this classic combo so difficult to find? Am I not looking in the right places? [attachment=234518:1981s9precision2.jpg] (this sort of thing, an example that got away) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
police squad Posted December 23, 2016 Share Posted December 23, 2016 There are Jap reissues. This is a fretless one that I have. They are out there, you just have to search and be patient Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted December 23, 2016 Share Posted December 23, 2016 Does it have to be a Fender? [url="https://public-peace.de/index.php/bass-guitars/maruszczyk/jake/4-string/1205-jake-4p-human-nature140248"]How about one of these?[/url] (Also available without the bridge pup..) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambo Posted December 23, 2016 Author Share Posted December 23, 2016 For me, it does have to be a Fender. Partly because I've just wanted to own such an iconic instrument for a while and partly for eventual resale purposes... I don't tend to keep a bass for more than a few years. Preferably American, but I'd be happy to find a Jap or Mex version. Last time I saw one for sale on here was about a year ago, somebody had mated a Mex neck and parts with an after market body. The price was right at around £300/400, but I was skint at the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambo Posted December 23, 2016 Author Share Posted December 23, 2016 [quote name='police squad' timestamp='1482495917' post='3201031'] There are Jap reissues. This is a fretless one that I have. They are out there, you just have to search and be patient [/quote] I've spent many hours looking for the Jap re-issue. They don't turn up very often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcater Posted December 23, 2016 Share Posted December 23, 2016 I must admit this is my favourite. I bought one of these new in 1976, there is just something about the natural wood, black scratch plate and maple neck that looks so great. Mine now shows lots of wear but I don't care, it's great. Good luck with your search Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted December 23, 2016 Share Posted December 23, 2016 I could have hooked you up with someone with a full blown genuine USA mid 70's bass but it'd be way out of the MIJ MIM 'Bitsa' range! :/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted December 23, 2016 Share Posted December 23, 2016 This thread has some options: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/191799-precision-in-natural/ The amber Squier VM is actually pretty close to natural! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drTStingray Posted December 23, 2016 Share Posted December 23, 2016 (edited) Natural bodied Fender basses were a real 70s thing. Look just as good with a white scratch plate as well. You'll see lots of people on film, especially in R and B, using them in that era. It was the bass I really wanted at one stage (the 70s). It's also a classic Musicman colour, starting in that era also, and even Gibson offered it with their Grabber/Ripper IIRC. Good thing is you can actually buy a new Musicman in that spec - I suppose Fender have catered with the 70s Jazz reissues - I don't think they've done it with the P, but it was the look/sound of the early 70s for soul/funk - some might argue a golden era for bass playing and bass players. Good examples of original basses are quite good value to buy and crop up from time to time and I have been tempted. When you compare with the price of 60s stuff which, with a handful of notable exceptions of players, is hardly an iconic era for Fender bass!! I guess it's the CBS stigma... Edited December 23, 2016 by drTStingray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted December 23, 2016 Share Posted December 23, 2016 [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1482509617' post='3201208'] This thread has some options: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/191799-precision-in-natural/"]http://basschat.co.u...ion-in-natural/[/url] The amber Squier VM is actually pretty close to natural! [/quote] Yeah, the Squier VM is a nice bass for the money - I like mine a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted December 23, 2016 Share Posted December 23, 2016 I've got one but you can't have it. Sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexbasscat Posted December 23, 2016 Share Posted December 23, 2016 [quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1482529939' post='3201359'] I've got one but you can't have it. Sorry. [/quote] That's a ringer for one I used to have, all the way down to the white scratchplate (which is my favourite). I'd buy it back in a heartbeat if I had the chance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted December 24, 2016 Share Posted December 24, 2016 [quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1482529031' post='3201354'] Yeah, the Squier VM is a nice bass for the money - I like mine a lot. [/quote] I've had the white one but never the natural / def consider it though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gareth Posted December 24, 2016 Share Posted December 24, 2016 [IMG]http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r100/garethadavies/Fender%20Precision%20Natural/DSC03418_zpsf4txryxh.jpg[/IMG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambo Posted December 24, 2016 Author Share Posted December 24, 2016 [quote name='gareth' timestamp='1482587203' post='3201623'] [/quote] Yes. That's the simple look I'm after, used but not abused. I can't afford that though, (the top of my imaginary budget would be about £800 for a USA model), and the thing is, even if I could afford it, I'd spend more time worrying about it being nicked than playing it. I'm thinking my realistic way forward is to buy a second hand precision, force it to have sex with an after market body, then sell the original body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted December 24, 2016 Share Posted December 24, 2016 (edited) Would you take a very close 'law suit' model as an option Shambo? As an example, I have a 76 model and when it came to do some upgrades I just put official Fender parts on. The thing that made me chuckle is that the pickguard I put on the bass didn't need any new holes drilling! You don't even get that between Fender's own models he he! I'll post a picture of my own Ash/Maple beauty in a bit. Edited December 24, 2016 by dood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted December 24, 2016 Share Posted December 24, 2016 https://instagram.com/p/BDWIPHykbpN/ Hopefully this link will work via my mobile. Funnily, I have a really nice Fender neck here that I am looking for a CIJ Alder body. That's taking a bit of time to find I can tell you as I want a natural one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambo Posted December 24, 2016 Author Share Posted December 24, 2016 [quote name='dood' timestamp='1482590457' post='3201653'] [url="https://instagram.com/p/BDWIPHykbpN/"]https://instagram.com/p/BDWIPHykbpN/[/url] Hopefully this link will work via my mobile. Funnily, I have a really nice Fender neck here that I am looking for a CIJ Alder body. That's taking a bit of time to find I can tell you as I want a natural one! [/quote] That looks very nice but... it doesn't look exactly like the bass I have in my minds eye. Is it the fretboard radius? The pickguard? Knobs? Bridge? Perhaps just the angle of the photo. My head tells me I should be just as happy with a quality lawsuit Ibby or Tokkai but my heart says it's not the everyman Fender I hanker after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted December 24, 2016 Share Posted December 24, 2016 Well there bridge and knobs definitely aren't stock so could be that. Standard radius and Fender pickguard. It could be the black knobs and the bridge is a bit shiny for a real 1976er. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted December 25, 2016 Share Posted December 25, 2016 There is a '65 on gumtree with 'history' and the scars to show, but You may have to either barter v hard, or go broke! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted December 25, 2016 Share Posted December 25, 2016 https://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/1965-fender-precision-bass/1200656437 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Dunky Posted December 25, 2016 Share Posted December 25, 2016 [quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1482495917' post='3201032'] Does it have to be a Fender? [url="https://public-peace.de/index.php/bass-guitars/maruszczyk/jake/4-string/1205-jake-4p-human-nature140248"]How about one of these?[/url] (Also available without the bridge pup..) [/quote] That.......is stunning..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambo Posted December 25, 2016 Author Share Posted December 25, 2016 [quote name='Cuzzie' timestamp='1482661879' post='3202119'] [url="https://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/1965-fender-precision-bass/1200656437"]https://www.gumtree....bass/1200656437[/url] [/quote] That looks like a bass with a story or two to tell... but it's too rosewood and genuinely priced. If I had £2.5K, burning a hole in my pocket I wouldn't want to spend it on a bass. I feel that expensive things kind of end up owning you. You have to worry about it and provide security for it. Could anybody recommend a UK luthier to supply a 70's style, natural P-Bass body finished with a 'vintage tint'? Nothing 'coffee table' fancy, alder or swamp ash, not too heavy and not too valuable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted December 25, 2016 Share Posted December 25, 2016 http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/115781810/fender-usa-5-string-precision-bass-case.html?link=%2Fclassifieds%2Fall%2Fuk%2Fsecond%2Bhand%2Bfender%2Bprecision%2Bbass%2Bguitars It's a 5 banger I know, but I am sure there are things out there I would also say do not be afraid to import from USA, sometimes it works out cheaper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted December 25, 2016 Share Posted December 25, 2016 Considered an LB-100 from G&L it's quality, essentially a Fender. Would you do a Warmouth build? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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