The Bass Doc

[quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1327230385' post='1507954']
Many thanks Howard, don't suppose you've got one kicking around somewhere?

[/quote]

$27 shipping - that's not nice.

As it happens, I've got a base plate from that model but, strangely enough, no saddles. Vintage style spiral saddles are available separately from Allparts (not particularly Fender ones) so we might be able to get you there?

Edit:- Note the plate I have does not cater for top loading option - through body only.

You need Fender part no. 005-8396-000.

$40.00 from darrenriley in the US of A.

Yup, that's exactly the way it went.

The man himself will not know the connection with that rather, lets say, 'quirky' emporium.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1326976745' post='1504536']
This is incredibly cool.

Was it a 'local' bass?
[/quote]

It was indeed a local bass played by local people. I was told by most shops at the time "There's nothing for you here".

Then suddenly an 'insider' from....................wait for it.................................Grott Guitars approached me to offer said instrument!

It was not part of their stock but privately owned and, after giving it the once over I immediately knew it was a good example.

As it happens, I think any Precision played by Pino would have become iconic as a result of his obvious talent although there was no way of knowing then that there would be keen interest in such a thing as a tribute model - it was just a secondhand Fender bass afer all.

[quote name='BassBod' timestamp='1326970136' post='1504377']
Love it...£450?! Nice one Doc....
[/quote]

It [i]might [/i]have been £490.00. Think I should ask him for another instalment?

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1326967192' post='1504308']
What's the story there, then?
[/quote]

Are you sitting comfortably?.......

Long, long ago......

I was contacted by exiled Geordie Alan Rogan (Guitar tech for The Who among others) who told me Pino Palladino was seeking a Precision bass in order to change direction after becoming aware that his fretless sound was being cloned in quite a few recordings at the time. Being based dahn sarf it was felt he would be paying a premium for a decent bass in the likes of Denmark Street and that better bargains could be had up North. That was true then (pre-internet and all) so I was asked to track down a pre-CBS bass as I had my finger on the pulse as far as North-east basses were concerned and had already done deals with Alan involving early Fenders so he knew I would be able to find the right piece.

Sure enough, I found THAT one - a fiesta red re-fin, all hardware original and priced it at £450.00 IIRC. After speaking to Pino directly, it was parcelled up and sent to him after I re-strung it with La Bella flats. This was in the belief that he would be going for the 'old school' sound and those strings were best suited to a 60s Precision. It turned out that Pino changed to rounds pretty quickly but then reported a few days later that he thought I was right after all and put the flats back on.

The rest, as they say.......

Quite proud of the connection, but it's ironic that, being retired now, I couldn't even afford one of the tribute models based on the one we dealt.

In interwiews, I don't suppose he would disclose who supplied his fiesta red Precision all those years ago

Completed a smooth deal with Shonks today. What a nice man

[quote name='Stacker' timestamp='1326631412' post='1499660']
Are the Fender CS pups cloth wired and have the raised pole pieces? I so, I'll have them.
[/quote]

Replied via PM.

PM'd

BT8 still available and at last year's price!

£32.00 posted.

PM to agree payment method.

Just completed a transaction involving strings to Poland.

In spite of the fact that the postal service over there is on a par with Royal Fail, Immo's communications were great.

He's a good man to deal with.

Can you be sure the inserts are absolutely flush (or even slightly 'inover')? Any minute ridge that cannot even be measured will have an effect on the setup in the same way as a shim.

Well it's next year now, so........

BUMP.

You'll be happy to know that's definitely 70s position.

Just had a meet with WoT and this new addition to the herd.

Nice one indeed! Nearly had to take a saw to my wrist once I had a death grip on the thing.

Very versatile in the electronics department for a passive circuit and yet every setting provided something useable as opposed to extreme.

Finish is mint - looks like it was made yesterday.

We pondered over which type of tortoiseshell to use but it's not coming back for that until a couple of more gigs go by.

I claim first dibs if it's ever up for sale ..........doubtful .

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1325894799' post='1489684']
Yeah, I've seen a pic of that floating about.
[/quote]

I've seen it in the flesh! - I think he called it 'Old Smoothie'.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1325864347' post='1489045']
what's the craic with the pups?
[/quote]

Strings in between pole pieces = warm.

( I happen to know Sterling Ball had a Stingray made by Leo in the early days with a 5-string pickup fitted for the same reason)

OT......They reckon Clark Gable was built like a hoose end....

I just hope the carrier chaps handle the thing carefully - Sue Ryders can be a bit delicate.

I'll get back to you eventually pet. I'm just checking the Basschat forum to see if anybody's sussed wateroftyne's new squeeze.

The lassie in question doesn't seem to have been overly impressed.

The bloke is now watching a certain type of programme on the TV and is making use of those 'through' pockets in his suit

I reckon it's a 7-string Alembic fretless with leds, a built-in iphone and kindle. Not that unusual really.

Cheers Chris,

We did comply with the smoking ban (eventually). Lots of people miss the old place but (semi)retirement beckoned and I must say I'm happier just tinkering in the workshop.

Bugger, I've only loaned it to WoT and it looks like I won't get it back till next year......