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'62 vs. '65 P Bass

#42
ukulelelab said:
Don't mean to put anyone off but Fender used 12x12" vinyl asbestos flooring tiles to do those 'clay' dots
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Yeah, I remember when I first read about that. I guess I always thought it was some kind of actual dried clay. The clay part was just the name of the color of the floor tile. Maybe we should be wearing some kind of proactive mask when these are being played because of the asbestos :woot: Jim
 
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#43
Spinal Tapper said:
They're all different. They were basically hand built instruments back then. A lot of 65's were still using parts as early as 62/63 with a 65 stamp on them, so the differences in the actual parts would be pretty small. It's more about the tone and playability of that particular bass - like the poster above said.
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Yes, Leo never let any parts go to waste. He carried that on with him to G&L.
 
#44
I think 65 may be a magical year for P-basses. Just beyond the pre-CBS demarcation so that they're a bit more affordable, but having the same build quality and vibe as their pre-CBS brethren in all the ways that matter. They are true workhorses. Here's mine: Oct 65, Brazilian rosewood board, pearloid dots, F neck plate, and an old refin with lots of mojo. This thing punches hard.

65P.jpg
 
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#46
Does it play well? Sound good? Feel like a quality vintage instrument? It all comes down to those factors in my opinion. I have a 1962,1966,1970,1972 and 1974. They are all different basses. Build quality varies in minute aspects. For example the '62 weighs an astounding 7.4# and is a shoulder and back savior! The build quality is indiscernible to the '70 and '72 and they weigh exactly 7.9# each. The pickups are loud and boomy. Just like it was meant to be. The neck is a factory special order Jazz width. The '66 is the heaviest out of the lot at 8.9# ,the '74 weighs 8.6#. It all comes down to what you like. I had a chance to play a very well known bassists #1 choice and I was unable to enjoy it. So it does (n't) matter what year in the '60's or '70's to me as long as it plays well and sounds good for what I'm doing. The sound is growly for the '74 very rock n roll. Also the '72 is a good rock bass with a slightly treble friendlier tone. The '66 and '70 are practically twins except the '66 has a pronounced heavy "E" volume wise, it also has a Nov '65 neck date yet the pickups are hand dated to Feb '66 . Hope that helps. Btw the neck color appears Brazilian, the '62 of mine is as well and the '66 is Padauk.
 
#49
Spinal Tapper said:
The problem with tort on real vintage basses is it's hard to find a good company that makes a legit tort look. Even Fender doesn't have it down.

This company called Spitfire, I think, nails the old nitrocellulose tort look. But they're pricey. Might as well find a real vintage tort guard for a few hundo. Or just get a reissue mint guard- that'd look sweet.
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I've got a 65 Musicmaster II with a tort guard faded to cream body...I always thought it looked dorky back in the day!!

The real vintage Fender tort guards are the best, though I have several cheapies on a few Strats that look fine....my best is a Chandler tort on a Peavey Fury P style bass with white body.

As for mint green guards, nothing beats the old faded Fender ones though I've seen a few that were close, most don't have that faded old look I prefer.
 
#50
Rea said:
Seafoam Green has to be really old and beat up to look good IMO. Mine dont look good. IMO-- Too perfect kindda
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I think that's the case with any of the old Fender solid colors.....faded is best which is why nitro lacquer that's been in the sun or 'aged somehow' is the best looking 'old finish' imo.

Its certainly easier to get it looking 'older' with nitro lacquer
 
#52
'65 was a transition year so they will be all over the board. Some will be almost identical to '63-'64. Others will have the new veneer fretboard, new logo, F neck plate, pearled dots and a couple even had binding. The tort material went from an all celluloid material to a pvc backed WBW with a thin black line that year too. They, as far as I've ever seen, did not have different tuners even though the Jazz bass did towards the end of the year. I will say that two of my favorite P-basses I've ever played just happened to be made in '65.
ukulelelab said:
Don't mean to put anyone off but Fender used 12x12" vinyl asbestos flooring tiles to do those 'clay' dots
Click to expand...
No. For some reason this urban legend will not die. They are not Clay, floor tiles, asbestos or any other crazy thing people made up. The "clay" was actually a white filler material similar to wood putty. They were bright white when new. Over the years they absorbed oil from the fretboard and fingers and become a brownish clay color hence the nickname.
 
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