Fender California Series Precision?

[steamthief]

Mr. craigslist is a tool. MIA Fenders didn't start shipping with an SKB case until 2007-8. When I bought my Cal Special new in '99, it came with the gigbag.

On a side note, I just put a Fralin split coil pickup in the bridge slot of my P/J. Sounds really good!

 

[neptune]

Steamthief, how's the hum since you put the split coil Fralin in?

Thanks

 

[pathdoc2]

Check out this sunburst with anodized guard.

Wonder if he'll get the same Craigslist message I got?

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[Bassdirty]

Check out this sunburst with anodized guard.

Wonder if he'll get the same Craigslist message I got?

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Did the sunburst Californias come with that gold pg too?


Just curious.

 

[GeneralElectric]

When I bought mine a few years back (used), it had a white guard on it...maybe the owner didn't like the ano guard. I'm not sure it would look good on mine anyway...the color being Shoreline Gold.

.
My '67 pbass is gold with matching headstock and a gold anodized pickguard. It's the only bass I own that never fails to get compliments

 

[steamthief]

Steamthief, how's the hum since you put the split coil Fralin in?

Thanks

Pretty much gone. The Fralin sounds fat.

Did the sunburst Californias come with that gold pg too?


Just curious.

Yes.

 

[JTE]

Got an email today after having already traded away my California series P. Here's the email from a concerned Craigslist reader.

"No offense, but this is NOT a MIA fender.

it is a deluxe model Made in Mexico. (the dead giveaway is not being string-thru) please know that anyone even remotely interested in this bass would know that. Also these basses when made in USA come with a SKB hard shell case, only the MIM ones come with that soft side thing. The pickguard was just swapped out for a black one, as the gold ones are very gaudy. With the mismatched tuner, and even counting the other bridge you spoke of that devalues it further. I don't think most would pay over $300 for this guitar, and likely some offers below that. it sounds like you traded for it recently, and I just wanted you to know what you have.

Good Luck in your sale!"

I feel like the guy is calling me dishonest and I don't appreciate that, but on the other hand he does seem concerned about others getting ripped off and I do appreciate that.

A. The California Series were all machined in the US, sent to Mexico for finishing, then assembled and set up in the US. The California Precison Special had a US P bass body, stock vintage-style bridge (not string-through) with threaded rod saddles, a passive P PUP and a passive J PUP, V/V/T controls mounted on a standard anodized aluminum pickgaurd with the output jack on the rim of the body, a narrow Jazz bass style neck with the truss rod adjustment at the headstock, and the standard accessories included a Fender gig bag, no case.

After the California Series was discontinued (the series included several iterations of Stratocaster and Telecaster guitars too, but only the one bass), the California Precision Special was replaced by the Precision Bass Special. Superficially the first ones were the same as the California versions. However, my experience is that the fit and finish of the MIM version is woefully below the California Series I've seen. The fret work in particular was not nearly as good. Also, the rosewood used in the fingerboards of the MIM ones was much more open-grained and rough than the two rosewood board California P Specials I've seen.

John

 

[neptune]

I picked up a black/maple one of these last week. AMXN serial etc. This one apparently spent a lot of time in South Florida; had the rustiest strings I've ever seen and heavy tarnish on the frets. Cleaned up real nice. Most important, she's got a great neck and really sings.

Appreciate the informative background info. from everyone in this thread provided.

 

[GobBass]

Dead ringer for the MIM P Bass Deluxe definitely.

 

[pathdoc2]

Possible California series of maybe a MIM P bass deluxe
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[timmus]

Most likely is but with the top part of the headstock out of the picture it's hard to confirm. That's where it would say "California Series" if it was there.

 

[VWbug]

Looks like an active Precision deluxe to me. the California had the simple three knobs, no stacked knobs (at least the ones I've seen)

 

[TyC]

Can anyone provide some insight on the California Series? I just got one in a trade, red body, gold pickguard, maple neck and PJ pickups.

Just looking for some general info.

Thanks!

I know it has been more than a decade after your first post, but I found one of the 97 US made California Series and fell in love with the tone! Rich, deep, clear on the E string in the 1st 3 frets. I have a 97 US Jazz bass, and a highly regarded Classic Vibe 60's P Bass, but the tone of the California Series PJ is my idea of what a great bass should sound like. I play it through an Ampeg. Adds to the already nice tone. But this guy really articulates through my Bose L1 Model 2 PA. Remarkable tone. I'll probably hang onto this one. The truss rod is pretty tight, but the action is good. If the neck ever goes on this (and I mean beyond repair) I'd probably get a replacement serialized U.S. neck from Fender. They are currently about $500, but I like the tone of this bass that much.

 

[TyC]

If you can find one of these for a reasonable price, get it! You want regret it!

 

[Jeff Scott]

I think the guy from Rancid used to play those...

So did the guy from Rare blend, for a while. Here is a recording of the stock bass before he made some changes to it.

What are the controls on that bass? Is it Volume/Blend/Tone?

Mine was VVT. And it had an A neck.

If it's the same control scheme as my Hot Rod P (which was the MIA equivalent of these) then yeah, it would be vol/blend/tone.

See above.

..Only weak spot for me was the tuning machines which I thought were sloppy and coarse. I put a set of Hipshots on mine...

I put Ultralites on mine.

I did some mods to my '97 CPS after the recording above:

Hipshot Ultralite tuning keys
BA II bridge
Seymour Duncan Classic Stack J pickup
Seymour Duncan Vintage P pickup
Rickenbacker vintage style knobs
Schaller strap locks

Photograph Copyright © SAW 2007 All rights reserved.

 

[StraffordMike]

I have one of these in black with maple and Lace Alumitones coming. Yummy.

 

[jmbstudios]

Here's a question about these basses.
I just picked up a Suburst with anodized pg.
Headstock is gold logo, with Precision Bass Special on it. Also small California series on headstock.
Serial number is a 90s US number. N8******.

Is this a 1998?
American made, still painted in Mex?

Sounds and plays great. Looks new.

 

[steamthief]

Does the serial number begin with amxn?

 

[jmbstudios]

No. It begins with an N. Just like a normal 90s USA serial number.
Front of headstock says Made in USA.

 

[steamthief]

Mine is a '97 and starts with amxn7. Maybe they switched it up for '98? Your bass has a Jazz neck with a skunk stripe?