Firstly, can Itake this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy New Year for 2012, and also say "thanks" foor all the comments, messaegs and e-mails. Another year older... if not wiser !!
I had a great run - up to Xmas, selling various data and technical manuals for cars. Some of the proceeds were invested in this Bass, which I've been after for ages.
A bit of a hybrid really, as its based on a 1951 Telecaster / "P" Bass (early Precision), though has a 1957 Precision pick up. The body is a slab (no contours), and the scratchplate again from a '51, like the control panel. The neck / head is Telecaster, and the bridge cover / ashtray is again from a '51. The finishing touch is a period "Fender Telecaster Bass" decal to the headstock...
Although its only about 12 months old, the Tele has been carefully reliced to look as though it has years on the clock... acid etched hardware, missing paintwork and a few dinks in the paintjob. The guy who reliced the bass does them to order, so you can specify how worn or not it looks when completed...
He was also working on a very nice 1970 Precision replica (with the neck humbucker) which I was briefly tempted by before re-deciding on the tele...
Fender's Custom Shop will do this kind of thing to order, though they charge several thousand US $ for the privilege.... This loks the part, plays like a dream and has a real punchy tone. Plus it cost a fraction of what I might have paid...
If there's enough guitar / bass minded people out there, then I'd welcome some posts on the topic... pics & descriptions can be sent via the usual e-mail address & I'll post them up periodically.
