TomDuff Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Is it just the 50th Anniversary model that came with chrome/silver hardware? I've got GAS for a sunburst P-Lyte but really don't like the gold hardware so just trying to weigh up my options. Thanks, Tom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12stringbassist Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 (edited) I love this one. Had it since 1994 and it's my soulmate. Gold hardware. Edited March 21, 2017 by 12stringbassist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainS Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 (edited) It's a beautiful bass, isn't it? Mine also has gold hardware. I'm not sure I've seen the sunburst with anything other than gold. Given how the jazz neck and smaller body make it an absolute pleasure to play (and look at), and it is incredibly versatile, could you overlook the hardware? Edited March 21, 2017 by IainS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 It's the later model Lytes that come with chrome hardware, most of which are made around 95 /96 and as you say have '50th Anniversary' stickers on the rear of the headstock. These are relatively rare compared to the gold hardware versions, and were the last of the run of the Lytes. I think Fender robbed the parts bin at this time, as 2 of mine have 'Made in USA' neckplates despite being Japanese! IMO the chrome not only looks better but lasts longer than the gold, which seems prone to tarnishing. I have two sunbursts and a white one from this era, all sporting chrome parts as did a red one I sold recently. The later sunbursts were darker / more 'tobacco' than the earlier ones, which were more 'caramel' if you get my drift, as in the one pictured above. Great basses, still affordable as well. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomDuff Posted March 22, 2017 Author Share Posted March 22, 2017 Thanks guys, they really are lovely basses. Ideally I would like a darker sunburst with the chrome hardware, other than that I'm not too fussy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudewheresmybass Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 I have a tobacco burst '95 which I bought as one of the last from fender. It's a real beaut! Chrome hardware and 50 sticker. Non matching headstock. Every time I take it out to gig, it's pretty likely that someone will ask to buy it! It ain't going anywhere! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 There's currently a frost red Lyte on ebay , £390 BIN. Chrome hardware, non matching headstock, 50th Anniv. sticker etc. Also found this spec list for the later Lytes, which confusingly states they were available until 2001, which I've never seen, but maybe for the Japanese market only or something? Model Name: Precision Bass® “Lyte” Standard Model Number: 025-9500-(Color #) Series: DELUXE SERIES Body: Basswood Neck: Maple Fingerboard: Rosewood (9.5” Radius/241 mm) No. of Frets: 22 Scale Length: 34” (864 mm) Width @ Nut: 1.5” (38 mm) Hardware: Chrome Machine Heads: Gotoh “Mini” Tuners Bridge: Chrome Die Cast Pickguard: N/A Pickups: P Bass (Mid), J Style (Bridge) Pickup Switching: Pan Pot Controls: Master Volume, Pan Pot, 2-Band Active EQ with: Treble Boost/Cut 22db, Bass Boost/Cut 20db Colors: (537) Antique Burst, (555) Frost White, (564) Montego Black, (577) Frost Red (Polyurethane Finish) Strings: Super 7250M, #073-7250-006, (.045, .065, .085, .105) Unique Features: Source: Japan Accessories: None U.S. MSRP: $756.99 NOTICE: Prices and Specifications Subject to Change Without Notice INTRODUCED: 1994 DISCONTINUED: 7/2001 DISCONTINUED COLORS: (586) Blue Foto Flame Discontinued 1996), (577) Frost Red (1998), Reintroduced 1999 (540) Fiesta Red (1999) *************************************** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomDuff Posted March 22, 2017 Author Share Posted March 22, 2017 [quote name='dudewheresmybass' timestamp='1490178537' post='3262837'] I have a tobacco burst '95 which I bought as one of the last from fender. It's a real beaut! Chrome hardware and 50 sticker. Non matching headstock. Every time I take it out to gig, it's pretty likely that someone will ask to buy it! It ain't going anywhere! [/quote] I wont ask what I was about to then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 (edited) [attachment=241311:Precision Lytes 3.JPG] My Lytes - recently sold the red one. All 50th Anniversary / chrome models, with very close serial numbers coincidentally. I know, such a tease.......... Edited March 22, 2017 by casapete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 (edited) A friend of mine has one of these, it's a lovely bass. If the gold hardware bothers you the gold plate can easily be removed with Brasso. I know this as I did it by accident to an old gold plated Badass bridge many years ago. Edited March 23, 2017 by RhysP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted March 22, 2017 Share Posted March 22, 2017 (edited) [quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1490189438' post='3263031'] A friend of mine has one of these, it's a lovely bass. If the gold hardware bothers you the gold plate can easily be removed with Brasso. I know this I I did it by accident to an old gold plated Badass bridge many years ago. [/quote] Didn't know that! May be worth mentioning for anyone looking to buy - I've had a few of these basses over the years, and the later antique (tobacco) sunbursts seem to be the most resilient finish to everyday use. I had an early frost white model and you only had to look at it for chips/cracks to appear. Think this may have been the case with all the early pearlescent finishes ( grey / red etc) and also the photo flame models (red / purple etc) , but the later ones do seem more immune to this happening. Edited March 22, 2017 by casapete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudewheresmybass Posted March 23, 2017 Share Posted March 23, 2017 Regarding the 2001 thing- didn't fender sell the zone bass which was extremely similar, if not identical, to the lyte? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomDuff Posted March 23, 2017 Author Share Posted March 23, 2017 [quote name='casapete' timestamp='1490188650' post='3263019'] [attachment=241311:Precision Lytes 3.JPG] My Lytes - recently sold the red one. All 50th Anniversary / chrome models, with very close serial numbers coincidentally. I know, such a tease.......... [/quote] Surely you don't need two of the same mate? I'm just thinking about it logically, the way all us musicians do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted March 23, 2017 Share Posted March 23, 2017 Afraid I do - main and spare for my theatre band. If I could physically manage anything else I would possibly consider selling, but due to a shoulder injury a few years ago, anything over about 7lbs in weight gives me problems with a 2 hour show. Sold the red one for £375 recently (not on here), which was probably a bit cheap as it was nearly mint. The white one is kept for other gigs I do, along with my (stupidly light) Danelectro Longhorn. Will keep my eyes open if I see anything on sale anywhere and give you a shout. I'm near Hull so anything local coming up won't be too far for a Wessie like yourself..... :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom1946 Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 Mine's a bit rare now.... [URL=http://s185.photobucket.com/user/Peasmold/media/IMG_0507_zpsgp1bsu0a.jpg.html][IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x73/Peasmold/IMG_0507_zpsgp1bsu0a.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewisK1975 Posted March 24, 2017 Share Posted March 24, 2017 Just realised something looking at these photos - Why is it that Basses without pickguards look better with a matching (or at least a coloured) headstock? YMMV!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomDuff Posted March 25, 2017 Author Share Posted March 25, 2017 I dunno if starting this thread was a good thing, you guys have some really nice basses and I'm envious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 [quote name='tom1946' timestamp='1490371862' post='3264722'] Mine's a bit rare now.... [url="http://s185.photobucket.com/user/Peasmold/media/IMG_0507_zpsgp1bsu0a.jpg.html"][/url] [/quote] Wow, that's a beauty! Never seen one with a maple fingerboard before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom1946 Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 Jon Shuker made it for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 [quote name='tom1946' timestamp='1490461132' post='3265309'] Jon Shuker made it for me. [/quote] Aah, that explains it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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