Rick's Fine '52

[quote name='Telebass' post='1256304' date='Jun 4 2011, 11:13 AM']Oh, that would be great, a 2nd edition! In my way, I'm just as obsessed, just don't have the cash to go after it. However, not because the vintage stuff is in any way superior - it's not - but because this was the start of it all, bass-wise. On that score, vintage, especially the slabs, is great![/quote] I know these issues have been discussed to death, but in my experience, a good early P-Bass, is far superior to a good newer one. The 50's ones in particular are very special indeed, particularly from '55 to '59, the slim maple necks are just fantastic, and the warmth of tone, is just not something that has ever been reproduced by anyone since, even Fender. the slabs are great, and as they were the first, will always be highly prized, and theres something very special about playing one, but the necks are thicker than later ones, and not everyones cup of tea. The blonde body/maple neck/blackguard combo is unbeatable in my book.

I've always fancied one of these, more out of curiosity than anything else, so i bought one (The one with the tone & volume control - not much use without i think?), when it arrived, it looked fab, despite the fact that it weighed about a quarter of a tonne, so could only be played sitting down, which is fine for my purposes. Anyway, i tried to tune it, which was fine, i thought, until you started playing it, after the 9th fret, the intonation went completely, and the bass, was essentially unplayable. I contacted the seller (A shop), and the bass was returned/refunded without fuss or drama. Are they all like that, or did i get a bad 'un?? Are they actually playable basses, and do they offer anything different to an acoustic bass? Before wrapping it back up for sending back, i made a point of assessing the volume of it acoustically (As it is marketed as being very loud!), and i didnt think it was as loud as my 'regular' acoustic bass? Any comments from owners/players? (Apologies if this subject has been done to death, i've only been on here a week - if it has, and someone has a link to the thread, that would be great) Contemplating getting another, but unsure. I think its one i'd regret!?

[quote name='4-string-thing' post='1237496' date='May 19 2011, 10:11 PM']I hope this is irony, cos I've always found just the opposite! Bass players are always forward thinking and looking to try new equipment ie, graphite necks, composite bodies, new cab designs, class D amps etc etc. Guitarists can't seem to get beyond a strat, tele or les paul through a valve amp, all 50's technology![/quote] In my humble opinion, the best sound, to this day, is; Guitar: Les Paul Standard, Marshall Plexi 50 Bass: Fender Precision, Fender Bassman All up to 50 years old, and still the best.

[quote name='bremen' post='1255523' date='Jun 3 2011, 03:03 PM']You mean 'easily'.[/quote] Indeed.

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1255294' date='Jun 3 2011, 12:08 PM']They have a handful of good songs spanning the years and a promotion/managmet team who are astonishingly good at their jobs. As for "the best rock band on the planet"? Oh please. There I just did it. [/quote] I don't disagree, but i think they have stood the test of time, and they still produce original material, i think the '....Atom Bomb' LP, is their best since Achtung Baby, so maybe theyre getting better?? At least they still produce new material, and don't go round the stadiums, playing their 'hits'. At the end of the day, you start a rock band, because you want to play music, preferrably your own material, sell loads of albums, get lots of recognition, sell out stadiums, put on huge shows etc. Theyve done that, and some, and continue to do so. Their live shows are very entertaining, they dont just stand there and play the songs as they were released, like many, so-called 'big bands'. I think they get over criticised alot. As a band, they work, simple as that. Best Rock Band on The Planet? No, not for me, although who would you put against them??

[quote name='Lenny B' post='1255106' date='Jun 3 2011, 09:56 AM']That's very generous of you, but I was only joking! For one song, it wouldn't be worth it, but if I end up doing at some point a whole set of Mani, I may take you up on that... Cheers Len[/quote] No probs Len, anytime mate.

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1255302' date='Jun 3 2011, 12:13 PM']So we basically agree then. Cool. Just as long as you know that they don't do it out of the kindness of their heart, they do it so that more people give them money.[/quote] Of course, after all, that [i]is[/i] their business, is it not?

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1255275' date='Jun 3 2011, 11:59 AM']Why is that so great? So you can say "Look everyone, I have a Fender.... not a very good one... but it's a Fender"? Again, it's an image. [/quote] I didnt say it was great? I was just making a point that they have decided to make their instruments accessible to all. Spector basses were supposed to be good, then they made £300 versions, so they lsot credibility. Warwick did the same, everyone does it. DFender are just more honest about it. Didnt say it was 'great', in fact if you've ever seen an Indonesian Precision, they are anything [i]but[/i] great!

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='1255274' date='Jun 3 2011, 11:59 AM']I remember reading somewhere that Jamerson had a Bass V but hated it so much that he threw it across the studio saying 'Never let me play that thing again!'.[/quote] That made me laugh, and if you've ever played one, you would understand why!! They're not great players.

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1255222' date='Jun 3 2011, 11:30 AM']No other basses available in 1957? Gibson EB1 first produced in 1953 Rickenbacker 4000 first produced in 1957 Hofner 500/1 first produced in 1956[/quote] That was a comment aimed at the general music world in '57. Gibson EB1 - Nobody bought one Rickenbacker 4000 - Not marketed, almost nobody bought one, and the 4001, which came from the 4000, didnt really get off the ground until 7 years later, in '64 Hofner 500/1 - Only available in Germany, and again, almost nobody bought one until a certain Mr. M made it popular in '62/'63, again 6 years later. Fender Precision sales, whilst slow in the first 2 years (Mostly because people couldnt get their head around it, compared with uprights), very rapidly increased, consistently from 1953, to where they probably had a 95% of bass market share by '57.

" They haven't exactly been banging albums out and I guess they ran out of things to say" [/quote] Just like the Beatles then, plus, how many 'good' albums did they make?? I'm not defending U2, but i think its difficult to genuinly criticise them, and substantiate it, they have a pretty good defence against most comments i think??

[quote name='MacDaddy' post='1255234' date='Jun 3 2011, 11:38 AM']And Gibson started in the 50's with the Les Paul.[/quote] I was referring more generically to a signature/tribute bass, not as per Les Paul, or Chet Atkins etc, etc. Blimey, you get pulled up easy on here don't ya!! Jeeeez

[quote name='wesfinn' post='1255231' date='Jun 3 2011, 11:37 AM']It must be true that when you mention james Jamerson in a listing your profits will double... I have a load of old crap on ebay at the moment...I heard once that Jamerson may of had a load of old crap similar to mine laying about at some point too. Starting price £1200.00[/quote] Very true did he even play a Bass V??

[quote name='hillbilly deluxe' post='1255180' date='Jun 3 2011, 10:58 AM']what was the price of a new,say 1962 Precision,and how would that price sit in todays Fender line up ? I dont think that many Fender basses,apart from the really early ones,are particularly rare,but to find an unmolested one in good cosmetic condition is probably a lot more difficult. AC,could have been replaced at any time in his career,but hasnt.Im no fan of U2 for the fact that they just dont do it for me,but from what ive heard of them,i cant see anything wrong with his playing.[/quote] I have a 1957 Fender Catalogue & Price list. A Fender Precision in 1957 cost $225. After a little research (So don't shoot me), the average house price in California in 1957 was $4600, which works out at around 5% of the average house price. Todays market, with the average UK house price at £164k, would make a new fender P Bass at £8,000. Not sure what this tells you though?? This is not really comparable though, because at the time, in '57, there were no other basses available, so there is no comparism, as to whether Fenders were expensive, or cheap. They certainly didnt cheap out on quality parts in the 50's, and everything was hand finsihed. It wasnt until the mid 60's when they got cheap alternatives of almost all components, and started the 'production line' system of mass production.

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1255148' date='Jun 3 2011, 10:24 AM']Fender are the world leader in terms of sales... but in order to maintain this position and remain competitive, this has lead to them being basically a fashion brand... a vast amount of their sales are due to people buying an image not the essence of the instrument (and certainly not the quality) hence all the different style versions of the same meat 'n' veg. [/quote] I think there's 2 way's of looking at this. there's the purists view, that Fender's, made by true craftsmen, and luthiers, like they were 'back in the day', hand finished, and generally made with care, and attention to detail, were desirable, and remain so to this day. Vintage fenders are highly prized, not just for their collectibility, and rarity, but also because they play, and sound fantastic. the Custom Shop are, in their own way, trying to give that level of detail, and time. fender have also given everyone, despite budget restrictions, the opportunity to own a Fender. Obviously the price will dictate the quality, and some of the chinese/indonesian fenders do lack some of the finesse, but they have made a decsiion to make their brand accessible to all, which has made them the Worlds biggest instrument manufacturer. I think everyone recognises that a Chinese Precision for £120 brand new, is not going to compare to a £3000 Masterbuilt Model. Most manufacturers, even the high-end ones, have almost all succumbed to the eastern manufacturing lure, and now offer far cheaper models as a result. Because Fender are now so big, you can buy the very best thing they make, all handmade etc, for less than £3k, or around that figure, which i think is reasonable, compared with some other basses at that kind price. There is a demand for signature guitars, which Fender started in the 80's, everyone is on the bandwagon, and Fender are cheaper than all of them. they are also trying to attract beginners with these models, take the Mike Dirnt model P-Bass. Its mexican, and you can get one for £250. If you don't like the AC Gold Edition, then don't buy it, personally i dont like it either, but i bet they sell them all. Oh, and No, i don't work for Fender, i just think they do things better than most. Something for everyone.

[quote name='Lenny B' post='1255052' date='Jun 3 2011, 09:06 AM']Any chance...er... I could possibly.... borrow... the Mani Rick for it...? [/quote] To be honest, i'd be happy to lend it, but the pickup wires need soldering to the pots. The wiring harness is complete, and soldered, but not the p'ups. I've soldered fender wires to pots, which is easy, as its solid core, but with Rickenbackers, its braided wire, and i wouldnt have a clue how to do that, and i dont know anyone local who i could take it to. I must try and organise it, and if you're gigging later on, then i'd be happy to farm it out for action, no probs there at all.

[quote name='Lenny B' post='1254836' date='Jun 2 2011, 11:37 PM']That looks fantastic, what a great job I'm playing She Bangs The Drum at a gig in a couple of weeks, so have been dusting off the 1st album and rediscovering it - great stuff![/quote] Thanks Lenny, good luck with the 'Bangs' cover, i hope the gig go's well. Oh, and yes, it is a great album, true classic.

[quote name='hairyhaw' post='1251194' date='May 31 2011, 10:41 AM']I think the best recorded example of the 4005 would be "Going Down" - nice mellow growl. That's probably your best frame of reference. Anybody known the last time Mani actually gigged with it? He's pretty attached to his 3000's these days.[/quote] I think the last time he used it was in 1990, i read somewhere that he never used it after 'The War Of The Roses', with Silvertone. He used a sunburst Precision at Spike Island. Second coming tour he used two different 3000/1's, and an EB3. His original 4005 is now on show at the 'British Music Experience' exhibition, at the O2 Arena, if its still on, i went about 12 months ago, but i think its a resident expo?? Here's a pic of the bass, and JS's clothes from the Elephent Stone photo shoot, with the huge perspex sheet, and lots of paint. [attachment=81584:1231.jpg] Nice...

[quote name='Telebass' post='1253924' date='Jun 2 2011, 01:23 PM']Howdy! I play slabs also. Reissues only, though! Still a great bass by any standards, and a tribute to the rightness of Leo's thinking![/quote] Howdy to you telebass. they are very cool basses, no doubt, rare example of someone getting it right first time around, which when you consider there was no benchmark, no comparable, completely new concept, and they are still making the exact same basses today, its quite incredible.

[quote name='AndyTravis' post='1254409' date='Jun 2 2011, 06:51 PM']I follow Fender Custom Shop on twitter... They've just announced an Adam Clayton precision bass, looks a bit pants, but nicer than the reverso! I know as a player he divides opinion, I think he suits U2 well, and it's a bit too easy to slate him, I appreciate his playing, just not his taste in basses, or his singer... [url="https://twitter.com/fendercustom/status/76084584307113985"]https://twitter.com/fendercustom/status/76084584307113985[/url] In other news, this bass is fit [url="https://twitter.com/fendercustom/status/75693655033249792"]https://twitter.com/fendercustom/status/75693655033249792[/url] So, what will Warwick boys be least chuffed about today, how many reversos have they sold anyhow?![/quote] Agree on the AC divides opinion. Personally, i think his playing suits U2 perfectly, and don't think they would be the same without him. I like bass players to hold down the rythym section of a band, and not try and be too clever, or complex, i like his playing. Listen to the bass line on their song Vertigo (I think thats what its called, its the opening track on the ...Atom Bomb" LP), its very deeeeep indeed. The other thing i like about him, is that he is one of the coolest bass players in the world. Also, just imagine being paid as much as he does, to play those lines 20 nights every 2 years!! On the gold sparkle issue, definitely a 'marmite' thing there. The original '64's are super rare indeed. Not my cup of tea though.

[quote name='Telebass' post='1253933' date='Jun 2 2011, 01:27 PM']Wow Rick, if Detlef Schmidt had known about your collection, you'd probably have featured rather prominently in his book on 51-54 Precisions! Wow! Again, wow![/quote] I didnt know about him, or his book, until 3 months after it was published, and even then only made contact by chance. I've since had lots of discussions with him since though, and he is hoping to a second issue, as he has had contact from another 30 owners, so would be far more comprehensive. Nice bloke is Detlef. It's rare to find someone equally obsessed with pre-57 Precisions.

[quote name='uke' post='1253246' date='Jun 1 2011, 10:22 PM']Ok, competition time! How many holes under the bridge ? Under the bridge mind! don't count the "6" round the bridge! I would love to have a look! [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FENDER-1973-PRECISION-P-BASS-RELIC-NEW-CASE-/140558946801?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item20b9f751f1"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FENDER-1973-PRECISIO...=item20b9f751f1[/url][/quote] Thats nothing, if you're talking about unneccessary holes destroying a fine bass, take a look at the pics this guy has on this ad... [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1956-Fender-Precision-Bass-Vintage-Sunburst-Tone-Mojo-/120659323512?pt=Guitar&hash=item1c17db2a78"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1956-Fender-Precisio...=item1c17db2a78[/url] Makes you cry!!