The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Fender Basses => Topic started by: 4stringer77 on March 20, 2014, 06:46:24 AM
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This is the only precision I have ever owned. I acquired it around 1997 with a scratched out serial number but I believe the second to last number on the neck stamp indicates she's a year younger than me, made in 78'. I carelessly traded the bass in college to a friend. We stayed in touch since and I intermittently got to see the bass over the years and just had to have it back. At some point somebody decided to toss the original matching guard and the pots along with it. The pickup was replaced with a Rio Grande vintage P and it sounds good. The original pickup is still supposed to be floating around with a different friend of ours but I haven't heard back from that guy. I rehearsed with a band that has a Hammond/keys player doing Soul live type stuff and they preferred the Fender over the Gibson $ bass. They said the $ bass sounds too much like a rock bass and the Precision fits in better with the old school vibe.
(http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/4stringer77/Group%20Bass%20Photo/antiguafront_zps8ae3d160.jpg) (http://s1151.photobucket.com/user/4stringer77/media/Group%20Bass%20Photo/antiguafront_zps8ae3d160.jpg.html)(http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/4stringer77/Group%20Bass%20Photo/antiguaback_zps835bc96c.jpg) (http://s1151.photobucket.com/user/4stringer77/media/Group%20Bass%20Photo/antiguaback_zps835bc96c.jpg.html)(http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/4stringer77/Group%20Bass%20Photo/headstock_zpse5328c93.jpg) (http://s1151.photobucket.com/user/4stringer77/media/Group%20Bass%20Photo/headstock_zpse5328c93.jpg.html)(http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/4stringer77/Group%20Bass%20Photo/fretboard2_zps128c1519.jpg) (http://s1151.photobucket.com/user/4stringer77/media/Group%20Bass%20Photo/fretboard2_zps128c1519.jpg.html)(http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/4stringer77/Group%20Bass%20Photo/fretboard1_zps2d36a1e6.jpg) (http://s1151.photobucket.com/user/4stringer77/media/Group%20Bass%20Photo/fretboard1_zps2d36a1e6.jpg.html)(http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/4stringer77/Group%20Bass%20Photo/underguard_zps90eac20a.jpg) (http://s1151.photobucket.com/user/4stringer77/media/Group%20Bass%20Photo/underguard_zps90eac20a.jpg.html)(http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/4stringer77/Group%20Bass%20Photo/neckpocket_zps681484d1.jpg) (http://s1151.photobucket.com/user/4stringer77/media/Group%20Bass%20Photo/neckpocket_zps681484d1.jpg.html)(http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/4stringer77/Group%20Bass%20Photo/neckstamp_zps1fb482a8.jpg) (http://s1151.photobucket.com/user/4stringer77/media/Group%20Bass%20Photo/neckstamp_zps1fb482a8.jpg.html)
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When these came out I could not stomach them, these days I'm a little less harsh and file them in the so ugly it's cool category. I almost bought one of the new Fender Antigua Precisions. That's a cool bass you have there and glad you got it back.
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Never was a fan, but I actually like it better with the white pickguard. Cool bass either way!
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Thanks Scott. If I ever make it over to Rochester I'd be happy to show you the bass. It really has aged nicely and I think I'm going to keep it the way it is. The white pickguard is nice but I was thinking a tort pickguard might really set it off. There's a guy making some amazing stuff now. This is one them.
(http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/4stringer77/Group%20Bass%20Photo/spitfiretort_zps5d431c67.jpg) (http://s1151.photobucket.com/user/4stringer77/media/Group%20Bass%20Photo/spitfiretort_zps5d431c67.jpg.html)
http://spitfiretortoiseshellpickguards.wordpress.com/
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Not so sure If I would like tort on that. The white looks good, I think aged white/b/w would look perfect on it. Anytime your in the Rochester area give me a shout I'd love to see the bass!
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It'd be worth the trip for the wings and to check out your collection. I brought the bass back to where I bought it for a set up and the owner told me the same thing about cream or parchment being a good match and then he said I could stain the existing guard maybe with some coffee or tea. That tort is tempting but it's not cheap either. I think a precision guard would be about $140.
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I like it with the white PG too. The original antigua PG was a bit too much, and I'm not a fan of tort on that particular color.
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I'm in agreement with everything that has been posted - bass looks amazing, the white guard to me makes the antigua more palatable.
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Agreed the aged white would look great. Are you able to say who is making that tort guard? I really like that particular mottled tort.
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Link to the site under the pic. I hope this guy can handle his stuff. It is the singularly best tort available anywhere. If I was him I'd sell the process to FMI for a ridiculous huge lump sum and not have to worry about running the show. I can see a huge demand looming. I still think his guard would look great on my bass or any bass for that matter.
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Nothing that a bit of Nitromors and a respray won't cure... :vader:
The neck looks lovely and lived-in though...
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I never though Antigua looked that bad. Wouldn't choose it for myself though. Yours looks pretty good, some of them haven't aged well.
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It'd be worth the trip for the wings and to check out your collection. I brought the bass back to where I bought it for a set up and the owner told me the same thing about cream or parchment being a good match and then he said I could stain the existing guard maybe with some coffee or tea. That tort is tempting but it's not cheap either. I think a precision guard would be about $140.
The bass looks great- congrats on getting it back.
Re: aging the white pg, I've read that turmeric (the spice) works good to age/yellow plastic parts.
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Turmeric can probably stain anything you put it on. I don't think I'll be doing any home science experiments with the guard I have. The tug bar holes are on the wrong side. I think turmeric is supposed to be good for preventing Alzheimer's as well.
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I'm going to see this fellow Krishna at the guitar garage in Waltham MA, to discuss options for the bass. I've been seeing him turn out some nice work and I'm sure he can help me whichever direction I decide to go. I'll update as things develope.
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I'm going to see this fellow Krishna at the guitar garage in Waltham MA, to discuss options for the bass. I've been seeing him turn out some nice work and I'm sure he can help me whichever direction I decide to go. I'll update as things develope.
Hieronymous (Harry) has used Krishna in the past. See http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=627.0 Krishna is registered here as bostonguitarrepair (his former business name) although he hasn't posted in years.
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Hieronymous (Harry) has used Krishna in the past. See http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=627.0 Krishna is registered here as bostonguitarrepair (his former business name) although he hasn't posted in years.
Thanks Dave - yeah, haven't corresponded with him since around the time of that refin that you linked too. Krishna was a good guy though - 4stringer77 - get him to post here if you end up working with him! :)
(He also did a nice job reversing the courses on my Ric 8-string - cut a new nut and new bridge saddles)
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I should be seeing him next week. I'll be sure to let him know he's loved and missed here.
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Krishna's a peach. We had a chill couple minutes talking about stuff in his collection and the ever burgeoning market home and abroad for vintage guitars and basses. I made sure to tell him everyone here says hi and he recounted the occasion he had to work with heironymous and his remarkable pickups. Krishna says he can make an Antigua guard to match the bass. He recommended I take the bass to Mouradian for a heat treatment to try to correct some of the issues with the neck. I'll update after that.
Well, it looks like I'll be seeing Steve Morrill instead. He also has the equipment to heat treat the neck and probably can get my bass back to me quicker than the Mouradians could. Krishna said Steve does fine work as well. The twist was something I was aware of back when I traded the bass and part of the reason I traded it. It isn't that bad though and hasn't gotten any worse over the years. Where I set my action and what can be heard from my amp in a live setting almost makes it a negligible issue but it's too tempting to not try and correct the neck as much as possible.
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Steve Morrill set me straight. The neck's not twisted but the ninth fret was seated a little on the high side so he'll tap it down best he can or dress it level. I'm going to have him set the bass up a bit better with La Bella 760 fs deep talkin' flats. Can't say I cared for the DR legend flats that I tried on there when I got the bass back. They're a little too lifeless and devoid of a rich harmonic overtone structure. He'll also make me a parchment guard with a thumb rest on the correct side. I didn't feel like messing with any expensive tort just yet and didn't want to take a gamble on a painted repro pick guard looking like a correct match. Oh yeah and new flat top knobs. Pics when it's done.
I waved to Joe Biden on his way out of Boston after commemorating the bombings from last year. His rather large cavalcade drove by Bukowsky's where I was having lunch and a beer (maybe a couple) after seeing Steve.
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The Mouradians definitely have a long wait time. I remember it being like a month just for a setup! Glad you got to talk to Krishna too - I'll have to drop him a line. I'm getting homesick for Boston!
Also, yours is the first report I have heard of the Legends - I bought a set but haven't put them on a bass yet. Got them for my Duck Dunn Precision which currently has GHS flats. That might be a project to undertake.
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Steve said he'd have it done in no time. Ordering the pickguard material will be the longest part of the wait. About the Legends. They have their fans I'm sure but they are a little too flat for my tastes. The E string seemed more on the dead side and out of balance with the rest of the set. From what I've heard about Pyramid golds it seems they may be similar sounding and if you like those you might like the Legends.
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Steve did a bang up job by golly! Put a piece of aluminium foil under the threaded saddle bridge I provided to secure the ground wire contact. He banged in the frets on the treble side and put on La Bella 760fs flats along with the parchment guard and thumb rest. This P plays like a dream now!
Here's one way to make an Antigua finish look good ;D
(http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/4stringer77/boobsandbass_zps182f53a2.jpg) (http://s1151.photobucket.com/user/4stringer77/media/boobsandbass_zps182f53a2.jpg.html)
The picture was taken at the Tilted Kilt in Nashua, NH.
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(http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/4stringer77/titsandbass_zps6cb3ae91.jpg) (http://s1151.photobucket.com/user/4stringer77/media/titsandbass_zps6cb3ae91.jpg.html)
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[Clansman] Who gave them permission to wear my family colours... [[Clansman]
Bass...? What bass...? :mrgreen:
Just enquire as to where they've hidden their Skean Dhu's... ;)
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It would make perfect sense for these waitresses to have that accessory. They could bring out bread, cheese and fruit and cut it table side and if a customer got fresh they would have something to defend themselves with.
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Or a haggis.
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I suspect a haggis would make an excellent defensive weapon. No one would want to get hit by one.
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Haggis is a delectable dish. I'm disappointed it's not on their menu. Any kind of meat pie would have been nice as well, especially kidney pie, but alas it is nowhere to be found on the menu either. The elephant and castle had kidney pie on the menu in Toronta when I was there yet the same establishment in Boston didn't have it. The Brittish Beer co chain here does have some decent pies and pasties with at least one true cask ale on tap unlike the Tilted Kilt.
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No thanks. Anything with oatmeal in it gets a big thumbs down from me.
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Surely you're being facetious Dave. Most people's qualms would be with the associated mélange of organ meats. If you actually don't like oatmeal, please be sure to eat some other types of whole grains. They're wicked important for your health.
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No thanks. Anything with oatmeal in it gets a big thumbs down from me.
You and all that snow and nae porridge...??? ;)
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Surely you're being facetious Dave. Most people's qualms would be with the associated mélange of organ meats. If you actually don't like oatmeal, please be sure to eat some other types of whole grains. They're wicked important for your health.
I'm serious. The taste is revolting to me. Back when Wilford Brimley was spokesman for Quaker Oats, I saw a comedian do a parody of his ads. The fake Brimley said that oatmeal tastes like something someone had already eaten and thrown up. That's about right. :)
You and all that snow and nae porridge...??? ;)
I have grits to get me through the winter (and summer).
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Here's some video of me jamming on the old girl. Nice cutting tone with the La Bella flats and a heavy celluloid Fender pick.
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<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10203266317671519" data-width="466"><div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">Post (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10203266317671519) by Kimberly Wallace (https://www.facebook.com/kwallacesorrell).</div></div>
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Not sure what you're trying to post but it didn't work. Is this the video?
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10203266317671519&set=vb.1016788838&type=2&theater
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Yes, that's the one Dave. I just selected the embedding option on the vid and cut and pasted the link it gave me. Not sure why it showed up the way it did. I didn't know where the singer, Jason, came up with the song until I looked it up yesterday. It's a Zakk Wylde song.