Fender 60th Anniversary Precision Bass

[fendersurfer]

My 60th is the only bass I've ever owned that I've never seen a need to make any modifications. Well, not entirely true. I did add strap locks as soon as I bought it, but everything else is still stock. The tone control has an incredible range.

And of course you should buy the matching six-string.

How is aging through using going with your 60th p-bass? Got an updated picture of your axe?

 

[Rip Topaz]

Sure thing. Seems I can't go a day without causing a new chip to the finish. Mine is 100% a player, so when the wear gets to be too much to stand looking at, it will be getting a nice new finish.

Some finish checking on the back.

And a side order of chips.

EDIT: Oh, and it currently is wearing year (+) old Chromes flats.

 

[Lowendtech]

Still loving this bass. It has become my favourite to pull off the wall and plug in when I need to scratch the itch and play every day. That says a lot for me as my 2009 Am Dlx Jazz is no slouch but the 60th P gets more playing.
Was reading a while back about through body and top load and had a heads up on that topic for everyone.
I got a new set of Labella flats to put on (760FL) and strung them through body as I always do and when I pushed down on the top of the E string over the saddle with my thumb to settle the string, it promptly broke. $50 later I got another set and strung the E top loaded while the rest are through body. Never had that happen before. Bit of a bummer but there it is.
Would putting chrome covers on this bass be silly? You can't use the period correct pup cover because the split pup dimensions and the pickguard cut outs won't allow it so you would need to use the more modern cover.

 

[aetheldrea]

Ouch. I think I read something before about LaBellas not being string-through friendly. This nice bridge goes both ways, so top load the LaBellas.
It doesn't look like the regular pickup cover would work, either. The bottom would be half on and half off the pickguard.

 

[aetheldrea]

Looks like Rip went top-load on his chromes. I've gone through-body with a couple sets of chromes with no issues, but you need to buy the super-long scale which are slightly more expensive. No issues with Fender flats, either, and their one length fits through-body.

 

[drummer5359]

I have Fender flats on both of my 60th Anniversary Precisions, they work fine.

 

[Lowendtech]

760FS-TB is the set I should have bought. They are designed for through body basses. They must have a more flexible core. $75 for those ones. My bad for going with the less expensive set. Live and learn I guess.
aetheldrea, you are correct on the pup cover. I forgot to mention that. It does look not too bad with the PG off (except for the cnc hole). But with the PG on it looks a bit wrong. I'll try to post a pic with it offered up. I'm a bit leery about drilling holes in this bass after getting the covers and seeing the PG issue.

 

[Lowendtech]

Here it is. Not screwed in.

 

[aetheldrea]

That's a mighty fine looking bass to be drilling holes into. I wouldn't do it, those pickup covers get in the way, leaving you basically two positions to pluck from instead of the variety you have without them. But I do have covers on one of my basses because they look so dang sharp.

If you just have a wild hair to change the look a bit, I would consider a parchment PG, which would give it a late '60's / early 70's telecaster bass vibe instead of the 50's vibe it has with the black PG. No guard looks a bit naked to me, too 90's Duff McKagen.

 

[Lowendtech]

Yeah I've written off putting the the pup cover on. Not worth drilling the holes. I'll let the bridge cover percolate for a while before I decide what to do with it. Maybe save them both for another project.
The PG is a love/not with me depending on my mood. Leave it on for a couple of weeks and I want it off, then after a couple of weeks I want it back on again. OCD or not, IDK. Maybe I'm just struggling with the visual mix cues on this bass.
Will have a look at parchment PG to see if that scratches my itch.
Either way, I love the way it feels,
plays and sounds. And that is the most important thing.

 

[Jeff K]

That's a mighty fine looking bass to be drilling holes into. I wouldn't do it, those pickup covers get in the way, leaving you basically two positions to pluck from instead of the variety you have without them. But I do have covers on one of my basses because they look so dang sharp.

If you just have a wild hair to change the look a bit, I would consider a parchment PG, which would give it a late '60's / early 70's telecaster bass vibe instead of the 50's vibe it has with the black PG. No guard looks a bit naked to me, too 90's Duff McKagen.

I think the black guard that comes on it looks awesome; but I like your idea as well! I'd love to see how that combination would look. Parchment or even mint green. Any Photoshop masters watching this thread?!

 

[MrLenny1]

I'm with Cambio on this.

 

[Plucker Tom]

I just bought one of these basses Sunday...Sounds amazing...( BLONDE)

 

[Lowendtech]

Congrats. Every time I plug in it makes me smile. After being a J bass type for all my playing days it has been a real nice eye opener in a good way.

 

[aetheldrea]

This is what I came up with using the KISEKAE virtual guitar modeler, white PG, not parchment, but kinda close:

blackguard for reference:

 

[Lowendtech]

Hey that's not bad. I kind of like that.

 

[Jeff K]

Looks great with either one!

 

[Philibuster]

So is it possible to get different pickguards for these? Thinking about one that popped up on the Classifieds... Always liked the blonde one but this one is a burst and I may kinda dig it.

 

[Jeff K]

So is it possible to get different pickguards for these? Thinking about one that popped up on the Classifieds... Always liked the blonde one but this one is a burst and I may kinda dig it.

Here's something to feed your GAS. I always loved the Blondes. I liked the Bursts as well, but always felt the maple board was too starkly "whitish" for the burst. So I got a vintage tint put on mine:

 

[Rip Topaz]

WD Music has a template for the 60th pickguard.