It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 4:40 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 6 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: I need help making a bass Factory correct & pickguard i
Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 3:42 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon May 18, 2009 1:02 am
Posts: 80
I am trying to make a 1978 Fender Precision Fretless "politically" correct.

That is I want to replace any incorrect parts with new modern parts that are exact replicas of the 1978 parts. I want to keep it and don't care about resale value. I just want it to look right .

Please tell me if you know the following:

Did the original pickguards come with a notch for the truss rod adjustment?

Where they three or four layer?

What Fender pickguard is the exact replacement?

What would look good on a natural finish ash body?

Are the pickguard screws nickel or chrome, what size are they?

What screws on the bass are nickel and which are chrome?

Where the pickup covers shiney or were the originals in a muted finish?

Any information on the proper length screws for the pickup covers?

I've seen two diferent strap buttons, I can't quite figure out the difference.
One I think is called vintage and has lathe marks on it.
The other looks almost the same but has a smooth appearance.
Which is the correct strap button?

If you have any parts numbers for the correct parts please share them.

Thank you for helping with the cause!


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 2:30 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:00 am
Posts: 1226
Location: In the pocket north of Washington D.C.
Since I own a 78 Precision, I think I can answer your questions:

The original pickguard didnot have a notch for the truss rod,but it did have a small " half moon" bevel in front of the truss rod adjustment.

They were three layer and the standard pickguard color was black for
1976 until 1980. So they would look black/white/black on the edge bevel.

As far as I know, Fender is not making and exact replacement for a late 70's Pbass. That doesn't mean that you can't get one. You just have to know what to order or look for and these answers will help you find it.

Pickup covers- by this I take that you mean the actual black plastic covers that go over the coils? If so the 70's pickups were muted or a matte finish the early ones and vintage reissues were shiny.

The proper length screws for the pickups? I'll have to check but I believe that these are still in use on current Precisions.

Strap buttons- you want the ones with the lathe marks.
In the late 70's they were still using the original style strap button. No straplocks until the mid-eighties or 90s.

I don't have part numbers but if you google "bass parts resource"
You will find a good site. They and Allparts have everything you need.

Good luck with your bass.[/quote]

_________________
If thine enemy wrong thee, buy each of his children a drum.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Wow cool thanks for helping, maybe you know this.
Posted: Fri May 29, 2009 4:35 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon May 18, 2009 1:02 am
Posts: 80
Isn't nickel plating on the dull side compared to chrome? Do you think the pickguard screws are nickel and not chrome?

I thought the neck screws, and the bridge screws were nickel.

Were whte black white pickguards, or other colors available back then?

Fender sells the white black white pickguard with the bevel for the truss rod. I think the '62 series replacement pick guards are as close, as I am going to get. I think they are considered to be an exact replacement, except for the beveled grove. I will check and see if a black white black with the grove is available.

Yes I was speaking of the screws for the plastic pick up covers. I think I found some Fender muted plastic covers. But I can't remember what the originals look like so I guess they will have to be close enough unless I find a picture somewhere.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sat May 30, 2009 5:42 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:00 am
Posts: 1226
Location: In the pocket north of Washington D.C.
The pickguard screws were nickel plated and yes they are duller and a little grayer than chrome but they are considered an upgrade to chrome.

The pickup screws are the same as used today and I beleive they are chrome plated but some could be nickel plaed.

The tuning machines went from the elephant ear nickel type made by Kluson to the chrome plated Schaller type in 1977. The Schaller tuners were branded Fender but they are better functioning tuners than the older type.

There are white pickguards around because that's what they used with certain custom colors, but most Precisions and actually all Fender guitars of the late 70's used black pickguards. Even Strats went to black pickguards and black pickups during these years. (76-79)

I hope that this is understandable.

_________________
If thine enemy wrong thee, buy each of his children a drum.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Good info but just two more questions, I hope!
Posted: Sat May 30, 2009 6:53 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon May 18, 2009 1:02 am
Posts: 80
Great information and very understandable. Thank you very much! Luckily I have the proper tuners.

I will try to find Nickel Screws. LOL, I bet they were easy to find 20 years ago. Oh cool I found marshallparts website and they have nickel screws. http://www.marshallparts.com/products/1 ... Pickup.htm

To clarify if you bought an off the shelf bass which type pickguard screws would have been on it, if you didn't didn't special order.

Were chrome pickguard screws available from the factory as an option at the time? I am a bit confused on that one.

What type of finish if any is on your factory strap buttons? I can't really tell from internet pictures. They didn't come with the silly felt washers did they? If so what color?


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sat May 30, 2009 9:55 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:00 am
Posts: 1226
Location: In the pocket north of Washington D.C.
An off the shelf Fender bass or guitar would have nickel plated pickguard screws. Chrome plated were not availble from the factory AFAIK.

The only variation from nickel plated PG screws would happen if you ordered gold plated hardware on your bass and then the PG screws would be in gold.

There is no finish on the factory strap buttons. They are just turned steel and have the lathe marks still on them. They will rust quite easily and strap buttons usually have a patina of a grayish oxidation as they age.
In the 70s, Fender didn't use any sort of felt washer under the strap buttons.

Many import Fender clones have chrome pickguard screws and strap buttons but these items are not original to any Fender that they are on.

_________________
If thine enemy wrong thee, buy each of his children a drum.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 6 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: