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Post subject: When did the Precision neck shape change to "U"?
Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 3:14 pm
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I'm looking to possibly buy a 1970 Precision & I'm fairly sure they didn't go to the U shape until a little further into the early '70s. Does the 1970 model still have the '60s "C" shape? I'd rather get some insight here instead of depending on the seller's opinion.
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Post subject: Re: When did the Precision neck shape change to "U"?
Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 6:03 pm
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Post subject: Re: When did the Precision neck shape change to "U"?
Posted: Tue Oct 08, 2013 7:25 pm
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brotherdave, they might have started out with a U shape, but went to a "C" in the '60s. I'm trying to determine the year it went from a C to a U shape in the '70s.


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Post subject: Re: When did the Precision neck shape change to "U"?
Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 8:23 am
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Since Fender had numerous variations on neck shapes throughout their history, it is impossible in my opinion to definitively state that a certain neck profile started or stopped at any particular year.

There were deep u and v shaped necks in the 50's 60's and 70's along with wide C shaped and bulky D shaped necks.

It is also very difficult for any reader of these posts to know what your concept of a U shaped neck is.

I own a 1971 Precision and I would describe the neck as a 'B' shape profile. It is very different from the 'C' profile of any 1966 Fender Precision, which tend to be more wide and thinner front to back.

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Post subject: Re: When did the Precision neck shape change to "U"?
Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2013 8:39 am
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Thanks BCbassman


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Post subject: Re: When did the Precision neck shape change to "U"?
Posted: Wed Nov 13, 2013 12:42 am
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BCbassman wrote:

I own a 1971 Precision and I would describe the neck as a 'B' shape profile. It is very different from the 'C' profile of any 1966 Fender Precision, which tend to be more wide and thinner front to back.


Could be it is a Modern Oval. I'm familiar with a "B" width but unfamiliar with a "B" shape.

Neck shape letter references usually relate at least generically to the general shape of the letter. D and U are very similar and often used interchangeably for the exact same shape but the D and U are to me different. Necks said to be u are not as thick as U. V and v describe the hard and soft V shape. C and c are different with c often used interchangeably with Modern Oval.

But a "B" neck back shape is a new one on me. It is amazing to me how often they changed shapes and there could be a "B" shape that I just never ran across. After the modern oval they went back to the hard full C for a while.

It would be impossible to list them all and all the changes unless maybe you are AFFPROD and have one of everything. Sometimes everything changed but one or two models. The Telecaster and Precision had the fewest changes, being the base models they just didn't mess with them as much. While you could custom order the neck width you were pretty much stuck with whatever neck back shape was in vogue at Fullerton on that model at the time of the order.

I've never seen a U on a real Pre-CBS Stratocaster, yet there have been some reissue Strats that are said to have a U-neck shape. I find that sort of weird. Also weird is that '57 P-Basses had a V neck back shape, but I don't know of any 57 RI's with a true V neck. However you could probably go Custom Shop and get one whipped up. It doesn't bother me to the point I lose sleep over it because the latest and recently discontinued '57 RI was a fine instrument in spite of the fact the neck back shape wasn't accurate for a '57. I also wouldn't let the neck back shape or when the shapes changed influence my buying decisions on a vintage P-Bass much. You either like the instrument as a whole or you don't. Getting super picky about neck back shape on a P-Bass is sort of like judging a new acquaintance by their manicure.


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