• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

1983 Precision Elite I w/ gold plated hardware.

R

rebel1222

Jun 13, 2012
42
0
#1
I just traded my CIJ Geddy Lee Signature Jazz bass for a 1983 American made Precision Elite I bass. I wanted some thoughts and opinions on the Elie bass, and whether or not you think this was a good trade for me..

My thoughts are:
This bass isn't in as good a cosmetic condition as the GL bass, but is sounds amazing, (way better imo than the GL bass), .. great tone, and just a really thick sound coming out of this bass.. Also, if i keep it, i will likely install a Bad AssII bridge, some passive Bassline 1/4lb pick upsm, and a black pick guard..

I also was wondering what this bass might be worth? really don;t have a clue.. i guess as long as it is closed to the value of the GL bass, I'll be happy.
 
#4
Yes, been playing it all weekend.. i am having trouble justifying the need to change the pick ups out.. i just prefer passive.. my other bassis a
MIM jazz with 1/4 lb. p pickup installed at the neck and it sounds amazing as well. i will be using both for some shows, and i hope i don;t get messed up going from one to another in the same gig..
 
#5
rebel1222 said:
Yes, been playing it all weekend.. i am having trouble justifying the need to change the pick ups out.. i just prefer passive.. my other bassis a
MIM jazz with 1/4 lb. p pickup installed at the neck and it sounds amazing as well. i will be using both for some shows, and i hope i don;t get messed up going from one to another in the same gig..
Click to expand...

I am fairly certain the pickups on those are passive, just the preamp is active. You could test them, and if they are passive, you could just bypass the preamp.
 
#6
rebel1222 said:
My thoughts are:
This bass isn't in as good a cosmetic condition as the GL bass, but is sounds amazing, (way better imo than the GL bass), .. great tone, and just a really thick sound coming out of this bass.. Also, if i keep it, i will likely install a Bad AssII bridge, some passive Bassline 1/4lb pick upsm, and a black pick guard..
Click to expand...

An '83 Precision Elite is worth a lot more than a Geddy Lee Jazz. I'd make trades like that all day, every day. However, if you want to decrease the value of that '83 Ellite, go ahead and put a Badass bridge and Seymour Duncan p/u's in it. That'll lower the value of the Elite to the level of the GLee, and it will only cost you a few hundred dollars to do it.



If the Elite "sounds amazing, great tone", why would you even consider changing the bridge and pickups?? :confused:
 
#9
Thanks for the thoughts on this guys.. that's exactly why i posted that.. i certainly don't want to decrease the value of the bass. so i'l leave it as is. I figured the collective knowledge on this board would steer me in the right direction..

Any idea on wht this bass would be worth?
 
#10
smcd said:
An '83 Precision Elite is worth a lot more than a Geddy Lee Jazz. I'd make trades like that all day, every day. However, if you want to decrease the value of that '83 Ellite, go ahead and put a Badass bridge and Seymour Duncan p/u's in it. That'll lower the value of the Elite to the level of the GLee, and it will only cost you a few hundred dollars to do it.



If the Elite "sounds amazing, great tone", why would you even consider changing the bridge and pickups?? :confused:
Click to expand...

The main reason would be that the gold plating has been flaking off the bridge and tuners, and i want to put a black pick guard on the black bass and the pick ups are also white.. and the p/u's AND the pick gaurd has faded to the yellowish shade of off-white due to age.
 
#14
Fresh Eddie said:
Those are really nice basses. After going from a Jazz, you might have to adjust to the extra wide neck.

Have you played it stock yet? The original pickups and electronics on those sound amazing... at least to my ears.
Click to expand...


Agreed. Personally, I wouldn't change a thing. The stock bridge should have the fine-tuners. And, as Mr. Fresh stated above, the electronics is what makes these bass, compared to your run-of-the-mill P-Bass. So, IMHO, don't change a thing!! I've seen the asking price for these in mint condition from 2k and up. Whether they sold for that, or not, I haven't the slightest.
 
#15
rebel1222 said:
...and i want to put a black pick guard on the black bass and the pick ups are also white.. and the p/u's AND the pick gaurd has faded to the yellowish shade of off-white due to age.
Click to expand...

Well, a pickguard change to black would be a harmless swap. Just be sure to screw the old white one to a wood plank so it doesnt curl and warp.
The pickguard problem with the Elite I is the knobs are spaced further apart than a standard P, and also the pickup shapes. So you'll probably have to get a custom cut guard made from Pickguardian.
 
#16
Caca de Kick said:
Well, a pickguard change to black would be a harmless swap. Just be sure to screw the old white one to a wood plank so it doesnt curl and warp.
The pickguard problem with the Elite I is the knobs are spaced further apart than a standard P, and also the pickup shapes. So you'll probably have to get a custom cut guard made from Pickguardian.
Click to expand...

This is correct. I had 2 Elite II's (one a Gold version like yours) and the PG's are non-standard. I had to send one off to make sure I got exact replacements.

P.S. +1 on leaving it alone. The PG is one thing, but gutting it wouldn't be in your best interest IMO. If you don't like the sound of it, or you prefer a different look, my advice would be to sell it (they're in the $1200 range for VG condition) and get an American Standard P from 1983. The neck is identical and it's already fully passive.
 

Attachments

  • ELITES_PG.JPG
    ELITES_PG.JPG
    46.8 KB · Views: 196
#18
Local music store had one in White w/ gold hardware and they were asking 1800 which is probably a little high, but it sounded and looked great. Most Geddy's are fetching 400-500 on the used market. Plus I could throw a ball into a music store and hit 9 Geddy Lee basses, not so many P Elites.

Count me in the group that says not to mod it either...
 
#19
I've had an '84 Elite II for about 14 years now. Awesome bass! Mine's probably worth double what I paid for it. The Lace Sensor pickups are passive. If you want, you could probably bypass the pre, but you'd lose a ton of oomph and beefiness. Knowing the full force of the capabilities of this bass, I wouldn't change a thing. I thought you could get a new pickguard at Pickguard Heaven, but they only have the Elite II on their site. Looks like you'd have to do a trace.

Congrats on the score!
 
#20
They are Nitro too, right?

deeptubes said:
I've had an '84 Elite II for about 14 years now. Awesome bass! Mine's probably worth double what I paid for it. The Lace Sensor pickups are passive. If you want, you could probably bypass the pre, but you'd lose a ton of oomph and beefiness. Knowing the full force of the capabilities of this bass, I wouldn't change a thing. I thought you could get a new pickguard at Pickguard Heaven, but they only have the Elite II on their site. Looks like you'd have to do a trace.

Congrats on the score!
Click to expand...
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back