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NBD: Fender Precision 1971 sunburst - where's the mojo?
- Thread starter Pier_
- Start date
You fell for the "vintage" marketing trap.
That, and the 70s weren't exactly known for quality. It was a decade known for a decrease in craftsmanship, an increase in mass production, and the cheapening of materials and production processes. For Fender, for Gibson and for many other companies.
My American Vintage II Precision is just as good or better in terms of build, sound and fit and finish than many older examples including almost everything Fender built in the 1970s.
Vintage doesn't mean better. Sometimes it's just old.
That, and the 70s weren't exactly known for quality. It was a decade known for a decrease in craftsmanship, an increase in mass production, and the cheapening of materials and production processes. For Fender, for Gibson and for many other companies.
My American Vintage II Precision is just as good or better in terms of build, sound and fit and finish than many older examples including almost everything Fender built in the 1970s.
Vintage doesn't mean better. Sometimes it's just old.
The 1985 Yamaha BB3000 is the one that would get me excited.Hi everybody!
in the last days I become the owner of a gorgeous 1971 Fender Precision, alder/rosewood in sunburst finish, all original, photo attached.
now, what about the thread title?
in the last 20 years or so I've had a lot of Precisions, from Squier up to Custom Shop, passing through Japan (both alder and basswood models), Mexico (standard, classic, vintera ecc) and USA (highway one, american standard, american vintage...), but my only encounters with "vintage" Precision basses were in shops for a few minutes.
I tried some late 70's, a 1969 and a 1970 from the same owner, where the '69 was so consumed that the frets were at the same level of the fretboard wood and the pickup sounded like it had the tone closed, but the '70 sounded just right and was less used.
however, in the last weeks a friend of mine tempted me with this 1971, and after checking some details that I liked, I made the deal, giving him one of my recent Rickenbacker 4003 and a bunch of money.
the bass arrived, I did my usual setup, cursed the bridge positioning of the 70's Fenders and had to stretch the D and A spring in order to make them be useful, lowered the nut slots that were so high that I couldn't press the first frets, put a strap on (just 3.9kg) and went to a gig.
as I said, I've probably tried every Precision model from the early 2000 to today, from the cheapest to the highest priced (and for "tried" I mean bought, made a setup, played at rehearsals and gigs, sometimes recorded something), and I was expecting to find out something "more" from an instrument so old and "aged".
ok, the rosewood is beautiful, the alder is gorgeous, the neck profile (this is a B-neck, 41mm nut) is a big and rounded C, almost identical from the nut to the heel, and I love this kind of 70's profile, and also the body seems to be a little narrower from back to top, because the neck heel (without any shim) gets much outside the body that the truss rod nut is perfectly accessible without removing anything, and the bridge saddles, even with the low action I use (1.5mm at the G string 12th fret) still maintain a lot of height (I was used to the typical Fender setup with the G saddle all bottomed down to reach that action. with this bass I still have 2-3mm of height on the G saddle).
but despite these details, in the end, this is nothing more than a good Precision. it sounds like a Precision, plays like a Precision, it doesn't have any kind of "mojo" or "vibe" or anything that made me think that there's something more, it's just a good Precision, but any recent USA made bass has the same overall quality, and you don't even need to reach the CS catalogue.
an American Standard/Pro is on the same level of construction (with better shielding), and an American Vintage has the same look (except the TV logo).
the neck profile and saddles height are probably the only real interesting and characteristic things of this bass.
now, I'll certainly keep it and play it, the neck is the kind of measure/profile I like, but I was expecting something more, not only the smell from the case ahahah
what's your experience with vintage Fenders?
PS: the oldest bass I've ever owned was a '78 Gibson The Ripper, and I own a 1980 Aria SB1000, a 1985 Yamaha BB3000 and 1989 Yamaha TRB6p, and with those basses I've actually felt something special, in particular because there aren't recent versions built in the same way right now.
a Fender Precision or Jazz it's almost the same since it's birth...
Best bass I have ever had/have is a 1990 Yamaha that was made in Taiwan.
My next favorite bass is also a Yamaha that was made in Taiwan in 1991.
I worked in a music store in 1975 and saw lots of not so great 70's Fender guitars and basses.
I had a 1966 Mustang guitar that I got used for $65 that was good, and then got a used Stratocaster that was not so good.
Figured out when I was sixteen that Fender made good stuff and also not so good stuff.
A friend of mine has a 1962, 1966 and a 1974 Fender p bass, all original.
He doesn't really like the 74 because it's raw, aggressive sounding and very punchy. Personally, I LOVE it because I mostly play hard rock and this heavy swamp ash bass is a monster.
His 66 is good but really not outstanding. More than good enough for almost anything but that same sound can be done with many other basses…………..at a fraction of its price.
The 62 though……………Oh my god ! This old baby is in a complete different league. We gave it a try with some nickel rounds and it rocks like hell and cuts in the mix like a saber. He then installed some La Bella deep talking flats and THIS woke up this bass. Sweet, velvet, completely addictive and really like nothing else in the world. When you hit it softly or from the 7th fret down to the body, with an Ampeg B15, this simply sounds like a double bass. Couldn't believe my ears.
If I was to buy a Fender p bass for that sweet special sound, I would choose one that's been made between 1957 and 1964 and I would try it before buying. Some are outstanding while others are just okay.
He doesn't really like the 74 because it's raw, aggressive sounding and very punchy. Personally, I LOVE it because I mostly play hard rock and this heavy swamp ash bass is a monster.
His 66 is good but really not outstanding. More than good enough for almost anything but that same sound can be done with many other basses…………..at a fraction of its price.
The 62 though……………Oh my god ! This old baby is in a complete different league. We gave it a try with some nickel rounds and it rocks like hell and cuts in the mix like a saber. He then installed some La Bella deep talking flats and THIS woke up this bass. Sweet, velvet, completely addictive and really like nothing else in the world. When you hit it softly or from the 7th fret down to the body, with an Ampeg B15, this simply sounds like a double bass. Couldn't believe my ears.
If I was to buy a Fender p bass for that sweet special sound, I would choose one that's been made between 1957 and 1964 and I would try it before buying. Some are outstanding while others are just okay.
I once had the good fortune to play a 51, 56, and 59 Fender Precision that were all for sale. I kept the 59 because I loved the neck profile and small frets. It sounds pretty much like any other Precision from that period, but it's easy to get around on. Personally, my favorites are literally from the "golden age" with with gold anodized pick guards. Based on the newer clones I've seen most of them are probably better instruments than most of the
vintage instruments that are costing considerably more than instruments from Olinto, Sadowdsky, Lull, and Lakland. Just my take but I do have this to bass it on. Note the bridge is not original.
vintage instruments that are costing considerably more than instruments from Olinto, Sadowdsky, Lull, and Lakland. Just my take but I do have this to bass it on. Note the bridge is not original.
I have a '75 P that I find to be a one off in its way. A beautiful white turned buttercream with an all maple neck. It weighs 7.9 lbs. The only P I ever played with real neck dive. Loaded with a CS '62RI pu it does everything I expect very well. It got mojo.
I have played '69, '70 & '71 and found those particular instruments, like you, unremarkable. I had a Ric 4003 like that as well - just bland.
You'll know when you find one. Good luck.
I have played '69, '70 & '71 and found those particular instruments, like you, unremarkable. I had a Ric 4003 like that as well - just bland.
You'll know when you find one. Good luck.
P.S. I am lucky enough to have a '66 J that absolutely has the mojo. I was very skeptical about all of that vintage myth, until I found this one. Is it the best ever? No. But it's definitely a step up.
Rosewood fretboard...... Pass...Hi everybody!
in the last days I become the owner of a gorgeous 1971 Fender Precision, alder/rosewood in sunburst finish, all original, photo attached.
now, what about the thread title?
in the last 20 years or so I've had a lot of Precisions, from Squier up to Custom Shop, passing through Japan (both alder and basswood models), Mexico (standard, classic, vintera ecc) and USA (highway one, american standard, american vintage...), but my only encounters with "vintage" Precision basses were in shops for a few minutes.
I tried some late 70's, a 1969 and a 1970 from the same owner, where the '69 was so consumed that the frets were at the same level of the fretboard wood and the pickup sounded like it had the tone closed, but the '70 sounded just right and was less used.
however, in the last weeks a friend of mine tempted me with this 1971, and after checking some details that I liked, I made the deal, giving him one of my recent Rickenbacker 4003 and a bunch of money.
the bass arrived, I did my usual setup, cursed the bridge positioning of the 70's Fenders and had to stretch the D and A spring in order to make them be useful, lowered the nut slots that were so high that I couldn't press the first frets, put a strap on (just 3.9kg) and went to a gig.
as I said, I've probably tried every Precision model from the early 2000 to today, from the cheapest to the highest priced (and for "tried" I mean bought, made a setup, played at rehearsals and gigs, sometimes recorded something), and I was expecting to find out something "more" from an instrument so old and "aged".
ok, the rosewood is beautiful, the alder is gorgeous, the neck profile (this is a B-neck, 41mm nut) is a big and rounded C, almost identical from the nut to the heel, and I love this kind of 70's profile, and also the body seems to be a little narrower from back to top, because the neck heel (without any shim) gets much outside the body that the truss rod nut is perfectly accessible without removing anything, and the bridge saddles, even with the low action I use (1.5mm at the G string 12th fret) still maintain a lot of height (I was used to the typical Fender setup with the G saddle all bottomed down to reach that action. with this bass I still have 2-3mm of height on the G saddle).
but despite these details, in the end, this is nothing more than a good Precision. it sounds like a Precision, plays like a Precision, it doesn't have any kind of "mojo" or "vibe" or anything that made me think that there's something more, it's just a good Precision, but any recent USA made bass has the same overall quality, and you don't even need to reach the CS catalogue.
an American Standard/Pro is on the same level of construction (with better shielding), and an American Vintage has the same look (except the TV logo).
the neck profile and saddles height are probably the only real interesting and characteristic things of this bass.
now, I'll certainly keep it and play it, the neck is the kind of measure/profile I like, but I was expecting something more, not only the smell from the case ahahah
what's your experience with vintage Fenders?
PS: the oldest bass I've ever owned was a '78 Gibson The Ripper, and I own a 1980 Aria SB1000, a 1985 Yamaha BB3000 and 1989 Yamaha TRB6p, and with those basses I've actually felt something special, in particular because there aren't recent versions built in the same way right now.
a Fender Precision or Jazz it's almost the same since it's birth...
Never had a vintage P bass, but I have had Custom Shop vs. American Original/Vintage - and the Custom Shop was way better, but only because it actually had perfectly level frets and finishing. Every US Fender should have that. You shouldn't be subject to a less perfect bass just because you Spent $1800 vs. $4000. $1800 is a LOT of money and should be just as perfect. For $4000 you should get an ACTUAL CUSTOM instrument (you pick the color, the nut width, etc) not just another more perfectly finished line of Fender, which is what most CS basses are. They come off a line and are not customized.
Play along with the songs you like. Try to get the sound you want - most of which is in your hands.
Try out all of the variables that matter to you - strings etc.
Does that bass physically play well for you ?
Can you bond with that bass ?
Try out all of the variables that matter to you - strings etc.
Does that bass physically play well for you ?
Can you bond with that bass ?
You're not the first one to say this. Wood is an organic material and no two body/neck combo's are going to work together in harmony. I've tried a few custom shops over the years and have not been bowled over. Perhaps that's why they were used and hanging on a hook in a store ?.
I think some time playing the instrument should be dedicated before you pass any judgement. Part of the deal is learning what that particular instrument will give you and how you touch the strings to get it to speak. Also, record the the bass in rehearsals or practice.
The Pbass Is an instrument that sounds rather bland by itself, its middy and not sparkly... but that sound in a rhythm section is why its the most recorded bass in modern music. What you hear when you are playing, is not what the audience hears and recording will give some insights as to how good or bad that instrument sounds in context of an ensemble. The is where the Precision Bass shines.
I don't give the vintage thing all that much weight. For all intent and purposes, that bass is unplayed and still essentially new, regardless of when it was manufactured.
You might end up not liking it and selling it. My favorite Precision, and I own several, is a Mexican Player. I have a couple of 1975 vintage PBasses too. The Player is better playing and sounding bass... go figure.
You have to judge the instrument as an individual. Country of origin, year produced, or cost has little to do with how good the bass is.
The Pbass Is an instrument that sounds rather bland by itself, its middy and not sparkly... but that sound in a rhythm section is why its the most recorded bass in modern music. What you hear when you are playing, is not what the audience hears and recording will give some insights as to how good or bad that instrument sounds in context of an ensemble. The is where the Precision Bass shines.
I don't give the vintage thing all that much weight. For all intent and purposes, that bass is unplayed and still essentially new, regardless of when it was manufactured.
You might end up not liking it and selling it. My favorite Precision, and I own several, is a Mexican Player. I have a couple of 1975 vintage PBasses too. The Player is better playing and sounding bass... go figure.
You have to judge the instrument as an individual. Country of origin, year produced, or cost has little to do with how good the bass is.
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devnulljp
Supporting Member
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,636
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Sept '66 P - my 1st (and only) P-bass because it sounded as good as it looked the first minute I played it.
Last edited:
it's my go-to bass for almost everything
you can check it here: also here:
this bass has a lot of "mojo", I'd say
maybe there's some misconception in my first post:
I'm not saying that this bass is not "giving me joy"
the neck profile is what I was looking for after trying a lot of Fender basses and having identify the "70's neck" as the chunky and rounded profile I'd play with, just like Jazz Basses, I can't stand anything that isn't a big chunky 70's profile, I don't like slim neck profiles. also I'm not judging this bass for the money it costs now, it's obvious that the prices are defined by their "collector value", not construction, but the thing is that we usually read a lot of literature about how "older instruments" from particular eras had something special.
what I found in many years is that, particularly the Precision bass, most of them were just "standard instruments", and I'm not talking about "CBS-70's fender or anything specific, just the fact that when you speak to any musician out there, in a way or another this quote will pop out:
"those vintage instruments were better! they have soul, not like modern instruments"
playing this Precision from 1971 is "ok", it's a good Precision, it sounds well, it setups well, it's light and balanced (3.9kg), the woods are aesthetically pleasuring, and, maybe I didn't mention it, it has been played a lot in it's life, I just cleaned it and took good pictures
it's not hard relic, for sure, and always played with flats, so the frets are immaculate, but it worked a lot during these 54 years. for what I found out, except from the late 70's Precisions with overwound pickups and ash body, that had some accent in the hi-mids spectrum, the other Precision basses are just Precision basses
PS: I'm not stringing it with flats right now because I need a roundwound Precision with some bite for what I'll play with this bass.
Welcome to the club!
I bought beautiful 68 all original Precision few years ago and had the experience exactly the same as You. Sold it recently and now I have my peace. If you think old instruments are something special, you have to own one and see for yourself. Some find ''mojo'' in them and some don't. Maybe it's down to particular piece, but I'm not sure about that anymore.
From my current point of view, I would choose any Custom Shop or American Standard before the vintage one any day.
I bought beautiful 68 all original Precision few years ago and had the experience exactly the same as You. Sold it recently and now I have my peace. If you think old instruments are something special, you have to own one and see for yourself. Some find ''mojo'' in them and some don't. Maybe it's down to particular piece, but I'm not sure about that anymore.
From my current point of view, I would choose any Custom Shop or American Standard before the vintage one any day.
This is a great question. One of my cheapest basses has a ton of "mojo" while some of the more expensive ones do not. And there is no answer I could give you as to why without sounding like a raving madman.
