Vintage Fenders

[Reggaebass]

I know there’s many  people on here that have a great  knowledge of vintage fenders, it’s a big interest of mine, and Inspired by a few other threads where various questions have been asked about things like, serial numbers, bridges, cases, pots, pickups , wiring , tuners etc , some great answers and information came back . so I thought this would be a good place to share it. 

 

Also if you have a vintage fender please show us 🙂

[Reggaebass]

I found this a good read http://www.guitarhq.com/fender.html

[Burns-bass]

That’s a great resource, as is this book:

 

[Lozz196]

That is the book of knowledge, and a great reference point.

[ead]

Here's my '66P.  I have dozens of pics of the various bits that would probably bore folks on here to tears but happy to share with the OP if of interest.

[Reggaebass]

42 minutes ago, ead said:

Here's my '66P.  I have dozens of pics of the various bits that would probably bore folks on here to tears but happy to share with the OP if of interest.

That’s a stunner ead, I’d happily see some more 🙂

[Cuzzie]

I have absolutely decided I love a P bass, and Geddy’s book is also a nice bit of porn.

I’ve popped together some P themed basses that I love. I don’t own one and my birth year was in the stinky poo Fender boat anchor years. I did have a quick play on a vintage one, but I was too early in my bass journey to appreciate it, and furthest I can go back with any assuredness on the feel is the JV 83 P bass - 1 was ok, 1 was very very good, but for the guys who own a vintage one can you describe what it is about them compared to a really good modern one?

Cheers

[Old Man Riva]

My late 1962 Jazz (refin)... It’s the nicest bass I’ve ever had the good fortune to play. 

The plant is an essential accessory..! 

[yorks5stringer]

Here's my 72 Telecaster with original and replacement scratchplates, original is off the bass

[ped]

I like 70s jazz basses because of the different rear pickup placement which gives a unique sound especially for the odd popped note. I should have news on that front and be able to show you mine soon... 

[Burns-bass]

Here’s mine. I’ve had a fair few but I’ve paired it down to one.

Objectively speaking, it’s probably not as good as the modern Fenders, but, just look at it!

It’s a 66 with the lollipop tuners. All original bar the jack socket which had to be replaced.

 

Edited August 3, 2020 by Burns-bass

[ead]

9 hours ago, Cuzzie said:

I have absolutely decided I love a P bass, and Geddy’s book is also a nice bit of porn.

I’ve popped together some P themed basses that I love. I don’t own one and my birth year was in the stinky poo Fender boat anchor years. I did have a quick play on a vintage one, but I was too early in my bass journey to appreciate it, and furthest I can go back with any assuredness on the feel is the JV 83 P bass - 1 was ok, 1 was very very good, but for the guys who own a vintage one can you describe what it is about them compared to a really good modern one?

Cheers

I did some basic recording of the '66 vs a newish Highway One (with Greasebucket circuit) and sound-wise there wasn't a great deal of difference even with slightly different strings on.  All nickel rounds for the '66 compared to nickel-wound rounds for the HW One.  Not done the full P bass on flats thing yet.

In terms of general feel the vintage bass is lighter, has a nicer finish to the neck that tbf is probably due to it having been played over the years and so has worn down to a lovely silky finish.  The profile is also slightly fatter and this suits me a bit more.  When I bought it I went looking for a well used item on the basis that the fact it had been pre-loved and played as it was a good one.  I think this is the case for the bass.  I do gig it around the place, as much as when I had a more modern US Precision.  The modern bass has long gone so I guess that re-enforces the above.

I have a couple of old violins too and they also compare very favourable to the more modern instrument I have.

It's entirely possible that there is a element of rose-tinted specs about the whole debate and the fact that these basses are costly may subconsciously mean some kind of justification filter is kicking in; who knows.  I love mine and love playing it.

Desperately coveting @Burns-bass 's '66J .  That would be a lovely soul mate for my P bass.

[Geek99]

I don’t doubt the skill in making them compared to the ease of CNC but I do think the differences are minimal at best, a bravewood / limelight replica is probably as good as an old fender 

[Cuzzie]

30 minutes ago, ead said:

I did some basic recording of the '66 vs a newish Highway One (with Greasebucket circuit) and sound-wise there wasn't a great deal of difference even with slightly different strings on.  All nickel rounds for the '66 compared to nickel-wound rounds for the HW One.  Not done the full P bass on flats thing yet.

In terms of general feel the vintage bass is lighter, has a nicer finish to the neck that tbf is probably due to it having been played over the years and so has worn down to a lovely silky finish.  The profile is also slightly fatter and this suits me a bit more.  When I bought it I went looking for a well used item on the basis that the fact it had been pre-loved and played as it was a good one.  I think this is the case for the bass.  I do gig it around the place, as much as when I had a more modern US Precision.  The modern bass has long gone so I guess that re-enforces the above.

I have a couple of old violins too and they also compare very favourable to the more modern instrument I have.

It's entirely possible that there is a element of rose-tinted specs about the whole debate and the fact that these basses are costly may subconsciously mean some kind of justification filter is kicking in; who knows.  I love mine and love playing it.

Desperately coveting @Burns-bass 's '66J .  That would be a lovely soul mate for my P bass.

Thanks for that, taking rose tints away I sort of suspected that. I am not sure if your Sandberg has any form of ageing but is there any comparison with ‘maturation’ of sound? Certainly my MarloweDK, which has 70s spacing @ped I think fits that, as have masterpieces I have played.

Anyhow - back to Fenders, look forward to piccies

[Old Man Riva]

4 hours ago, ead said:

I love mine and love playing it.

That’s really all that matters..!

[GuyR]

Here are a couple of mine, if we are on a CAR theme. Any excuse......

love the 66 btw.

 

[Chiliwailer]

58 minutes ago, GuyR said:

Here are a couple of mine, if we are on a CAR theme. Any excuse......

Stunning 👍

[Reggaebass]

1 hour ago, GuyR said:

Here are a couple of mine, if we are on a CAR theme. Any excuse......

love the 66 btw.

 

Very nice guy, I’ve probably asked before but what year is the bottom one 

[ped]

That first picture needs cropping, Guy 😂

[Owen]

I love to dig out these photos

[LukeFRC]

19 minutes ago, owen said:

I love to dig out these photos

I’ve tried the one on the right!  First time I had tried a 60s fender - oddly enough, (having played a few jazzes) my first thought was”this sounds a lot like my Sadowsky will Lee jazz” Not sure that’s at all useful comment at all though. 

Love the one on the left.

[Cuzzie]

Someone needs to come out with an Antigua One - love that finish

[Reggaebass]

1 minute ago, Cuzzie said:

Someone needs to come out with an Antigua One - love that finish

I know someone @Chewie who had one but I think it sold 🙂

[Cuzzie]

It’s on the list for me - this thread will make me save pop and crisps money for to one day buy

Edited August 3, 2020 by Cuzzie

[GuyR]

4 hours ago, Reggaebass said:

Very nice guy, I’ve probably asked before but what year is the bottom one 

Bottom one is 62. The others 65.