- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,603
- 222,065
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
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SHOW YOUR DISTRESSED FINISHES!
- Thread starter JIO
- Start date
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,603
- 222,065
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,603
- 222,065
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
I know this is mostly a "show" thread, but as I started it 
I want to extrapolate on it's "& tell" side. I ordered ribbed saddles to replace the single slot saddles on the bent-plate (replacement) that was on it. I had been wondering about the ghosting mark of a bent-plate bridge (first pic) and figured it out once I removed the (also non-original) bridge that it came with. This is the thing about this P nearing 50, it has gone through a lot in those years. Original bridge is long-gone. Then there was some version of a replacement that had screws in each corner of the plate (and was also was a bit taller) Apparently the owner (luckily) did not add the two additional screws, but as you can see more clearly in the second pic, the ghosting tells the story. You can also see where the bridge cover lived for a while. (also long gone)
I love how you can see the difference under the plate of the orig colour - more magenta/paler yellow.
As I'm not privy to it's past, I love sleuthing and conjecturing based on that. It's the big draw for me after the initial visual attraction to these distressed finishes - it's the history of that look that gives it such weight.
Aside from that (a big aside considering) I boiled the rounds that came on it and played it before taking off the bridge. (LaBella's are back-ordered and the saddles aren't here yet) Part of a slow and measured introduction to this 'seasoned' player - I can only say that I have a really big smile when I play it.
I want to extrapolate on it's "& tell" side. I ordered ribbed saddles to replace the single slot saddles on the bent-plate (replacement) that was on it. I had been wondering about the ghosting mark of a bent-plate bridge (first pic) and figured it out once I removed the (also non-original) bridge that it came with. This is the thing about this P nearing 50, it has gone through a lot in those years. Original bridge is long-gone. Then there was some version of a replacement that had screws in each corner of the plate (and was also was a bit taller) Apparently the owner (luckily) did not add the two additional screws, but as you can see more clearly in the second pic, the ghosting tells the story. You can also see where the bridge cover lived for a while. (also long gone)I love how you can see the difference under the plate of the orig colour - more magenta/paler yellow.
As I'm not privy to it's past, I love sleuthing and conjecturing based on that. It's the big draw for me after the initial visual attraction to these distressed finishes - it's the history of that look that gives it such weight.
Aside from that (a big aside considering) I boiled the rounds that came on it and played it before taking off the bridge. (LaBella's are back-ordered and the saddles aren't here yet) Part of a slow and measured introduction to this 'seasoned' player - I can only say that I have a really big smile when I play it.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,603
- 222,065
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
A sibling to mine! (what's the date?) Can you do a larger detail shot of this hs? (beautiful chequing) - and bridge also, I need a guide to sufficiently "age" mine to blend in better.
Also, I noticed yours has the Fender stamped larger paddle updated tuners - mine (made in SEPT '66) has the old-style reverse-wind tuners. Just removed one and they are original. More sleuthing!
- beauty all the way around!
Thanks. I don't have the bass with me at the moment. Mine was made Apr '66. I have seen both types of the machine heads on p basses from this year and some had lolly pop tuners as well. I got this bass used in 1968 and those tuners were on it. Threaded barrel stock bridge. Best pics I have for now.
Attachments
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,603
- 222,065
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
thanks - having one or the other was most likely part of the transition year, using what they had in stock. I have seen pics of lolly-pop's on P's of this period. Only a few of those I would have to think.
Not to be a downer, but you may want to remove one of those tuners on that '66 P to check for the pre-CBS hole pattern under them. Fender started producing the lollipops in late '65, but they didn't start making the "elephant ear" tuners like those till about '68. In '66 and '67, the pre-CBS Kluson tuners were still standard equipment for Ps. The lollipops were reserved mainly for Jazzes, but they did end up on Ps too occasionally from '66-69. So, if there is no other hole pattern under there, then that '66 P came with lollipops from the factory.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,603
- 222,065
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
I take it you are talking about 1bassplayin's '66;
Link Removed
So are you saying that if the plate pattern/wood indent on his early '66 is original once a tuner is removed that someone (back then) took off the rarely installed (on a P) factory lollypops and replaced them (in '68 - prior to 1bassplayin buying it) w/the larger clovers non-reverse tuners, new for that year? (and then promptly sold the bass?)
Anything's possible but realistically there's no knowing what actually occurred back then.
As for my '66 of Sept 5th, they are stock original reverse-wind Klusons. However, the posts, screws & washers are not original... yet another mystery/unknown.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,603
- 222,065
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
I take it you are talking about 1bassplayin's '66;
Link Removed
So are you saying that if the plate pattern/wood indent on his early '66 is original once a tuner is removed that someone (back then) took off the rarely installed (on a P) factory lollypops and replaced them (in '68 - prior to 1bassplayin buying it) w/the larger clovers non-reverse tuners, new for that year? (and then promptly sold the bass?)
Anything's possible but realistically there's no knowing what actually occurred back then.
Yes, I was talking about bassplayin's '66. What I'm saying is, those tuners aren't original to his bass because Fender hadn't started making that style yet in 1966, to the best of my knowledge. I've never come across any vintage Fender bass with those type of tuners before 1968. If anyone has evidence of otherwise, I'm all "eyes".
So chances are, like your P, it will have the Kluson hole pattern under those tuners if he was inclined to remove one and look. Otherwise, it would've had to have come with ovals if the there aren't any extra screw holes. Like I said, it was the only other choice in 1966 AFAIK.
There was another member on here just a few months ago that had the same thing - a '66 with the same tuners as bassplayin's. I told him to check for extra holes also, and sure enough, it had the Kluson pattern under there. And I helped him find some Klusons to put it back to original.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,603
- 222,065
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
I see to remember hearing that quite a few players didn't like the ovals and had them swapped-out down the line, whether it's true or not I don't know but they didn't keep the ovals around for very long for whatever reason. Funny thing: I have a '74 P that had ovals on it when I got it, the guy somehow broke a tuner and that's all they had at the shop so they swapped-out all 4. I sold them along with the 70's G&L case it came in for decent chunk.
I read somewhere that Fender ran short on Kluson tuners and the only replacements they could get were the lollipop. They ordered just enough lollipops to get them through until they could restock the Klusons. Don't know if this is true or not, but it sounds like something Leo might do.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,603
- 222,065
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
I absolutely love this thread and all the amazing instruments that have appeared in it so far. Please keep them coming! I know there is a great difference of opinion on whether an instrument looks better if it's pristine or battered, but when it comes to bass (or guitar) I love to see them well worn in, there really is something so inherently cool about it!
Here's a few snaps of my '74 P bass -
Here's a few snaps of my '74 P bass -
And here's a couple more taken from the original Ebay listing -
That is a sublime piece of bass right there. Flippin' gorgeous.
Thanks, it's all honest mojo; she earned all her stripes.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,603
- 222,065
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
I absolutely love this thread and all the amazing instruments that have appeared in it so far. Please keep them coming! I know there is a great difference of opinion on whether an instrument looks better if it's pristine or battered, but when it comes to bass (or guitar) I love to see them well worn in, there really is something so inherently cool about it!
Agreed! It's really cool how you can see the red and natural wood in their original hues underneath the yellowed clearcoat!
I couldn't help but notice that your E saddle is nearly bottomed-out, primarily because the non-orig bridge (w/saddles like yours but w/hex screws) that came on my '66 required this same bottoming-out to achieve the correct 3-point tuning. (and I still couldn't get it on the E) As the strings that came on it were old (and I'm thinking were a slightly heavier gauge), I installed a new (105) E string and I was able to get the accurate 3-point tuning w/o bottoming it out. (closer to half way on the plate) Now, I've started noticing a variety of saddle positions on similar vintage P's, some higher up but usually more evenly staggered. Is it the gauge of the string that affects this discrepancy? As you can see in my pic, the GHS Progressives have a 2" lead wire from the ring/end which lays on the (replaced) threaded saddle cleaner and lower. (?)
When I can, I will take one of the tuners off the bass and see whats under there and snap a picture. Like I said these were on there when I got it. From what I've read Fender used whatever they had for parts during the transition period. The stamped tuners with the Fender logo first appeared in the mid 60's and they no longer pinned the cloverleaf to the shaft. Probably replacements. And thanks for all the info.
