First off, this is a parts bass. Nice parts. Real Fender parts. Mostly U.S. parts. Carefully chosen and assembled.
I started with the neck. Purchased “new other” from Stratosphere in 2013. “Genuine Fender 50s Road Worn Precision Bass neck”, mint, MIM.
Then Stratosphere listed this body, “USA 57 Fender Precision P BASS BODY White Blonde Transparent”, “new other”, unplayed, mint. A beautiful Ash body in Transparent White Blond nitrocellulose.
I decided to go “semi Road Worn”. The pickguard and pickups are from an actual Road Worn bass; part numbers 099-2020-000 (guard) and 005-6004-049 (pickups) ( the 56003/56004 set used on pre 08 American Precision basses, as well as Highway One, Road Worn and Classic models) reliced by Fender.
Genuine Fender vintage reissue bridge (099-0804-100), Vintage reverse tuning machines (007-8834-049), and knobs (099-1366-000); all the same parts used on the Fender USA ’57 AVRI, reliced by Madison’s Music. I used Fender packaged CTS pots and Switchcraft jack.
The neck plate is from an Fender American Vintage instrument, but was not “born” with this bass.
This bass was built with love, and with no intention of selling, but I could never get comfortable with the vintage profile 1 ¾” nut width neck. I almost bought a Deluxe Precision Special neck, but that would spoil the “period correctness” for me. Can’t go there. This bass has had almost zero play, as I always reach for my Jazz neck P bass or Jazz Bass. I guess I didn’t really give it a chance.
Trades? I am really hot for a G&L ASAT bass right now, or an L-2000, preferably with a #8 or #6, 1½” nut width neck. Not ruling out the #12. Not ruling out an “L” series 5 string. Love seeing wood grain through the finish; love maple fretboards. I do have a little $$$ to add to the deal.
Thanks for looking, Jon.
