NBD! Fender AVRI 63 Precision Bass

[skaine]

Congrats! These are beautiful basses. If you can handle the nut width you can't do much better, not even with a "real" one IMO.

I'm kinda half in and half out with you on mine....
Some years ago i had a '62 AVRI P and it was IMO like owning a brand new '62. Amazing bass in every respect - build and in particular, tone.

But frankly that authentic 1 3/4" nut vs my small hand...if I had to do several busy tunes in first position, I was hurting. Had to flip it only because of that, though the plus was I got to put one of those '62 CS (at the time) pickups into my '76 P and it will never leave.

I wanted another pure P, so I bought a '63 AVRI Seminole Red parted out body from Stratosphere, added a brass PG and a slim profile J neck (Rosewood on Maple) from Warmoth, and it is just perfect for me now. I did go with an Aguilar '60's P pickup on this one and I just love it.

These AVRI's are pretty amazing! Enjoy yours!!!

Thanks! Time to time i think about putting a Jazz Neck on the P-Bass recently. My options are very limited in Istanbul. I saw a jazz bass neck made in Japan for sale couple of days ago, the brand is Hosco, i dont know if its good or worth the money. I have to consult with a luthier after the quarantine days.

 

[bassclef112]

Skaine - I understand your predicament now that I know where you are re availability. But it sounds like you're in my boat. So, Just to broaden your options...
I was weaned on a '70 Fender Tele with 1 5/8" nut. I still have that neck and a '76 P with original neck (slightly thicker but not a bat), same nut, and they present no issues to me. I can play them all day.
For most people that extra 1/8" isn't a big deal, but it's enough to rob my joy. I won't buy 35" scale basses for the same reason.

Meaning, if you're okay with that you can expand your search for a more recent P (70's and later shape) neck. I can only speak to basses I know. I have no feel for what's on recent P's, MIM, etc.

Best of luck in your search. Something is bound to come up - be patient in this trying time. Meanwhile, enjoy that beauty all you can!



But at least it widens your scope of search.

 

[graphics1988]

Same here...had one new... Fender had to replace the neck the week after I got it (warranty), then a couple weeks after that, the tone control stopped working ...so again..brought it back....my buddy is the store manager..and he said to grab something else if I wanted and he would adjust the cost accordingly...it was clearly a lemon....sad too cuz I loved it's tone...not the neck though..too chunky.
I've had numerous basses since...but I ended up with a custom shop P bass (used) with the jazz nut.....perfection. (wasn't much more than the new Fender either)

 

[Pre63]

I'm coming late to this discussion, but can add a little personal experience with both the original '63 Precision and the AVRI '63.

I bought my first '63 used in 1968 and lost it in 1971 when a bar owner burned down his club with our gear in it. I always took the bass home, but I had a Volkswagen Beetle and it only fit in the front passenger seat. That night I chose to take a girl home instead of my bass. Bad decision. I bought a new '71 then, but it just wasn't the same. I bought the AVRI a few years ago, and it's as close to the original as I can imagine is possible. I happened to play a '64 at Macaris in London shortly after getting the AVRI, and it felt and sounded the same. It's a great bass, but with the 1.75" nut it's really not a neck for people with small hands. The photo is the original bass in '71, already showing a lot of road wear. We never left the ashtray and pick-up cover on back then. They tore up your hands.