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Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 4:41 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Imo the American Series of 2000-2007 was a wrong turn for Fender. I had a butterscotch Precision from that era that felt like a toy next to my old 1995 American Standard P. It was still a better bass than what most of the other companies had to offer at the time, though.

It's all good. Fender came back real strong in 2008, and all was well in bass history.


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Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 4:51 pm
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stroker vance wrote:
The worst years for Fender was when CBS bought the company in the 60's. Things went to hell in a handbasket for awhile after that. In the early to mid 70's it was not uncommon to find : out of alignment bridges- bad/too large neck pocket routes- weak pickups- crooked covers- and other problems. I think the early 80's basses got better and from then on it kind of looks like things have been uphill to today. Now some MIM basses are really good and some can compete with USA's.


Ahhh, yes. I have an original '68 Super Reverb amp, which was the first year CBS tried their own styling / circuitry on that particular amp. Luckily, mine is one of the originals that has the blackface circuitry, with a silver face!

I'm very suprised that my bass is actually something people are interested in - Always thought it was just another run of the mill P-Bass..

_________________
'68 Fender Super Reverb with all original speakers (un-modified)
'13 Fender American Standard Stratocaster Olympic White w/ Maple fretboard
'99 Fender American Precision Bass
And a lot of other gear... That's not Fender :)


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Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 9:49 am
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A bass player (no offense intended) does not have "run of the mill" in the vocab when concerning Fender basses. They are all beautiful creations until we get mad at one and then we mod it or sell it. :D :D :D :D


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Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 9:18 am
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None taken ;)
Someday I'll be a more educated bassist, but for now, I'll stick to my guitar :P

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'68 Fender Super Reverb with all original speakers (un-modified)
'13 Fender American Standard Stratocaster Olympic White w/ Maple fretboard
'99 Fender American Precision Bass
And a lot of other gear... That's not Fender :)


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Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 11:47 am
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A natural finish is the indication of a premium ash body. I doubt that the body on your bass is one piece but it has a very nice grain pattern and I would rec. that you keep it original.

1995 is a transition year for Fender basses in that it was the first year that Fender used the graphite stiffening rods in their necks, that many top makers now include in their bass necks.

I also have a 1995 Precision bass with dents in the back of the neck that I was able to repair with clear finger nail polish. Its a lot cheaper than paying for a neck refinish, which will unquestionably devalue your bass.

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


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Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 1:34 pm
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WildintheStreets wrote:
What would you use for down to the wood nicks and scrapes, brotherdave? Dan Erlwhine(sp?) has talked about superglue fill in's on guitar bodies, but not necks. Another website I go to suggests using the glue because it's poly based. There's also the lighter fluid thing...


I think that if it is beyond scotchbrite pads and extra-extra fine sandpaper or triple zero steel wool I'd seek professional help. It actually might need some heavier sanding and a poly spray. I don't like fillers on necks because they rarely look right and usually will discolor looking worse and then eventually fall out so you are back where you started...or worse. Sometimes though fillers might be the only way out I guess. Someplace that has a really good repair shop could figure out the best solution with it in hand.


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Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 1:46 pm
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Thanks for the info guys.

At first I was thinking this bass would be de-valued enough due to the nicks that refinishing it wouldn't hurt the value, but apparently I was mistaken..

I've been meaning to post the pictures of the back of the neck, sorry I haven't - I'll get to it when I'm off work tonight!


Much appreciated! :)

_________________
'68 Fender Super Reverb with all original speakers (un-modified)
'13 Fender American Standard Stratocaster Olympic White w/ Maple fretboard
'99 Fender American Precision Bass
And a lot of other gear... That's not Fender :)


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Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 10:21 pm
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Hey guys,

Here's some newer pictures of the bass with my new camera. I don't have the pickguard on ATM, was cleaning it up since it had a line of gunk around the pickguard...

Also pictures of the knicks. Some are pretty deep, that's why I was recommended a refinish.
Don't know the value of the Bass right now, and what it might be worth if I were to refinish the neck.

Image

Image

Image




Thanks,
David

_________________
'68 Fender Super Reverb with all original speakers (un-modified)
'13 Fender American Standard Stratocaster Olympic White w/ Maple fretboard
'99 Fender American Precision Bass
And a lot of other gear... That's not Fender :)


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Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 10:23 pm
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Image

Image

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'68 Fender Super Reverb with all original speakers (un-modified)
'13 Fender American Standard Stratocaster Olympic White w/ Maple fretboard
'99 Fender American Precision Bass
And a lot of other gear... That's not Fender :)


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Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2013 1:42 pm
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None of those nicks is enough to warrant a complete refinish of the neck on my opinion.
I see nothing to warrant a refinish of the body. Also know that do duplicate the quality of the original finish on a 1999 Fender bass, you will have to spend more than the current value of the bass in time or money.

I rec. that you:
1. Leave them alone. - This is the course favored by any future collector.
2. Steam out the dents and seal them with clear fingernail polish- if they really bother you.
3. for the body-do number 1 for collector value (albeit future value)
4. for the body-do number 2 for the same reason.

The neck on my 1995 P-bass had worse dents than yours and I filled them with clear fingernail polish after attempting to smooth the out as much as possible. You will always see the marks on the neck after doing this and that is why the best course, for future value, is to do nothing.

I sealed mine because I found that the dents interfered with my playing comfort.

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


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Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2013 7:14 pm
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Thanks brotherdave. Sounds like fill in work is never reliable.

I'd just leave the neck marks alone. They'll smooth out after some playing. That bass is so nice.


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Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2013 9:32 pm
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It's hard to tell from the pictures, but to my eye, I would leave it alone and play it. If it really feels bad playing, BD's suggestions of a very light abrasive touch up would be the ticket.

It really is a nice looking bass.

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Collector of vintage Fender 4 string basses.


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Post subject: Re: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 6:02 am
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:idea: :arrow: I would suggest you apply liberal amounts of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey to the bass player and turn the volume up to 11 :!: :!: :)

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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: '99 American Precision Bass re-finish?
Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 8:37 pm
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linnin wrote:
:idea: :arrow: I would suggest you apply liberal amounts of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey to the bass player and turn the volume up to 11 :!: :!: :)



Hahaha, I'll take that advice ;)

I'll leave the bass as is. I don't think it's worth the trouble to have anything done to it, plus, I am a bit of a purist. I do prefer when instruments are left untouched, though must have needed to be reminded of that ;)

_________________
'68 Fender Super Reverb with all original speakers (un-modified)
'13 Fender American Standard Stratocaster Olympic White w/ Maple fretboard
'99 Fender American Precision Bass
And a lot of other gear... That's not Fender :)


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