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'62 Precision vs '72 Precision: can you hear the difference?

Which track is the '62 Precision Bass?

  • Track A is the '62 & Track B is the '72

    Votes: 108 39.3%

  • Track B is the '62 & Track A is the '72

    Votes: 116 42.2%

  • Track C is probably carrots (I have no idea)

    Votes: 51 18.5%
  • Total voters
    275
  • Poll closed .
#241
bassfiddlesteve said:
My friend Robert Strickland and I decided to conduct an experiment to determine the difference in tone between our Fender Precision Basses, his being a coveted pre-CBS instrument from 1962 and mine being a 1972 model. Both basses have rosewood fingerboards and are completely stock with their original electronics and hardware. They are both strung with La Bella light-gauge flatwounds that have been on their respective instruments for the same length of time, and neither bass has a foam mute. For this experiment, I chose to play a portion of James Jamerson’s classic bass part from Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” along with an instrumental backing track, the bass featured prominently in the mix. Both instruments were recorded directly into Audacity with no compression or effects. The basses were played finger-style and the volume and tone controls were up all the way. We would like the members of this group to listen to both tracks and see if they can determine which bass is being played. We will reveal the answer at a later date.

Track A

Track B

View attachment 3762364

- Steve
Click to expand...
Again, nice playing, I have a 64 stock P bass with medium Fender flats on it and bass A sounds very much like that bass, I also have a number of other basses and have owned 66, 68 and 72 P basses, the 72 was the brightest sounding of the lot but it also had a maple fingerboard, all the others were Rosewood. My first question is did the same player do both tracks? The fingers and playing position can change everything
 
#243
Currently own more Jazz basses than precisions, but when go out to play I take a precision. I didn't think I would be able to hear the difference between A and B (presbycusis and years of loud music) however, B sounded better to my ears. I think it nailed the vintage sound.
track A was more consistent with s 73 precision I played for years, which I regrettably sold in 1996.
that is my two cents on a very nice thread.
 
#246
I don't hear any substantial differences that go beyond speculation. The bass is a tad too loud in the mix, which makes it even more difficult. I would be more interested, which bass feels better in you guys' hands and was more fun to play? I admire your playing !
 
#250
bassfiddlesteve said:
My friend Robert Strickland and I decided to conduct an experiment to determine the difference in tone between our Fender Precision Basses, his being a coveted pre-CBS instrument from 1962 and mine being a 1972 model. Both basses have rosewood fingerboards and are completely stock with their original electronics and hardware. They are both strung with La Bella light-gauge flatwounds that have been on their respective instruments for the same length of time, and neither bass has a foam mute. For this experiment, I chose to play a portion of James Jamerson’s classic bass part from Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” along with an instrumental backing track, the bass featured prominently in the mix. Both instruments were recorded directly into Audacity with no compression or effects. The basses were played finger-style and the volume and tone controls were up all the way. We would like the members of this group to listen to both tracks and see if they can determine which bass is being played. We will reveal the answer at a later date.

Track A

Track B

View attachment 3762364

- Steve
Click to expand...
I would go Track B the 62 it just sounds that bit more fuller to my ear but both sound excellent
 
#251
bassfiddlesteve said:
My friend Robert Strickland and I decided to conduct an experiment to determine the difference in tone between our Fender Precision Basses, his being a coveted pre-CBS instrument from 1962 and mine being a 1972 model. Both basses have rosewood fingerboards and are completely stock with their original electronics and hardware. They are both strung with La Bella light-gauge flatwounds that have been on their respective instruments for the same length of time, and neither bass has a foam mute. For this experiment, I chose to play a portion of James Jamerson’s classic bass part from Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” along with an instrumental backing track, the bass featured prominently in the mix. Both instruments were recorded directly into Audacity with no compression or effects. The basses were played finger-style and the volume and tone controls were up all the way. We would like the members of this group to listen to both tracks and see if they can determine which bass is being played. We will reveal the answer at a later date.

Track A

Track B

View attachment 3762364

- Steve
Click to expand...
Track "B" is the "62!
 
#252
bassfiddlesteve said:
My friend Robert Strickland and I decided to conduct an experiment to determine the difference in tone between our Fender Precision Basses, his being a coveted pre-CBS instrument from 1962 and mine being a 1972 model. Both basses have rosewood fingerboards and are completely stock with their original electronics and hardware. They are both strung with La Bella light-gauge flatwounds that have been on their respective instruments for the same length of time, and neither bass has a foam mute. For this experiment, I chose to play a portion of James Jamerson’s classic bass part from Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” along with an instrumental backing track, the bass featured prominently in the mix. Both instruments were recorded directly into Audacity with no compression or effects. The basses were played finger-style and the volume and tone controls were up all the way. We would like the members of this group to listen to both tracks and see if they can determine which bass is being played. We will reveal the answer at a later date.

Track A

Track B

View attachment 3762364

- Steve
Click to expand...
The Problem is: The comments are based on hearing the tracks through dissimilar hardware and different ears phone speakers and other cheaper alternatives. Using high end desktop gear and studio phones, I hear that A is louder and more aggressive, and B is softer creamier. My assumption is B is the older bass as Magnets lose strength over decades, Pu ohms vary which is a real contributer, resistors the same, pot corrosion and flat spots, body weight and overall wood density, and are there wedges under the neck. I have an '82 MIJ I rescued from vandals floating in a sink at a church. I put in a '99 11 ohm Indo-Junk P.U. with an orange drop Res. 250 k ohm pots, Pyramid Flats.... So guess which one is asked for ny the engineers over my 60's Fenders, Alembic, Ken Smith, Surine and custom builds.........Creamy just like listening to Jamerson through your Daddy's 5 ft wide Grundig.
 

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