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Fender pre-CBS Club: pics mandatory!
- Thread starter Mastermold
- Start date
I just picked up a '62 that does not have reverse-wind tuners. Did they ever come that way? Everything else dates to '62.
I can't find any documentation about this, but as far as I know, the forward-winding tuners with the Fender logo were introduced by CBS, so I think only reverse-wind tuners were used pre-CBS. My '63 is reverse-wind, but my '66 is forward-wind.
So the clay dots are asbestos? And a 59 maple J prototype??!??!
This thread is ripe with priceless information!
This thread is ripe with priceless information!
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,637
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
Time for some more pictures. From the earlier discussion about inlays, here are close-ups of the clay dots on my May'63 and pearloid dots on my Feb'66
Time for some more pictures. From the earlier discussion about inlays, here are close-ups of the clay dots on my May'63 and pearloid dots on my Feb'66
Gosh, that '66 looks like Brazilian rosewood, but it isn't right?
Both boards are in excellent condition.
Nice pics
Davo
Interesting! Seems like the '63 and the '66 have similar sized frets. I always thought Pre-CBS basses had smaller frets, compared to the jumbo frets used in the mid 60s and onward.
Talking about dots, frets and fingerboard wood: here's a picture of my Precision. Not exactly pre-CBS (June 65 neck date), but beautiful nontheless:
You can see this '65 isn't Brazilian rosewood as the grain structure is quite different. Indeed this looks closer to Pau Ferro than Indian or Hoduran Rosewood.
Davo
Thanks John. Here is a picture of the tuners.
I guess I need to be shopping for some pre-CBS tuners. Drat.
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I have read elsewhere on TB that the decision to switch from Brazilian to Indian Rosewood occurred in 1965, but like most transitions it was not immediate or complete until 1967. My '66 looks like Brazilian to me, but I am certainly not a wood expert
The narrow pre-CBS frets continued to be used until mid 1966, when they changed to the wider medium jumbo frets (same timing as the switch from dots to blocks on the Jazz)
Thanks John. Here is a picture of the tuners.
I guess I need to be shopping for some pre-CBS tuners. Drat.
Good news for you 9mmMike... Those are the correct reverse-wind tuners
No need to go shopping!
Good news for you 9mmMike... Those are the correct reverse-wind tuners
They look OK but when I turn the key clockwise, the tuning goes up. Do I have my reverse and forward mixed-up? All of my other basses, from '57, '59, '62 RI's to my '64 and the early 70's basses that live here, turn anti-clockwise to add tension....I think....now I am second-guessing myself. Can't wait to get home now....
I agree. Great mix of great pics and good fact-sharing.
I will post a picture of the very light-colored RW board (and the lighter "clay" dots) as soon as I can get a good picture of the '62.
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,637
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
Thanks John. Here is a picture of the tuners.
I guess I need to be shopping for some pre-CBS tuners. Drat.
those look like reversewinds to me (and they are stock).
when the worm gear slants upward toward the gear (like yours), they're reverse wind. when they slant downwards toward the gear, they're forward wind.
here's a pic of some forward wind ones:
No doubt you guys are correct. I guess since I have all but abandoned the early P's for my 70's basses, I have just grown used to "the other way".
Thanks guys.
Thanks guys.
