• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Preserving a 64' P Bass

jfunk

jfunk

Oct 14, 2007
154
28
Cincinnati, OH
#1
I'm the new owner of a '64 P bass. Sunburst. All original. I'm the second owner. It was purchased new by my friend's grandfather in early '65 and he just recently passed on. I was blessed with the opportunity to purchase it at an extremely reasonable price for which I'm very grateful.

This thing is incredible. I haven't touched the setup on it yet but I did put a set of flats on it. Tone city. You can't beat it. Plugged into an old Ampeg B15 Fliptop Rig that is at church and words just don't describe it so I'm not going to try now.

To the point. I'm planning on using this bass but I want to make sure that I take care of it to not only preserve it's value but also to ensure it lasts for my own enjoyment.

Any tips or suggestions? Should I wipe it down with a damp cloth? How should I clean the pots when the get crackly? Fret maintenance? Any info would be helpful. Thanks.
 

Attachments

  • 64p_1.JPG
    64p_1.JPG
    92.7 KB · Views: 333
  • 64p_2.JPG
    64p_2.JPG
    85.1 KB · Views: 211
#4
jfunk said:
I'm the new owner of a '64 P bass. Sunburst. All original. I'm the second owner. It was purchased new by my friend's grandfather in early '65 and he just recently passed on. I was blessed with the opportunity to purchase it at an extremely reasonable price for which I'm very grateful.

This thing is incredible. I haven't touched the setup on it yet but I did put a set of flats on it. Tone city. You can't beat it. Plugged into an old Ampeg B15 Fliptop Rig that is at church and words just don't describe it so I'm not going to try now.

To the point. I'm planning on using this bass but I want to make sure that I take care of it to not only preserve it's value but also to ensure it lasts for my own enjoyment.

Any tips or suggestions? Should I wipe it down with a damp cloth? How should I clean the pots when the get crackly? Fret maintenance? Any info would be helpful. Thanks.
Click to expand...

What kind of flats did you put on? I'm curious what other people are liking...
 
#5
If I've learned anything about making a bass last, it's these:

1. Always, ALWAYS, wash your hands when you're handling it.

2. Keep using those flats. They aren't as hard on your frets.

3. This one's important - be gentle with it. Play with a light touch, keep it in a nice case, the works.

All that said - PICS PLEASE!!! You're quite lucky :)
 
#6
Note: Pics added to the original post. I've since taken the stickers off of it since I purchased it for obvious reasons.

I've been using Labella DT Flats. I think they're the middle gauge set (don't quite remember). I also have a TI set that I will try here shortly to see which ones I like better (because I plan to leave them on that bass for a long time). I like the Labellas though and would not mind keeping them. I've never used Flats before so I'm getting used to them.
 
#8
superfunk47 said:
If I've learned anything about making a bass last, it's these:

1. Always, ALWAYS, wash your hands when you're handling it.

2. Keep using those flats. They aren't as hard on your frets.

3. This one's important - be gentle with it. Play with a light touch, keep it in a nice case, the works.

All that said - PICS PLEASE!!! You're quite lucky :)
Click to expand...

I personaly don't bother with any of that stuff.

Just play it and enjoy it.

It's a P bass, not a delicate flower.
 
#9
savit260 said:
I personaly don't bother with any of that stuff.

Just play it and enjoy it.

It's a P bass, not a delicate flower.
Click to expand...

Personally, if I got a 64 P bass, I'd be wanting to take care of it too. It's a good bass, and an important part of bass history IMO. I'd take care of it like I'd take care of any bass, except for the flats - I just recommended those because they sound good on old P's and it preserves frets.

Nothing wrong with wanting to make a good bass last. JMO. :)
 
#12
superfunk47 said:
Personally, if I got a 64 P bass, I'd be wanting to take care of it too. It's a good bass, and an important part of bass history IMO. I'd take care of it like I'd take care of any bass, except for the flats - I just recommended those because they sound good on old P's and it preserves frets.

Nothing wrong with wanting to make a good bass last. JMO. :)
Click to expand...

Well, I kind of look at it this way.


I DO own a 64 P, and it's been thorougly enjoyed over the course of its life. I play it, I record with it, and I gigged it for years, and still gig it when the spirit moves me. It gets played just as hard now as it ever did, and I wouldn't have it any other way. There's no point in having something like that and not using it.

That said... I wouldn't surf the thing across the stage or anything, but it's not made of glass. Actually with the fingerboard inlay mods, it's not like it's in "collecters" condition . I'd bet it's one hell of a player, so play it.

I'd say play the thing and enjoy it. That's what I do with mine. Might not bring it to the seedy bars, but these no need to treat it like the Hope Diamond either.
 
#13
When I read the title and saw the word 'preserve', I was expecting to see a mint bass. I love how the bass looks, but 'preserve' isn't something to worry about seeing how worn it actually is. Again, I think it looks great.
Don't use any damp cloths, you'll just smudge the finish. You don't need to worry about frets if you are using flats.
I'd take off the extra decals, and use some Meguires to polish it up a little. Just play the thing and don't worry about it.
 
#14
You should remove the strings and and clean/oil the fretboard, and get some Caig DeOxit to spay the pots with. Considering the value of the original pots it's worth the little time and expense...cheap insurance. Don't unsolder anything.

Edit: A couple more things, while you have the pickguard off to spray the pots (if you do) it would be a real good idea to remove the truss rod nut to clean and oil the threads. That could save huge headaches later on, plus it'll make for easier adjustments when you're trying different strings. If you have to remove the neck to get the nut off just be careful and scrape off some candle wax and poke it in the screw holes in the neck and put some on the screw threads before reassembly. Don't overtighten and strip the wood in the neck. A drop of 3-in-1 on the tuners will help.
 
#17
You're a little late to keep it preserved, so just remove the stickers and play it with pride and keep it clean with a gentle wipe from a soft cloth. At this point, that's all you can do. Not much left to preserve.

BTW, sweet B-15S back there! What's that mic on it?
 
#19
savit260 said:
I personaly don't bother with any of that stuff.

Just play it and enjoy it.

It's a P bass, not a delicate flower.
Click to expand...

+1 These things were mean't to be played, just don't drag it behind your car. A guitar collector once told me something which I thought was profound; If a vintage instrument is pristine, it's probably because it plays badly and sounds rubbish and therefore never played.

Enjoy it for what it is, don't get bent out of shape over scratches and wear and also enjoy the fact that should you ever sell it you'll make more money than if you kept the cash in the bank.:hyper:

My well used '63, I'm loving it and playing it and treating like my other basses, well, but not with kid gloves:bassist:
 

Attachments

  • small back.jpg
    small back.jpg
    42 KB · Views: 49

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back