Thoughts about getting a Fender 1979 P-Bass

[Oatis]

My '78 is an ordinary Precision. No one has complained about the tone or looks. BUT, it weighs an extra pound and that is the difference. When I got a Highway One P I noticed it sounded a little better.

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

My '79 is about 3mm - 4mm at the 12th fret (1mm is about the thickness of a dime). I haven't checked for fret buzz because I keep my action a touch higher so I can slap (I don't do much, but I do some).

I'm sure it's not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but mine is a well-built, good playing instrument.

My biggest complaint would be the same as many other Fender owners. The thumb rest placement is awkward and the pick-up cover is so pointy it's "sharp".

I'm probably going to go with:

Sixties P™ | DiMarzio

No sharp corners on the Pick-up covers!

 

[pepj]

I don't recall being impressed much by 70's Fenders.
I would think that period output could vary a lot.
So, you have to play it.

Of course, many many sellers are hitting with high sale prices but that in itself means nothing to me.

Personally, if I couldn't spend time with it prior to purchase...no way I'm taking a chance.

I'm assuming price is north of $2000

 

[deff]

Hello, guys!
Quick update:
I got the oportunity to try the bass in a quick trip i made. I tested a lot of basses, but none of them compared to the 79 P Bass. Was probably one of the best basses i ever played, really confortable, not too heavy, killer sound, low action. I had tried a lot of precisions in my life, mexicans and american mades, but that one was by far the best. Was really surprised because after all I read here, I was ready to not be impressed and was planning to play it just for curiosity. So i ended up picking it up and am really happy about it.
But as you all said, its totally something that need to be tried before buy, cause i played other old instruments there that werent that nice.
So, thanks again for all your help and advice!

That's awesome. Glad you found one with some magic! It looks just like my 72 but mine was modded and it has those weird early 70's things. I love mine. Hope you get the same out of yours. The one thing I have noticed is that if looking at all for approval within the community when it comes to 70's Fenders there are a lot of people that just straight up won't believe that you found a great bass. Sure there are some of us that appreciate them, but most people just think that you're ignorant of how bad of a bass you have or think that you're sentimental or something.

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

Hello, guys!
Quick update:
I got the oportunity to try the bass in a quick trip i made. I tested a lot of basses, but none of them compared to the 79 P Bass. Was probably one of the best basses i ever played, really confortable, not too heavy, killer sound, low action. I had tried a lot of precisions in my life, mexicans and american mades, but that one was by far the best. Was really surprised because after all I read here, I was ready to not be impressed and was planning to play it just for curiosity. So i ended up picking it up and am really happy about it.
But as you all said, its totally something that need to be tried before buy, cause i played other old instruments there that werent that nice.
So, thanks again for all your help and advice!

Congratulations!

 

[Bruiser Stone]

Hello, guys!
Quick update:
I got the oportunity to try the bass in a quick trip i made. I tested a lot of basses, but none of them compared to the 79 P Bass. Was probably one of the best basses i ever played, really confortable, not too heavy, killer sound, low action. I had tried a lot of precisions in my life, mexicans and american mades, but that one was by far the best. Was really surprised because after all I read here, I was ready to not be impressed and was planning to play it just for curiosity. So i ended up picking it up and am really happy about it.
But as you all said, its totally something that need to be tried before buy, cause i played other old instruments there that werent that nice.
So, thanks again for all your help and advice!

I admittedly tried out my '78 for birth year-mojo reasons, but even so, I was lucky to get a fine one from a much maligned era of Fender history. The neck is perfection, and at 10.4 lbs, it's a bit chunky, but if I had to liquidate items, it would be the last to go no matter the TB 'consensus.' Glad you enjoy yours.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

My very late 78 in my avatar weighs 10.4 lbs, and has THE PERFECT 1 5/8" neck. The original pickups crapped out on me, so I put in 10% overwound Lindy Fralins. They sound great with La Bella flats, but it seems a crime to inhibit what stainless steels sound like through this beast. I wear it high and tight to offset the weight on my strap, but it's definitely an off the market piece for me.

I'm assuming you mean stainless steel rounds but La Bella flats are stainless steel. And a fantastic string , obviously very much at home on a precision bass.

 

[Bruiser Stone]

I'm assuming you mean stainless steel rounds but La Bella flats are stainless steel. And a fantastic string , obviously very much at home on a precision bass.

I recently (2 months ago…since that post) swapped the La Bellas to my Mexican Vintera and put Apex stainless rounds on the 78. I like the wider Vintera neck for left hand squeezing/fretting in soul and R&B stuff with flats. Any string set is great on the 78.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

Most posts here are right on: try before you buy, variable quality, often very heavy (not sure this was mentioned).
Also often expensive for what these basses are, we thing of them as vintage but this might not be warranted.

Due to the very thick poly finish, weight and somewhat aggressive sounding pickups, some have a tone which is sometime referred to as the "London Calling tone" see Clash album. They sound compressed and aggressive. Some people love that tone and it has its applications.

But Train In Vain was recorded with a original era Epiphone Rivoli the producer owned.

 

[Chickenwheels]

Hello, guys!
Quick update:
I got the oportunity to try the bass in a quick trip i made. I tested a lot of basses, but none of them compared to the 79 P Bass. Was probably one of the best basses i ever played, really confortable, not too heavy, killer sound, low action. I had tried a lot of precisions in my life, mexicans and american mades, but that one was by far the best. Was really surprised because after all I read here, I was ready to not be impressed and was planning to play it just for curiosity. So i ended up picking it up and am really happy about it.
But as you all said, its totally something that need to be tried before buy, cause i played other old instruments there that werent that nice.
So, thanks again for all your help and advice!

Sticky this mods!

 

[kickshoot]

I have a '78 p bass. I love it but rarely play it. I'm 65 and don't play as much as I used to. My hands aren't in shape for the p bass. I play a modern player short scale jazz bass. Plays and sounds great. Much easier on the hands.

 

[Mrtoodamnsabre]

Hello, guys!
Quick update:
I got the oportunity to try the bass in a quick trip i made. I tested a lot of basses, but none of them compared to the 79 P Bass. Was probably one of the best basses i ever played, really confortable, not too heavy, killer sound, low action. I had tried a lot of precisions in my life, mexicans and american mades, but that one was by far the best. Was really surprised because after all I read here, I was ready to not be impressed and was planning to play it just for curiosity. So i ended up picking it up and am really happy about it.
But as you all said, its totally something that need to be tried before buy, cause i played other old instruments there that werent that nice.
So, thanks again for all your help and advice!

Glad it worked out! But yeah lotta people suggest checkin it out cause I think a lotta people(though some not willing to admit it), got burned on something in the past lol. In my defense sabres are very rare! So beggars can't be choosers sometimes lol. With those 70s fenders when you find a good one they're great!

 

[Oatis]

But Train In Vain was recorded with a original era Epiphone Rivoli the producer owned.

Thanks TN Woodman ! But if any heard The Clash live, did the bass gtr sound 'like' the record. I never heard them-my loss.-Oatis