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70s Fender P-basses

#41
I've owned 3 70's P-basses in my life, all 3 were sunburst and RW. I had 2 75's which I would take back in a second (traded towards a 62 p-bass "the REAL deal"), and a '71 (my first real bass) which was an absolute dog. The neck would often warp, causing often adjustments of truss rod. Also tone was "wooly" and not well-defined.

That said, you can get a great 70's bass and a real DOG... You've got to try before you buy, or at least get a favorable return policy.

Good luck, and have fun shopping. And congrats on your "better paying" job!
 
#42
DirkP said:
If weight is an issue, ask how heavy the bass is before buying it! Many early '70s Precisions were still made of alder and are not as heavy as many later ash Precisions. Have a '78 Jazz that is 10 lbs and love it, but if it would be my only bass the weight might become a problem.
Love those T.V. logos too.
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I have a 1972, sunburst with rosewood. It isn't heavy at all. It is a great bass. What is the T.V. logo?
 
#44
I have a 70s P bass that dates somewhere between 70 and 75 and it is light, with a big clubby neck, slightly neck heavy but nowhere near being a knee capper, fretless, and sounds IMO fantastic! For a four string bass, this thing is the definition of beefy sound, that cuts through without the aid of a preamp..
 
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#45
SanDiegoHarry said:
If you just have to have a '70s fender, get one from before '75. Or one of those re-issues. I'll get flamed, but all fenders from '75 to about '82 had... issues. Very very inconsistent quality control, to say the least.
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Fender still has some dogs out there. Things do slip by QC to this day.

bassie12 said:
As far as CBS = bad juju, play my '66 Jazz bass, my '68 Tele bass, my '65 and '66 P-basses and try telling me that. That said, while Fender's 70s production consistency got sketchy after '75 (Thick Skin finishes, ugh), there are gems to be found. Likewise, I've played some stinking to high heaven turds from before '63, usually in mint condition... go figure. Try before you buy and good luck!
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I'd be interested in seeing that '66 Jazz bass. :bassist:
 
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#49
Dan Bass said:
Here's that mirrored scratchplate with a BadAss ll bridge.View attachment 684751
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The original bass that the 'Arry sig is based on is a 70-71, like this.
image.jpg
 
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#50
Lots of comments about the weight of the 70's Fenders. My '77P is 10.5lbs and not only does it sound great, it balances better on my shoulder than my <9lb Precisions.
I understand weight will be a deal breaker for someone with medical issues but the consensus that "heavy=bad" that seems to be developing on this thread isn't accurate IMO.
 
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#52
slagbass said:
Lots of comments about the weight of the 70's Fenders. My '77P is 10.5lbs and not only does it sound great, it balances better on my shoulder than my <9lb Precisions.
I understand weight will be a deal breaker for someone with medical issues but the consensus that "heavy=bad" that seems to be developing on this thread isn't accurate IMO.
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It is certainly no good to have a heavy bass for a person with medical issues, but it can be big risk for a healthy person after long term of playing. If you're just a hobbyist, it might be fine.
I used to play a heavy one (Yamaha Attitude Custom) almost everyday for 4-5 hours for a few years, and finally had a surgery from my neck. Herniated disc... I got my disk removed in between the 5th and the 6th vertabra on my neck.
 
#53
I have a 78, and it's heavy as hell. But it sounds and plays excellent. It's too heavy for me to play out, but it's a great recording bass.
To the OP, yes, I think you should be looking for a lightish early 70s P, because it will not be that much more expensive than a late 70s and it will be more appealing to people who feel like SD Harry should you decide to sell it. It will also probably always be worth more simply because it's older. Sound, playability, and weight have absolutely no bearing on the price of vintage fenders in my experience, it's all about the condition. Some people like SD Harry can and will believe whatever they want, as is their right. That just leaves more good ones for the people that have a different opinion.
 
#56
I have a '75 mocha that's lightweight and sounds fantastic. My black '78 is significantly heavier (haven't weighed them), but also sounds good. But I certainly gravitate toward the lighter '75.
 
#59
Orpheus55 said:
I had three MIA basses from the 70s, two Ps and a J and they were all inferior (bad electronics, twisted neck, sharp frets) and heavy. I'm sure they are collectible now, but I couldn't get rid of them fast enough back in the day. Today I have two MIJs and a very nicely made MIM fretless. They are working instruments, not collectible. YMMV.
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Agreed wholeheartedly. Personally, I rock a MIJ Classic 70's P-bass. It's not period correct but it's a wicked bass with a maple blocked neck, white body & black pickguard.
 
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#60
My forever bass is a 78 maple and ash and I consider it the finest bass I've ever owned.( of many). Ive never considered 1 pound of weight to be the biggest deal others here do so, to each his own but I certainly wouldn't pass up a nice later 70sP based on any nitpicky stuff I've read on here. CBS haters aside Fender still made damn fine basses in the late 70s. Maybe a clunker ere and there, but they didn't become Kent's!.....love my 78
 
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