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PLEASE HELP!
- Thread starter conono
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Roy Vogt
Supporting Member
- Sep 20, 2000
- 4,433
- 537
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Kiesel Basses, Ampeg Amplification, Hotone Ampero II effects
The later 70s era Fenders could vary widely with weight and quality control. There were a spate of funky necks in the mid-70s. Be sure to try before you buy. The 71 should be a little lighter. The spaghetti script on the logos of the 60s was gone, replaced by the block lettering.
That being said, it's a pretty consistent and goof-proof design. Other than the weight and some of the neck inconsistencies, P basses from that era are consistent beasts.
The real magic was in the 59-65 basses, but of course that's why they cost an arm and a leg!
Here's a link to the Fender Forum that details some of the neck woes of mid 70s P basses:
Invalid Link Removed
That being said, it's a pretty consistent and goof-proof design. Other than the weight and some of the neck inconsistencies, P basses from that era are consistent beasts.
The real magic was in the 59-65 basses, but of course that's why they cost an arm and a leg!
Here's a link to the Fender Forum that details some of the neck woes of mid 70s P basses:
Invalid Link Removed
I owned a 1973 P Bass and sold it in 1975, later buying another in 1976. The only thing I can really put my finger on is that my 73 had a white pickguard where the 76 had a black pickguard. Honestly I can't remember anything else different between the two. Both were CBS models but both of mine were great basses.
Roy Vogt
Supporting Member
- Sep 20, 2000
- 4,433
- 537
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Kiesel Basses, Ampeg Amplification, Hotone Ampero II effects
Fender's got pretty good quality control these days. I might look at a Road Worn P Bass.
If you want to go to another manufacturer the Lakland Skyline Bob Glaub is a good buy for the money, but it's pretty hard to screw up a P Bass. I'd just go to a Fender dealer if you're close to one and play a lot of them and buy the one that feels the best to you.
The mid 70s Jazz Basses had a three bolt neck joint and "bullet" truss rod, but I don't recall Fender changing the P-Bass neck joint and truss rod at the time. To tell the truth, the squirrelly necks at the time drove a lot of players in the late 70s to custom basses like Alembics and the new Music Man Sting Ray basses. That was my experience, but the only P I've owned was a '63 that I'm still trying to buy back from the guy I sold it to in 1976....Who knew?
If you want to go to another manufacturer the Lakland Skyline Bob Glaub is a good buy for the money, but it's pretty hard to screw up a P Bass. I'd just go to a Fender dealer if you're close to one and play a lot of them and buy the one that feels the best to you.
The mid 70s Jazz Basses had a three bolt neck joint and "bullet" truss rod, but I don't recall Fender changing the P-Bass neck joint and truss rod at the time. To tell the truth, the squirrelly necks at the time drove a lot of players in the late 70s to custom basses like Alembics and the new Music Man Sting Ray basses. That was my experience, but the only P I've owned was a '63 that I'm still trying to buy back from the guy I sold it to in 1976....Who knew?
I have a 75 P and it's a great player. Lighter than my 1962, actually...
I recommend playing one before drop the cash. That's my only advice...AND do your research so you don't get ripped off...
there's a LOT of fakes and parts-basses out there.
I recommend playing one before drop the cash. That's my only advice...AND do your research so you don't get ripped off...
there's a LOT of fakes and parts-basses out there.
