1978 P Bass...

[fivebass52]

Just put a deposit down on this 1978 P Bass - Serial # S846732 - at Dan's Guitars, here in Honolulu. My very first bass, bought brand new in San Francisco in 1976, was a 1974 Sunburst P Bass, and can't say I knew enough about bass playing/amps/eq'ing to say I ever liked it. Traded it for an '86 Ibanez Sound Gear 800 ( I know, not the best straight-across trade I could have made!), and after that, have never had an authentic Fender. A couple of parts/Frankensteins yes, but a real vintage Fender bass, no - until now!

It's a bit road-worn, but sounds very good, and no dead spots on the neck. Even with old strings, it sounds full and rich. So what did I buy it for, you ask? $1100... got a bit excited about it, and should have asked Dan if I could un-bolt the neck, check the numbers, pots etc., and I will do that before I pay the balance, but, Dan's is a reputable dealer, and I feel confident it is what it is...

Go figure though, a black body, with white pickup covers! I like the Maple neck, which feels more like a jazz neck than a P... OK, here are pics...








Don't mind the knobby knees on the last one! Maybe I should have that airbrushed on there... OK not!

Although I've been playing my Ibanez 6-string solid for the last year and-a-half, it feels right to have a real authentic Fender back in my line-up, especially after all I've been reading here on the '78's. After I've brought this one home I'll take interior photos, and put up a sound clip for y'all... I'm excited to finally say I own a real Fender!

[tim]

It's like owning a piece of history, isn't it?

[fivebass52]

It's like owning a piece of history, isn't it?

It sure is,and that's part of the excitement! Also, that's the year I moved to Honolulu, Hi! Been here ever since... where's the palm tree icon?

[tim]

My uncle moved out there in the '80s. He's up the hill from the Kahala mall. I've had the good fortune to visit him many times. (Where is that palm tree icon??)

[fivebass52]

My uncle moved out there in the '80s. He's up the hill from the Kahala mall. I've had the good fortune to visit him many times. (Where's that palm tree icon??)

Next time you come out to see him, let me know! We'll hit some jam spots!

[tim]

I've since had a couple kids (where's that ball-and-chain icon) so it might be a while, but I will!

[AzWhoFan]

congrats on the score, and it looks like you talked him down on the price too!

Don't be surprised if you find out that the pup is a Dimarzio once you open it up.

[Matt R.]

Doubt that's a DiMarzio pickup. DiMarzios have hex adjustable pole pieces.

[AzWhoFan]

Doubt that's a DiMarzio pickup. DiMarzios have hex adjustable pole pieces.

See? WTF do I know??? This is why I'm here ...

[bbl]

Nice score.

Black with maple is one of the best combos, imo.

[paulo]

Cool bass! Congrats on the score!

[gravesbass]

Nice Score fivebass52. Pop an Aguilar AG-4P HOT pickup in that baby or try to locate an old Dimarzio 70's cream P pickup (adjustable pole pieces). The pickup in the pic is not an old Dimarzio.

[andrew]

Great looking bass, I have a 70's Fender that's quite similar. Enjoy!

[fivebass52]

Thanks Guys for the input. I'm curious too about the pickups... Did Fender make white pickups? Or, is it possible to remove the original black covers and replace them with the white covers seen here? From the few times I've played it, it seems the pickups have more ring to them than originals do. The characteristic woody thump I'm used to hearing from a P bass isn't what I'm hearing, but I wonder if thats partly because of the Maple neck.

I have a P/J set of Aero Instruments pickups, and I'm thinking I could separate them just to see if I get a bit closer to the classic tone/sound. Or, should I buy a set from Fender, or what other brands are out there that would get me closer to the original P bass sound? That's assuming of course that the pickups currently in the bass aren't stock.

Once I have it in my possession, I'll be doing a total clean-up, as the knobs are a bit corroded, the jack is scratchy, and i'll lightly polish the body paint to see if I can bring back a bit of the shine, as it it looks dull. I agree, the black and Maple combo stand out... and some cream DiMarzio's sound cool too!

As usual, thanks for all of the input guys!

[Matt R.]

The cover on that pickup is removable, so yeah you can replace it easily. It's not attached at all, except for the mounting screws. A DiMarzio has an attached (I think some kind of epoxy) cover.

[Matt R.]

I know Fender did white covers in the 80s (?) but they wouldn't have been stock on this bass.

[fivebass52]

I know Fender did white covers in the 80s (?) but they wouldn't have been stock on this bass.

Thanks Matt for the info... will be interesting to see if the pickups are original, and only the covers were changed....

[bobjones2260]

Great bass and story, I dig how you say "Road Worn" cause it's a 78 that is real road worn and not like the pseudo offered on new basses.

[Basshappi]

Congrats!
Agree that the pup is not a DiMarzio and is either a changed cover or a different pup altogether.

interesting too that yours has the "Precision Bass" on the headstock and mine, a 1975, has only the Fender logo under the string retainer. I have seen them both ways over the years and there doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason to it.

[Matt R.]

Congrats!
Agree that the pup is not a DiMarzio and is either a changed cover or a different pup altogether.

interesting too that yours has the "Precision Bass" on the headstock and mine, a 1975, has only the Fender logo under the string retainer. I have seen them both ways over the years and there doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason to it.

Generally pre-75 basses had only the Fender script, and they changed it after '75.