I Gave Away My Precision!

[GalleyCat]

Good on you, @tr4252 !

I'm sure we could make some money having a garage sale, but it's more fun to give stuff away or donate to the local resale shop or whatever.

 

[JJR58]

I've had a "70s" Precision Bass for 20 - 25 years, and never really fell for it. Natural ash, maple board, gold plated hardware. It had an active circuit board, which I bypassed after a year or so, when it malfunctioned. Heavy, not in very good condition, I recall paying $125.00 - $150 for it, from an ad in the local Pennysaver.

The woman in my life has been using my car a lot lately, and I sometimes find myself without a ride home from work. There's a guy in the shop, a machinist, who gives me a lift whenever he can. Won't take any compensation.

We've talked a lot over the years; he used to play a little bass, among all the other war stories.

On the ride a couple of days ago, I had an inspiration. In fact, I blurted out "I've had an inspiration!", told him about the bass, and asked if it was anything he would be interested in. When he answered yes, I said "OK, I'd like to give it to you". So I ran inside and got it. It was in a gig bag. When I pulled it out, he really got enthusiastic and said it was beautiful. He seemed overjoyed, even. I made somebody happy, and it made my day.

Tom

Ya know what, just my opinion. Ya did good.

 

[tr4252]

Without a clear description of the bass, the car, the distance covered, the penny saver ad, what clothes were worn, the time of day, the date in time, the placement of the planets, the smile on his face and the weather, I'm having a hard time believing the Beatles spent that much time playing in the Cavern Club while no one was walking on the moon. ... Call me a cynic.

Hi a cynic,

I can be skeptical too at times. A photo or photos, weight, and corroborating testimony may be available soon, should my friend from work choose to help us out; I have a hunch he will. I don't remember if I ever photographed it myself, probably for insurance purposes if at all. Funny you should ask about the ad; I often create paper files for the occasional big ticket items I buy and that includes the advertising. This particular ticket didn't meet the height requirement though. The smile is anybody's guess; we were wearing face masks, a requirement at work. The weather was typical New York State; cloudy with a chance of Coronavirus. I haven't rounded up enough expert witnesses to answer the other matters, but am working on it.

As for The Beatles at The Cavern, was Ringo the drummer, or that Pete Best guy? If it was Pete, then they were only proto-Beatles, and the question should be re-phrased.

And what about that Moon? If we really did get there 50ish years ago, why didn't we get into the habit of going back? You'd think there'd be a McDonalds there by now. I'm skeptical. I wouldn't be surprised if, during the initial landings, they discovered the body of Alice Kramden, and that the moon is being held off limits as evidence in a domestic violence case, as a possible murder weapon.

Tom

edit: added more frivolous nonsense

 

[thedovewarlord]

Adding one more praise and post applauding your generosity and acknowledging the kindness of your friend.

 

[tr4252]

Thank you.

Tom

 

[tr4252]

Don't we have rules here? No pics, no bass!!!!

Here is the alleged bass...............................
Chris writes that it weighs 11.3 pounds.
You can see what I meant about condition. Still, it's a fairly nice player.
I'm still looking for the circuit board that belongs with it.

Tom

 

[tr4252]

Weight?

See above.

Tom

 

[tr4252]

2 hours later; found the circuit board. Considering the guitar junk I've got, that was fast.

Tom

 

[Lowtones11]

The lady in your life can keep the car. I suspect your ride from work is secured for the foreseeable future. Nice story and even better gesture of appreciation. Those not seeking compensation for helping out others many times finds their efforts are greatly awarded when they least expect it. Love it!

 

[StAntiElvis]

On the ride a couple of days ago, I had an inspiration. In fact, I blurted out "I've had an inspiration!", told him about the bass, and asked if it was anything he would be interested in. When he answered yes, I said "OK, I'd like to give it to you". So I ran inside and got it. It was in a gig bag. When I pulled it out, he really got enthusiastic and said it was beautiful. He seemed overjoyed, even. I made somebody happy, and it made my day.

Love hearing stories like this!

Sounds similar to something in my life - the daughter of a friend of my wife's recently wanted to join band playing bass. Her parents don't have much, so they were leery of spending the money for something that they didn't know if she'd be interested in long-term. So I put together a package for her to try - 10 watt Squier practice amp, cable and gig bag, and my candy apple red Squier Jaguar short scale. She hasn't put it down since, and she practices every day.

Get 'em young...

 

[feschyn]

It's amazing where one kind gesture can lead.

Some time ago, due to finances I had to sell all of my basses (Dingwall, Roscoe, etc.). A friend of mine found out and showed up at my front door with a Squier Affinity Jazz Bass. He told me he didn't think I should be without a bass. I was floored by the gesture, but in the back of my mind was already thinking that I would eventually get rid of it when I could afford something nicer. Turns out, the great feeling I got from being gifted the bass was enduring. I have since bought several nicer basses but cannot see myself ever getting rid of the Squier.

Another positive is that when my son expressed interest in bass, I had a beginner-appropriate bass ready to lend him (along with my GK MB200 that I've had since the 80s). He plays the trumpet in high school jazz band but has been making amazing progress on bass. I gave him a book of Paul Chambers bass solos I've also had since the 80s. It puts a smile on my face when I walk by his closed bedroom door and hear him working on PC's solo from "Castle Rock."

 

[aureliab20gt]

That is cool. When I was a teen in the seventies, we only wanted pre-CBS Fenders. The new ones in the stores weren’t worth the price and most were too heavy. At least that was what the “conventional wisdom” was at the time. I don’t get the adoration (or the prices) for a lot of seventies Fenders today, but there are certainly some nice ones out there from that period. Yours wasn’t being played, was heavy and kind of beat. Good on you for giving it to someone who’ll make good use of it. Good Karma will come from your generosity.

I have a few Precisions....I think those from the period from 68-74 are the best ergonomically.....light and comfortable and those with A profile necks are fabulous

 

[PartyFretless]

I've had a "70s" Precision Bass for 20 - 25 years, and never really fell for it. Natural ash, maple board, gold plated hardware. It had an active circuit board, which I bypassed after a year or so, when it malfunctioned. Heavy, not in very good condition, I recall paying $125.00 - $150 for it, from an ad in the local Pennysaver.

The woman in my life has been using my car a lot lately, and I sometimes find myself without a ride home from work. There's a guy in the shop, a machinist, who gives me a lift whenever he can. Won't take any compensation.

We've talked a lot over the years; he used to play a little bass, among all the other war stories.

On the ride a couple of days ago, I had an inspiration. In fact, I blurted out "I've had an inspiration!", told him about the bass, and asked if it was anything he would be interested in. When he answered yes, I said "OK, I'd like to give it to you". So I ran inside and got it. It was in a gig bag. When I pulled it out, he really got enthusiastic and said it was beautiful. He seemed overjoyed, even. I made somebody happy, and it made my day.

Tom

Has to be the greatest TB post ever!

 

[Ian Lewis]

I've had a "70s" Precision Bass for 20 - 25 years, and never really fell for it. Natural ash, maple board, gold plated hardware. It had an active circuit board, which I bypassed after a year or so, when it malfunctioned. Heavy, not in very good condition, I recall paying $125.00 - $150 for it, from an ad in the local Pennysaver.

The woman in my life has been using my car a lot lately, and I sometimes find myself without a ride home from work. There's a guy in the shop, a machinist, who gives me a lift whenever he can. Won't take any compensation.

We've talked a lot over the years; he used to play a little bass, among all the other war stories.

On the ride a couple of days ago, I had an inspiration. In fact, I blurted out "I've had an inspiration!", told him about the bass, and asked if it was anything he would be interested in. When he answered yes, I said "OK, I'd like to give it to you". So I ran inside and got it. It was in a gig bag. When I pulled it out, he really got enthusiastic and said it was beautiful. He seemed overjoyed, even. I made somebody happy, and it made my day.

Tom

You're a good man Tom. Not that it matters but I think your bass may have been an 80s model, not 70's. "From 1980 to 1984 the Precision Bass was given new active pickups and a high-mass brass bridge. The Special (1980) featured a split-coil pickup with white covers, gold hardware, a 2-band EQ and an active/passive toggle switch. The Elite (1983) had one (Elite I) or two (Elite II) split-coil humbucking pickups, TBX tone circuit and a Schaller fine-tune bridge later used on the Plus Series models of the early 1990s. Some models were available with solid walnut body and stained ebony fretboard. Japanese models appeared in late 1984, with a smaller body shape and a modern C-shape maple neck with 22 medium-jumbo frets

 

[tr4252]

Thanks for the information on that bass. At the time I bought it, around the turn of the century, I knew little about bass instruments. I could tell a Jazz from a Precision; that was about it. I'd played guitar for several years, wanted to play bass on some recordings, and bought this one almost on an impulse, mostly ignorant. I've learned more about it in the last few days than in all the time I owned it.

Tom

 

[Kevin Colt]

jolly good show. I've given a few away in my time. it's a nice feeling making someone happy.