70's Fenders...

[bassjamm]

Hi guys and gals,

Just wondered what years were good years for Fender during the 70's? I'm going to save up for an old Fender. I've seen a '78 Precision that's in awesome condition, played it and it's sweet, but didn't know if the late 70's ones were any good or not? Ideally i'd like a Precision with a Jazz pickup in the bridge and a Jazz neck (block inlays)...but the P/J pickup thing is the most important!!!

Any advice on what years would be good for both Jazzes and Precisions, i'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks
Jamie

[wateroftyne]

Hello!

There's no definite good or bad years, or a clear watershed when QC slipped. Any bass from any year has a chance to be a dog or a gem... but certain era's have different hit/miss ratios.

The early 70s, up to '73/'74 tend to be of similar standard to late 60's (same tooling, staff, materials) which is a good thing.

The three-bolt neck (which some people dislike) was introduced in around '74, and around '75 they also started using very heavy northern ash.

Many people will tell you that QC began to slip around this time, but it's a very blurry line.

Personally, I've played some great (but heavy) later '70s Ps and Js. That said, I'd be cautious about buying one blind. If you try one and it speaks to you... go for it.

Of course, the only way to get your ideal bass mentioned above is to build it yourself from parts.

Hope this helps!

[bassaussie]

I'd go along with what WOT said. I think if you wanted to apply some sort of general rule, the best way to approach 70s Fenders is that, the later the bass is, the more you'll want to check it out. QC slowly slipped as the 70s progressed, and instrument weight definitely increased.

Now, having said that, it is possible to find a nice instrument from the late 70s, and the weight issue can be two sided - I know people who prefer a heavy instrument, so what I consider a negative point, they consider a positive.

I guess at the end of the day, it's the same old rule - try the instrument, and if it works for you, great.

[neilb]

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='113911' date='Jan 5 2008, 08:34 AM']Hello!

There's no definite good or bad years, or a clear watershed when QC slipped. Any bass from any year has a chance to be a dog or a gem... but certain era's have different hit/miss ratios.

The early 70s, up to '73/'74 tend to be of similar standard to late 60's (same tooling, staff, materials) which is a good thing.

The three-bolt neck (which some people dislike) was introduced in around '74, and around '75 they also started using very heavy northern ash.

Many people will tell you that QC began to slip around this time, but it's a very blurry line.

Personally, I've played some great (but heavy) later '70s Ps and Js. That said, I'd be cautious about buying one blind. If you try one and it speaks to you... go for it.

Of course, the only way to get your ideal bass mentioned above is to build it yourself from parts.

Hope this helps![/quote]


Perfect advice, cant add anything really. Remember, its YOUR bass, it doesnt belong to your audience or fellow players. Dont buy a bass because you think others may think its a corker, buy it because [b]YOU[/b] do.

[Beedster]

[quote name='bassjamm' post='113901' date='Jan 5 2008, 02:50 AM']I've seen a '78 Precision that's in awesome condition, played it and it's sweet, but didn't know if the late 70's ones were any good or not? Ideally i'd like a Precision with a Jazz pickup in the bridge and a Jazz neck (block inlays)...but the P/J pickup thing is the most important!!![/quote]

If you've played it and it's sweet, it's sweet, simple as. Doesn't matter when it was built. Without doubt the best Precision I've played to date was a '79, weighed a ton but had the sweetest tone I've encountered. FYI, you won't get your requirements above in anything but a Frankenstein, and if you want to do that from authentic 70's Fender parts, you'd better be prepared for a long wait - certainly for the neck and possibly also for the PB body with J-PUP (I waited a year - lots of players installed J-PUPs in the 70's and they do come up occasionally, and usually slightly cheaper than a normal 70's P 'cos they're not original. However, I doubt such a body would come up for sale alone) - and a lot of expense. You can get original 70's Precisions with Jazz-profile necks although without inlays, my maple '75 is one. I'd keep an eye open 'cos there's a lot of cheap Precisions around at present. If you pick one up for around £500-600 it would be worth your while having the J-PUP installed as, at that kind of purchase price, the modifications probably wouldn't devalue the instrument a whole lot.
Chris

Edited January 5, 2008 by Beedster

[wayne58]

[quote name='bassjamm' post='113901' date='Jan 5 2008, 02:50 AM']Hi guys and gals,

Just wondered what years were good years for Fender during the 70's? I'm going to save up for an old Fender. I've seen a '78 Precision that's in awesome condition, played it and it's sweet, but didn't know if the late 70's ones were any good or not? Ideally i'd like a Precision with a Jazz pickup in the bridge and a Jazz neck (block inlays)...but the P/J pickup thing is the most important!!!

Any advice on what years would be good for both Jazzes and Precisions, i'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks
Jamie[/quote]

+1 for try before you buy as they all feel slightly different.
I have just weighed my precisions on the bathroom scales, the 74 came in at 9lb 2, and 76 was 8lb 6oz.
I am not an expert by any means but i find the neck on the 76 more comfortable.

[stinson]

I've got a 78 and75P, both completely different in sound and feel, the 78 has great construction quality and is a nice weight. The 75 has a slight overhang on the neck pocket which is classic for that period, does not affect playability and I find a nice quirk. My neck is snug to the top of the pocket but many have a large gap which can affect stability - something to look out for. Alot of people, including myself, go weak at the knees for a TV logo which is dangerous but if you've tried it and its a sweet player then you're onto a winner. There are good and bad from every decade.

[Dood]

a question: Correct me if I am wrong, but I think the skinnier Precision necks that feel like Jazz ones are 'A' style? My CIJ P neck feels very close to the skinniness (is that even a word? lol) of my Fender Jazz neck. It is described as an 'A' neck profile.


[quote]Alot of people, including myself, go weak at the knees for a TV logo[/quote]

lol.. yes.. ok mine isn't an original 70's P.. but part of my buying criteria was to have the authentic looking TV logo!! daft!

[bassaussie]

[quote name='dood' post='113978' date='Jan 5 2008, 12:02 PM']a question: Correct me if I am wrong, but I think the skinnier Precision necks that feel like Jazz ones are 'A' style? My CIJ P neck feels very close to the skinniness (is that even a word? lol) of my Fender Jazz neck. It is described as an 'A' neck profile.[/quote]

If you're talking about the width at the nut, a C is 1-3/4" (50s and 60s Precision), a B is 1-5/8" (special order 60s Precision, became the norm around early 70s), and an A is 1-1/2" (Jazz, special order Precision).

[Dood]

[quote name='bassaussie' post='113988' date='Jan 5 2008, 12:15 PM']If you're talking about the width at the nut, a C is 1-3/4" (50s and 60s Precision), a B is 1-5/8" (special order 60s Precision, became the norm around early 70s), and an A is 1-1/2" (Jazz, special order Precision).[/quote]


Ahh that must be it! Thanks. I haven't measured the two, but they are practically the same on my P and my J. Which is good.. Very comfy!

[bassaussie]

[quote name='dood' post='113990' date='Jan 5 2008, 12:18 PM']Ahh that must be it! Thanks. I haven't measured the two, but they are practically the same on my P and my J. Which is good.. Very comfy![/quote]

There's a string likelihood your P might be a B sized neck. Depending on the age, the neck stamp should indicate what size it is.

I had a '68 P that had a B neck (Birdy took this off me, then it got passed off to some other people) and the neck was amazing. The bass had been modified a bit, so when it came time to unload a P, I decided to keep my '66 P which is all original and also sounded better, but it was difficult to let that neck go, as it felt so good.

[Lenny B]

At some point I'd like to get a '75 jazz - that's my birth year so it would be nice to grow older with something my own age (my wife's a bit younger!)

[99ster]

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='113911' date='Jan 5 2008, 08:34 AM']Hello!

There's no definite good or bad years, or a clear watershed when QC slipped. Any bass from any year has a chance to be a dog or a gem... but certain era's have different hit/miss ratios.

The early 70s, up to '73/'74 tend to be of similar standard to late 60's (same tooling, staff, materials) which is a good thing.

The three-bolt neck (which some people dislike) was introduced in around '74, and around '75 they also started using very heavy northern ash.

Many people will tell you that QC began to slip around this time, but it's a very blurry line.

Personally, I've played some great (but heavy) later '70s Ps and Js. That said, I'd be cautious about buying one blind. If you try one and it speaks to you... go for it.

Of course, the only way to get your ideal bass mentioned above is to build it yourself from parts.

Hope this helps![/quote]


+100
I'd add that IMHO - from owning & playing a LOT of 70's Fenders, that 1971 & 1972 are the very best years for 70's basses. I think these are actually better than the later 60's ones (68-69) which weren't great years... And I now wouldn't really recommend anything after 1974 if you're looking for a truly great 70's Fender. [i](And of course the great 60's Fenders (59-66) are a completely different league.)[/i]

[Jebo1]

I've owned and played about 50 or 60 P basses (sadly this is true, and I have pictures of most of them - welcome to my world). Some of the best P basses I have ever played have been the Japanese 62 reissues. I did a gig once with some 'Classic Rock' bands, and I played a 59, 62 and 64 and my 62 reissue smash about bass was the best of all of them. Sad, but true. A £200 bass was messing it with £5,000 instruments.

As for 'special years' to be honest, all of that is absolute crap. I've played awful early 60's basses, and amazing late 70's ones. For a factory tooled instrument, they're all different. Don't buy a guitar that you want to use for re-sale value, buy it because you love it. I've had hundreds of guitars, but I only ever play 3 basses - because I love them!

To be honest, buy a guitar because you like it. You may play 30 vintage P basses, and hate every one.

Me, well, I use Beedster's old 62 reissue Salmon Pink P bass. It plays better than ever pre CBS bass I have ever played, and sounds like a million bucks. And I've played and owned lots of them.

Don't be conned by the retro thing. Make up your mind objectively!

When there's a recession the first thing to be devalued will be vintage guitars. If you're losing your house, the last thing you want is a pre-CBS Precision! You mark my words. The sellers market will soon turn to a buyers one. Give it some time...

[paul, the]

[quote name='dood' post='113978' date='Jan 5 2008, 12:02 PM']a question: Correct me if I am wrong, but I think the skinnier Precision necks that feel like Jazz ones are 'A' style? My CIJ P neck feels very close to the skinniness (is that even a word? lol) of my Fender Jazz neck. It is described as an 'A' neck profile.[/quote]

I haven't got a clue when it comes to neck shapes. The '62 RI P I had a wide nut width and a flattened back (of the neck).


I recently played a standard modern Mexican P and the neck was almost as thin as jazz neck. If I hadn't seen it hanging on the wall to visually compare it to jazzes I would have thought it was a jazz neck.


Baffles me, frustratingly so. It's so important.

[paul, the]

[quote name='Jebo1' post='114516' date='Jan 6 2008, 02:10 AM']You mark my words. The sellers market will soon turn to a buyers one. Give it some time...[/quote]

I've been watching [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=300185431329"]this car[/url] for some time. It has been relisted for months trying to achieve £3,500.

[Jebo1]

I was a bit p1ssed when I wrote my reply.

On reflection, I have only owned 43 P basses. I just checked. And the best one to be honest was a 65 refin with a jazz pickup installed at the bridge. That was a lovely bass! Then second comes the one I use now :-)

I need a paracetamol and quickly!

[wateroftyne]

[quote name='Jebo1' post='114516' date='Jan 6 2008, 02:10 AM']Don't buy a guitar that you want to use for re-sale value, buy it because you love it.[/quote]
Or, if you can, why not buy it for both reasons?

[quote name='Jebo1' post='114516' date='Jan 6 2008, 02:10 AM']When there's a recession the first thing to be devalued will be vintage guitars. If you're losing your house, the last thing you want is a pre-CBS Precision! You mark my words. The sellers market will soon turn to a buyers one. Give it some time...[/quote]
I can't comment on pre-CBS stuff, 'cos I'm not rich. Had things been different, however....
Anyway - the key phrase here is 'buy wisely'. All on my early 70s basses have been bought for very competetive prices - marginally more than the new equivalents, in fact.

I just don't like the look of new Fenders (or any new bass, in fact). I don't like their shiny 'Please don't ding me!' bodies, their pale white necks, and their dull headstock logos. While many of them undoubtedly play as well as mine, they just don't do it for me.

I might as well buy something earlier that I like the feel, sound and look of. As an aside, they'll hold their value really well, too. Bonus!

[Jebo1]

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='114574' date='Jan 6 2008, 10:51 AM']Or, if you can, why not buy it for both reasons?


I can't comment on pre-CBS stuff, 'cos I'm not rich. Had things been different, however....
Anyway - the key phrase here is 'buy wisely'. All on my early 70s basses have been bought for very competetive prices - marginally more than the new equivalents, in fact.

I just don't like the look of new Fenders (or any new bass, in fact). I don't like their shiny 'Please don't ding me!' bodies, their pale white necks, and their dull headstock logos. While many of them undoubtedly play as well as mine, they just don't do it for me.

I might as well buy something earlier that I like the feel, sound and look of. As an aside, they'll hold their value really well, too. Bonus![/quote]

You do have a really nice collection there. Some choice pieces, and as a collection nothing that will lose value I'm sure. I was a little bit 'vintage-d out' yesterday. I had some guys come over to try some vintage guitars, and they were sooooooooooooo boring. It's true though that the bottom could fall out of the market (the top end more likely) if we have a recession. Hopefully we won't as it would be horrible to see people losing their houses, high unemployment and all the social issues that go with it. Hopefully we'll be ok.

BTW the best Precision I've seen for a long time is the one sold by Thunderthumbs. £800 for a 76 isn't too bad and should keep its value. If it plays as well as it looks, you're on to a winner!

Black on black is always in demand (chuch a mirrored scratchplate on, chime up 'Chinatown' and rock like Big Phil Lynott!)

If you want to build your own, I have loads of 70s parts (no bodies and necks anymore but everything else you might need). Do you have anything to trade against?

[Beedster]

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='114574' date='Jan 6 2008, 10:51 AM']Anyway - the key phrase here is 'buy wisely'. All on my early 70s basses have been bought for very competetive prices - marginally more than the new equivalents, in fact.[/quote]

This little bunch came in at below £2500 for the lot. Each is a great bass. Apart from the MOJO factor, I like them all better than most other basses I've owned and I doubt I could have bought their equivalent cheaper new. Details in Bass Porn later
Chris

[attachment=4623:4_Precisions.JPG]

[Beedster]

[quote name='Jebo1' post='114516' date='Jan 6 2008, 02:10 AM']Me, well, I use Beedster's old 62 reissue Salmon Pink P bass. It plays better than ever pre CBS bass I have ever played, and sounds like a million bucks. And I've played and owned lots of them.

Don't be conned by the retro thing. Make up your mind objectively!

When there's a recession the first thing to be devalued will be vintage guitars. If you're losing your house, the last thing you want is a pre-CBS Precision! You mark my words. The sellers market will soon turn to a buyers one. Give it some time...[/quote]

Lovely that Pink Jap isn't it.

Wise advice regarding the real value of basses also Lawrie
Chris

[bassjamm]

Hi guys...

Thanks for all of the input! Some interesting stuff here.

Don't get me wrong though, i know what i'm doing regarding buying it because i genuinely love the instrument etc...fear not my freinds

Since posting this thread i've seen an early 80's Precision Fullerton Re-issue...what's the crack with them then? It's about £750/£800...is that any good...it's also got a Sadowsky Jazz pickup in the bridge? Can't try before i buy though :/

Jam

[Beedster]

[quote name='bassjamm' post='115132' date='Jan 7 2008, 12:28 AM']Hi guys...

Thanks for all of the input! Some interesting stuff here.

Don't get me wrong though, i know what i'm doing regarding buying it because i genuinely love the instrument etc...fear not my freinds

Since posting this thread i've seen an early 80's Precision Fullerton Re-issue...what's the crack with them then? It's about £750/£800...is that any good...it's also got a Sadowsky Jazz pickup in the bridge? Can't try before i buy though :/

Jam[/quote]

Generally very good. Is it Olympic White, if so, I might know it

[bassjamm]

[quote name='Beedster' post='115355' date='Jan 7 2008, 12:20 PM']Generally very good. Is it Olympic White, if so, I might know it [/quote]

Nope, it's sunburst...and from the states :/

[gafbass02]

Im also considering a 70s fender at the mo, although it would really have to be a jazz, or possibly also a p with j pup, but i dont know where to look online for dealers tbh, anyone know good places?, i d love a jazz from 75-77 ish