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70's Precision - Should I even bother?

Groover

Groover

Jun 28, 2005
1,756
19
Ohio, USA
#1
I'm trying to get my hands on a nice P bass to compliment my Stingray 4, however, I'd like the P to be something older with some character.

I played a '66 Precision that was at a local music store a few months ago, and loved it. It was actually a good price (had been refinished), but I could really tell that the sound and character was just what I'm looking for now. I went back the following week, and that one was gone.

Seems as if the 70's basses are more along the lines of what I'm willing to splurge on, but I've never played one, so not sure if I'm just wasting my time looking for one at this point (online).

Would a 70's P-bass give that same/similar vintage tone I was getting from the '66, or is the 70's tone more like something more recent.

Thanks for the help. I'm just GASsing right now, and this quest is killin me.. especially since I can't get my hands on one locally :help:
 
#2
A 70s P can be great. I've got a 76 w/ maple fretboard that I love -- it can do old-school, tho I've never a=b'd it against an older one. To save $$ you could also look at 80s Japanese Ps, or American Ps (the standard ver w/ passive vol and tone), and switch out the pickup for a vintage-voiced pickup.
 
#3
With any 1970s Fender, I'd say try before you buy. There are some real gems from that period, but there are also some 15+ pound dogs in the bunch as well. I've seen some mid-1970s Precision basses with absolutely horrid wood selection, including one in a nearby store that looks to have pieces of scrap wood glued to the upper horn to make up for a short-sheeted slab of ash.
 
#4
I'm sure others will chime in about this: When Leo Fender sold out to CBS in 1965, Fender products went into a quality tailspin that did not end until 1981, when Bill Shultz and Roger Balmer started the Fender reissue series. This is not meant to be a blanket condemnation of all Fender products from that period. Some good instruments made it out of the factory, and my understanding is that the basses were not subject to the same kind of production cost-cutting as the guitars. It's like anything else: If you find a '70s Fender bass that feels good and sounds good, then there you are! Frankly, a search is probably worth it; the "pre-CBS" stuff is priced to the sky by collectors. Have I mentioned how much I hate collectors?:D
 
#7
You have to be careful when lumping the 70's into one sentence. The early 70's with their light alder bodies are very different from the later 70's heavy ash body brothers.
The '68 to early '73 alder/rosewood P's are virtually the same as the '66 you played, same early details and same B width neck, and likewise they are more valuable than the ash body versions.

I have both an alder/rosewood and an ash/maple, and yeah they're the typical of what they should be as well as their weights; 7.5 lbs vs 11lbs.
 
#8
My quick story:

I had a freind who had a 1965 Pre-CBS P-bass that had one of the best tones I've ever heard. Period. I played it many times, and the tone is still in my head. Round, balanced and smooth. If you listen closely to The Average White Band's 70s hit, "Pick Up The Pieces," that's very close to what this bass sounded like. :eek: :hyper: :cool:

I had a 1975 P-bass that was terrible both in sound and construction. This bass had to be one of the worst lemons ever to come out of the Fender factory, and because of this, I was put off Fenders for a long time.

I have, however, heard other 70s P-basses that sounded fantastic. None of them sounded quite like my friend's old '65, but a few came close.

Moral of the story: You have to know what sound you want in your head, and then try to find an instrument that will give you that sound as closely as possible.

You'll be in a better frame of mind if you're not in a hurry to score your dream bass.

BTW, if the bass doesn't absolutely have to say Fender on the headstock, it will increase your chances of finding what you're looking for.

Good luck.

Mike ;)
 
#10
A couple of other considerations....
The '66 P you tried likely had an alder body, thin rosewood board and the wonderful (in my opinion) wide/flat neck that Fender abandoned in the late 60's.
Even if you find a 70's P that looks the same, it will be different. Not necessarily worse.... but different.
 
#11
Great information everyone. Sounds to me that maybe just as a rule of thumb I should probably look for something that is no later than a '73, unless a good deal/good bass comes around. I'm not in a hurry, but your replies have helped clarify a few question I had.

The '66 I played was light in weight, which was very nice.

Thanks again.
 
#13
I also have a 73, it sounds great, that price range is a good one. I think I saw someone selling one appraissed by Gruhn here, I will have to go check.

There does seem to be a difference as you get later in the 70's. Much more hit and miss. Fortunately, one of the stores here usually has a bunch, 30th st guitars, so you can try everything from the early 70's to 79. Occasionally something pre-70.
 
#15
I had a P bass I bpught at Manny's In NYC in 1977 and it was killer. I played that bass for 15 years and I still wish I had it. I was recently listening to some demo recordings I did in th 80's with that bass and Iwas knocked out by the tone. Wish I still had it. I agree though that you should try and play anything you want to purchase just to weed out one that may not live up to your expectations.
 
#17
Mine is a '78 lefty that I fell in love with when I got it used around '82 I think. Yeah it's heavy, but it feels & plays so good I'll have it 'til I die. It's warm & fat tone are "the" sound of a bass to me. I guess I must've just gotten a really good'un or I maybe I just don't know any better, but this '78 is for real.
 
#18
If I were you, I'd try out a Lakland Skyline Bob Glaub or Duck Dunn. I've never played a vintage P bass, but people who have say that the Lakland P basses with the Fralin pickups nail the vintage tone. It seems the same way to me, as it matches recordings I've heard with vintage P's on the track.

These basses were designed with each artist's vintage 60's bass in mind, and seem to emulate them very well.

You'll save ton of money, and have no worries about the consistency or condition.

Just a thought...
 
#19
My 05 Fender AV 62 P MIA and my 73 sound very, very similar....

yes, Mr. Jewel posted the 30th St Guitars website. I am due to go there tomorrow and see what they have got, I will post. You can call them , they will tell you what they have. Their used selection in general is very good.

They have been updating the store and the website, obviously with the money from the 72 Jazz and 73 P I bought from them in the last year ;-)
 
#20
Thanks again for the replies. I've never played a Lakland, but I keep hearing/reading good things about them. I'll have to see who carries those around here.

Tkozal, yes please report if you see anything worth calling about. Seems as if you are familiar with that era enough (since you already have one) to make a good judment call.

I just priced a ticket online, just to entertain my GAS idea, from OH to NY.... almost $800 - Yikes!!! (What happened to those $80 dollar fares??)
 

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