NBD: My first Fender, MIM Precision

[DerekW]

New bass day, woot!!
My first Fender, a 2004 MIM Precision, Midnight Wine I believe is the colour name. Barely a mark on it, neck in perfect shape, not my first choice in colour, kinda wanted black, but this came up. Already bought a black pickguard for it, and I'm going to pull the SD SPB-4 Steve Harris pup out of a Squier I have. Sounds pretty sweet already, so I'm hoping for even more sweetness as the SPB-4 sounds great in the Squier.

I'll check out the electronics when I change the pup, is there a worthwhile upgrade to the pots, etc? Or do most think they are good as is?


Got it for $275 shipped with a gig bag... Did I dun gud?

 

[Syxz_ML]

Very nice! Black pickguard is exactly the touch it needs I actually love the color.

 

[bassrich]

Congrats that black will look great

 

[DerekW]

Thanks!
Yeah, I think the black kicks it up a notch, feeling pretty good about the colour now!
HATE the white pickguards!

 

[newyorkiddo]

Sure looks like the midnight wine jazz i have! It looks great!

 

[TN WOODMAN]

Already has CTS pots . If not scratchy and turn well should be fine with those. Some don 't like the tuners but I have 4 MIM with stock tuners and haven't seen a need to change .

 

[DerekW]

Yeah, the tone is a little scratchy, and there seems to be a little hum, even when touching the strings, nothing major, going to shield it with copper tape when I change the pup, and I'll give the electronics a once over when I have it apart. Normal stuff for a neatly 10 year old bass I suppose.

 

[Maxdusty]

Congrats! Black pickguard definitely makes it look sharp. Just got a Jazz in the same color, just waiting for the black pickguard to arrive- the stark white was getting to me. Black is really the best looking pickguard for this color- your pic just confirmed it for me.
Nice buy at a great price. You did good.
You know I can't tell if it's just an optical illusion but is the black pickguard a little longer than the white one underneath it in your picture near the horn? (your picture with the black pickguard superimposed over the white one)

 

[DerekW]

No, I think it's just the way it's sitting with the knobs underneath, kinda off kilter and propped up in an angle. When I hovered it over top it looked like all the holes lined up,I'll find out soon enough!

 

[BassmanM]

You did good, yes! Put the black one on and enjoy.

 

[Rocken17]

Yes, black pickguard. Worked for Nate Mendel, and works on my American Special.
(Yeah I know it is CAR and not wine, but close enough)

 

[tangentmusic]

Yep - nice one. Definitely use the black pg.

 

[Herrick]

Nice! That black pickguard's going to look great on it.

 

[experimental bassist]

Great bass, congrats. Always liked that color.

The stock pickups aren't bad at all.

Great look with the black pickguard, where'd you get it?

I've often flirted with the idea of getting a black PG for my midnight blue Precision, but after my trussrod nut fiasco I've never had much confidence in getting the right parts for my bass so I've just left well enough alone.

Enjoy your instrument!

 

[DerekW]

Thanks everyone!

DogBone, I got the guard on amazon on the recommendation of someone here that said it got their MIM perfectly, haven't actually put it on yet, but I'll post when I do:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0052P7IF8/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?ref_=pe_385040_30332190_TE_3p_dp_1

I also thought about a white pearloid, saw some pics that looked really sweet, but I'm a rock guy, so I thought this would suit me better. Still might pick one up at some point to try.

 

[OldDirtyBassist]

Great bass for a great price. The black pickguard looks much better imo. Congrats!

 

[DerekW]

Here's one with a white pearloid, classy look.
Too bad I'm not classy, lol.

 

[Maxdusty]

Great look with the black pickguard, where'd you get it?

I've often flirted with the idea of getting a black PG for my midnight blue Precision, but after my trussrod nut fiasco I've never had much confidence in getting the right parts for my bass so I've just left well enough alone.

Enjoy your instrument!

You can get the pickguard at GC but you can also order it on Amazon a little bit cheaper- currently it's $17.65 free shipping (third party seller) for an authentic Fender brand P Bass pickguard which will fit your bass- if you have a MIM P Bass, the pickguard will fit but it has that notch for a neck truss rod adjustment.
You can also get a third-party pickguard that doesn't have that notch and should still fit your bass pretty well, some more than others. Allparts, TNT guitars etc.
I bought a mint green one for my MIM P bass from TNT guitars on EBay , paid $17 for it and it fits perfectly.
Changing the pickguard makes quite a big difference and is a cheap, very easy mod.. here's an example of my P-bass. The way I bought it with a white pickguard, and with a mint green one I added later. (I may buy a pearl off-white one next)

 

[MovingPitchers]

Hey dud I have the exact same MIM P-Bass!!! Same colour! Made in 2003 though. Congrats; don't they look amazing? I love this colour! I'd lvoe to share tips and suggestions with you, OP!

 

[Maxdusty]

Here's one with a white pearloid, classy look.
Too bad I'm not classy, lol.

Looks nice too, but I think the black pg just makes it look sleek and sexy. The white (even a pearl) just seems to stark bright for such a sleek metallic color. Just my opinion of course.