It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:44 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 13 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Identify/date this P-bass Special (Deluxe Series)
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 10:24 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2010 10:06 am
Posts: 5
Hey everyone, I'm looking for some quick help identifying this instrument: http://denver.craigslist.org/msg/2026433786.html

It looks the part of a P-bass special deluxe series, and that's what it says exactly on the headstock (which looks legit), but the hang-ups for me are A) it's passive (this model typically has active electronics) and B) Also with the electronics, the layout is simply V/V/T instead of the typical: Master Volume, Dynamic (Pan) Control, 3-Band Active EQ with: Treble Boost/Cut, Bass Boost/Cut, Mid Boost/Cut.

I've actually gone and played the bass, and it feels pretty nice. I liked it, but I was hesitant to buy it because of the reasons I just mentioned (and the asking price was $500 at the time). I just want to see if anyone knows if they produced versions of this instrument in the past the way I described and made the switch in the last few years to the current configuration. If not, then my only explanation would be that the neck/pickguard had been switched out somewhere along the line...right?

Any help is appreciated, and thanks in advance.

-Landon-


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 8:49 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2010 5:19 am
Posts: 42
Did you by chance see where it was made? It looks like a "california series p" to me.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 10:30 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2010 5:19 am
Posts: 42
http://www.livelightsmusic.de/bilder/gu ... _Delux.jpg


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 4:29 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2010 10:06 am
Posts: 5
Hmmm, I think you're definitely on to something there. Do you know what would make a california p different/better/worse? And is it passive? I (stupidly) don't remember where it was made, but I can try to find out. Thanks for your input, though, I really appreciate it.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 9:03 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:34 pm
Posts: 10760
Location: Athens, Greece
The Mexico Deluxe P-Bass Specials produced before 2004/05 were passive.

These huge-sounding hybrid basses were renamed Deluxe Active P-Bass Special since then and upgraded with Noiseless pickups, a beveled gold vinyl pickguard and active electronics.

Both the passive and active versions of this bass sport a slim Jazz neck mounted into a Precision body.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 1:26 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2010 10:06 am
Posts: 5
Thank you! That was exactly what I needed.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 7:16 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
If you can get the serial number post that. I am pretty sure the California Series Passive Specials did not have a 57 guard on them. So if California Series that is not original. Where did it say it was made? The California Series were crafted in USA, trucked in bulk down Highway 1 to Baja California (Ensenada, Mexico) where the finishing was applied and then they were trucked back to USA for assembly. These short-lived California Series basses were so beloved that they were revived and now known as the HIGHWAY ONES. Serial number would REALLY help.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 10:06 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 bass appears to me to be original. I have one and play it regularly.

These basses were made in Mexico, they are passive and they feature an aluminum anodized pick guard without any holes for a tug bar!

VVT controls work as expected and the bass sounds great.

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


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 6:53 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2010 10:06 am
Posts: 5
I'm working on getting some more info on the bass.

How much did you pay for your Mexican?


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2010 11:56 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.
I bought mine from a pawn shop.

I would rather not discuss the exact amounts that I pay for basses or guitars but I paid substantially less than $500 US for that bass.

Mine did have some body scratches and a loose tone pot, which I repaired, so it may not be such a great deal, but I like the bass.

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


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2010 12:16 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2010 10:06 am
Posts: 5
Hey guys, thanks for all the help, but I'm sad to say that it was sold to someone else today. I asked the new info you've all requested, and the reply was that it sold today. Thanks again everybody...I guess I'll just keep searching.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Identify/date this P-bass Special (Deluxe Series)
Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 2:14 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2011 9:19 am
Posts: 4
This past Saturday, I bought a 1998 MIM Fender Precision Special Deluxe in Oly White. This one is "well-loved," and was upgraded with passive Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder pickups. The bass sounds and feels amazing, is perfectly balanced, has no dead spots, and is farily light in weight (around 8 lbs.). I freakin' love it!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Identify/date this P-bass Special (Deluxe Series)
Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 5:02 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:16 am
Posts: 12
Hey-- if anyone is still interested in this topic i just picked up a really nice one of these models from 2001. (SN# MZ1...) Made in Mexico, passive, gorgeous red metal flake finish. The previous owner changed out the gold anodized pickguard for a standard Fender 3-ply blk/wht/blk guard but included the original guard with the bass. Highly recommended bass if you can find one. I got mine in immaculate shape for $249. Total steal!


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 13 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: