NBD: '63 American Vintage Precision

some triple aught steel wool will take some of that stickiness off the neck

 

WOW!!!! Beautiful, I really lust for one of these.

 

Yeah, but the right Scotch Brite will do even better, and not leave you with the worry of loose steel wool dust in your pickup magnets. If you do go steel wool, mask the pickups with tape first.

 

Or the ever-handy green ScotchBrite pad.

 

Well done. The current AVRI's are fantastic.

 

I prefer the neck on the prior AVRI P-bass but yes these are indeed very nice P-basses, I've enjoyed each one I've played.

 

"Marilyn Monroe climaxing and put into a bass"

wow - (snaps back to reality) love the colour!

 

Gorgeous bass!! Congrats!!

 

They have been fantastic since 1982!

 

It's a beaut... congrats!!!

 

Those 82-84 Fullerton AVRI's must be pretty amazing as they cost almost as much as early 70's Fenders. I've heard many say they are as close as you can get to the actual pre-CBS ones.

 

I've played a decent sized sample of 50s and 60s Fender basses, and the Fullerton reissues (which were made with jigs and pin routers like the originals) are pretty close in terms of body contours and neck profile. The later reissues, which are made on CNC machines are not quite the same. Add to that the fact that the Fullerton reissues are over 30 years old now and they really do feel and sound like vintage basses.

 

AVRI????

American ??? Re-Issue?

 

V = Vintage

 

The new Anerican Vintage series feel different than the AVRI models. I'm not claiming to be a vintage expert, but I have played a few, and the new AV's feel right to me

 

Congrats on the new bass, OJC!

Re: the sticky neck: as a standard procedure, I always wipe the neck down briskly with a terry cloth towel after I play them. I've had a couple of sticky necks and after a short while of wiping them down, I find the necks are slick and smooth just like they should be.

 

3M makes a series of microfiber sanding pads that will give you the smoothest glassiest neck you can imagine. You simply wet them and go from rough to finest. I do this to all my necks that still have finish on them, and they are a joy to play in all weathers.

I find the AVs lost a bit of their MOJO over the years, some of them were amazing but the feel changed a bit in a way difficult to describe. They just didn't hang together in the same way and sometimes felt a bit stiff or non woody. Sorry for being so vague, it is just an impression.

The new ones I've tried were amazing. They are beautifully made instruments.

I have an '83 Fullerton, bought it used but virtually unplayed, and I've put a lot of miles on it. The neck is not very stable up at this altitude, but it suits me as I adjust it for the venue or the day with a micro turn of the truss rod. But the neck is so slim and beautifully carved just playing it is an absolute pleasure. The rosewood is stunning, too, and the edges have rolled from being played. It's a rock monster, too, and has a bit of everything in perfect balance. Growl, thump, grind, bottom end, some bloom, and clank, are all in there's when you want, and the voice is classic throaty P that just sounds like me.

 

I can echo the same life changing experience after the first gig with my 63 AVRI - Who knew a P-Bass could feel and sound so great!? 'Cause I sure didn't...
It's been a year since then, and it's still pretty much the only bass (out of nearly 30) that I gig with.

 

Congratulations on the purchase. They are great basses. One caution: the nitro finish is EXTREMELY thin and it will chip/dent/scratch easily. That's been my experience. Otherwise - enjoy. Beautiful instruments.