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

[bassfiddlesteve]

Yeah. Gotta say, both bases had the same smooth bass sound that sound engineer's chase. But I have to point out that your average sound engineer could get the same sound from a $100 base. The true difference would be in the feel of playing them.

We actually thought about adding a cheap P-Bass copy into the mix. Maybe in a future installment.

- Steve

 

[mcnach]

2 seconds. B is the 62.

2 seconds eh?

 

[TrevorG]

Here's the big reveal: Track A features the 1962 Precision and Track B features the 1972 Precision.

As of right now 96 people guessed correctly, 106 guessed wrong, and carrots receive an honorable mention with 41 votes.

- Steve

So childishly happy. Played a 70s P not long ago and heard plenty of 60s Ps on the net. I'm a total novice to fender but I was certain I was right. Not that I had a preference. They're both great basses. Thank you for a great thread.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

We actually thought about adding a cheap P-Bass copy into the mix. Maybe in a future installment.

- Steve

I'd offer one of Squiers and a very cheap set of flats I got, just to see if they were any good. I wouldn't approach the same level of playing quality, though.

 

[Dave Hill]

2 seconds eh?

Golden ears

 

[Old Fender Guy]

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

I listened to these tracks a few times and I tried to make the same comparison that I make between my 67 PBass and my 76 PBass. I have always thought my 76 has just a little more growl than my 67 model and although I don't hear quite as well as I did when I was younger, it seemed that Track 2 was a little deeper and had a slightly punchier sound. So I vote:
Track A, 1962 Pbass
Track B, 1972 PBass
Might I add that both sounded great and the playing was very smooth and tasteful.

 

[knockerjoe]

Spoiler Alert: For those late to the party go to post #171 for the reveal.

 

[Arrow]

Easy. A=62P.

 

[eeLALlen]

Re: "Here's the big reveal: Track A features the 1962 Precision and Track B features the 1972 Precision. I think this proves that CBS still turned out some really good Fender Precision Basses into the 1970s.
- Steve

Absolutely! I used to own a '72 P-Bass (pictured in my avatar here) and gigged A LOT with it. Great bass, but sold it when the bass gigs dried up for me... own two Fender MiM Precisions now (among others), and they make me quite happy.

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

For those of you who enjoyed this comparison, @Robert Strickland and I have created another one for your listening and guessing pleasure.

- Steve

 

[Keen Amateur]

I guess Track A to be the '62 built. My colleague would prefer that sound.
My favorite is Track B for the punch.

 

[mongo2]

As I said previously I preferred A, which now I know is the '62, reinforces my belief that the earlier basses are worth more money.

Why? I have a new Fender Mustang PJ that to me sounds just as good as that '62.

 

[TomB]

Thx for sending me back to this thread, Steve. I had guessed right. The ‘62 had a certain grittiness and punch to it, the ‘72 a certain “depth” both of which seemed familiar. It should be. I owned and gigged a ‘73 P for several years. I sold that, but I still have my ‘61 P, and it’s a dead ringer for your track A. ...or maybe it’s because I use Labella 760FL’s . Anyway, well-played!

 

[DigitalMan]

I’m not saying I can tell which is which, but I will say that the low E starting with the very first note is solid and distinct on one track and disappears on the other.

It could just be technique and variance from one take to another, but if I were recording I’d go with the bass used on track B.

 

[Jinobass1]

Yeah. Gotta say, both bases had the same smooth bass sound that sound engineer's chase. But I have to point out that your average sound engineer could get the same sound from a $100 base. The true difference would be in the feel of playing them.

It’s in the fingers

 

[Bebo2020]

B is 62.

 

[Robert Strickland]

B is 62.

Scroll up. The answer has already been revealed

 

[JIO]

Old thread - guessed A='62 (correctly) - I have '66 and it sounds more like the '62 than the '72, so I based my guess on that. It has a smoother tone, more pillowy.