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Post subject: Vintage '62 ... or the next best (affordable) thing
Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 1:52 am
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Ok, so I've been wood shedding on a cheap old Raven bass and I'm ready for the real thing. I know what I want, but it's obviously way out of my budget to buy a vintage '62 P-bass. So, can anyone help me out by explaining whether or not the re-issues are any good? I've read that some early 2000's American reissues are excellent. I've also read that some of the early 80s Japanese models are very good (I guess the quality got better over the years when the USA outsourced production, no?).

I've also heard about people getting duped, realizing later that cheap parts have been installed. Anything to watch out for? Any horror stories?

Also, I really don't want one with a pick up cover/guard, but how do you get rid the ugly holes without wrecking the beautiful body/paint -- or even worse, tone? I do want to keep the ashtray as I plan to keep a piece of foam under the bridge and use flats to get that classic 'nice round sound' that James Jamerson got doing the Motown stuff.

Finally, I saw a '62 reissue online somewhere (a while back) and this guy had a super cool modification made. It was a spring loaded 'latch' that could instantly disengage the foam mute for a bigger, sustained tone. Ring any bells?

Any advice would be really appreciated!! :D


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Post subject: Re: Vintage '62 ... or the next best (affordable) thing
Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 3:01 pm
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The now dicontinued '62 reissues can be had for a decent price if you hunt around. I have a '62 Jazz (reissue) and it is awesome. Build,fit,finish and sound kill for sure.
How close to the original is it? It is just ok there. I think the Road Worn series is closer to a original vintage instrument. Just to clarify I compare a '62 today, not brand new and I would go for the Road Worn.
The newer reissue series Fender just came out with (IE: '63 Fender Precision) are really nice and come very close to a vintage P before it got vintage.

Either way the reissue series will not dissapoint but my choice is the Road Worn.


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Post subject: Re: Vintage '62 ... or the next best (affordable) thing
Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2013 1:27 pm
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The 62 RI P is about as close as you can get in anything other than a real 62. Of course there's always a real 61 or real 63. However....well then you still have that pesky pre-CBS cost. Just no way around it. The 62 RI P is a fine instrument. Mighty fine.


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Post subject: Re: Vintage '62 ... or the next best (affordable) thing
Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2013 4:10 pm
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I have two reissue basses, one a FCS J, the other and American Vintage P (57). I think they are both outstanding.

The holes for the covers are not drilled on the AVs, but the pick guard is punch for the screws.

The string mutes you are talking about are aftermarket and kind of pricey. I have not known anyone that actually used them, so I cannot say if they are good or bad, but you can take a peek at www.bassmute.com.

Steve

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Collector of vintage Fender 4 string basses.


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Post subject: Re: Vintage '62 ... or the next best (affordable) thing
Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2013 9:15 pm
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Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2011 5:14 pm
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Location: Linningrad
Todays '63 ARI P-Bass offering is positively gorgeous. I'd pounce if I were right-handed.

The '60's Hot Rod P has me drooling. Can we say T-Bone Wolk? Ahhhh yes, a hot rodded P after my own heart, and Fender Factory Fresh to boot! Sadly, No Leftys. :cry:

_________________
2012 Lefty American Standard Jazz
2017 Lefty American Professional Precision
2018 Rumble Studio 40 Combo
2016 Rumble 200 Combo
One day they shall name a GREAT city after me, and they shall call it LINNINGRAD


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Post subject: Re: Vintage '62 ... or the next best (affordable) thing
Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 6:44 am
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I've been playing for 51 years, as of this year, and have a number of vintage and newer instruments, and I bought a last year run of the avri 62 P basses, and they are absolutely outstanding. I love my old wood instruments as much as any of you do; but playing this 62 RI is as close as it gets to having an original. In other words; minus having an original pre cbs bass; Fender really delivered on this bass. I've never been the type to hype up a purchase just to justify it, and if it's not a good axe; then it finds it'self in the "outgoing" box. Obviously they're always some instruments in the model line up that are better than others. Just my opinion, and I hope it helps in some way.
John Sr.


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Post subject: Re: Vintage '62 ... or the next best (affordable) thing
Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2013 8:52 pm
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Rock Star
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Those flip on/flip off mutes are very expensive and require non-reversible modifications. Instead see this page for two muting methods I use. Way cheaper, as in almost free!
http://brotherdave.com/add_mute.htm


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Post subject: Re: Vintage '62 ... or the next best (affordable) thing
Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2013 3:07 am
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Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2007 6:33 am
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Location: North of Pittsburgh
No matter what any of you say, you're not going to get me G.A.S.sing for a '63!

SO JUST STOP IT!!!!!

Just because Precisions are my favorite basses in the whole world, and sunburst with rosewood and covers and thumbrest is my favorite combination, you will NOT sucker me in again!

A new amp is my number one priority and I've really been sane and sensible, well, sensible, maybe.

Yeah I had to go look at it!

I blame brotherdave for this!

http://www.fender.com/basses/precision- ... -sunburst/


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Post subject: Re: Vintage '62 ... or the next best (affordable) thing
Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2013 5:58 am
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Rock Star
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Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2011 5:14 pm
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Location: Linningrad
'63! . . . '63! . . . '63!

Image


BUY! . . . BUY! . . . BUY!


:arrow: :mrgreen: :lol: :mrgreen: :lol: :mrgreen:

_________________
2012 Lefty American Standard Jazz
2017 Lefty American Professional Precision
2018 Rumble Studio 40 Combo
2016 Rumble 200 Combo
One day they shall name a GREAT city after me, and they shall call it LINNINGRAD


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Post subject: Re: Vintage '62 ... or the next best (affordable) thing
Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2013 8:44 am
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Rock Star
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Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2011 5:14 pm
Posts: 3169
Location: Linningrad
Just listen to that delicious purcussiveness as studio bassist Mel Brown hits it just right for that signature Precision 'burp'!



8)

_________________
2012 Lefty American Standard Jazz
2017 Lefty American Professional Precision
2018 Rumble Studio 40 Combo
2016 Rumble 200 Combo
One day they shall name a GREAT city after me, and they shall call it LINNINGRAD


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