Fender 60th Anniversary Precision Bass

[Lobster11]

Lobster11, Thanks, I appreciate a different point of view, I think I'll do some research into the specs. of each and see if the values are similar. I think the Volume and tone controls have a excellent responsive sweep which I really like. As you said, "There's really only one way to find out" and somewhere down the line, that's what I'll eventually do...Take care, Mikael Wilt

Frankly, I think you can study quantitative specs all you want, and you won't know how a given set of pickups will sound in this bass, to your ear. That's all that matters, so either be satisfied with what you have, or do the experiment and swap them to see if you like the other ones better.

 

[organworthyplayer337]

Hi Lobster 11, I have both models, and I like the "feel & action" of the the 60th anniversary model better than the American Standard. I would like some opinions or thoughts on the following: When I received my 60th Model, the previous owner had switched the the stock pickups to Seymour Duncan Basslines 1/4 lb. pickups, which sound great. In the meantime I purchased a set of "Fender Custom Shop" "Custom'62" precision bass pickups in case I ever wanted to return it to a "Stock" setup. My question is, which pickups would give me the best sound ? The "Custom shop" pickups were considerably more expensive, but that doesn't always mean it's better...I would appreciate any help that anyone can offer in whether to do a switch of pickups...Thanks, Mikael Wilt

Did you happen to purchase the bass from this guy?

 

[Lowendtech]

Just a heads up for you people worried about the guitar stand foam/rubber and nitro.
I have been hanging my 60th Anni from Hercules wall hangers and stands for a couple of years and have had no staining issues whatsoever.

 

[_godspeed_]

So, I've had my 60th since December of last year and I'm still in love! I fell like I've bonded with this bass very well - I absolutely love neck profile, look and sound. Other musicians notice it all the time, because it looks different. It's here to stay for many many years I've swapped pickups with Fender '63 and it has TI flats since I got it(not planning to ever change them, haha). Love, love, love this bass!

 

[Lowendtech]

So, I've had my 60th since December of last year and I'm still in love! I fell like I've bonded with this bass very well - I absolutely love neck profile, look and sound. Other musicians notice it all the time, because it looks different. It's here to stay for many many years I've swapped pickups with Fender '63 and it has TI flats since I got it(not planning to ever change them, haha). Love, love, love this bass!

What is your impression of the P/U swap? The one that came in it is pretty good.

 

[_godspeed_]

What is your impression of the P/U swap? The one that came in it is pretty good.

Yeah, it's a good one as well! I think it's '62. The difference is not drastic, but I could definitely tell it is a different pup. I had 63 in my parts bass and I was like so I haven't spend a dime switching it 63 has more lows, low mids and highs are tamed a bit better.

 

[Lobster11]

Yeah, it's a good one as well! I think it's '62. The difference is not drastic, but I could definitely tell it is a different pup. I had 63 in my parts bass and I was like so I haven't spend a dime switching it 63 has more lows, low mids and highs are tamed a bit better.

Interesting. The original pup is perfect for me, as I generally go for a more mid-rangey and less deep-bassy sound. When I do want more bottom, though, I've found I can get plenty with just a small tweak on my amp.

BTW, I'm still in love after nearly five years. When I bought this one I already had a half-dozen basses, and I have hardly touched any of them since.

 

[WillieB]

This thread/site gives me more gas than a week long bean fest !

 

[mojomike001]

Yeah, it's a good one as well! I think it's '62. The difference is not drastic, but I could definitely tell it is a different pup. I had 63 in my parts bass and I was like so I haven't spend a dime switching it 63 has more lows, low mids and highs are tamed a bit better.

On a copy of a spec sheet for the bass, they describe the stock pickup as a "Custom Vintage '59 Split Single-Coil Pickup."

 

[_godspeed_]

On a copy of a spec sheet for the bass, they describe the stock pickup as a "Custom Vintage '59 Split Single-Coil Pickup."

I think it was only for 2-tone burst model. I might be mistaken though. There're contradicting statements about which pickup Fender used for this - 62 or 59. I much prefer 63 to the stock pickup though

 

[mojomike001]

I think it was only for 2-tone burst model. I might be mistaken though. There're contradicting statements about which pickup Fender used for this - 62 or 59. I much prefer 63 to the stock pickup though

It is possible that it only pertained to the sunburst model.

 

[Lowendtech]

I doubt that they'd put different pups in the same model.

But the SB's were a special run for a store (GC? )

 

[Matt Keprta]

I just bought one of these the other day "new" for $1200. It took 5 years to sell. HA! I know now I paid too much but I was in a music store and it had such a huge rich sound and the neck was very friendly. It's the real thing. New MIA Standards are $1150 now. So I don't regret it. I plan to record with it. I might want something lighter for 2 hour sets. I'm not Charles Mingus. But it does the job.

 

[drummer5359]

I just bought one of these the other day "new" for $1200. It took 5 years to sell. HA! I know now I paid too much but I was in a music store and it had such a huge rich sound and the neck was very friendly. It's the real thing. New MIA Standards are $1150 now. So I don't regret it. I plan to record with it. I might want something lighter for 2 hour sets. I'm not Charles Mingus. But it does the job.

Congrats on getting a great bass! Personally, I'd be thrilled to find one brand new and I like these just a little more than an American Standard.

I own two of these, a blonde and a burst. Here is a photo of them with my 1972 Telecaster bass.

 

[organworthyplayer337]

I just bought one of these the other day "new" for $1200. It took 5 years to sell. HA! I know now I paid too much but I was in a music store and it had such a huge rich sound and the neck was very friendly. It's the real thing. New MIA Standards are $1150 now. So I don't regret it. I plan to record with it. I might want something lighter for 2 hour sets. I'm not Charles Mingus. But it does the job.

They're definitely worth more than that based on how good of a bass they are! How heavy is yours? Mine is relatively light; I think it's just under 8 pounds

 

[_godspeed_]

I just bought one of these the other day "new" for $1200. It took 5 years to sell. HA! I know now I paid too much but I was in a music store and it had such a huge rich sound and the neck was very friendly. It's the real thing. New MIA Standards are $1150 now. So I don't regret it. I plan to record with it. I might want something lighter for 2 hour sets. I'm not Charles Mingus. But it does the job.

It's a pretty good price I'd say. It's a more unique bass than American Standard and will hold it's value through the years. I absolutely love nitro lacquer, so it's a no-brainer for me.

 

[Tom Henry]

I am very lucky and my wife bought one of these for our anniversary this past year. I've pined for one of these ever since i stumbled across one in GC back in '11. We had been watching a live stream from Coachella and someone was playing one and i geeked out and told my wife all about it, and she took note and tracked one down that was for sale.

Anyways, even though i love it, it is too noisy to play out. If i popped a new pickup in there, would it take care of the noise, or should i just get it shielded? I think i would rather just get it shielded, but i do love the sound of the geezer pick up...

(P.S. i just finished reading all 51 pages of this thread. I'm glad you finally got yours lobster... even though its like 4 years too late to say that!)

 

[Jim Ingraham]

I am very lucky and my wife bought one of these for our anniversary this past year. I've pined for one of these ever since i stumbled across one in GC back in '11. We had been watching a live stream from Coachella and someone was playing one and i geeked out and told my wife all about it, and she took note and tracked one down that was for sale.

Anyways, even though i love it, it is too noisy to play out. If i popped a new pickup in there, would it take care of the noise, or should i just get it shielded? I think i would rather just get it shielded, but i do love the sound of the geezer pick up...

(P.S. i just finished reading all 51 pages of this thread. I'm glad you finally got yours lobster... even though its like 4 years too late to say that!)

Shielding worked for me.... I have house full of dimmer switches and my 60P was unplayable with the lights on. The most important component to shield turned out to be the wire from the pickups to the pots. Now its as quiet as any of my other basses in the same room.

 

[Lobster11]

Anyways, even though i love it, it is too noisy to play out. If i popped a new pickup in there, would it take care of the noise, or should i just get it shielded? I think i would rather just get it shielded, but i do love the sound of the geezer pick up...

If the noise is a hum that disappears (or greatly diminishes) when you touch the strings, that's how you know it's an authentic Fender! <rim shot>

Seriously, if that's it then I'm sure @Jim Ingraham is right: It needs to be shielded. I've never bothered to do this with mine because it isn't a serious enough problem in any of the places I use it. If it ever does bother me at all, I just lay my hand across the strings or turn down the volume between songs.

If you want a Geezer pup, put one in a bass that doesn't already sound great. And congratulations on your new bass -- and on having such a great wife!

 

[Lobster11]

(P.S. i just finished reading all 51 pages of this thread. I'm glad you finally got yours lobster... even though its like 4 years too late to say that!)

First, thanks! It's never too late to say that! After four years I love this bass as much as the day I bought it.

Second, if you read the entire thread in one sitting, you deserve some kind of award. I mean, I've read the whole thread, but it took me all four years to get through it!