The Bass Doc

[quote name='voxpop' post='1171710' date='Mar 22 2011, 08:03 AM']I really want to buy an old P bass but unfortunately have resisted because I would not be able to tell a fake. This is making me very frustrated as the Market ( eBay ) seems to be flooded with fakes.[/quote] One of the benefits of this forum is that the combined knowledge of fellow Basschatters should keep any risk to a minimum, if not eliminate it [color="#9932CC"]altogether[/color]. (EVERYBODY:- "One of the benefits of this forum is that the combined knowledge of fellow Basschatters should keep any risk to a minimum, if not eliminate it."

The connections are with me (Howard), Jim Cairnes, and Overwater, so I suggest it's a Howjiwatermercallit Custom Six.

Neck/tuners are El Cheapo - clever use of a fake decal. Avoid.

I'm now thinking that body has been created separately with some kind of connection with Overwater ('guvvy job', to those who know the expression) and a project was completed with a Jim Cairnes neck following a specification which was common for the Bass Place in Newcastle at the time. Whatever the provenance you have a splendid instrument at a bargain price. Delving any deeper would not be particularly beneficial.

That type can be obtained from CHguitars - 9 volt flat battery box No. 3.

I'm sure the shop I ran a while back couldn't have fitted an Overwater bridge so the body remains a bit of a mystery. Any chance you could post a pic of the inside of the control cavity? This may or may not help! Howard.

[quote name='goblin' post='1165627' date='Mar 17 2011, 12:14 PM']So has it possibly had an Overwater body put on it at some point then?[/quote] That's the most likely explanation. H.

[quote name='goblin' post='1165620' date='Mar 17 2011, 12:06 PM']Ah right, was Howard anything to do with OW?[/quote] Not really - we knew each other though. You've got yourself a bargain there.....the original price in the 90's would have been £1,000. Howard.

That neck was made for a customer of mine by Jim Cairnes some years ago. The body shape would have been different and I'm assuming the Overwater connection would have involved making a custom body at a later time. The original body shape would have been as per the following picture as it was one of a series of about ten 6-string basses I produced in conjunction with Jim before my retirement form the Bass Place. About half of them carried the Tobias style headstock and the later ones as under:- [attachment=74983:DCFC0410.JPG]

Bottomendian please resist adding to this thread.

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1163362' date='Mar 15 2011, 05:17 PM']On a slightly more serious note, is that really a Mosrite? The headstock doesn't look right at all.[/quote] I think it's a variation known as a Moresh!te.

[quote name='Paul S' post='1163195' date='Mar 15 2011, 03:14 PM']Would you need to be flush to afford one?[/quote] Well let's say it would drain your resources.

[quote name='Nostromo' post='1162932' date='Mar 15 2011, 11:54 AM']forever in your debt[/quote] I may remind you of this at regular intervals during the coming months/years. Posting the packet off today....knobs to you.

You're in luck. Found a pair in my spares box. They'll cost you a tenner but you will be as happy as a man with two knobs.

These are the same as fitted to the early Precision Lyte basses. I may have some in a spares box from way back when a mate changed the circuit in his Lyte. I'll have a look later today. In the meantime, nearest equivalent (without the 'F') is Allparts No. PK-0183-023.

Allparts No. BP-2125-001 gets you 4 knurled saddles with length screws and springs. £14.40 + postage. Maybe try them and report on any perceived improvement in tone?

This has got to be 100% original and vintage and I should know as I'm an exerpt on vintage Finder bases. I actually met the legendery Lionel Colin Fender in 2003 and can verify that he told me himself that every bass he made was just as this happens so she must be correct. I am Morethan Semen..........thank you for listening.

I think that somewhere in my collection I have an instrument that is similar to one that Paul McCartney once looked at but did not play. I'll stick it on Ebay and I expect to be innundated with offers from collectors of Beatles memorabilia.

[quote name='hillbilly deluxe' post='1151311' date='Mar 6 2011, 11:33 AM']Who's Will Lee ?[/quote] If you pronounce it quickly (as I did to my 6 year-old) it just sounds like Willy and is the cause of great mirth (well to my 6 year-old anyway).

If I'm right in thinking this is from a Mexican Precison, I've got some spare saddles. PM me your address and I'll sort it.

[quote name='73Jazz' post='1150678' date='Mar 5 2011, 04:17 PM']I am wondering, as i would never doubt your knowledge. The guy i bought the bass from is a very honest nearly 70 year old gentleman, who gave the case additional as a bonbon for free. So he has no profit of telling that this is a 1967 case. Maybe he mixed up with his other stuff or maybe there is a second truth.[/quote] Well I am not too far off 70 and can confirm that the memory fades.....or at least I think that's what I just said.

[quote name='The Bass Doc' post='1150660' date='Mar 5 2011, 03:52 PM']From it's condition this is likely to be an early 80's re-issue case - they were often supplied alongside 'V' serial numbered USA 57 and 62 style basses in that period.[/quote] I find I'm in complete agreement with myself - just checked the 1982 tweed case I still have and all the details you have pictured match mine.