franzbassist Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 (edited) [size=3]I don’t really want to sell this bass, as I absolutely love it, but unfortunately needs must [/size][font=Wingdings][size=3][font=Wingdings] [/font][/size][/font] [size=3]What we have here is a Fender Precision from late 1970/early 1971. The neck is dated “5 DEC 70 B” in green ink, which means it is from the first year of fretless Fender production. There’s plenty of life in the truss rod, the neck has a small shim and the notes choke slightly around the 17[sup]th[/sup] “fret” on a couple of strings. There is some slight pitting to the rosewood fingerboard, but nothing serious as it had only worn one set of flats since the mid-1980s when I bought it a couple of years ago![/size] [size=3]Neck plate serial number “305813” dates the bass to 1971 according to most of the Fender dater websites.[/size] [size=3]The body is three tone sunburst with “T.Chambers” and a number “x8” in a circle stamped in the neck pocket. Router hump and paint stick mark are present. The body is well worn with plenty of surface checking, scratches, wear patches etc.[/size] [size=3]Pickups are grey bottom, stamped “1021”, which I believe dates them to 1971 as well.[/size] [size=3]The original pots were long gone, but the bass came with what appeared to be the original wiring and capacitor. Initially I put a P Retro in the bass, but have since returned it to “stock” after I bought a complete P bass wiring loom that had 1968 pots and the same wiring (green, white and black) and capacitor. This was fitted by our very own OBBM (thanks Dave!)[/size] [size=3]I have also sourced a vintage neck pickup cover (with the squarer, rather than rounded edges) and an aged modern Fender bridge cover (including foam strip!). I also replaced the non-original pickup adjustment screws with aged modern Fender ones.[/size] [size=3]NB: This image shows the bass fitted with an earlier rounded pickup cover and the P Retro. Both of these items have been replaced as per above paragraph and are not included.[/size] [size=3]I believe all other parts to be original.[/size] [size=3]Sorry about the blurry picture![/size] [size=3]NB: Note that the neck has been re-shimmed since this picture was taken, so the height adjustment screws are no longer set so low.[/size] [size=3]I am sure the Fender specialists will comment on the two features make this bass unusual for a 1970/71: the lollypop tuners and the threaded saddles on the bridge. Both of these features [i]should[/i], I believe, have been phased out by1968/9, but the more I read the more I am reassured that this wasn’t always the case.[/size] [size=3]The bass weighs 8.75lb (a shade under 4kgs), balances well, and plays beautifully.[/size] [size=3][b]Firm £2k[/b] collected from Central London or NE Hampshire and includes Protection Racket gig bag. Happy to post at your cost.[/size] Cheers Gareth Edited May 8, 2013 by walbassist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 Beautiful bass Gareth. If only I wasnt also in a 'needs must' situation (also selling my fretless) ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 Yes that looks the business and an excellent ad/pics. Good luck with your sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obbm Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 Ooooh. That's a shame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumble Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 Can't be genuine 70's Fender. Everyone knows that old basses look like they have been attacked by a maniac with a sander ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbobothy Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 Yup, very nice and a good F/S thread, and that J Retro looks the dogs on this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnozzalee Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 [quote name='grumble' timestamp='1352926119' post='1869527'] Can't be genuine 70's Fender. Everyone knows that old basses look like they have been attacked by a maniac with a sander ! [/quote] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mckendrick Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 [quote name='walbassist' timestamp='1352899348' post='1869006'] [size=3]I am sure the Fender specialists will comment on the two features make this bass unusual for a 1970/71: the lollypop tuners and the threaded saddles on the bridge. Both of these features [i]should[/i], I believe, have been phased out by1968/9, but the more I read the more I am reassured that this wasn’t always the case.[/size] [size=3][/quote][/size] [size=3]Quite right on all counts. That said.... I think that's the latest date I've seen with that gorgeous splodgy tort, spiral saddles and 'those' tuners.... but not the highest serial number - but serial numbers had the [i]wildest[/i] range of any feature around that time.[/size] [size=3]Really great price, Walbassist - I really can't see this hanging around too long, not even in this financial climate.[/size] [size=3]Superb example of a gorgeous bass. Shame you have to let it go, but have a good luck bump on me.[/size] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted November 25, 2012 Author Share Posted November 25, 2012 [quote name='mckendrick' timestamp='1353634692' post='1876915'] [/size] [size=3]Quite right on all counts. That said.... I think that's the latest date I've seen with that gorgeous splodgy tort, spiral saddles and 'those' tuners.... but not the highest serial number - but serial numbers had the [i]wildest[/i] range of any feature around that time.[/size] [size=3]Really great price, Walbassist - I really can't see this hanging around too long, not even in this financial climate.[/size] [size=3]Superb example of a gorgeous bass. Shame you have to let it go, but have a good luck bump on me.[/size] [/quote] Thanks for this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted November 26, 2012 Author Share Posted November 26, 2012 (edited) Couple of decent trade options came through last night, but I would want at least £1k in crisp and folding in any "trade plus cash" deal. Edited November 26, 2012 by walbassist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted December 3, 2012 Author Share Posted December 3, 2012 On hold.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted December 13, 2012 Author Share Posted December 13, 2012 This bass is now sold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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