Fender Precision Ben Shepherd "exact model" question

pattonpwr · #1 11-08-2011, 12:49 PM

wondering if you guys could help me find out the exact model he's actually playing right now (Ben Shepherd kickass bass player from Soundgarden). I know it's a usa precision with a badass ii bridge.. could be the 50s precision bass reissue below?

(of course in black)

below are Ben's recent live pics. thx in advance!

bassgod0dmw · #2 11-08-2011, 01:20 PM

I would figure it's just an black/maple MIA P bass with a BAII installed on it.

BassAgent · #3 11-08-2011, 01:22 PM

I have a better suggestion: Classic 50s Precision in black with a BAII. As the TS had already figured out.

pattonpwr · #4 11-08-2011, 01:35 PM

thx guys! yep looks like a classic 50's with a BAII bridge. It is USA or Mex? found it @ €700 (like 965usd)

bassgod0dmw · #5 11-08-2011, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassAgent

As the TS had already figured out.

???

BassAgent · #6 11-08-2011, 02:08 PM

TS=Thread Starter. This is what he said:

Quote:

could be the 50s precision bass reissue below?

@pattonpwr: It's MIM, and they're réally good

pattonpwr · #7 11-08-2011, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassAgent

TS=Thread Starter. This is what he said:

@pattonpwr: It's MIM, and they're réally good

thx!

is it worth getting the US? much difference? I already own a really nive USA precision and a mex jazz bass deluxe

bassgod0dmw · #8 11-08-2011, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassAgent

TS=Thread Starter. This is what he said:

I know what he said, I just had no idea what TS meant. Most people would say OP.

Randall · #9 11-08-2011, 02:24 PM

You have a precision and want the look of his bass? I figure if you already have a USA precision you would be set

Not much better than that unless you go the custom shop route.

BassAgent · #10 11-08-2011, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

I know what he said, I just had no idea what TS meant. Most people would say OP.

Oh, right, I was confused with the Dutch forums

pattonpwr · #11 11-08-2011, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randall

You have a precision and want the look of his bass? I figure if you already have a USA precision you would be set

Not much better than that unless you go the custom shop route.

no no, not going for the looks but for the sound. I got an '83 elite II (beauty!), very happy with it but I was just curious about this one. Never played a plain precision and Ben's looks and sounds badass. For the price of my current bass i could almost buy 2 of these

If i ever buy the classic 50's mex I will have to spend some extra bucks for a badass bridge ii (same as in my elite ii) + set it up at the luthier shop as my band plays in C & G

slipitin · #12 01-28-2012, 05:38 PM

Pre-Op TransSexual?

PO or TS?

**ShoeManiac** · #13 01-28-2012, 06:35 PM

Ben seemed to be having a hard time getting by in recent years. That is, before Soundgarden got back together. That being said, I could see him going for the MIM 50's Precision Bass in an effort to use something a bit more economical. I don't think Fender has offered the AVRI 57 Precision in black for some time.

slipitin · #14 01-28-2012, 06:58 PM

...not that hard of a time, really...honestly, did you just say that?...he was between houses that's all...crikey

**ShoeManiac** · #15 01-28-2012, 07:08 PM

There was a SPIN article that came out when the band got back together. It went so far as to say that Ben was homeless for a time. There was a followup from him (on Music Radar IIRC) that SPIN's article was not accurate, but he didn't exactly refute it either. It said that he was basically "couch surfing" for a while, but didn't really get into his personal financial situation. But it does seem that the Soundgarden reunion may have been well timed for both him and Kim Thayil from a financial standpoint.

**StrangerDanger** · #16 01-28-2012, 07:19 PM

Sound comes from hands, strings, pickups and amp first. The guitar is way down the list. I know, I'm a Debbie Downer.

slipitin · #17 01-29-2012, 07:16 AM

Yeah I've no doubt Thayil and Shepherd are not nearly as loaded as Cornell, but I very much doubt the bass choice is to do with not having a grand laying around...I would suggest it's the neck profile as he's a fan of vintage necks...

**ShoeManiac** · #18 01-29-2012, 03:49 PM

Chris Cornell & Matt Chamberlin have both had the benefit of being able to go on the road on a steady basis, and are probably doing okay for themselves. And when you look at the songwriting credits on the last two Soundgarden records I think you would see an increasing number of Cornell credits there. That's where the money has been since up until recently Soundgarden probably hadn't been on the road in over a decade.

Anyhow, as for the bass itself? If we are talking about the Classic 50's Precision, you can get one used for about $500. But I tend to see more of the 2TSB versions on the market. I had one myself in the aforementioned 'burst. And I even put a Badass II bridge on it, too. The neck on that bass feels a little bit more chunky that the AVRI 57 Precision, which this could also be (albeit an older model). My 50's P-Bass was okay, but I just don't dig maple fingerboards that much and I wound up replacing it with a roadworn Jazz bass.