tredders Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 Horace from the Specials recently found and bought back his '71 P bass that he used to record Ghost Town on. Was round having a cuppa and a noodle on it earlier on. It has the most amazing thin (from front to back) neck, and it's just lovely to play. It's totally different to my '73 P bass neck, and much nicer. Yes, I have P bass envy! The point of this post is as follows: Mine has a B profile, and I assume that this one has a standard C neck (although that is just an assumption). I've played a few early 70's Precisions in my time, but can't remember one that had a neck quite as good as this one - standard P bass nut spacing, but thin from front to back, and quite flat.. Is this a standard profile for that era? The back of the neck was very worn, and H couldn't remember whether the neck had been reshaped, or just nicely worn from lots of playing. Can anyone who owns a late 60's / early 70's P bass with a C profile neck comment? If it's a standard profile, consider me on the lookout for one... Picture of said bass with said Mr Panter. It's got DiMarzio pups, brass bridge, brass nut, bronze coloured pick guard, and brass knobs. Oh, and it feels like it's been painted with a thick paint brush. But it sounds bloody great, and plays even better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 Great story, I can't help with the info but am genuinely envious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 [quote name='tredders' timestamp='1501615166' post='3345992'] Horace from the Specials recently found and bought back his '71 P bass that he used to record Ghost Town on. Was round having a cuppa and a noodle on it earlier on. It has the most amazing thin (from front to back) neck, and it's just lovely to play. It's totally different to my '73 P bass neck, and much nicer. Yes, I have P bass envy! The point of this post is as follows: Mine has a B profile, and I assume that this one has a standard C neck (although that is just an assumption). I've played a few early 70's Precisions in my time, but can't remember one that had a neck quite as good as this one - standard P bass nut spacing, but thin from front to back, and quite flat.. Is this a standard profile for that era? The back of the neck was very worn, and H couldn't remember whether the neck had been reshaped, or just nicely worn from lots of playing. Can anyone who owns a late 60's / early 70's P bass with a C profile neck comment? If it's a standard profile, consider me on the lookout for one... Picture of said bass with said Mr Panter. It's got DiMarzio pups, brass bridge, brass nut, bronze coloured pick guard, and brass knobs. Oh, and it feels like it's been painted with a thick paint brush. But it sounds bloody great, and plays even better! [/quote] I've no idea if it will be the same, but Nate Mendel's '71 Precision has an 'A' neck on it, which although is a 40mm nut width, feels much slimmer than a 'standard P'. His 'signature' bass has the same profile, but doesn't seem to have the rounded off fretboard edges. It also happens to be my favourite neck profile too, which also appears on my '76 Matsumoku precision bass. Could this one be similar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 Great stuff! I'm envious that you got to play the bass that was used on such a great record! I'm amazed at just how much P bass necks seem to vary. But is it possible that a pro luthier has slimmed this one down a bit? Would be great to know. I prefer a C shaped P neck too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 [quote name='dood' timestamp='1501616497' post='3346004'] I've no idea if it will be the same, but Nate Mendel's '71 Precision has an 'A' neck on it, which although is a 40mm nut width, feels much slimmer than a 'standard P'. His 'signature' bass has the same profile, but doesn't seem to have the rounded off fretboard edges. It also happens to be my favourite neck profile too, which also appears on my '76 Matsumoku precision bass. Could this one be similar? [/quote] Actually, looking closely at the picture on my small screen, the nut width does appear to look like 42mm rather than 40mm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 Maybe the neck was swapped for a Jazz? What a great story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tredders Posted August 1, 2017 Author Share Posted August 1, 2017 Definitely not a Jazz neck - it felt much wider than my B profile neck, but narrower front to back... I am wondering if it's been professionally slimmed down now. Whether it's standard or has been altered, it's my new favourite neck profile! I'm going to have to pop back later in the week and take a tape measure and snaps some pics! I'll see if I can take some pics of his other basses too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppet Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 The Nate Mendel Precision which is based on a 71 P is advertised as having a 'slim C' neck with a 41mm nut. It's noticeably shallower than the current modern C..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tredders Posted August 1, 2017 Author Share Posted August 1, 2017 [quote name='Muppet' timestamp='1501624903' post='3346097'] The Nate Mendel Precision which is based on a 71 P is advertised as having a 'slim C' neck with a 41mm nut. It's noticeably shallower than the current modern C..... [/quote] Thanks! And thanks also to dood, who also mentioned this. Need to track down a Nate Mendel to try now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted August 1, 2017 Share Posted August 1, 2017 I was thinking it sounded a similar neck to that on Nate Mendels Precision as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tredders Posted August 1, 2017 Author Share Posted August 1, 2017 (edited) Does seem as though there was a short run on shallower necks in '71... Just been reading an interview with Mendel, and noticed the part below. Now I'm off to change the trades on my Variax for sale to include a Nate Mendel P bass ------------------------------- [font=inherit]How did your Fender signature model come about? What's the history of the original?[/font] "I found this 71 Fender P-Bass back in the early 90s and I loved it. I discovered that it was this rare model that they'd made in 1971 with a different type of neck - it was like a thinner version of the P-Bass neck, perhaps a little bit closer to the Jazz Bass. I really liked it, it was super easy to play and it was just a great sounding bass and I played it on 10 years-worth of records." Edited August 1, 2017 by tredders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntLockyer Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 I've got an early 60s C if you want some measurements from that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntLockyer Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 Did it anyway because it is here. Width at nut = 44mm dept at first fret = 21.5mm dept at 12th fret = 25.1mm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebrig Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 (edited) [size=4]I recently sold my 1971 Precision that had an "A" neck, the nut width was 38mm and the radius was [/size][color=#545454][font=arial, sans-serif][size=1][size=4]7.25-inch and it felt great to play[/size]. [/size][/font][/color] Edited August 2, 2017 by thebrig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tredders Posted August 2, 2017 Author Share Posted August 2, 2017 [quote name='AntLockyer' timestamp='1501658014' post='3346199'] Did it anyway because it is here. Width at nut = 44mm dept at first fret = 21.5mm dept at 12th fret = 25.1mm [/quote] Thanks - appreciate that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntLockyer Posted August 2, 2017 Share Posted August 2, 2017 You are welcome. Aparently the 2011 Fender MIJ 70s P bass had a thinner neck depth too. Weird black block inlays though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivansc Posted August 5, 2017 Share Posted August 5, 2017 1962 P Bass - the good ones measured 43-44mm x 18-19mm thick. heaven especially if you have arthritis of the hands. my USA reissue measures 19mm deep and 44 wide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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