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NBD: '72 Telecaster
- Thread starter jbiscuti
- Start date
If it was mine, I MIGHT replace the pickup cover (preferably with a used one), strings, setup, and stop there.
That thing is sexy. Restored, half as sexy. Of course, just my opinion.
Nice bass and good score!
That thing is sexy. Restored, half as sexy. Of course, just my opinion.
Nice bass and good score!
I used this beast (and I do mean BEAST) at rehearsal last night, after a re-string with some old Chromes (I NEVER throw away flats) and a small truss rod tweak. Happy to report that the truss rod not only works, but works very well and QUICKLY too!
I made it a point to play it through my usual Markbass LMKII with the EQ flat (I usually cut the highs and boost the lows) and the VLE and VPF turned off. I wanted to hear the true tonal characteristics of this thing. As you would expect, it sounds very warm and round with a really solid low end. However, there is a really nice subtle clarity, especially on the D &G strings! It will certainly serve to be a usable instrument and in fact, I think I'll gig with it this weekend.
The weight is nice (somewhere between 8 - 9lbs I'd wager), and the old ash body is very resonant. The sustain is flat-out unbeliveable, despite the bass being robbed of it's former string-thru glory (now sports a BAII). I reckon this has a lot do with the pickup which is LOUD AS HELL.
I would describe the neck as having a "medium" profile - not chunky at all, not thin at all. Sort of reminds me of my Classic Stingray with just a touch more girth (the nut widths are similar too).
The thumbrest will remain where it is until I decide to sell. It's placed in an excellent spot and for me, a thumbrest is a non-negotiable necessity anyway.
If I get some time within the next few days I'd love to do a video for you guys showing you what this baby can do. There is precious little out there on them. So far I'm quite pleased.
I made it a point to play it through my usual Markbass LMKII with the EQ flat (I usually cut the highs and boost the lows) and the VLE and VPF turned off. I wanted to hear the true tonal characteristics of this thing. As you would expect, it sounds very warm and round with a really solid low end. However, there is a really nice subtle clarity, especially on the D &G strings! It will certainly serve to be a usable instrument and in fact, I think I'll gig with it this weekend.
The weight is nice (somewhere between 8 - 9lbs I'd wager), and the old ash body is very resonant. The sustain is flat-out unbeliveable, despite the bass being robbed of it's former string-thru glory (now sports a BAII). I reckon this has a lot do with the pickup which is LOUD AS HELL.
I would describe the neck as having a "medium" profile - not chunky at all, not thin at all. Sort of reminds me of my Classic Stingray with just a touch more girth (the nut widths are similar too).
The thumbrest will remain where it is until I decide to sell. It's placed in an excellent spot and for me, a thumbrest is a non-negotiable necessity anyway.
If I get some time within the next few days I'd love to do a video for you guys showing you what this baby can do. There is precious little out there on them. So far I'm quite pleased.
That's great news! Glad you're happy with the bass in the band setting, as that's most important.
Oh yeah. I will be out of my comfort zone for sure. For the past 30 gigs or so I've ONLY used my Road Worn P. I'll bring it as a backup in case I can't get comfy.
FWIW, it's a cover band who specializes in strictly danceable music, much of it synthesizer-based 90's dance. I have pulled this off admirably thus far on a P with flats (previously a 4003/flats and a Stingray/flats). Let's see if the old girl is up to the task.
i used to use my first SB tele back in 76 when i played in a 10 peice band doing lots of disco and EWF/Chicago type stuff. Nailed that perfectly. Had to add the second pup as other than Feli/Mountain I found the sound too dark and lacked clarity. Maybe was a 90's SS amp thing as it clearly sounded better with a nice old tubey midrangey type sound versus the thick low end of many SS amps. Maybe time to take the old girl out with my MM 130 Heads on a few gigs. I can remember the last time i gigged with it in a little crappy bar in Staten Island winter of 1997 before i moved to CT.. Only reason i remember is i have a picture taken that night in front of a window with snow flakes coming down....800RB that night. lots of Pie/Cream/Zep covers band and the mudbucker did a decent 360 thump thru the GK.
The second pup was installed at fodera back in the 80's when the were starting up and did repair work to help pay the bills.
The second pup was installed at fodera back in the 80's when the were starting up and did repair work to help pay the bills.
Hey, thanks for your recollections!
BTW, I'm a Staten Islander. Which bar was it? "Crappy bar" doesn't narrow it down much around here.
Cool,glad you are diggin' it,John! Actually i think the pickup looks great exposed,and like someone else said,maybe you are getting some more clarity that way. This model definitley had a different neck from mine,with the adjustment at the nut end for starters. I didn't notice before,is it a micro tilt as well?
Nice score, and I like the look with the black pickguard. (My 1978 has one, in 1972 they still were white.)
So wanna hear what this baby sounds like?
View attachment party girl.mp3
This is the '72 Tele straight into an Apogee Duet, no EQ'ing or effects. Straight tone of the bass. It has an old set of Chromes on it, and don't forget, there is a BAII thrown into the mix as well.
The low E string is nothing short of massive; the D & G strings have a fatter sound then you're likely to hear on any other bass. It reminds me of the low register of a Wurlitzer or something. Really wonderful. Think EB0 or Hofner but with more of a Fender snap and obviously really friendly playability.
Song is "Party Girl" by Elvis Costello (the great Bruce Thomas on bass).
Unfortunately, I'm probably gonna be listing this baby for sale in the classifies within the next few days. I really like it - even gigged with it over the weekend and it performed beautifully - but spots in my arsenal are limited and I didn't really need another vintage-y bass. I could really use something a bit more hi-fi/modern, which I'm sorely lacking. I do wish I could keep them all.
View attachment party girl.mp3
This is the '72 Tele straight into an Apogee Duet, no EQ'ing or effects. Straight tone of the bass. It has an old set of Chromes on it, and don't forget, there is a BAII thrown into the mix as well.
The low E string is nothing short of massive; the D & G strings have a fatter sound then you're likely to hear on any other bass. It reminds me of the low register of a Wurlitzer or something. Really wonderful. Think EB0 or Hofner but with more of a Fender snap and obviously really friendly playability.
Song is "Party Girl" by Elvis Costello (the great Bruce Thomas on bass).
Unfortunately, I'm probably gonna be listing this baby for sale in the classifies within the next few days. I really like it - even gigged with it over the weekend and it performed beautifully - but spots in my arsenal are limited and I didn't really need another vintage-y bass. I could really use something a bit more hi-fi/modern, which I'm sorely lacking. I do wish I could keep them all.
These basses are too cool. My favorite is the one in the OP, but Jumbod's is pretty sweet too. I'm gassing for one so bad. If I bought on of the squire beaters, I'd probably throw a P in the middle, and maybe a humbucker in the bridge. Then hook up a 5 way toggle, and boom! A three in one bass with several funky tones in between.
