Cat Burrito

Thanks, as I suspected... was just hoping for a cheaper resolution!

My 1989 Fender Precision was fairly mistreated when I was gigging back in the 1990s. I've done 100+ gigs with it and I seriously abused it. The highlight of this was at the Bristol Bridge when I drunkenly kicked it across the stage having half heartedly tried to smash it up. I've since learnt to treat instruments better. The damage at the time was a broken nut and when it was set up the guy in the shop told me it was playable but I'd permanently bent the neck. Interestingly in the two subsequent set ups it's had I was told the neck didn't look bent (& it didn't). I still occasionally play this bass although like most Basschatters I've since developed a bigger collection so I could afford to semi retire this one. It's got more sentimental value for me then resale value anyway. I last played it on stage about 6 gigs ago so it does get used. The problem is the action. I had it set up properly in 2004 having retired from music for a few years and it played great. Again I had it set up last summer and it played great once more. However, compared to my other Fenders (one much older) the action is dreadful. See the pics attached. If I play around the first 3 frets it feels great. Around the 7th fret the action is actually pretty high. It's not unplayable but you certainly have to dig in a lot more. The neck sort of bows and around the 20th fret is actually bordering on acceptable again. I'm toying with the idea of replacing the neck. Does this problem look / sound like the sort of thing that could be solved with another set up or does it sound like the silliness of a few years ago did some pretty permanent damage? I don't mind the Trigger's broom affect of giving it a new neck but wondered if it was a drastic solution. Partly as well in 20yrs of playing I've warmed to rosewood anyway so it would also freshen up the bass for me from that point of view. For your thoughts...

"Dee Dee really hammers it home with this one, sticking around the root notes"

Double post for some reason

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='818033' date='Apr 25 2010, 01:28 PM']It's the notes you play and the sound you produce that counts.[/quote] Less important when you are miming!

Didn't they get swallowed up by someone else? I bought my 75RI J-bass from them back in 1999

I have the SPB-1 in my 50s RI P-bass but play through Ampeg. As you say it's vintage-correct so gives a great classic tone.

Tom bought my ashtray cover for his P-bass. Prompt payment and very easy to deal with. Wouldn't hesitate to deal with him again as a buyer or as a seller.

Jeez! Well that's properly devalued

I've bought a few on EBay. Does it have to be UK? I've had several imported from the USA & they only take a few days

I was VERY tempted by this myself but just can't justify the space. Someone will get a cool looking novelty if not a whole lot more

Welcome Dave - nice to see a fellow banjo & mandolin player too (who is really just a bass player!).

"I bought this three weeks ago" (when I can remember them posting a thread on what a fantastic bass it was!)

Great pics OTPJ. Both look amazing but I must confess that 62 RI AV looks especially smart

EBay. Don't skimp here either. I have a spare one (somewhere) that is so flimsy it does little more then keep the dust off so I bought a heavy duty one and it's much better. It shouldn't cost you over a £100 for a halfway decent one

They do look the mutts though. I have them on mine. I play about 40% with a pick and you just adapt to be honest. That said I'm recording an album in June and I was practising the songs earlier (on a different P-bass with ashtrays) and I did think "I might have to take these off in the studio". I'm such a poser!

That is poor, I would hope they made a small donation to the site at least or is that wishful thinking? I've said it before and I'll say it again but most transactions here go incredibly smoothly. I've had a couple not leave feedback but generally everyone has been fantastic. It's a big part of what makes the site so great

Ah good man, you've got it all sorted then? How you getting on the SD Antiquity pup? Mine is great and the 51 is a seriously cool bass with this mod. It sounds great stock too but I love that pickup

I refer to them by what they are i.e. the 51RI. I don't think I have the space in my head for names of objects as well as everything else I have to remember

Used & recommended by me too. I have a maple one on my 51RI P-bass.

Mine's coming off my 2006 P-bass this week. I've heard great things about what it did to the tone of a Jazz but on a P-bass the tonal switch is a bit lacklustre. That ebay link is £18, you can have mine for a tenner if you really want (assuming it's UK postage? - it may not be off until the weekend as I'm waiting on parts) but if you are hoping for new tones to be unlocked at your fingertips, I think you'll be disappointed.

I've never bothered. I can see them being useful for mandolins but for a 4 string bass it's hardly a major pain re-stringing. The drill looking one looks pretty hardcore!

Fender Classic basses are great. The 70s one looks the biz too. Personally I prefer the 60s set up with the pick up position (more old school than funk) but it's a great bass and a great deal too. I love the necks with the block inlays too