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1978 fender precision bass question

#21
To the best of my knowledge, Fender still uses cheap plastic nuts so, there's no way in creation a brass nut was standard, back then.

The neck issue, unfortunately, is not completely unusual with 70s Fenders.

The typical knock on 70s Fenders is that they were hit-or-miss. Unfortunately, that's true. If you get a good one, it's almost like hitting the lottery.

The advantage we have, looking back, is that a good portion of the "time damage" that's going to happen to the 70s models has already happened.

That bass is fixable and it should give you many years of good service, if it's fixed correctly.

I would strongly caution not to take the attitude of "the neck pocket isn't an issue". If it's not an issue now, it certainly has the potential of becoming one. It's not an incredibly detailed fix and you remember the old adage, don't you? "If something is worth doing ..."
 
#22
Neck pockets 'imprecision' fitments like that weren't "just a thing that year".... Luckily most Fenders managed to play and sound pretty good despite the poor QC back then and the numerous changes under CBS control, that weren't popular back in the day. I think guitar players probably complained more than bass players, but then Strats got more 'upgrades', (or downgrades maybe?) than bases did. Including the thick poly finishes, less body contouring, change to the large headstock, tiltomatic neck adjustment.
 
#23
jaibeau said:
View attachment 4949762 View attachment 4949760 A buddy let me use his mint 78 bedroom bass. Thing looks like new. But couple of questions…
1. Did these come with a brass nut? It seems really high. Fretting in the first 5 frets takes strength. Plus it’s not curving with the neck radius.
2. The gap on this neck pocket is huge, I’ve never seen that.

I feel like this was worked on but he claims he bought it new in 78.
Click to expand...
The brass nut is not original but sadly, the neck pocket gap is original & common…..
 
#24
bobyoung53 said:
You can usually just loosen the neck screws and move the neck where you want it unless it's really bad and tighten the heck out of it, it won't move.
Click to expand...

You're correct...I was presenting a worst-case-scenario. I never seem to have that kind of luck with what should be a simple adjustment...there's always something hosing-up the works. We'd know a lot more if we had a pic of the string / fretboard alignment.

Riis
 
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#29
AGCurry said:
"Mint condition": perfect condition : a state of being like new

The brass nut negates "mint."
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That always gets me when people are like, “it’s mint except for XYZ” That’s not mint. :meh:

Mint condition, aka the condition it was in when it was minted, aka the exact condition as if you just walked into the mint and picked it up off the end of the production line. The condition the item would be at the literal mint. Any minutia of difference or imperfection, or even an aftermarket improvement means no longer mint. Could be excellent condition but not mint.

Nitpicky, I know, but it matters, especially when valuing things.
 
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#31
I happen to have a 1978. I would never call mine mint or all original. But it is very nice. And it came with a brass nut that I always thought was after market. I really like it.
 
#32
My 1978 Precision seen in my avatar to the left is all original. No brass nut. General construction and fit, perfect everywhere from what I see. It is very stable and very very infrequently if ever, needs further set up adjustments. If there were a gap in the neck pocket, it would be an entirely cosmetic issue. The neck is securely screwed to the body and the neck surface between the 4 screws sits entirely flat and against the mating surface on the body. That is what keeps the neck securely in place. Mine setup with stainless steel RW's .050-.105 sound great. No need to replace the pickups on that one. Bass is on the heavy side, but my padded 3" strap makes that a none issue.
 
#33
yeh those brassnuts need to be filed down alot... Just bought one for a new build, really just for aesthetics and that magical "sustain folklore" i keep hearing about. Plus it's shiny and looks blingy. Well its gonna accent the other "gold" parts on this build. But i see alot of work needs to be done to get it down to a playable height.. Goodluck, i hope your friend doesnt mind you taking that 78' to a luthier.
 
#35
The one in the middle is my '78 fretless P.
IMG_1748.jpg
 
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#38
Ricky Rioli said:
Aniseed — nice, fresh, nothing wrong with it, a real pleasure, but definitely not mint
Click to expand...
Basil. :whistle:
I'm gonna start referring things to being in basil condition. I will not explain. People will get aggravated with me. But this is my reality now. :cool:
 

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