chrisanthony1211 Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 (edited) I tend to be very careful where I gig with a pre CBS Fender, only using at places I know very well, however I've decided that this beauty is going to get a few more outings over the coming months, she was made in 1964 and is currently sporting a "spitfire" guard, I just need to be carful with her! Do you gig your pre CBS Fenders? Edited August 8, 2017 by chrisanthony1211 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Not quite pre-CBS but built be Leo and team, my '66 P bass gets regular outings. I didn't buy it to watch it go dusty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 I haven't got any pre CBS instruments now but I would take my 66P out to some venues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 (edited) I think a 66 rates as "prectically" pre CBS. They were still made by the Fender team and CBS hadn't started to make their changes. I wouldn't buy any gear that I couldn't or wouldn't gig. I'm as worried about my modern gear getting damaged on gig so the bass is always put in the gig bag at the side of the stack when it's not being played. If I'm worried about it getting damaged when I'm actually playing it. . . . I would even be doing a gig like that in the first place. Edited August 8, 2017 by chris_b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Most of the damage on my instruments I've done myself and at home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Just be careful with it. I guess the biggest hazard would be having it stolen, and then trying to find it afterwards? I gig my Overwater custom 7, which would cost in excess of £5k to replace, that's what it's for. It's kept in it's gig bag at gigs, which I keep next to me, or in sight at all times. Though my bass would probably be a little harder to sell, and easier to spot. My friend is a cellist, her cello would cost tens of thousands to replace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 I've gigged a '57 and a '65. There's not much point in owning them if they're not going to get played. Those basses don't get much action because I mainly play 5-string basses these days, and I've been having the Devil's own time trying to fine a pre-CBS 5-string ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertbass Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Only damage ever caused to our equipment is by our drummer. Not a lot we can do about that unless we sack the drummer. Now there's a thought! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p90fool Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 I've gigged my Wal a fair bit and it's never bothered me, but I retired my '63 Strat from my guitar gigs about 20 years ago due to paranoia in crappy pub venues. Funnily enough, although I've had it since I was 17, the fact that it has been relegated to wall art for so long has diminished any emotional attachment I had for it, so now it's up for sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbiscuits Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 Mine's not pre-CBS but its a 1970 P, so 47 years old (older than me anyway!) From the mid 1990s to the mid 2000s it was the only bass I owned so it got gigged all over the place, including getting stolen and recovered a few days later. It had a bit of a spell out of action when it was having a refret and a few tweaks, but since then I'm using it more for gigs - there isn't any point in having gear that's so good you're afraid to gig it. I guess I might have 10-15 years of wanting to bother gigging anymore, so might as well enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 My '57 P and '72 J and P get fairy regular outings. Very few people take any notice in my gigging experience! I do keep a close eye on them though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisanthony1211 Posted August 8, 2017 Author Share Posted August 8, 2017 Im not so bothered about damage as that would count as normal wear and tear, within reason! It's more about someone taking it, although I'm guessing most people wouldn't realise what it is, just need to keep an eye on it, never let it stray too far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntLockyer Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 I've used my 62 on all but 1 Gig in the last 2 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikel Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 I have a classic Rodgers drum kit and a late 60s Gibson SG. I bought them both new, and to play, because I loved and still love the sounds they both make. Gig them both at every opportunity. I dont have a bass you could call a "Classic" but If I had I would own and play it because I loved the feel and sound, not to look at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 My ex girlfriend and her boyfriend sold mine. Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 [quote name='chrisanthony1211' timestamp='1502209259' post='3350016'] Im not so bothered about damage as that would count as normal wear and tear, within reason! It's more about someone taking it, although I'm guessing most people wouldn't realise what it is, just need to keep an eye on it, never let it stray too far! [/quote] I wish I gigged with my more expensive basses more often. German made Hofner Limited Edition Club Bass with Cavern Club PU spacing, Gibson Gold Top Les Paul Bass and Gibson Custom Shop ES-335 in vintage faded cherry. I can't afford to continue babying these basses. I paid good money for each one. I have to start gigging them. Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmjos Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 The reason these instruments are so valued is that they sound the bollox. Play 'em but do it respectfully. Don't take your granny crowd-surfing but if she still sings like Ella let her sing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1502189659' post='3349831'] I've been having the Devil's own time trying to fine a pre-CBS 5-string ... [/quote] Take a string off a 61 Bass vi then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted August 8, 2017 Share Posted August 8, 2017 There was a story recently in one of the guitar mags about a guy in the UK that gigs a 59 Les Paul. He said that most people think it`s a reissue rather than a £200k ish guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikel Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 [quote name='jezzaboy' timestamp='1502221147' post='3350104'] There was a story recently in one of the guitar mags about a guy in the UK that gigs a 59 Les Paul. He said that most people think it`s a reissue rather than a £200k ish guitar. [/quote] Exactly. Does it really matter what other people think you are playing as long as you love the sound? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 It depends if you've bought it as an instrument or an ornament. I don't have any ornaments & if I had the money for a pre CBS, I'd buy a Ritter & gig it. The dad in law bought a rather nice Lowden O35 40th not so long ago. Cost over £5k & he plays it regularly at the church & local folk club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted August 9, 2017 Share Posted August 9, 2017 (edited) As others have said - instruments are there to be played, unless you've got one in a glass case. I mostly gig my Fender Roadworn P - so I'm not so bothered about bumps & dings. Theft is something I'm always conscious of - It's so easy for someone to break into a car, or pick something up when backs are turned Sometimes, I think I'm paranoid about it. I think gigging a bass worth so much might make me even worse! lol For gigs where I'm dubious about the crowd / venue, I have a couple of cheaper basses - though I'd still be upset if anything happened to my Squier CV P bass I don't own a Pre-CBS but this would be a real quandary for me too - I'd want to play it live, but would be distraught if it got pinched Edited August 9, 2017 by Marc S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 I think, for me at any rate, part of the fun is wondering who owned the bass before me and what was it used for. There are certain tunes, maybe some old blues standards, that I just get the feeling the bass knows this song. Over-sentimentalising of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Browning Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 [quote name='ead' timestamp='1502798644' post='3353593'] I think, for me at any rate, part of the fun is wondering who owned the bass before me and what was it used for. There are certain tunes, maybe some old blues standards, that I just get the feeling the bass knows this song. Over-sentimentalising of course [/quote] My #1 bass (which I rarely gig now) is just that. I know both its previous owners and I know it's played with BB King and many of the old Blues greats, even if I haven't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 I not only do not gig it but I have not played it for years. I SHOULD sell it...... . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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