Fender American Vintage '63 Precision Bass Appreciation Thread

[Stefan4001]

how do they compare? Great looking basses.

I haven't had a ton of time to sit in yet, which is brutal. But first impressions are they're pretty similar in all but one regard: the neck depth. The 63 is quite thin/flat and the AVRI is significantly more round/thick, which is a bit disappointing because the 63 is so perfect - but the AVRI still feels amazing.

 

[Mastermold]

I haven't had a ton of time to sit in yet, which is brutal. But first impressions are they're pretty similar in all but one regard: the neck depth. The 63 is quite thin/flat and the AVRI is significantly more round/thick, which is a bit disappointing because the 63 is so perfect - but the AVRI still feels amazing.

That's why I didn't get one. I bought another vintage '64 instead. But they do sound great.

 

[Warpeg]

...The 63 is quite thin/flat and the AVRI is significantly more round/thick....

This is interesting. My 2013 AV '63 P-bass has a rather thin neck. It feels about like an American Standard/Pro neck with a slightly wider nut. Of course, it does have a smaller fretboard radius than a Standard/Pro.

 

[Attym]

I finally found a sunburst AVRI 63 after a year and a half of searching, bought it from a great TBer and received it yesterday.

The reason I wanted it so badly (outside of it being such a great bass)? I wanted to have a back up/safe gigging option/replica of my original '63.

Here they are, side by side:

View attachment 4791785

Wow, this really shows how close the AV63 looks like an original. Nice pair!!

 

[Stefan4001]

I haven't had a ton of time to sit in yet, which is brutal. But first impressions are they're pretty similar in all but one regard: the neck depth. The 63 is quite thin/flat and the AVRI is significantly more round/thick, which is a bit disappointing because the 63 is so perfect - but the AVRI still feels amazing.

FWIW I just took a couple rough measurements. To give you a baseline of how rough: I measured my AO Jazz nut width and got 38.1mm but the Fender website says 37.59. ‍

I also measured my '52 for reference:

1963
Nut Width: 43.6mm
Neck Depth @ 3rd Fret: 20mm

AVRI 63
Nut Width: 44.5mm
Neck Depth @ 3rd Fret: 21.9mm

1952 Precision Bass
Nut Width: 42.4mm
Neck Depth @ 3rd Fret: 22.1mm

 

[Attym]

Any thoughts on stands that wont damage these?

 

[Stefan4001]

Any thoughts on stands that wont damage these?

I've been using these Yorkville stands for a while on all my nitro guitars (Rics, the AO, vintage stuff, etc) and so far so good. They are claimed to be safe.

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[DirkP]

I finally found a sunburst AVRI 63 after a year and a half of searching, bought it from a great TBer and received it yesterday.

The reason I wanted it so badly (outside of it being such a great bass)? I wanted to have a back up/safe gigging option/replica of my original '63.

Here they are, side by side:

View attachment 4791785

Does your original '63 still have the original pickup and bridge covers? If so, are they as graded as the ones, Fender started to offer along with the new American Vintage Series in 2013? I like these graded ones a lot and can't stand the rounder ones anymore, Fender offered before. But are these really more vintage correct than what Fender offered before on their re-issue series and as replacement parts? An earth-shattering question, I know

 

[Attym]

Does your original '63 still have the original pickup and bridge covers? If so, are they as graded as the ones, Fender started to offer along with the new American Vintage Series in 2013? I like these graded ones a lot and can't stand the rounder ones anymore, Fender offered before. But are these really more vintage correct than what Fender offered before on their re-issue series and as replacement parts? An earth-shattering question, I know

I know this question wasnt for me, but can you explain to me what graded or rounder means? Just curious.

 

[DirkP]

I know this question wasnt for me, but can you explain to me what graded or rounder means? Just curious.

The newer one is installed on this '63 P, the older, "rounder" one for the pickup is behind as a comparison.

 

[Attym]

View attachment 4797577 The newer one is installed on this '63 P, the older, "rounder" one for the pickup is behind as a comparison.

Thank you, I had no idea!

 

[Mastermold]

Does your original '63 still have the original pickup and bridge covers? If so, are they as graded as the ones, Fender started to offer along with the new American Vintage Series in 2013? I like these graded ones a lot and can't stand the rounder ones anymore, Fender offered before. But are these really more vintage correct than what Fender offered before on their re-issue series and as replacement parts? An earth-shattering question, I know

Yes the graded one is the more accurate. I have an all original '64 Precision and bought a set for my refinished '64 and I believe it was essentially the same as the original.

 

[Attym]

Question for the group. I took off the pickup and bridge covers. There was a smaller set (same as pickguard) and a slightly bigger set of screws. I assumed the smaller screws go on the bridge cover (less to go through before you hit wood). Is that correct? See attached photo (found on talkbass, not mine)

 

[Mastermold]

Question for the group. I took off the pickup and bridge covers. There was a smaller set (same as pickguard) and a slightly bigger set of screws. I assumed the smaller screws go on the bridge cover (less to go through before you hit wood). Is that correct? See attached photo (found on talkbass, not mine)View attachment 4800155

Yes I think you're correct.

 

[Attym]

The back of my neck feels sticky which seems common for lacquer necks. I really don't want to modify mine or sand it down. Would a few passes of 0000 steel wool help bring it down but keep the finish? Any suggestions?

 

[Warpeg]

The back of my neck feels sticky which seems common for lacquer necks. I really don't want to modify mine or sand it down. Would a few passes of 0000 steel wool help bring it down but keep the finish? Any suggestions?

That's what I did with mine. I couldn't be happier with the result.

 

[Attym]

Thanks! I love this thread.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Yes, the Pure Vintage '63 pickups were invented alongside the introduction of the AVS '63 P bass. Fender still sells them seperately and they are used in the American Originals 60s Precision that followed the AVS '63 P.

I have to honestly say that these pickups are quickly growing on me; lots of talking about ultra-boutique P-bass pickups; they're all good but these Fender pickups do check all the boxes of a proper P-bass pickup.
In particular, they are very, very punchy ! KA-BOOM !
I used to call my AO '60s P the "cannon" due to this …

Going back to subject, while waiting for Fender to release the second series of the AVRI II basses, which, I hope, would show a Fiesta Red P-bass, my favourite and very rare finish colour of the previous AVRI line would definitely be Seminole Red !

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I sold mine to get a FCS 62, but the AV 63 was amazing for not being CS.

 

[commonplayer]

…my favourite and very rare finish colour of the previous AVRI line would definitely be Seminole Red !

Couldn't agree more! Love mine.