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Took a risk (70's Ebay Precision).......

Floridabwoy

Floridabwoy

Sep 18, 2008
2,547
298
Jacksonville, Fl
#1
$_57.JPG


$140 shipped.... Japanese made 1978 Memphis Precision......

Needs a new pot as volume is either on or off...... easy enough.

Hoping those frets and truss rod are good....

Otherwise everything else is fixable. I have some of those Ibanez Super P5's sitting in a box from an early 80's Blazer. So can use those just in case. Some of my fav pickups ever.

I read somewhere that Memphis = Ibanez, made in the Matsumoko plant.
 
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#4
I'm not sure about the Ibanez link (I thought they used the name Cimar?), but I believe the factory is correct. I had a friend with one of those Memphis P's- baseball bat neck profile, heavy, and tons of sustain...so, pretty close to perfect for me. :)
 
#7
These are actually pretty decent, nice score at $140. Some famous cat has been using them and it drove the prices up a bit so ya done good! I wouldn't mod it unless the pups are drop in.
 
#15
The neck is usually the deal breaker on these old MIJ's. If they aren't twisted, they often have ski jump. If you get one with a fully functional neck after all these years, it's probably bullet proof.
 
#16
When I was 15, I had a salesman trying to convince me that Memphis basses didn't suck and that I should consider buying one over my other choices. I ended up buying Hondo, which sucked so bad, I still hate it today. And if I ever see my old Hondo, I will burn it to ashes...

I should have bought that Memphis - I'd be happy to own one now.
 
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#17
Floridabwoy said:
View attachment 683454

$140 shipped.... Japanese made 1978 Memphis Precision......

Needs a new pot as volume is either on or off...... easy enough.

Hoping those frets and truss rod are good....

Otherwise everything else is fixable. I have some of those Ibanez Super P5's sitting in a box from an early 80's Blazer. So can use those just in case. Some of my fav pickups ever.

I read somewhere that Memphis = Ibanez, made in the Matsumoko plant.
Click to expand...
Nice. Please let us know how it works out. I love hearing about these sort of buys.

Good luck.
 
#20
Wow, that's hell of a deal for a 37 year old instrument. The wood on it had plenty of time to dry!
Change a pot and if necessary the pickup and you have yourself a vintage player with tons of Mojo.
Would one put a Lollar at $140 on a $140 bass? That would make the bass $280 but if the neck is playable and the body resonant, why not.
A Dimarzio P would also be a nice match to this bass for a 70's in your face kind of tone.

A Fender from the same era would have set you back $1,500, so this is a case of extreme value here.
I like these vintage instruments. I use to have an early 80's Yamaha bass that was an amazing bass.

How heavy is the bass? Is the body in two or three pieces?

Regardless of these minor considerations, enjoy the new bass and play her a lot. Congratulations.
 

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