Rayman

Very nice to get me mits on those last night Peter, the ACG and the Overwater are, of course, outstanding, but that G&L was the big surprise to me, superb bass that. Of course, I was [i]very[/i] taken with Alans' Sandberg too, but that [i]Sadowsky[/i] ? Strewth, that's special.

Top bloke Dave, and a top player.

Where is the bass stored between playing? I sweat like a glass blowers arse during gigs, and my strings last me months rather than weeks, and I don't clean them. I just wondered if the bass was stored in a high humidity area, or somewhere cold/damp?

Here's a few pics of my latest acquisition, a 1978 Fender Precision care of Paul. All original we [i]think[/i], apart from the chrome pickup cover which was just added by me. Very happy with it indeed, but a couple of gigs should give me a better indication of sound. It seems punchy actually, admittedly it has a new set of Super Slinkys on it, but it certainly has some nice attack to it. Definitely keeping the pickup covers on it, and apart from the Dunlop straplocks (I've kept the original buttons of course) it'll absolutely stay exactly as is. Shame my lovely Overwater had to go to pay for it, but, needs must. Don't ask me if it's a keeper, many of you know me by now, and know that I can't answer that, but I'm very happy with it.

I guess if it was me I'd be looking for vintage Fenders, a good example that plays and sounds nice, but will hold it's value too. However, I suppose I'd be looking at Fodera and Overwater too.

[quote name='Rowbee' post='460395' date='Apr 12 2009, 10:15 AM']Dammit, I wish I lived in Norwich, that sounds like one of my ideal gigs![/quote] +3

Top chap. I took delivery of a rather splendid '78 Precision from Paul and was over the moon. Highly recommended.

I'd love a '65 jazz, for a couple of reasons. I got a good look at Jolanda Charles' '65 at bass day a couple of years back and fell in love with it. It's also the year of my birth. Pure nostalgia reasons I guess, but that would probably be my ultimate goal, to have one. Don't s'pose it'll happen any time soon though. I think that generally the RI & CS basses made today are of the highest quality and playability, and I've certainly got my eye on a couple, but you can't inject them with the history and mojo of a genuinely old bass. Older basses have a "quality" that only years of love and abuse can create, even my mid 80's BB3000S had something about it, can't put my finger on what, but god I wish I still had it. Why do people have a Ford Mondeo on the drive, and an Escort Mexico in the garage for weekends? Why do people read the Telegraph but have some 1960's Marvel comics on the bookshelves? Nostalgia. A love for things that remind them of their youth. To me [i]personally[/i] basses are no different.

[quote name='dlloyd' post='488609' date='May 15 2009, 10:30 AM']I still have difficulties with the idea of 70s Fenders being vintage instruments... They're old, right enough, but in the 1980s you couldn't shift them... the perception being that they were awful instruments, not just compared to pre-CBS instruments, but also in comparison with new ones. When did they suddenly get 'good'?[/quote] They didn't. It's purely nostalgia and rose tinted specs from the buyers point of view. I've wanted a 70's Fender for years, because it was my era, it was when I first got into music, and my bass is from 1978, the actual year I bought my first album. Pure nostalgia, that's all it is for me. I just think the bass will have a [i]vibe[/i] that resonates through it from all those years of music. All in my head? Probably, but it makes me happy.

[quote name='Dr.Dave' post='488567' date='May 15 2009, 09:55 AM']I love it - but I don't really know if it's a good example , just that it feels good to me.[/quote] That's it Dave, at the end of the day that's all that matters. Who cares if the bass costs a couple hunred quid, or a couple of grand? If it's right for you, then the money's irrelavant. Having had a go on your 73 in Colne a handful of years back Dave, in my opinion, I think you're got a cracker.

Nice bike mate, is that you in the avatar?

[quote name='stingrayfan' post='488531' date='May 15 2009, 09:22 AM']Old Fenders feel like antiques![/quote] A bit like me Yes Al, I'm sure you're right. I can't wait to get my hands on it later on, and I know it's coming from a good seller. Very excited.

I'm picking up a '78 Precision later today, and as excited as I am, I must confess to being nervous about whether or not it'll be as amazing as I hope. It could be comfy, dripping with mojo and everything I'm looking for, or, it could just be a beat up old P bass. I'll let you know tomorrow. I've never owned a "vintage" Fender before, so I have no idea what to expect, but I'm [i]hoping[/i] for a [i]vibe[/i] as much as anything like WOT points out. I also think the price I've paid is fair too, and I agree that many of the old Fender I've seen have been vastly over priced IMO. My other bass is a battered Fender H1 Jazz, and I'm hoping they'll partner each other well live, and whether or not there will be any great difference between two Fenders made 30 years apart I really don't know.

Groan....can't believe I'm chipping in but....... Why can't people just live and let live? You dig an artist, [i]whoever[/i] it is, so you buy and enjoy thier stuff. If you [i]don't[/i] dig said artist, then don't listen to them. Victor is an outstanding musician, anyone who can't see that is a moron. Some like his style, some don't, who gives a sh*t either way??

Mikeh is selling an outstanding MIM Pbass in the for sale section for only a fraction more than your budget, give Mike a shout, top fella.