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Post subject: Black P bass with black pickguard - do they really exist?
Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 6:27 am
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Hello all

I am new to this forum and I have only been playing bass for just over one year now.
Anyway, I would like to know if Fender ever produced Precision Bass guitars in black with a black pick guard as standard.
The reason I ask is that when I went to buy my new American series precision last year, the shop I bought it from said Fender simlpy don,t do an all black color precision model. They said black precisions came with white pick guards only, and the only way around this was to buy a black pick guard and then have it fitted on to my bass. which is what I am now doing at a cost.
The thing is, since then, I have seen one or two all black precisions selling as new from other shops. They seem to be far and few between but does anyone know the real story behind this? are these all black precisions hard- to- come- by limited editions or somthing? feedback appreciated


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Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 8:41 am
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Fender is correct here. Where you've seen them all black is where stores have done the mod, or it's an FSR for the store in question. I also love this colour scheme!
Image

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2007 Squier VM Precision TB, sunburst
Markbass CMD121H and ext cab


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 9:02 am
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Thanks Telebass

That solves a mytery.

Thanks for posting those pictures. All your bass guitars look great, especially the all black precision. On your blonde Tele bass with the chrome covering over the pick ups, is that covering for any other function other than protecting the pick ups?


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Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 9:41 am
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The original idea for the covers was protection, hand or finger rests, and for the 51 style basses, some measure of shielding for the pickup, as it is a true single coil. The black bass will have these covers too, in a day or two, but the split coil type of pickup is a humbucker anyway, so the shielding aspect is reduced. The shielding aspect also applies to Jazz basses to some extent: if you solo either pickup, they are susceptible to hum. If you have both on at the same level, they form a humbucker. So most Jazz users have some measure of hum cancelling going on, and don't require any great amount of extra shielding in general. However, if you play anywhere with large lighting rigs, for instance, the more shielding, the better! These days, most people see the covers as an inconvenience, but I like 'em!
Sorry, went on a bit there!

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1996 Fender Precision '51 RI, Blond
2004 Fender Precision Std, Black-as-yer-'at
2007 Squier VM Precision TB, sunburst
Markbass CMD121H and ext cab


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 6:45 am
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No really Telebass, thanks for the explanation, you haven't gone on to much at all. If anything its an education for me as my technical knowladge on pick ups is non-existant.
So if I have got this right, other than a thumb rest, the cover helps sheild the single coil pick up from electrical interferance to a degree, and helps reduce humming through the amp. Am I right? If so, are you getting covers fitted on the black precision mainly for aestetic reasons as it already has a humbucker fitted?
Thats interesting anyway, as I do like this look as well, but didn't know you could get chrome covers fitted for personal preference.
Now I'm the one going on and on here, but just a couple more questions if I can:
What is the that little ledge thing screwed on to the pick guard just below the G string on the Blonde Tele Bass? surely it can't be any kind of hand/ thumb rest as its in the wrong place.

Also, as I have mentioned I have an American series precision which came with S1 switching as standard. Do you have an opinion on the S1 switching system? Be as honest as you like.


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Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 10:10 am
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OK, depending where they are mounted, they are finger or thumb rests. If above the strings, plant your thumb and away you go. If below, grasp with the ends of your fingers, or rest the backs of your fingernails against, and play using downstrokes of the edge of your thumb. They were put on in the G position unti '74, then moved up as that style of playing came to the fore.
The two-screw plastic rest was fitted from the very last of the single-coil P-basses, early '57, before that a wooded single-screw type was used, maple, either raw or painted black.
Phew!

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1996 Fender Precision '51 RI, Blond
2004 Fender Precision Std, Black-as-yer-'at
2007 Squier VM Precision TB, sunburst
Markbass CMD121H and ext cab


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 6:45 pm
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I has one. :D
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Bassbrain wrote:
Also, as I have mentioned I have an American series precision which came with S1 switching as standard. Do you have an opinion on the S1 switching system? Be as honest as you like.

IMO pointless on a P-bass.


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Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 2:15 pm
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Nice!

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1996 Fender Precision '51 RI, Blond
2004 Fender Precision Std, Black-as-yer-'at
2007 Squier VM Precision TB, sunburst
Markbass CMD121H and ext cab


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 6:33 am
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Thanks Telebass. No more technical questions, I promise.

Zod - I have to agree about the S1 thing. I can't see much use for it really.
Posting that picture of your black bass has had the desired effect - I am jelous! But only til I get my own bass fitted with a black pick guard soon.

Thanks again guys.

Bassbrain.


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 6:35 am
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Thanks Telebass. No more technical questions, I promise.

Zod - I have to agree about the S1 thing. I can't see much use for it really.
Posting that picture of your black bass has had the desired effect - I am jelous! But only til I get my own bass fitted with a black pick guard soon.

Thanks again guys.

Bassbrain.


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