70s Fender Precision weights

[backwater]

Often on boards I hear that 70s Fender Precisions (and Jazz) are heavier than 60s or 80s ones. I understand that Fender was less picky about the wood they used in the 70s but what is defined as light and/or heavy?

(Embarassingly - I'm asking this now having been a guitar tech for the last 10 years!)

Thanks

Andy

Edited June 15, 2008 by backwater

[Musky]

That's quite weird - last night I was thinking about posting a 'how much does your precision weigh?' thread.

I think the average weight of a P is about 9-9.5lbs, though I'd imagine a 70's (particularly late 70's) version would be about 2-3lbs heavier. I've got a 74 which is fairly hefty, but unfortunately no scales.

[john_the_bass]

70s ones are apparently variable from nice and light to needing to be craned into a venue - although I've never owned one but there appear to be a myriad of opinions on the subject.

[wateroftyne]

Heavy northen ash came into widespread use fromt he mid-70 up until 82-ish. This is where you'll find most of the 'boat anchors'.

I have three, a 71, 72 and a 73, and they're all around 8.5lbs.

[Dr.Dave]

30 years since I bought my Precision (it's a 73) and in all that time I've never thought to weigh it. Hang on a mo.........

The bathroom scales say just under 8lbs , and that's with a few ounces of Badass and heavier M/Cs.

I wandered into the local guitar shop a couple of weeks back and picked up a 78 that was in for a refret. It wasn't there at all - certainly less than mine my a fair bit. I offered 600 for it through the shop but the guy wasn't selling - don't blame him.

The good Mrs Dr once tried to buy me a 77 Jazz for my birthday - happily our guitar player talked her out of it. I went to see it after I got the story and it weighed (approx) the same as Africa. Honestly , I struggled to get it off the wall stand and was lucky it didn't drop through the floor. Horrible purpley sunburst - neck pocket gap you could sleep in - f****g disgrace of a Jazz.