Saved one - 1986 Fender Japan Precision Bass

For guitars of the straight waisted variety (or reverse offset).
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MattK
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Saved one - 1986 Fender Japan Precision Bass

Post by MattK » Sun Nov 21, 2021 2:32 pm

At my local pawnshop, I often browse the racks of guitars, usually cheap junk from the last 5-10 years. I did a double take when I saw a Fender P Bass there, then my heart sank because it had been majorly messed up - a 5 string conversion with some weirdo hacked-off scratch plate. Looked pretty ugly but I checked closely and there was actually very little damage / alteration beyond the nut, bridge and screwholes in the body. Oh and a large tuner hole punched through the headstock. But the price was right so I took it on. Flash forward a couple of months and some time spent sourcing parts, I now have a mostly-restored 1986 F serial P Bass (with FENDER neckplate). Debating whether to get a bridge/pickup cover to give it some more bling.

As I got it:
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... strip and rebuild:
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(don't worry, I finished the nut afterward!)
... and done:
Image

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andy_tchp
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Re: Saved one - 1986 Fender Japan Precision Bass

Post by andy_tchp » Sun Nov 21, 2021 3:04 pm

Nice one!
"I don't know why we asked him to join the band 'cause the rest of us don't like country music all that much; we just like Graham Lee."
David McComb, 1987.

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Nevets
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Re: Saved one - 1986 Fender Japan Precision Bass

Post by Nevets » Sun Nov 21, 2021 3:10 pm

Great job, that looks really nice.

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Fiddy
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Re: Saved one - 1986 Fender Japan Precision Bass

Post by Fiddy » Sun Nov 21, 2021 10:20 pm

I think you may have an addiction to Japanese Fender instruments :w00t:

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MattK
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Re: Saved one - 1986 Fender Japan Precision Bass

Post by MattK » Mon Nov 22, 2021 12:19 am

hm, you might be right there ...

Although this one was really a combination of killer price and wanting to take on the challenge. I reckon I will sell it on after a while - I've done my part, it's back in good shape.

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Flurko
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Re: Saved one - 1986 Fender Japan Precision Bass

Post by Flurko » Mon Nov 22, 2021 1:30 am

Wow ! Did it even work as a 5-string ?

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MattK
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Re: Saved one - 1986 Fender Japan Precision Bass

Post by MattK » Mon Nov 22, 2021 1:35 am

Yep, I think it was done a long time ago because there’s fret wear in the 5 string pattern, and the bridge is a Schaller which hasn’t been available for about 15-20 years. It played pretty well but looked bad and 4 strings is plenty for me.
Last edited by MattK on Mon Nov 22, 2021 4:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Saved one - 1986 Fender Japan Precision Bass

Post by HNB » Mon Nov 22, 2021 6:21 am

Awesome work! I also have a passion for Japanese Fenders. :)
Christopher
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MattK
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Re: Saved one - 1986 Fender Japan Precision Bass

Post by MattK » Mon Nov 22, 2021 6:41 pm

It's a fine obsession to have!

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Re: Saved one - 1986 Fender Japan Precision Bass

Post by Fiddy » Mon Nov 22, 2021 7:33 pm

MatthewK wrote:
Mon Nov 22, 2021 1:35 am
Yep, I think it was done a long time ago because there’s fret wear in the 5 string pattern, and the bridge is a Schaller which hasn’t been available for about 15-20 years. It played pretty well but looked bad and 4 strings is plenty for me.
4 strings is the right number of strings for a bass. Unless we're talking about a Hagstrom 8 stringer beast.

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MattK
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Re: Saved one - 1986 Fender Japan Precision Bass

Post by MattK » Mon Nov 22, 2021 7:34 pm

I'm quite partial to VI strings as well!

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