Rick's Fine '52

[quote name='Hutton' timestamp='1325976516' post='1490716'] This looks like a very nice bass but surely not in the price bracket that the seller is expecting. I have a glorious 1984 USA Precision which would struggle to get near the £1000 mark in the current economic climate let alone £1450. Some say that the quality of the JV precision would surpass the USA offering of the same period but I would not in a month of Sundays swap my 84 for a JV. It seems to be so difficult to value instruments at the present time but I suppose something is only worth what someone is willing to pay. [/quote] From my experience, and knowledge of collecting both vintage US, and JV instruments, i would have to say the '82 Precision at the top of this thread, would be more desirable, collectible, and more valuable than a similar vintage US model. It's certainly far rarer. This is a very collectable instrument, whereas i would argue that an 80's US instrument (Any Fender model), isn't. There is a difference however, between something that is a great instrument, and something that is collectible. I'm sure an '84 P is a very nice instrument, but its not rare, or sought after by collectors, and when instruments are, they fall into a different league, and collectors can get very competitive when it comes to bidding, and owning these things. An April '82 export JV Bass would certainly fall into both of these categories though, as being both great, and collectible. It is, as you rightly say, very difficult to value instruments at the moment, as the economic climate, means it's a bit of a buyers market out there, certainly for more 'common' vintage or rare stuff. I've certainly seen some bargains out there over the past 12 months, yet similarly, been surprised at some items fetching what i would consider to be high prices. It is difficult to value, which is why i don't blame people for starting auctions, especially of rare items like this, at high prices, because they could very well sell immediately. The only truth in buying and selling [i]anything[/i] though, is exactly what you said, "something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it...........at that particular moment in time".

[quote name='KK Jale' timestamp='1325959360' post='1490465'] Lovely. I bitterly regret the Fender-logo J I hesitated on years ago. Did these two come with factory covers and fingerrests? Sorry if this has been asked before. [/quote] The J is a very early one. Its actually listed and shown on the official JV site, which states it has the earliest known neck date of any Fender Squire JV, and is beleived to be an early prototype. It has some features not included on the regular JV's, including factory covers, individual string mute assembly, slab neck, over body ground wire, and close thread tuners. So it came as is, and i've had it since '84. The P didnt come with covers though, i added them when i purchased it, just looks better with 'em, simple as that. Both came with fingerrests.

I have 2 of these, a matching pair of P & J. They are extremely rare, far rarer than a CS model, and in my opinion better quality in build and sound quality, certainly more 'vintage correct' than the newer CS models. These will also appreciate in value, whereas the CS models with either hold, or deppreciate. There is also quite a hardcore JV following, and the April/May 1982 export series are the most sought after JV models out there. Having said that, i agree, i think he's asking big money, although to be fair, they turn up rarely, and it could have sold in an hour, it was definitely worth a try, although I'm unsure why he originally had a 'best offer' option, and then removed it, and made it buy now only?? I would have thought leaving the best offer was his best bet of guaging any sensible repsonse?? Excellent basses though, here's my pair; [attachment=96682:latest pics 005.jpg]

[quote name='dafonky' timestamp='1325785298' post='1487709'] ok....post deleted can't count anymore with all these beauties..... [/quote] I was being facetious, its a lovely bass, worthy of staying put!!

[quote name='Johnnysonic' timestamp='1325592563' post='1484725'] Unfortunately not! The only one I know of is owned by Guy Pratt and I don't think he's selling! [/quote] That's a crap one anyway, it has EMG's fitted, wouldn't give £100 for it!!!

[quote name='dafonky' timestamp='1325705031' post='1486458'] my 66' precision, defretted.....with EMG's.....[attachment=96461:!BS-f0Ew!2k~$(KGrHgoOKj!EjlLm,WqpBKGBZ2)H9Q~~_0.JPG] [/quote] Does this count??

[quote name='Johnnysonic' timestamp='1325507174' post='1483672'] Here's one of my '64s. [/quote] Lovely. My favourite Fender Custom Colour, Burgundy Mist, stunning!! Do you have a matching Jazz you want to sell???

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1325469955' post='1483500'] A quick question as you appear to have the basses to answer it! You have the three Precisions that represent the full transition from the original '52/slab to the '58 that we know now recognise as the standard P-Bass. I'm assuming the '52 has a slab body, the '56 a tummy/forearm contour and the '58 it pretty much the P-Bass that [i]everyone [/i]knows. Headstock shape and stomach/forearm routing aside, are the body shapes all identical? It's been something that I've wanted to know for a while, but felt stupid asking...the shapes of the scratchplate(s)/control plates kind of mask what's going on with the body shape. Cheers P [/quote] Not a stupid question at all, and something that is anything but obvious. The simple answer is yes, the outside shape of the body is the same on all 3 models. The bakelite black pickguards on the recently contoured '54 Precisions were trimmed slightly, to allow for the reduction in 'finished' body size, although this is far too slight to be obvious to the eye. This is also why pickguards from the Sting reissues do not fit the japanese slab body '51 reissues. The difference is quite subtle, about 7mm all the way round. The first of the contour bodies had a much sharper contour on the upper part of the body (Where the forearm lays), and is quite stark and angular (This appears on the first 2-3 months of the transition), after this, they made the contour much softer, once they had the stratocaster in production, and realised the smoother contour was far more comfortable, and pleasing on the eye! The '58 body shape is identical to the '56, with regards to contours [i]and[/i] overall size, the only difference here, is the routing for the split coil pickup and the different, elongated control cavity, everything else is the same. Hope this helps Here's my '56 & '58; [attachment=96209:PA260001.JPG] [attachment=96210:portraitcrop.jpg] Happy New Year.

My fave bass, new pic taken today. [attachment=96198:Basschat Pic.jpg]

[quote name='jonthebass' timestamp='1298752018' post='1142796'] Here's mine - A 2000 Les Paul Standard Bass: [/quote] I love that. Probably the only Gibson bass I could ever be pursuaded to buy, (having dabbled in Gibboland enough not to try again), a honeyburst les paul standard, stunning, scarce model in the UK too. Nice one.

I actually find NKR to be very reasonable, far more than Denmark Street Vintage dealers. When NKR get a genuine rare guitar (I dont mean a ´65 strat, or a ´64 Precision), like a ´58 Les Paul, a ´52 Precision, a ´59 ES335, or a ´64 4001S, then tend to market it at top dollar, because there´s every chance they will sell it, as the rarest birds out there will always generate interest, and top money, especially if all original. On the other hand though, you can pick up more ´regular´vintage gear for very sensible prices, certainly when compared to V&R. They are also very straight talking when it comes to haggling. I´ve got some pretty reasonable discounts before down there. By the way, i have absolutely no affiliation with the shop (And no, the owner is a different Rick , before anyone asks!), but i have bought a few pieces from them in the past. Although i know opinions are purely based on personal experience. BTW, the ´59 EB2 is [i]not[/i] open to offers.....I´ve tried!! Its actually a mid ´60 Bass, no case. Stunning condition though, I´m just fussy,a nd want it with a case.

Very nice Precison, thats probably the most worn body i've seen!!, I bet it could tell a few stories! What is it? '62?? I have a few of my own, let me know if you want me to post any pics (See below) BTW, are you selling it?

I have a Fender tweed version, which to be honest, apart from the badge, is probably built exactly the same. Its built very well, and i move it around, it shows no sign of wear at all, latches are strong etc, for the price of the ones on your link, i reckon theyre an absolute steal, and well worth a punt! Here's my 3 guitar version, i also have a 7 guitar version, which is identical (Except bigger ), both are built very sturdily. [attachment=95372:Bass Rack 007.jpg]