I agree. I don't like the new 3-Tone Sunburst. I wonder why there's a difference? Could it be the nitro-cellulose laquer?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
'62 Precision vs '72 Precision: can you hear the difference?
- Thread starter bassfiddlesteve
- Start date
Fender starting use poly in 1968, but it's not the same as modern finishes.
- Steve
I voted track B for the 62, has more bottom and a richer tone. But that being said they both sound good and I'd be happy with either one. Not that really probably matters very much but I got my 5 year old P/J bass with vintage 63 pickup in it and Med La Bella flats and it sounds a lot like the B track.
Last edited:
I have a fairly new TF fretless and it's got the nicest Sunburst I've ever seen.
I picked C because I honestly have no clue.
What I do know is that I can tell by your skills that you're definitely not going to hold on to a "dog" of a bass.
With that being said, my conclusion is that the difference in price between a '62 and '72 does seem a bit out of reach/whack for what suffices as a "working musician" these days.
But our "Bass Loves" do come in all shapes, sizes, and prices I suppose
Happy Thumping!
IB
What I do know is that I can tell by your skills that you're definitely not going to hold on to a "dog" of a bass.
With that being said, my conclusion is that the difference in price between a '62 and '72 does seem a bit out of reach/whack for what suffices as a "working musician" these days.
But our "Bass Loves" do come in all shapes, sizes, and prices I suppose
Happy Thumping!
IB
B is louder - probably most of why people seem to prefer it. The differences between basses like these are typically in the high end response. With flats on both, and the bass in a mix with a lot of other stuff going on, you're not going to hear those subtleties - they're all covered up. I've done a lot of A/B testing on similar sounds in my work; these tracks (while played well) aren't going to be good at teasing out the subtle differences that may be there.
So, I'm sticking with....B is louder.
So, I'm sticking with....B is louder.
I'm not sure really, but the newer finishes seem harder and more durable. The poly finishes in the 70s are prone to "ghosting" where darker colors become cloudy in humid conditions. Then tend to dull easily and some are prone to chipping and flaking, especially in the late 70s. My '72 has some weather checking and I'm not certain that would happen on the new bass.
- Steve
I bought a brand new 1970 P when I was a kid and it was a beautiful bass, played like butter and sounded really good, now I've seen some later 70's Fenders with G strings hanging off the edge of the neck which you just pushed the neck a little sideways
to get it back on.
Yes, you're right. I just looked up pictures of it. That's a nice one.
It's finished with nitro-cellulose, maybe that's why it looks cool.
Thanks! I'm glad people are enjoying it. I have to thank @Robert Strickland for coming up with the idea...and letting me borrow his '62 Precision
BTW we originally presented this poll to the 70s Fender Precision Bass Facebook group we both moderate. Here's a link if anyone would like to join.
- Steve
I am in that group, but somehow missed that poll.
I have not listened to the clips because I am confident I can not differentiate. I could if I were playing them, but everyone sounds like themselves.
I was planning to post the reveal at 10:00 PM EST tonight, 24 hours after I started the thread. I'd like to give a few more people a chance to vote.
- Steve
Last edited:
I take it that is what is going on with Ed Friedland's black 75 Precision?
Oh, thanks for the information. So, flatwounds are bright like roundwounds? I've never tried flatwound.
Well, Rotos are brighter than most flats but it depends on how you play them too. He uses the big heavy gauge set with .110 E I believe. The harder you play and the closer to the bridge you get the brighter they will sound. With a pick a bass with flatwounds will cut through a mix better than with rounds, a P bass anyway. IMHO.
Flatwounds can very quite a bit between different brands. Some, like the Rotosound flatwounds that Steve Harris uses, can be very bright, while others like the La Bella flatwounds I used on these recordings are much darker and deeper sounding.
- Steve
