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Fender 60th Anniversary Precision Bass

#401


I wanted some type of American Precision and was leaning towards the American Standard as I like the neck, bridge, etc... This bass has all of the features of the American Standard with a cooler (to my eyes) look. I also like the fact that there were only a hundred of these made in sunburst. I don't think that I'll run into these everywhere.[/QUOTE]

I find the necks thicker front to back than the 08-now MIA P Basses.
 
#402
So I finally have my first problem with this bass. Over the last month the volume pot has gone bad: It no longer turns smoothly, but rather "grabs" in some places and completely lacks resistance in others. It didn't bother me too much initially, but it's gotten to the point that I'm now having trouble adjusting my volume accurately.

Fortunately, customer service at Hello Music seems to be great. I turned down their offer to replace the whole bass (bit of an overkill, methinks) in favor of having them reimburse me for the cost of getting it fixed locally. So, a minor inconvenience at worst. But I'm curious if anyone else has had a similar problem....

Also, is there any reason for me to care about what particular brand/type of pot it's replaced with? The tone pot on this bass seems to be unique -- lots of folks have commented on its unusually wide range -- but there shouldn't be anything special about the volume pot, right?
 
#405
Freddels said:
Replace it with a CTS pot. What's unique about the tone pot? Do you have any pics of it? What's the value of the cap?
Click to expand...

Back in post #353 of this thread I asked whether anyone knew why the range produced by the tone pot on this bass seemed unusually wide -- something that's been mentioned in many reviews I've seen. In post #355, YOU said: "It's got to be a combination of the pickup windings and the tone cap (I believe it's a .1)." That's all I know!
 
#406
Lobster11 said:
Back in post #353 of this thread I asked whether anyone knew why the range produced by the tone pot on this bass seemed unusually wide -- something that's been mentioned in many reviews I've seen. In post #355, YOU said: "It's got to be a combination of the pickup windings and the tone cap (I believe it's a .1)." That's all I know!
Click to expand...

I remember that (sort of). I know when I played them at GC, I was thinking the the tone cap might be a .1 b/c of the range of the tone knob and how dark it could get but I don't know for sure b/c I haven't had the opportunity to look under the hood. I don't think the brand of the pot really matters as much except for quality/longevity. As for the windings of the pickup, I don't know how to figure that out myself. The pickup might be overwound a bit. Would be great if someone could figure that out too.
 
#407
I've run into that same issue on basses that have "smooth" pot shafts. Typically the knob is held on by a set screw. If that screw isn't tight enough, the knob can slide down and make contact with the body. This can cause it to "drag" in some areas.

To fix it, I loosen the set screw, slide the knob up a hair, and retighten the set screw. That typically fixes the issue.
 
#408
Here's under the hood.
0bc51462.jpg
 
#411
Hey Rip, is that a ding I see on that thing?! Gee, maybe you SHOULD have gotten the replacement! ;)

It's funny how some people love the looks of these and some can't stand them. I'm in the former camp. I think they look awesome...
 
#414
I really like how the bass looked, but I have to issues with it, I like Fender's vintage frets, though I never tried a vintage Precision neck, only a Jazz neck.
The second thing is I don't like Fender's QC on the american series, most of american std models I tried are heavy, though I never spotted any real issues, except their setups are too high for my tastes.

I'd really like a 60th Pbass, buy since I have to order it from the states, I'd order the AVR because of the better QC, and vintage frets.
 
#415
edgaroviz said:
I really like how the bass looked, but I have to issues with it, I like Fender's vintage frets, though I never tried a vintage Precision neck, only a Jazz neck.
The second thing is I don't like Fender's QC on the american series, most of american std models I tried are heavy, though I never spotted any real issues, except their setups are too high for my tastes.

I'd really like a 60th Pbass, buy since I have to order it from the states, I'd order the AVR because of the better QC, and vintage frets.
Click to expand...

Based on this thread, and tons of other reviews I've read elsewhere, it seems to me that QC on this bass was/is very good. This bad volume pot that I have seems very much to be the exception rather than the rule. (Plus, it was fine when I first got the bass, so Fender can't be blamed for overlooking it.) If you have the money to spend on a reissue, and that's what you want, then by all means go forit. But I wouldn't avoid the 60th Anniversary bass based on QC concerns.

And BTW, the neck on this bass is not "vintage." It's very similar to the modern American P-bass necks. Of course, that won't help you if you prefer a Jazz neck....
 
#416
The neck is definitely NOT vintage. It's Fender's "Modern C".

Yeah, it's fatter than a Jazz, but I gotta say, this is by far the most comfortable 4-string neck I've ever played on. The rolled edges are very comfy, and the fretwork is absolutely flawless.

The finish on these is great. The "thin-skin" lacquer is already wearing nicely. I've got a couple of chips from being clumsy, but the areas where my forearm and thumb rests is starting to show a little wear. I love it.

I know there's always gonna be dogs, but I've played two of these so far (including mine), and they were both fantastic.

This bass actually cured my GAS. At least for basses. Now, on to amps and effects.....
 
#417
The neck on mine feels just a shade fatter than my 2009 American Standard P. (I love both necks.) I don't find a traditional fat P neck comfortable. This 60th neck seems best of both worlds -- just enough of a taste of P fatness but it takes my left hand very nicely.
 
#418
chadhargis said:
I've run into that same issue on basses that have "smooth" pot shafts. Typically the knob is held on by a set screw. If that screw isn't tight enough, the knob can slide down and make contact with the body. This can cause it to "drag" in some areas.

To fix it, I loosen the set screw, slide the knob up a hair, and retighten the set screw. That typically fixes the issue.
Click to expand...

So, I was just sitting down to type a response to this post from chadhargis, to say that (1) of I course had thought of that, because (2) I've had that exact problem on other basses before, but (3) that I'm certain that isn't the problem in the present case. And just as I started typing, it occurred to me that, to be fair, I ought to actually confirm that the problem remained even after removing the knob. This seemed like a pointless and time-wasting task, but I felt like I couldn't respond in good conscience without doing it first.

And now here I sit with egg all over my face, as the expression goes. Chadhargis was exactly right. The pot itself is perfectly fine, and I just needed to move the knob a hair higher to prevent it from rubbing.

So, thank you chadhargis, and apologies to everyone else for the false alarm.... :hiding:
 

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