Precision Vintage re-issue differences

[rhughes44]

Can someone advise what are the differences between the 57, 62 and 70's Precision Vintage Re-issues please?
What would be the differences in sound, weight and playability?
Any advice would be much appreciated!

[~tl]

The '57 has a maple finger board, while the '62 has a rosewood one. The '70s one has a larger headstock and a different logo and larger text. It also generally has a slightly thinner neck (at the nut) than the '57 or '62 and is usually available with both maple and rosewood 'boards (sometimes with block inlays). Sound-wise, they should be pretty similar, but the pickups can vary between models which makes a big contribution to how the thing sounds – fortunately it's also quite easy to change. Weight and playability shouldn't be too different between them, but can vary even between the same model, so it's worth getting out there and playing them till you find one you like.

Edited February 10, 2009 by ~tl

[josh3184]

I've been wondering this for a while, glad I finally know, thanks man!

Edited February 10, 2009 by josh3184

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

[quote name='~tl' post='405668' date='Feb 10 2009, 07:30 PM']...sometimes with block inlays[/quote]
Not on a precision

[Hutton]

I think the 70s reissue you are referring to is a Jazz not a Precision.

[wateroftyne]

The '57 has reverse tuners and the pickups have raised and bevelled poles on the 'A'.

There isn't a 'standard' US 70s Precision RI - like Hutton says, only a J.

Tone-wise, some say the '57 sounds 'throatier'.

[~tl]

[quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='405947' date='Feb 11 2009, 07:25 AM'][quote name='~tl' post='405668' date='Feb 10 2009, 07:30 PM']
...sometimes with block inlays[/quote]
Not on a precision
[/quote]
They're certainly more common on Jazzes, but I've seen Precision reissues with them too. For example:

[attachment=20082:cij2.jpg]

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='405962' date='Feb 11 2009, 08:31 AM']There isn't a 'standard' US 70s Precision RI - like Hutton says, only a J.[/quote]
Not MIA/MIM, but Fender Japan do a couple:

[url="http://fenderjapan.co.jp/fender/2008fender/precisionbass/pb70us.htm"]http://fenderjapan.co.jp/fender/2008fender...bass/pb70us.htm[/url]
[url="http://fenderjapan.co.jp/fender/2008fender/precisionbass/pb70_us_ash.htm"]http://fenderjapan.co.jp/fender/2008fender...pb70_us_ash.htm[/url]

Edited February 11, 2009 by ~tl

[wateroftyne]

[quote name='~tl' post='406019' date='Feb 11 2009, 09:43 AM']Not on a precision

They're certainly more common on Jazzes, but I've seen Precision reissues with them too. For example:

[attachment=20082:cij2.jpg][/quote]
Nice bass!

It's either CIJ or CS, though - not American Vintage.

[~tl]

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='406022' date='Feb 11 2009, 09:45 AM']Nice bass!

It's either CIJ or CS, though - not American Vintage.[/quote]
Yeah, suitably GAS-worthy! CIJ I believe...

Edited February 11, 2009 by ~tl

[rhughes44]

Thanks to all for your expert input!
The cij ri '70 sounds like my favourite (just getting used to the acronyms....!) When were they made? Can you buy them in Japan today? In UK you only seem to be able to get the MIA version...
I have a USA Deluxe Precision, but I find I use it mostly on the neck pickup setting - so I want to replace it with a quality p-bass, and then perhaps get another bass for more riffy stuff/funk - maybe a Yamaha TRB1004?
Back to the Precision, a lot of the threads mention that the Japanese importers have been shut down over the last year (Guitar Emporium, etc) - are any still trading...?