Preserving a 64' P Bass

[jfunk]

Thanks for all the tips and info.
Since I bought (on sunday) the stickers have come off already. I don't think they were on very long because they have not left any marks on the bass.

I will probably take it to my local tech to have him help me with cleaning the fretboard and talk to him more about cleaning the pots and changing the strings.

There is not question that this thing will travel in a hardshell case but I will definitely be gigging with it regularly and it's scheduled to be recorded on my next album. Part of the condition of me buying from my friend was that he wanted me to keep it alive for his grandfather. As you can imagine I had no problem agreeing to that condition.

The Combo of that and the B15S is incredible. Not which mic is on it in that photo. I'm not a sound guy. I do know they've been using just a 58 on it lately and it sounds good. The bass through the avalon preamp sounds incredible too. I think in the house they've been running 60% bass --> avalaon / 40% bass --> b15s --> mic.

Talkbass is great BTW.

 

[superfunk47]

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.

Just FTR, I wasn't trying to say that he should keep in in a glass case or anything. I think we were thinking pretty much the same thing, but I didn't say it as clearly as I should've. All I was trying to say is pretty much what other people are saying - don't drag it behind a truck or anything, but obviously don't get too worked up over nicks and scratches, since it's covered in them already.

 

[RED5]

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.

You're very fortunate! That's a Fender,it's built like a hammer. Essentially? Don't do anything stupid with it,( like leave it outdoors,custom paint job, new p/u's,new pick guard Etc.) but play it like you stole it, It can handle you.

 

[Dbassmon]

MAKE SURE YOU SAVE THE ORIGINAL POTS!
Sorry for shouting. Realize that the bass is worth $4k or more, and the original parts, working or not, are valuable to a collector.

Put what ever strings you want on that bass, play it and play it hard. If you want as a collectors piece, then get another PBass.

Are those stickers on the fingerboard? Ouch.

 

[EastCoastThump]

BTW, sweet B-15S back there! What's that mic on it?

Looks like an AKG D112.

 

[JimmyM]

Looks like an AKG D112.

Ah, the dreaded mid-scooping D112! Not my favorite mic in the world for bass cabs.