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76 Precision wood?

vivaknoxvegas

vivaknoxvegas

El Duderino
Supporting Member
May 6, 2002
4,184
8,495
51
Knoxville, TN
soundcloud.com
#1
I recently came into a deal on a 76 precision that I have asked a few questions about on here in the last few weeks. I have another. I'm wondering how I can tell what kind of wood the body is. This thing is heavy, kind of a faded white or blonde.

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What do you all think?
 
#2
Probably Alder, but could be Ash. I think Ash is often heavier. I don't think Basswood or other lesser woods were used by Fender USA at that time. If you don't mind me saying so, that vintage is really uneven. There were fewer and fewer good basses in the late '70s, IMHO. But also IMHO, P-basses were more consistent than Jazz basses.
 
#4
:cool:
Like everone said.
Alder or Ash.

The weight of 70's fender basses, were all over the place.
I've played 70's fender that were as light a 7.8 lbs.
To as heavy as 14.9 lbs.

Very inconsistent in body wood.

That's why some are great, other dogs.
 
#6
Mojo-Man said:
:cool:
Like everone said.
Alder or Ash.

The weight of 70's fender basses, were all over the place.
I've played 70's fender that were as light a 7.8 lbs.
To as heavy as 14.9 lbs.

Very inconsistent in body wood.

That's why some are great, other dogs.
Click to expand...

Would you all say that heavier is better? I kind of like it being heavy, chunky, solid, etc. It sounds and plays great so I guess I have answered my question.

What is a more premium wood, Ash or Alder?
 
#7
vivaknoxvegas said:
Would you all say that heavier is better? I kind of like it being heavy, chunky, solid, etc. It sounds and plays great so I guess I have answered my question.

What is a more premium wood, Ash or Alder?
Click to expand...

IMHO, light is good, but heavy might be OK, too. It depends on the bass itself. A heavy bass does not by definition sound good or bad. Light is desireable because it is less to hold for long gigs and the fact that older Fenders tend to be around 8 lbs, which is fairly light. Afterall, the weight range is quite small, just a variance of a few of lbs.

Since a lot of those older light instruments are considered to sound good, the weight is considered by some to be a FACTOR, but not the sole determining factor, of good resonant tone.:cool:

Alder and Ash are equally good woods, it depends on the slab you get. The differences in sound have been long debated. I suggest a search. :bassist:
 
#11
I have a 78 P-Bass that weighs close to 11 pounds and
it's got a killer tone that is far better than the 63 P I once
owned. It's one of those heavey ash bodied black
beauties with a maple neck.I'm more than happy with it
tone wise.
 
#14
Mine is ash and looks just like yours, but weighs in at just under 9 lbs. I've heard it said and it has been my experience also that the heavier ash basses seem to be all attack and sustian. Ive owned 5 of them in the last 3 years. The lighter basses seem to let the notes blossom a bit more than the heavier basses. This is more pleasing tone to my ears but the guys who bought the heavier basses just loved them. I'm sure not all heavier basses are the same and maybe for me it's just a perceived tone but I've never kept the heavier basses. Plus the neck and back thing oooohhh....
 

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