Sell or modify '71 Tele Bass - Page 5

paddydaddyo · #81 02-03-2013, 02:56 PM

Keep it original except add a P-Retro circuit (keep the original electronics, obviously). But that would be bad-ass.

GreaserMatt · #82 02-03-2013, 05:19 PM

Well, mister, what's it gonna be?! LOL j/k

**ronaldpdbrandt** · #83 02-03-2013, 06:11 PM

The best advice of this thread was to talk to Curt Novak. He's even got a pickup called the EB-BS that is a Bisonic/Dark Star clone disguised as a mudbucker. I'd say Curt is your best first step. He'll work with you to get the sound you want out of the bass you already love, without changing the look.

**mjac28** · #84 02-03-2013, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronaldpdbrandt

The best advice of this thread was to talk to Curt Novak. He's even got a pickup called the EB-BS that is a Bisonic/Dark Star clone disguised as a mudbucker. I'd say Curt is your best first step. He'll work with you to get the sound you want out of the bass you already love, without changing the look.

+1 Curtis knows his pickups I have a set of his Charlie Christian P pups in one of my basses and love them.

chadds · #85 02-03-2013, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by awilkie84

I say mod it! Vintage is just a money-grab for hoity-toity gear snobs. If you like the feel of the bass, but want a more versatile sound, mod it.

When you play say a real '56 or '57 you won't name call. Perhaps most of us can't afford one and its a shame they cost so much but that doesn't lessen their sound quality. That's the first reason they became valuable. The collectors came second. Yes, I bought a '57 in '69 for $150.00. Dry resonant bass that my RI '57 doesn't come close to.

**mjac28** · #86 02-03-2013, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadds

When you play say a real '56 or '57 you won't name call. Perhaps most of us can't afford one and its a shame they cost so much but that doesn't lessen their sound quality. That's the first reason they became valuable. The collectors came second. Yes, I bought a '57 in '69 for $150.00. Dry resonant bass that my RI '57 doesn't come close to.

+1 if they sounded horrible people wouldn't spend the money to own them but it's the way they sound that makes them so special.

bassbully · #87 02-03-2013, 10:38 PM

I had an all original 73' Tele with original OHSC. It was a great bass with a sick neck. I really dug the tone but it was a one trick pony. As much as I wanted to keep it I needed more options so I sold it. Don't mod a great bass like that...sell it and get what you need in a bass.

rodl2005 · #88 02-03-2013, 11:04 PM

I might contact Curtis myself

OT, I don't s'pose he's any relation to Aussie comedy duo Novak & Goode?

bluehevy75 · #89 02-04-2013, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronaldpdbrandt

The best advice of this thread was to talk to Curt Novak. He's even got a pickup called the EB-BS that is a Bisonic/Dark Star clone disguised as a mudbucker. I'd say Curt is your best first step. He'll work with you to get the sound you want out of the bass you already love, without changing the look.

All right....I'm looking to sell it but I'll shoot an email to Novak too and see what he says.

If they still made Darkstars this would be a done deal.

If I end up getting a new pickup do I want new pots and wiring so as not to lower the value by "re-soldering" the old circuit to the new pickup or is the value not dependent on "original solder joints."

I know it sounds silly to ask but to be honest I'm not sure what qualifies as "original." Some folks seem real specific about it.

KH

smcd · #90 02-04-2013, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjac28

I understand asking and getting price

I don't think you do, otherwise you wouldn't have linked those auctions. So I'll repeat what's been said ten million times - ebay auctions that *ask* absurdly high prices are good for nothing but comic relief. It's only the COMPLETED auctions that are worth mentioning. And I know you weren't able to find a completed auction that rang in over $2k.

smcd · #91 02-04-2013, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluehevy75

If they still made Darkstars this would be a done deal.

If I end up getting a new pickup do I want new pots and wiring so as not to lower the value by "re-soldering" the old circuit to the new pickup or is the value not dependent on "original solder joints."

I know it sounds silly to ask but to be honest I'm not sure what qualifies as "original." Some folks seem real specific about it.

KH

Really? Darkstar? What did you play with a Darkstar in it that impressed you that much??

The general rule is not to change anything on a vintage instrument. But the solder connection issue only really comes into play on instruments in the 5-figure range. In the end, this bass is a sub-$2k instrument, and the originality of the solder joints isn't going to matter, as long as you keep the oringinal pickup with the bass.

rekesbass · #92 02-04-2013, 09:45 AM

IMO..if you go the new pup route...take everything off the pick guard(pup,pots etc..)and remove the input jack in tact....or..leave it all on the pick guard and replace everything..new p\g,pup,pots output jack etc..

couldn't hurt to have all fresh pots and wires caps etc...and everything is easily reversible..

bluehevy75 · #93 02-04-2013, 10:32 AM

Sent email to Curtis Novak. Will let all know what he says.

KH

rodl2005 · #94 02-04-2013, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluehevy75

Sent email to Curtis Novak. Will let all know what he says.

KH

Cool. Awaiting impatiently:what:

bluehevy75 · #95 02-06-2013, 06:40 AM

Novak said he could do it and house it in the RI TB pickup.
No word on price yet. My guess is around two-ish.

Links to his EB rewound "Fatbucker" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vYiN...CCACA69913C14C

Thoughts? It sounds fine I guess but listening in the computer is different that live. It sounded clearer and more articulated than my mudbucker but the sound didn't "move" me. Don't know if that is just AA's playing style or what. He's obviously great but his feel isn't quite what I'm try to do.

Another option:
A local shop said they'd swap me: They have a
'75 p bass refin
'78 p bass natural
'81 p bass
'83 p bass

Of course I'll play them first. In terms of value would any of these be a fair trade?

KH

rodl2005 · #96 02-06-2013, 06:56 AM

I'd go with the pup replacement, but I love the feel, neck of my Tele.
If any of those "moved" me I might take it I suppose.
As far as which one'd be worth most.... Either of the 70's But I'm no expert on these things.

I contacted Novak too. So about $200 for his pup & $70 or so for the TB RI Squier.... Ain't cheap, but might make my tele useable for 90% instead of 20%

fenderslaper · #97 02-06-2013, 01:07 PM

The RI tele pickup is slightly larger than the original. You would have to re-cut the hole in the pickguard to make it fit. Just FYI.

bluehevy75 · #98 02-06-2013, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderslaper

The RI tele pickup is slightly larger than the original. You would have to re-cut the hole in the pickguard to make it fit. Just FYI.

Great to know. Thanks so much.

rodl2005 · #99 02-06-2013, 02:21 PM

Oooh, thanx. I haven't looked into all aspects yet, but, yeah thanx.
Might get a pickguard too ..

smcd · #**100** 02-06-2013, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluehevy75

Another option:
A local shop said they'd swap me: They have a
'75 p bass refin
'78 p bass natural
'81 p bass
'83 p bass

Of course I'll play them first. In terms of value would any of these be a fair trade?

Fair trade? Not really. All of those basses are worth less than that Tele bass. Not surprising, though. Shops are in the business of making money, and they never make a trade that doesn't favor them heavily.