Fender Hama Okamoto Precision Bass

[Alanko]

While the forum was broken I 1) became a father and 2) bought this bass!

It is essentially a Fender Japan '60s P Bass with a Jazz Bass nut width and lollipop tuners. I gather Fender stuck lollipops on some P Basses in the '60s, but not ones with this style of headstock decal...

In the past I've build various Frankenstein basses with P Bass bodies and J Bass necks. One or two even had Olympic white bodies and tortoiseshell pickguards. It is nice to have one off the shelf. I've never heard a note of Hama Okamoto'a music, but I assume it is good? Dude has nice taste in P Basses.


The bad news... neck was already doing the ski-jump shuffle. Tightening the trussrod revealed that, when notionally level, frets 16 to 19 would end up lower than 14 and 20, while the neck gently settled into a backbow. I had to level the frets aggressively, taking a bit of meat off fret 20 in the process. Now there are no buzzing or choking notes in the high register. Success!

Fender Japan stuff baffles me somewhat. Often seen as the pinnacle of Fender, the electronics seem a bit cheap? Knobs are forced onto cheap split-shaft splined pots, there is zero shielding... it is like the electronics of a budget bass in an expensive instrument. Fretwork is good (but I did need to level and re-crown). Fit and finish is perfect. Rosewood board is dark and sumptuous. The body is light and resonant. It is a very musical bass.

I have a modern MIA Precision bass. It isn't as resonant, the factory electronics are better but it isn't as lively or musical sounding.

[patman]

Beautiful!

[Dave W]

Congratulations on both events!

[Alanko]

Congratulations on both events!

Thanks! Currently dealing with a red screaming baby with the trapped wind fairies... no bass getting played here!

[Psycho Bass Guy]

I did NOT need to see this thread!