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Post subject: Re: 1985 Precision bass lyte
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:21 pm
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1989-90

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Collector of vintage Fender 4 string basses.


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Post subject: Re: 1985 Precision bass lyte
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:30 pm
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Location: Athens, Greece
My Lyte has deluxe features including a solid mahogany body, a humbucker in the bridge, gold hardware and a 3-band EQ.

One of my brothers purchased the bass in the UK circa 1997/98.


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Post subject: Re: 1985 Precision bass lyte
Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 11:11 am
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affprod wrote:
1989-90


Thank you.


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Post subject: Re: 1985 Precision bass lyte
Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 3:56 pm
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Hey, sorry for reviving this thread....again.

i got one of these basses right here with the serial " s/n B006405 " anything anyone coud tell me bout this one? seen a few pictures of others and this one has 5 knobs, just wanna know how much its worth.


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Post subject: Re: 1985 Precision bass lyte
Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 7:40 pm
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nutdog wrote:
Could someone please date a P Lyte Made in Japan S/N E930515?

Image

Thanks.


If anybody's interested I gave this bass a new lease on life. Stripped the poly and shot rattle can Daphne blue nitro. Hipshot hardware and EMG pickups and preamp. Pickguard by Jeannie's.

ImageImage


Last edited by nutdog on Thu Aug 15, 2013 6:13 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: 1985 Precision bass lyte
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 6:00 am
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Some things in this thread bother me.

What the heck is XWINNER.COM and why hasn't that post been marked as spam?

Were the pickups broken? It's yours and you can do as you wish, but the originals are ok.

What was wrong with the original paint? Fender Japan finishing is first rate.

The Fender serial info for dating is on a page under the support tab here: http://www.fender.com/support/articles/?section=articles&category=product-dating

If you are worried about what it is worth, do not mod one. On the other hand, if you are looking for an instrument to mod you are going to lose less money modding one of these than about any other Fender electric bass. Lytes will probably never be collectible in your lifetime or maybe even your children's lifetime because there are just so danged many of them. So go ahead with the mods on Lytes, but mods still they hurt what little value they have.

That's a nice paint job but it's not easy being green.

If you are looking for a quality affordable Fender Japan model, this is it. Amazing basses and even more amazing at the low prices I see on these around here.

There were so many Lytes shipped all over the world that they have not appreciated significantly and will be slow to ever do so. The Lyte is a fine Fender Japan issue. IMO it is one of the best designs out of Fender Japan ever including the modern active Jaguar Bass. Fender continued the Lyte design in the ZONE model made in Mexico briefly. The Fender Japan ones are nice instruments with better than the usual Fender Japan electronics and the always excellent Japanese workmanship from Fujigen. They are worth what any other Lyte is worth where you are located so check around locally. Values vary based on where you are. Any estimate I give on what they are worth here is bound to be wrong there. Here all original ones are worth 400 to 650 USD if original depending on condition. If modified half that, or roughly the same as an Indonesian Squier. Yes mods hurt that much. Actually this part is hard to believe but all original Squier Japan models bring way more than even a slightly modded Fender P-Bass Lyte.

The reason for no value appreciation on these is only because there are just so many of them in excellent original condition available, not because it is a lesser grade Fender Japan issue. Anyone looking for the biggest bargain on a used Fender Japan bass need look no further than the Lyte. Really nice instrument at a stupid low price.


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Post subject: Re: 1985 Precision bass lyte
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 6:53 am
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brotherdave wrote:
Some things in this thread bother me.

What the heck is XWINNER.COM and why hasn't that post been marked as spam?

That post is from 2 1/2 years ago. The photo's were probably removed from the host site and now a generic ad appears in the links.

brotherdave wrote:
Were the pickups broken? It's yours and you can do as you wish, but the originals are ok.

The P pickup was OK and I usually played it on full P. The J pickup had anemic output and buzzed like crazy (single coil). I think it is mounted too close to the bridge for the J to have good output. The preamp was kind of lame. I like the new setup better. The sweepable mids in the preamp is nice to add some beef back into the J pickup.

brotherdave wrote:
What was wrong with the original paint? Fender Japan finishing is first rate.

I affectionately referred to that finish turdburst. That is one of the most ugly burst finishes I've ever seen on a production instrument. It also had several blemishes. Also, the gold hardware was looking rough.

brotherdave wrote:
The Fender serial info for dating is on a page under the support tab here: http://www.fender.com/support/articles/?section=articles&category=product-dating

I have an E serial number that site dates to 84-87. Lytes apparently weren't in the US until 89. The bass in the OP has a B serial number which the site puts in 85-86. Mr. Schwarz at Fender dates it to 99. I used that site but found it wanting.

brotherdave wrote:
If you are worried about what it is worth, do not mod one. On the other hand, if you are looking for an instrument to mod you are going to lose less money modding one of these than about any other Fender electric bass. Lytes will probably never be collectible in your lifetime or maybe even your children's lifetime because there are just so danged many of them. So go ahead with the mods on Lytes, but mods still they hurt what little value they have.

I could have sold that bass for about $250 with a case. I liked the way it played but not the way it looked. I think someone would pay more for it now but not what I have into it. I really don't know and don't care because I will never sell it. I wanted a bass that had some retro panache with modern guts. Now I have an attractive, unique instrument that fits well with my oldies band and weighs just over 7 lbs.

brotherdave wrote:
That's a nice paint job but it's not easy being green.

Thanks, it's actually blue. :wink:


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Post subject: Re: 1985 Precision bass lyte
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 11:12 am
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nutdog wrote:
Could someone please date a P Lyte Made in Japan S/N E930515?

Image

Thanks.


This would be the ultimate fretless bass. It's small, it's basswood..and it's Fender. Always loved that particular finish. Can't forget the Jazz neck and P and J pickup configuration...

No "talkbass" style mods for this one.


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Post subject: Re: 1985 Precision bass lyte
Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 1:41 pm
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Benny Hill wrote:
nutdog wrote:
Could someone please date a P Lyte Made in Japan S/N E930515?

Image

Thanks.


This would be the ultimate fretless bass. It's small, it's basswood..and it's Fender. Always loved that particular finish. Can't forget the Jazz neck and P and J pickup configuration...

No "talkbass" style mods for this one.


There is one on ebay now just like it only in much better shape starting at $199. Rip out the frets in a non-talkbass fashion and you're in business. :D


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Post subject: Re: 1985 Precision bass lyte
Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 12:52 am
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brotherdave wrote:
Fender continued the Lyte design in the ZONE model made in Mexico briefly.


...and the Lyte Deluxe in the twin humbucker USA DELUXE ZONE made in the United States the same period! :P

Image


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Post subject: Re: 1985 Precision bass lyte
Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 10:09 pm
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chromeface wrote:
brotherdave wrote:
Fender continued the Lyte design in the ZONE model made in Mexico briefly.


...and the Lyte Deluxe in the twin humbucker USA DELUXE ZONE made in the United States the same period! :P

Image


A rare beauty for sure.


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Post subject: Re: 1985 Precision bass lyte
Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 3:56 am
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The Mexican Zone was the only Zone bass to be available with 5 strings.

Image

If an American Deluxe Zone Bass V came finally into surface it would sport a 4+1 configuration.

Unfortunately Fender had no plans to release a 5-string version for the American Deluxe Zone. Instead of this they chose to discontinue the series to eliminate costs.


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Post subject: Re: 1985 Precision bass lyte
Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 4:05 am
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That neck looks a lot like the Jazz Plus Deluxe 5 from the early 90's.


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Post subject: Re: 1985 Precision bass lyte
Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 6:42 am
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Pretty close except the Jazz Bass Plus features a rounded neck heel joint and a pair of black plastic string guides.


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Post subject: Re: 1985 Precision bass lyte
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 4:25 pm
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Hi, I'm trying to date my Japanese made Fender Precision Lyte. S/N K027536. Bought it used in 1999. Very good bass! Have used it for gigs and recording. It's a dark metallic gray, has active P/J pickups and gold plated hardware. Thanks for your help!


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