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Post subject: 1975 Precision "Opened UP"....Pics & B.S.
Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 7:45 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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I purchased this bass used in the summer of 1979. It was in like new condition at that time. The owner of the music shop told me it was a re-pro. Salesman BS.. :?: ..maybe. I believed at the time, just speculation on my part, that it was probably a '77 or '78 model. It did look brand new.
It was my only bass for 10+ years. I played it locally with only a weekend off here and there at every type of venue you could imagine....inside, outside....small, medium and large clubs....family gatherings....living room jams....business and corporate functions (including ENRON.. :shock: :lol: ). This bass and I have faced many a battle together and we both have the scars to prove it. :lol: What can I say, we were both young back then.... :lol:
The only thing I ever had done to this bass is replace the pups. Somewhere around '81 or '82 I took it to the same music shop I bought and and explained I was getting a loud buzz about everywhere we played. They checked it out and said it was the pups. They had a set of Dimarzios, but they were white. Back then it could take a couple of weeks to get parts in, so I told them go ahead and put 'em in since I had a gig that weekend. Other than that the bass is all original as far as I know, including the case.
Anyway, when I joined this forum, Dec. 2011, one of the first post I read had a link to the Fender dating website. I went there and entered the serial number and it came back as a 1975 model. The big surprise to me though.....the neck plate was upside down! Now I have only got this bass out at the house a few times since I quit using it as my main bass. I've kept the strings backed off and in it's case in a closet. Also, I never was one to work on a bass except for replacing strings and performing a basic set up. But I still can't believe I never noticed that....or maybe I did and never thought much of it and I have just forgotten about it.
So I knew I would need to take the bass apart and check it out and I finally did today. So that's B.S. part of this thread :wink: .....now the pictures. :D

Battle Scars
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2012 American Standard Precision V - Candy Cola Red
2012 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz V - Surf Green
2011 FCS Custom Classic Special Jazz Bass V - Violin Burst
1996 MIM Stratocaster HSS - Black
1975 Precision Bass - 3 Tone Sunburst


Last edited by grho50 on Sun Nov 17, 2013 8:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: 1975 Precision "Opened UP"....Pics & B.S.
Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 7:55 pm
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More pics...... :D

Tuners, & Bridge
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The stamp on the butt of the neck and in the pocket is hard to read, but it looks lik 0103??75 and either B, 3 or 8.... :?: You can see the stamp better in person.
Also notice some one has shimmed the neck pocket with what looks like a business card. Part of it came off on the neck and part of it stayed in the pocket.
Just guessing, but probably the original owner did this and could be how the neck plate was installed upside down.

Neck & Neck Pocket
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2012 American Standard Precision V - Candy Cola Red
2012 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz V - Surf Green
2011 FCS Custom Classic Special Jazz Bass V - Violin Burst
1996 MIM Stratocaster HSS - Black
1975 Precision Bass - 3 Tone Sunburst


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Post subject: Re: 1975 Precision "Opened UP"....Pics & B.S.
Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 7:56 pm
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Wow that is heck of a bass thanks for sharing good to know after extensive gigging my bass will hold up why was the neck plate upside down was it always that way? lol


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Post subject: Re: 1975 Precision "Opened UP"....Pics & B.S.
Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 8:06 pm
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Last pics...... :(

I didn't bother with close ups of the pups since they are replacements. There were no markings on them.....nothing but a brass plate on the bottom. I have been thinking about chqanging them, but after putting the bass back together I played if for awhile. Damn it sounded good. So I'm leaving it as is.....at least for now.
The pots and wiring are original as far as I know, although I'm not sure if the wiring should be cloth or not in 1975. I wouldn't think that they would replace all the wiring just changing out the pups.
I haven't checked the numbers on the pots yet. On the volume pot there was a black wire accross one of the numbers. I didn't move it because I din't want to break the solder joint. However, on the tone pot the same readable number on the volume pot is covered up and you can read the one that's not readable on the volume pot. Confussed :?
anyway, the numbers seem to be the same on both, so between the two you can read both of them.

Pups, Pots & Back side of PG
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_________________
2012 American Standard Precision V - Candy Cola Red
2012 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz V - Surf Green
2011 FCS Custom Classic Special Jazz Bass V - Violin Burst
1996 MIM Stratocaster HSS - Black
1975 Precision Bass - 3 Tone Sunburst


Last edited by grho50 on Sun Nov 17, 2013 8:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: 1975 Precision "Opened UP"....Pics & B.S.
Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 8:11 pm
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Tamey75 wrote:
Wow that is heck of a bass thanks for sharing good to know after extensive gigging my bass will hold up why was the neck plate upside down was it always that way? lol

Thanks Tamey75.
I guess the neck plate was always upside down, or at least as long as I have owned it. I'm thinking the original owner installed it upside down when he added a shim in the neck pocket. Just my speculation, because I really have no idea.

The Fender P-Bass is a work horse. As much as I put the bass through is a testament to that. It could use a neck adjustment and the frets definitely need dressing or maybe replaced, but it stills plays and sounds great. I am able to easily set the intonation, but the action is a little high. Not bad, but a little high for me.
I need to play it more often. Maybe take it to a gig.

_________________
2012 American Standard Precision V - Candy Cola Red
2012 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz V - Surf Green
2011 FCS Custom Classic Special Jazz Bass V - Violin Burst
1996 MIM Stratocaster HSS - Black
1975 Precision Bass - 3 Tone Sunburst


Last edited by grho50 on Sun Nov 17, 2013 8:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: 1975 Precision "Opened UP"....Pics & B.S.
Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 8:18 pm
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Looks legit Big F to me. Pity about the original pickups. They were overwound anyway so no tragic loss sound wise but value wise it is a hit. Pots date to early April of 75. I'm guessing you aren't ever selling it anyway so only your estate will worry about value.


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Post subject: Re: 1975 Precision "Opened UP"....Pics & B.S.
Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 8:21 pm
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You're right brotherdave. I'm not selling. This is the only bass I have kept through the years. I've told my son it's his when I'm gone.

The battle scars don't bother me. I earned everyone of 'em. :D
Oh and the stories they tell..... :lol:

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2012 American Standard Precision V - Candy Cola Red
2012 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz V - Surf Green
2011 FCS Custom Classic Special Jazz Bass V - Violin Burst
1996 MIM Stratocaster HSS - Black
1975 Precision Bass - 3 Tone Sunburst


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Post subject: Re: 1975 Precision "Opened UP"....Pics & B.S.
Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 8:37 pm
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SKcoppertele wrote:
Those look like dimarzios to me. Specifically the model p.

Yeah they are. They didn't have much to choose from and I remember that I had heard some good things about Dimarzio. This was the only set they had in the store, so even though they were white I purchased them. They still sound good.

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2012 American Standard Precision V - Candy Cola Red
2012 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz V - Surf Green
2011 FCS Custom Classic Special Jazz Bass V - Violin Burst
1996 MIM Stratocaster HSS - Black
1975 Precision Bass - 3 Tone Sunburst


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Post subject: Re: 1975 Precision "Opened UP"....Pics & B.S.
Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 9:19 pm
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That bass reminds me so much of mine. I bought mine in 79 also. There were 2 at the store that matched. The owner said he wasn't exactly sure of the years of the basses. Both were Sunburst Maple necks. They both had some scruffs and dings. I just picked the one I did for no reason. $330.... Mine had a small shim in the pocket too. I'm surprised you still have the original pots. That was the first thing to go on mine. I too bought a Dimarzio -same as yours. Those were some of the very few if only replacement pickups at that time in 79. They were $50. I think it sounds great to this day. The original pickups were overwound - so that makes sense as to why they sound so thin. (I put them back in my bass a couple years ago)--- I'm putting the Dimarzio back in it soon. I thought mine was a 73 for a long time and then discovered it was a 74. Yours is much more original than mine. I played mine a lot. I went thru saddle screws, pickguards, pots, input, gave away my bridge cover , etc etc, and -- 2 refinishes later , I'm going to start using it again ASAP after nearly 17 years of it pretty much living in its case.

Nice Bass Man !!!!!! :D


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Post subject: Re: 1975 Precision "Opened UP"....Pics & B.S.
Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2013 10:06 pm
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Hey stroker vance, that's great. Post some pics of yours on this thread. we'll make it a 70's bass thread.....sunburst with mable fingerboards..... :lol:

I really couldn't remember if I paid $250 or $350 for this bass, but since you said $330, I probably paid $350 for it.

At the time I was young. Just starting out playing bass. Didn't know anything about them. Didn't even enter my mind that someday they might have some value to them. I take alot better care of my equipment now, but I still wouldn't change any of the memories I have with this bass.

P.S. The neck plate is right side up now.... :D

_________________
2012 American Standard Precision V - Candy Cola Red
2012 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz V - Surf Green
2011 FCS Custom Classic Special Jazz Bass V - Violin Burst
1996 MIM Stratocaster HSS - Black
1975 Precision Bass - 3 Tone Sunburst


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Post subject: Re: 1975 Precision "Opened UP"....Pics & B.S.
Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 3:20 pm
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For some reason I am unable to post pictures on this site. Not sure why. I have pics though on my Facebook pages. I was 23 when I got my bass and went out on the road to Houston Texas to play 6 nighters at the Albert Pick Motel on HWY 59- then me and the bass traveled all over down South doing 6 nights a week 5 sets a night. Lot's of miles and good times on the road. I played mine for a solid 16 years and then I started getting other basses. It was the only bass I had up until around 96.


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Post subject: Re: 1975 Precision "Opened UP"....Pics & B.S.
Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 4:49 pm
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Nice bass. It looks like a '75.
The original wiring was black and white with plastic insulation. The vintage thing was still developing in '75 but most people were not going to replace the wiring in their bass at that time.
the reason your bass has new wiring is that the Dimrzio pickup came with enough wire to redo the whole bass if someone wanted to. I assume you bought the pickup and had the shop do the work to replace the original Fender pickup. Too bad that you didn't keep the original.

I had never heard that the original Fender P-bass pickups from the mid -70's were over wound. What is the source of that information and what does that mean for the sound of the bass?

I would assume that it would make the bass louder than underwound pickups, correct?
I own a 1976 Precision and it sounds great with its original pickup.

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Last edited by BCbassman on Mon Nov 18, 2013 5:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: 1975 Precision "Opened UP"....Pics & B.S.
Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 4:59 pm
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stroker vance....
Wow...that's alot of miles and alot of smiles too, I bet. :D I'm sure there were times the road got to be too much, but what an experience. Priceless! :mrgreen:
There were times I wished I would have done that back then. I did think about it a couple of times when I had offers, but you know how that goes....life gets in the way sometimes. But I honestly have no regrets.
Playing that much I'm sure you have gotten pretty salty on that p-bass as well.
Like I mentioned before, I'm just a weekend warrior. :D We have always managed to stay busy as far as that goes, but I have often wondered where I would be as a bass player had I done something along the line that you did.
I played my p-bass until '89 when I purchased a Power Jazz Special. I really liked that bass, but in '92 decided to try a 5'er and went with a Jazz Plus. Now I'm sort of back to my roots with the Am Stnd P 5.

Oh yeah....I use https://imageshack.com/signup/ to post my pics. It's pretty easy to use. I copy the "direct" link of each pic and paste it here after clicking on the "Img" tab in the above task bar.

_________________
2012 American Standard Precision V - Candy Cola Red
2012 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz V - Surf Green
2011 FCS Custom Classic Special Jazz Bass V - Violin Burst
1996 MIM Stratocaster HSS - Black
1975 Precision Bass - 3 Tone Sunburst


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Post subject: Re: 1975 Precision "Opened UP"....Pics & B.S.
Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 5:09 pm
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BCbassman wrote:
Nice bass. It looks like a '75.

The original wiring was black and white with plastic insulation. The vintage thing was still developing in '75 but most people were not going to replace the wiring in their bass at that time.
the reason your bass has new wiring is thatthe Dimrzio pickup came with enough wire to redo the whole bass if someone wanted to. I assume youbought the pickup and had the shop do the work to replace the original Fender pick.

I had never heard that the original Fender P-bass pickups from the mid -70's were over wound. What is the source of that information and what does that mean for the sound of the bass?

I would assume that it would make the bass louder than underwound pickups, correct?

Thanks.

I should have took more time and took more pics. There is wiring in the bass as you described, I just didn't get good pics of it. So maybe not all the wiring has been replaced.
As far as the pups being over wound, well brotherdave and stroker vance could tell you more about that. Rest assured, if they tell you something they have done the research. If speculating, they'll make that very clear.
stroker vance did mention that the sound of the original pups was thinner than the Dimarzios. I don't really remember. I was just happy to have a bass that didn't buzz. :?

_________________
2012 American Standard Precision V - Candy Cola Red
2012 Squier Vintage Modified Jazz V - Surf Green
2011 FCS Custom Classic Special Jazz Bass V - Violin Burst
1996 MIM Stratocaster HSS - Black
1975 Precision Bass - 3 Tone Sunburst


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Post subject: Re: 1975 Precision "Opened UP"....Pics & B.S.
Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 5:24 pm
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grho50 wrote:
stroker vance....
Wow...that's alot of miles and alot of smiles too, I bet. :D I'm sure there were times the road got to be too much, but what an experience. Priceless! :mrgreen:
There were times I wished I would have done that back then. I did think about it a couple of times when I had offers, but you know how that goes....life gets in the way sometimes. But I honestly have no regrets.
Playing that much I'm sure you have gotten pretty salty on that p-bass as well.
Like I mentioned before, I'm just a weekend warrior. :D We have always managed to stay busy as far as that goes, but I have often wondered where I would be as a bass player had I done something along the line that you did.
I played my p-bass until '89 when I purchased a Power Jazz Special. I really liked that bass, but in '92 decided to try a 5'er and went with a Jazz Plus. Now I'm sort of back to my roots with the Am Stnd P 5.

Oh yeah....I use https://imageshack.com/signup/ to post my pics. It's pretty easy to use. I copy the "direct" link of each pic and paste it here after clicking on the "Img" tab in the above task bar.



I guess I'll have to try the image shack.

The road did get boring at times. I fell asleep playing once. Fortunately I snapped back awake before I fell out on the stage. I had an offer to go to Memphis and I met the guys from Muscle Shoals. The amount of playing I did made my hands really strong.

Sounds like you put up the P after a long time too. I'm getting back in a Hard Rock group and I've ordered some Dimarzio Rails for the 74. I think I'll slap those in and take up where I left off with the bass. I have that 79 Dimarzio in a Classic 50's bass and it sounds killer. I love the old Dimarzio pickups. They measure at 11k ohms which is the same as some pre CBS pickups.


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