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I finally got it - MY HOLY GRAIL!
- Thread starter Tonegasm
- Start date
AMAZING BASS!!! My heart is just squeezing with jealousy.
Kind of a dream buy situation. It's so rare to find one of these that's been played by one owner and worn down from legit playing and yet still have all original parts.
Here's my dilemma with a bass like this. Given it's rarity, playing it will continue to wear on the frets, pots, ect. I have a heavy hand and tend to wear through my basses frets somewhat quick. My Fbass is on it's 3rd set of frets and I bought it in 1998.
I have a '64 and a '63 Pbass. I love to play them. They aren't cheap to get a hold of in the first place. I feel guilty playing them just practicing with them around the house due to the wear and tear and the subsequent devaluation when I need to replace the frets or even a pot should one give up the ghost.
I'm a player not a collector. I bought them to play them. I recommend Lublin play the hell outa this '61. Neither of mine are all original so I can say what's a replacement pot going to do to the value when I'm already missing original strap buttons and pickguard screws. A real jem like Lublin has here would have me feeling guilty for anything BUT recording. I bought it to play it doesn't seem to fit when it's this original. Is there any way around the guilt of playing such a rare beauty as this?
If I were Lublin, I'd feel compelled to look for a non-original pre-CBS bass to play all the time.... Am I nuts?
Kind of a dream buy situation. It's so rare to find one of these that's been played by one owner and worn down from legit playing and yet still have all original parts.
Here's my dilemma with a bass like this. Given it's rarity, playing it will continue to wear on the frets, pots, ect. I have a heavy hand and tend to wear through my basses frets somewhat quick. My Fbass is on it's 3rd set of frets and I bought it in 1998.
I have a '64 and a '63 Pbass. I love to play them. They aren't cheap to get a hold of in the first place. I feel guilty playing them just practicing with them around the house due to the wear and tear and the subsequent devaluation when I need to replace the frets or even a pot should one give up the ghost.
I'm a player not a collector. I bought them to play them. I recommend Lublin play the hell outa this '61. Neither of mine are all original so I can say what's a replacement pot going to do to the value when I'm already missing original strap buttons and pickguard screws. A real jem like Lublin has here would have me feeling guilty for anything BUT recording. I bought it to play it doesn't seem to fit when it's this original. Is there any way around the guilt of playing such a rare beauty as this?
If I were Lublin, I'd feel compelled to look for a non-original pre-CBS bass to play all the time.... Am I nuts?
Lublin... You just captured a bit of awesomeness! Congrats! Nothing like an old slab P-Bass neck!
I'm fortunate enough to have many options, including a '61 refin: http://richwronski.wordpress.com/gear/
This '61 is already head, shoulders, and waist above any other bass that I own, so it'll most likely turn into my #1 gigging and recording bass. Life is too short for not enjoying your most loved items. My other basses are AWESOME, but this '61 is from another planet. It's getting used and used OFTEN.
Flatwounds are a must on a vintage bass. They will reduce the wear on the frets by a ton and allow you to play it without worrying to much about fret wear. I'm sure that's what Lublin will be playing on his '61.
IME, pots tend to go bad more often by sitting and corroding than by using them. But if a pot does go bad, it's really not that difficult these days with ebay and sites like TB, to get vintage parts to restore a bass. They may not be "original" as in they didn't come on the bass, but at least you can restore a bass with "period correct" vintage parts, which helps to keep the value up there. In your case, strap buttons and pickguard screws are about the easiest of all vintage parts to find as they were the same for so many years. I definitely wouldn't consider your basses to not be "original" because of those easily replaceable vintage parts. But I say, get out and play those vintage basses!
Personally, I'm more concerned about theft when I gig my vintage basses than the wear and tear I put on them. So kudos to Lublin for not being afraid to gig that beautiful beast! Just always keep at least one eye on that thing!
One of the most beautiful early P's that I have ever seen. I wish I had a dollar for every beer that's been spilled on her.
Now THAT is what a relic SHOULD look like. Take note people. When you can recreate something that looks EXACTLY like this, call me !
I am not jealous. Why? Because that bass was clearly meant to be in your hands.
Now yank that thang !
Now THAT is what a relic SHOULD look like. Take note people. When you can recreate something that looks EXACTLY like this, call me !
I am not jealous. Why? Because that bass was clearly meant to be in your hands.
Now yank that thang !
What strings were on it when you got it? Original Fender flats? Something else?I threw LaBella 760FL flatwounds on it as soon as I brought it home!
What do original Fender Flats look like? Both my vintage p bases came with black tape wound flats with red silk. Any idea what they would be? Sorry for the threadjack. Pm me if it's out of bounds.
