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Grand Theft Precision

Engine207

Losing faith in humanity...one call at a time.
Jul 10, 2008
3,265
370
Dwight Mission, Oklahoma
youtu.be
So, I started my day like I always do - a cup of coffee, bowl of oatmeal, and a craigslist search for "bass". I have found a few deals here and there, but yesterday was the mother lode!

Under a layer of dust thicker than the figurines in my wife's china cabinet, was a near flawless, '03 black-and-white MIM Precision that had been in this guy's closet for about four years - virtually untouched. Aside from one minor ding on the upper horn, all it needed was a good cleaning (and a fresh set of R. Coccos).

The price - $100.

After playing it all day today, I've decided that I really don't like the bridge very much. The stock bridge has very poor sustain and it's ugly, too. I'd always wanted a Precision for that deep, low, almost "upright" sound. Both my '80 Ric and my '07 Jazz Bass have BadAss IIs, and my first instinct is to stay with what I know. But maybe it's time I try something different.

But what?

I don't want to do any major surgery - just a drop in replacement that will require no more than a standard set-up.
Do you Precision people out there have any ideas? Thanks...
 
I don't want to do any major surgery - just a drop in replacement that will require no more than a standard set-up.
Do you Precision people out there have any ideas? Thanks...

I've tried many bridges but I keep going back to the '62 RI style bridge with the serrated saddles for P and Js with 5 mounting screws and my DIY builds.

099-0804-100.jpg
 
Thanks for all the feedback, guys!

Lucky, do you have experience with Gotohs on P Basses? How will it change the tone? More top end?

What I'm really looking for is down-deep low end thunder and more sustain.

I'm gonna head down to The Bass Place, here in town, to see if there are any Ps with the Gotohs installed.

I'm really not too worried about the $60-$90 for the Badass or Hipshot, since it's really not a "$100 bass". I was just lucky to get such a smokin' good deal on it in the first place. In fact, I'm more likely to spend a couple of bucks, because I don't have much into it.
 
I can't seem to find the Fender High Mass Vintage bridge as an replacement part. All of the reviews of the new basses mention what a huge improvement the HMV is. I like the idea of keeping my Fender all-Fender. Also, is it a three-hole or a five-hole mount?

The HMV bridge isn't available as a replacement part. Not sure how many holes the Gotoh is off hand, but I think its a drop in replacement.
 
Hey, Bully...thanks for the input. This entire TB forum is really cool.

There's been a lot of talk about tone and sustain and I was wondering if you (and Mongo) could elaborate on what you liked so much about the Fender Brass Vintage 62 RI?

Was it the as it the fact that it was a drop-in, or cost, or a particular change in the sound, or a combination of things. I know it's as about as hard to describe a sound as it is to taste a color, but I want to pick the right one and it's tough when you haven't heard it for yourself.

Anyway...thanks again for everybody's takes.
 
Hey, Bully...thanks for the input. This entire TB forum is really cool.

There's been a lot of talk about tone and sustain and I was wondering if you (and Mongo) could elaborate on what you liked so much about the Fender Brass Vintage 62 RI?

Was it the as it the fact that it was a drop-in, or cost, or a particular change in the sound, or a combination of things. I know it's as about as hard to describe a sound as it is to taste a color, but I want to pick the right one and it's tough when you haven't heard it for yourself.

Anyway...thanks again for everybody's takes.

A little help for another desert dweller - DON"T WORRY ;)

Buy one, try it, if you don't like it flip it and get another one. You are way ahead of the curve on cost anyway.

TB classifieds are great - you won't find a craigslist type deal, but everyone I've dealt with has been very fair.