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Fender American Vintage '63 Precision Bass Appreciation Thread
- Thread starter Warpeg
- Start date
Ok, this this indicates to me, then, that Fender kept the same part number, 095620000, and called it two different things in the specs, updating it to what we now all refer to as the PV63, but what once was, in Fender marketing speak, the AV63 pups ... ok, thanks for the information. This is helpful.
Again, based on my two serial numbers - from Fender Serial Number Lookup, the information for the middle pups for my basses:
American Vintage '63 Precision Bass®
Middle Pickup: American Vintage '63 Split Single-Coil Precision Bass®
American Original '60s Precision Bass®
Middle Pickup: Pure Vintage '63 Split Single-Coil Precision Bass®
Now! Unless! [and this is just me taking the piss] Fender actually did change the pick-up specs but kept the same part number - aha! Fender conspiracy theorists, discuss ...
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I got curious and Went on the serial look up myself since I own both of these basses and this is what I see, yes, I see what bons is talking about with the two different names that he posted , but if you scroll down, they both say pure vintage…
The names are different yes but when you scroll down under the item refinement pick up, they both say pure vintage
The names are different yes but when you scroll down under the item refinement pick up, they both say pure vintage
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I had this exact bass from new and mine was very green like the top. I don't think that bottom one is original.
Cool thanks all to have posted on this! Great info!
Out of curiosity @moreblues - I'm assuming you prefer you the AVRI63 to the AO60s?
Just butting in here lol - I've had a few of both. They are basically the same except for the radius. American Originals are AWESOME.
Yes, I have had a few of each myself and I do prefer the 63 only because I like the 7.25 radius better than the 9.5… but I really like the 9.5 too..
But if I can only have one, it would be the 7.25 just a personal preference… plus I prefer the vintage style Frets on the 63 over the vintage tall on the AO…
But if I can only have one, it would be the 7.25 just a personal preference… plus I prefer the vintage style Frets on the 63 over the vintage tall on the AO…
Haha. That's what AO owners do. They butt in. Jk
. Yes agree both great basses with the AO adding that modern twist. I do find my AO much heavier though and prefer the AV for gigs when standing.
I'm switching from Rotosounds to LaBella LTFs, and with the tension change, I'm expecting to need some truss rod adjustments.
I'd like to avoid pulling the neck if possible, and saw someone recommend a CruzTools Cheater Driver for this. (I think this is the one?)
Anyone here used it, or have other recommendations?
I'd like to avoid pulling the neck if possible, and saw someone recommend a CruzTools Cheater Driver for this. (I think this is the one?)
Anyone here used it, or have other recommendations?
Instead of taking off the neck, you can take the Pickguard screws out… lift the Pickguard up out of the way and use this wrench, it has always worked for me.
Or you can just loosen the strings, then unscrew the neck screws about halfway and tilt the neck up to gain access without taking it all the way off.
Or you can just loosen the strings, then unscrew the neck screws about halfway and tilt the neck up to gain access without taking it all the way off.
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@Starduck1476 nice!!
I'll throw some logs on. AO 60. AVRI 63.
The AVRI just edges the 60 out on several fronts IMO. The bursts are better on the AVRIs.
I'll throw some logs on. AO 60. AVRI 63.
The AVRI just edges the 60 out on several fronts IMO. The bursts are better on the AVRIs.
Oh yeah, baby! I love the bursts on the 63, looks way more pre-cbs to my eyes. I do like the tint of the neck on the AO better though… I have been toying with the idea of spraying some tinted nitro over my '63 neck and sanding it down to mimic the feel of a custom shop relic job, but haven't got the nerve up to make it happen. Has anybody here attempted anything like that on their '63?
Agree. Subtle differences make it difficult to part with one over the other. I do like the tint on the AO but the AVRI clay dots are nicer and the C neck on the AVRI, with smaller frets and 7.5 radius feels less cumbersome than the AO, at least to me. I have not screwed around with tinting.
This is what I recommend, and have found to work well for me on both AVRI and vintage Fenders. There is no need to remove or loosen the neck, pickguard, or strings: Vintage Fender necks don't need to be removed or loosened for truss rod adjustment
AVri 63 and AO 60 has same PV63 pickup. The AVri II 60s P has new PV60 pickup and this one sound more polite and neutral.
Will need to try one of these tools. I've had finish flake off around the neck pocket taking the neck off
Apologies - to clarify, I was saying that I recommend the method in the linked thread, not that I recommend the tool in the previous post. I haven't used this tool, but my understanding is that tools of that shape work well for telecasters, which have some space in front of the nut when the PG is removed, rather than precisions or jazzes, which don't.
