If you want to skip the long story: The photos below are of my new to me 1983 Fender American Standard Precision bass in ridiculously pristine condition.
If you want the story, here it is:
I have been playing bass since 1983 - I was 12 years old, about to be 13. My best friend was a drummer and was starting a band. He needed a bass player, I said, "My Dad plays bass - I can learn!" And suddenly I was a bass player. (There's a great story I've written for my now 8 month old son that maybe I'll share here sometime about the whole thing, but that's what you need to know for this tale).
My first "real bass" (over $200, quality instrument) was a 1993 Fender Jazz. I was a Jazz bass only guy until 2009 when I bought the best bass ever - my 2008 Fender Am Standard Precision. Since 2009, no joke, I've probably bought, sold and traded 25 basses. Like the rest of us, looking for that elusive "perfect bass." Well, I must already have it because I always always always come back to my 2008 MIA P.
In 2012 when the new American Jazzes came out I was really impressed with them. In fact, I have owned and traded three of them - always based on the learning that I am no longer a J-bass guy. No matter how hard I try. I recently traded away a P-bass deluxe for the third 2012 Jazz I owned and just today traded it away ... for a 1983 Fender Fullerton Precision. And the 2012 Jazz was perfect. Amazing. Wonderful. Great. Just can't go back to Jazzes. But this 1983 P is as good (or better - at least for me).
I had said for a while now that I always wanted a bass from my birth year (1970) and the year I started playing (1983). Well, now I have the latter. And, when I say this is "time machine" quality, I am not kidding.
The only mar on the bass is ding in the headstock. Otherwise it is like new. Glossy. No oxidation at all on any of the chrome. No fret damage. No chips in the finish. Barely - if any - pickguard swirling. I mean, this thing is NEW (other than the headstock nick).
Even though it is not period-appropriate, I may swap out the pickguard and pup covers for black ones (and a one ply guard at that) - just cuz I prefer that look.
Anyway, I had to share this great trade with my TB friends.
If you want the story, here it is:
I have been playing bass since 1983 - I was 12 years old, about to be 13. My best friend was a drummer and was starting a band. He needed a bass player, I said, "My Dad plays bass - I can learn!" And suddenly I was a bass player. (There's a great story I've written for my now 8 month old son that maybe I'll share here sometime about the whole thing, but that's what you need to know for this tale).
My first "real bass" (over $200, quality instrument) was a 1993 Fender Jazz. I was a Jazz bass only guy until 2009 when I bought the best bass ever - my 2008 Fender Am Standard Precision. Since 2009, no joke, I've probably bought, sold and traded 25 basses. Like the rest of us, looking for that elusive "perfect bass." Well, I must already have it because I always always always come back to my 2008 MIA P.
In 2012 when the new American Jazzes came out I was really impressed with them. In fact, I have owned and traded three of them - always based on the learning that I am no longer a J-bass guy. No matter how hard I try. I recently traded away a P-bass deluxe for the third 2012 Jazz I owned and just today traded it away ... for a 1983 Fender Fullerton Precision. And the 2012 Jazz was perfect. Amazing. Wonderful. Great. Just can't go back to Jazzes. But this 1983 P is as good (or better - at least for me).
I had said for a while now that I always wanted a bass from my birth year (1970) and the year I started playing (1983). Well, now I have the latter. And, when I say this is "time machine" quality, I am not kidding.
The only mar on the bass is ding in the headstock. Otherwise it is like new. Glossy. No oxidation at all on any of the chrome. No fret damage. No chips in the finish. Barely - if any - pickguard swirling. I mean, this thing is NEW (other than the headstock nick).
Even though it is not period-appropriate, I may swap out the pickguard and pup covers for black ones (and a one ply guard at that) - just cuz I prefer that look.
Anyway, I had to share this great trade with my TB friends.
