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Block inlays on P basses - anyone else dislike them

4

4andnomore

Nov 14, 2008
1,177
780
#1
I've been playing Fenders since the mid '70s and don't recall P basses EVER having block inlays. Now they seam to be popping up everywhere. For whatever reason I just don't associate block inlays with a Precision bass . Hell, for that matter I don't like Jazz necks on P basses. Of course I had no problem dropping a Gibson p90 in my Telecaster (gui***) so go figure.

Not trying to start a flame war - to each his own - just wondering if anyone else shares my dislike for this arrangement.
 
#3
Exactly. Blocks = Jazz. P's have dots. That's the way Leo intended it.

I am primarily referring to the Fender "Classic '70s" (huh?) P and the new Guitard Center Special Run P/J, although Lakland comes to mind as well.
 
#6
4andnomore said:
Exactly. Blocks = Jazz. P's have dots. That's the way Leo intended it.
Click to expand...

To be accurate, Leo was gone when they added blocks to Jazz Basses. To my knowledge, Leo never added blocks or binding to any basses that he developed, right?

In my eyes, blocks & binding goes with 70s Jazzes, and I'm not wild about it on any other bass..
 
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#8
Go, schmo. If you like a look, then it's good. So much of this stuff is generational, and styles come and go.

For instance, my dad was running music stores through the mid-sixties, and I remember all the grief he went through with post-CBS Fenders. In my mind, Fenders with blocks are permanently associated with a period where 2 or 3 per shipment were coming out of the carton with warped/twisted necks, lifting frets, etc.

It doesn't matter that the bad ones were all either fixed under warranty or sent to the junkyard long ago. Blocks just scream "junk" to me.

To someone 10 years younger, with fond memories of an uncle's particularly nice 70's block-necked Jazz, the associations might be totally different.

And 40 years from now, people will probably revere the Jazz-necked, bound-and-blocked P-bass hybrids that currently seem like such a weird idea to me...
 
#11
C.Linton said:
Love the blocks on ANY bass (or guitar, for that matter).
Click to expand...

+1

70sPrecisionBass.jpg


I've been rockin' this bad boy lately. But don't let that stop anyone from taking a giant crap on it. Remember: Bashing gear makes you oh so cool.
 
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#18
electracoyote said:
+1
I've been rockin' this bad boy lately. But don't let that stop anyone from taking a giant crap on it. Remember: Bashing gear makes you oh so cool.
Click to expand...

No way it makes it cooler!!;) Well in that case...that is the biggest piece of #### Ive ever seen, blocks....smocks get outta Dodge by Noon....or else:D

Well I heard alot of people [DEL]hate[/DEL] "dont like" Red basses and heck Maple necks are a little stinky too....
so it looks like my bass is getting to the top of most hated bass ...or something?:help:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I actually really do agree with the whole its not the way Leo made em...and I do understand why you would not like them.
When the tradition is Dot inlays.........but
 
#19
4andnomore said:
I've been playing Fenders since the mid '70s and don't recall P basses EVER having block inlays. Now they seam to be popping up everywhere. For whatever reason I just don't associate block inlays with a Precision bass . Hell, for that matter I don't like Jazz necks on P basses. Of course I had no problem dropping a Gibson p90 in my Telecaster (gui***) so go figure.

Not trying to start a flame war - to each his own - just wondering if anyone else shares my dislike for this arrangement.
Click to expand...

I have P necks on both my Jazzes, I hate skinny necks! :cool:
 
#20
Allow the KING to chime in please.

I install at least 20-40 sets of vinyl inlay decals per week at 6 different music stores that I teach at (not just basses, guits too). The owners all agree that they make the guitar more valuable, more attractive and easier to sell. I haven't heard one negative comment r/e blocks.

I would also say that not many other brands look right with blocks...Fenders are far and away the most popular.

It's all about personal preference..some guys like blonds, some guys like brunettes!! Some guys like women, some guys like guys!

Done.
 

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