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Question about Precision Lyte basses.


TomDuff
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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 by IainS
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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.
.

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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)
***************************************

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[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 :)

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[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 by casapete
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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 by RhysP
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[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 by casapete
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[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 ;)

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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..... :-)

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[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.

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