VINTAGE vs. MODERN P-Bass: 1966 vs. 2015 Precision Bass Comparison
In this video, I compare a modern 2015 Precision Bass with a 1966 P Bass. I talk about the value of vintage instruments and what makes a bass special for the musician.
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Originally posted by UCfRlprx-BEhwuVTWlHVyN6A at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jgd1cqG8RM
The 66 is pure joy
Are you gonna get on with the comparison or just keep talking the whole time man? geez, please let us hear something
It’s all in the hands of who is playing the instrument. There is diffidently a physiological effect also. I have a pre cbs 64 Jazz all original and a ‘66 Fender Precision, all original. My musician friends are amazed at the easy way they play ! SteveBaggett
Thanks, Philip, for the video. My two cents – definitely the neck influences in the perception and the fell – but comparing two good instruments, it doesn't change that much the sound by itself, in a crude, "scientific" manner, wave formation, etc. However, it changes the player; so, as the player better connects with the instrument, the better the player plays, the better the instrument sounds. Since the neck is the primary connection between the instrument and the player, it has the most "perceptional" and psychological interference with the act of playing.
From this point of view, your vintage P-bass has the undeniable edge of a tool played and improved by decades of music creation and the emotional connection you developed with.
That said, what actually crudely interferes with sound generation are the strings and pickups. From this point of view, neither of the instruments was vintage, since you had to replace the pickups with the Fralins.
The main takeaway – a vintage instrument isn't better than a new one by itself. A good vintage instrument can have the edge over a good new instrument as we can't rule the human factor. However, the distances people are going searching for vintage instruments and the amounts charged aren't justified. You were so fortunate to have the opportunity to get this wonderful 60s instrument, living in the US and being in the right place at the right time. Thousands of good musicians will never have the same privilege worldwide. But that should not be the main factor of musicality and inspiration.
perfect analogy
I was born in ‘66, so I would guess that bass will be around 80 or more years old when you are my age.. when you said “I wish I could hand you this bass, hand it to you right through the screen..”, that was a pretty cool moment man, I hope you have that one for life.
I hear less of a difference than I expected, and possibly even prefer the modern P despite being a vintage Fender fan. It has a lot of vibe for a newer bass, I've heard that Fender quality has been as good as ever since 2008, so who knows, maybe the Pre CBS basses dont have an edge tone-wise compared to modern Fenders. Old wood does have vibe though.
I watched the whole video and came away with this. On the 66 P-Bass, if the original pickups were swapped out, it's just an old piece of wood, no matter who played it or how it feels. The 66 also sounded brighter than the 2015 to my ears which should be the other way around in my opinion. So for the sound and I imagine the playability of the 2015 would be the better option for me. Because that's why people chose the P-Bass over other options because of the depth of sound that it provides. Case in point, I own a Japanese Hondo 1980 P-Bass style bass that I love. It's old but not very expensive at the time of purchase. Does it sound like a P-Bass, no because of the less expensive pickups and electronics. it plays great and sounds ok but if I was to swap out the pickups and put some vintage wound Fender P-bass pickups in it, it wouldn't have that 80s Hondo sound would it?
To my ears, the '66 seems to have a richer tone but that's just my old ears. The '66 neck may feel more comfortable because it's more of a U or deep C shape which would feel more natural in my hand but I'm only listening and observing. I've played the drums professionally for more than 50years and have picked up more than a few Bass Guitars of all designs and brands but my personal bass is a Fender P Bass with the "modern" C shaped neck and it's very comfortable. This is a very honest and relatable comparison in my own experience but again, I'm only a drummer. Thanks !
You can’t do a comparison if the base is not in its original form and equipment
Nice video, thanks. I always played my '64 Dakota Red Precision with the pickup and bridge covers… always. I got it in '72 when I was in high school, from the original owner that just got back from Viet Nam. $125. It had the best neck ever. Flat and wide with a rosewood fretboard. It still has it's very worn original frets. I got a '68 Telecaster (the original Fender re-issue of the '51 Precision), and it had a thicker baseball bat feeling maple neck, so I never liked playing it much. I got a '72 later when I was playing on the road. Maple neck, but shaped more like the '64. I put a set of the covers on it. I've had quite a few other basses over the years, but the first one is the best. It's output is more deep warm mids, rather than full bottom like the '72. They're different than each other for recording, but almost play themselves on stage. Playability is paramount to me. I had a '76 Jazz and the nut is too narrow. Same with the two Ricks I had. Same with the Thunderbird. Nothing beats a good Precision neck. I liked the Ovation Magnum I had, but it was a heavy beast on stage. Someone stole that one. Anyway, tone can be shaped with EQ and effects as long as the instrument is decent. I still have a '66 Gibson EB-0 and it's all big muddy bottom because of where the big humbucker is positioned. Forget recording with it. I'd take it on the road to challenge the sound guy. I still have the '72 and EB. My son has the others. I almost always played Rotosound Swing Bass 66, 45-105. I'm playing my first gig in almost 20 years this May at a major festival. It should be fun. It would be more fun if I could get my '64 from my son, but he won't give it up. Thanks again for your video.
There's a sound difference: the 66 has more bottom end… and more low mids. This might be because of two reasons: the finish is thinner than the 2015's PU… and the pickup is "weaker" than the newer one. And, by that, I mean the magnetic field has changed over time, as it was exposed to speakers magnets… and the use itlself.
Having owned (and played many more) old Fenders when they were fresh from the factory, and many newer ones too, I think there's an overlooked aspect to the playability of so many of the vintage ones. They were used as work instruments in a time when playing music was a viable job for a lot more players than it is today. By and large, the newer ones are as well made as during Da Golden Age, and the ones that players make a living with will in a few decades have the same mojo as Phillip's '66 P-bass.
Would be interesting to hear how they would sound if you would swap the pickups. Clearly more mids in that 1966 P Bass but what is the wood and what is the pickup?
I use my old JBL Studio monitors on this computer. I can hear suttle things when listening to music on this computer. The 66 sounds much smoother and has that Real Bass tone.
Maybe because its well broken in, but on the other hand, the new PBass also sounds great and very close.
I have a squier "classic vibe 60s" P-bass and was playing along with your 1966 and was pleased to say the sound is pretty close. Barring a skill issue as i'm only in year 2 of bass playing 🙂
I'm sometimes annoyed that its not as loud or hot as some other basses, but they really did a fine job re-creating the vintage sound at a discount.
Photo:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P3_ZQ2XqN2YmIvAKLzzjq_VcxdVubwNg/view?usp=drive_link
Very nice but you said nothing about the tone.
i can relate to the old and new jeans comparison, i actually have an extremely old pair of levi's ive had since i was in middle school, they are the most torn jeans ive ever seen now with tears all up the legs and right above the back pockets, but I'll be damned if they aren't the most comfortable article of clothing I own now, there really isnt anything like a truly worn pair of jeans, the imitations you can buy new dont even come close
2015 doesn't even come close
Play for a living too! Your tuners on 66' are reissues. Not from 1966. Think you need a vintage instrutment, just the best. Designs have not change (fender) since 66'
Fender conception was always to make cheap affordable instruments.Wood waste-less production. You can't talk about quality for any period of time. Strat is a worst guitar ever (in terms of string instrument build rules), but became a classic sound due to such geniuses like Hendrix, Blackmore and so on…
I love P basses, I try other things but keep going hack to my P bass, I have been playing it so long that it just feels like home.
Hi mate I have an all original 1973 precision bass. Best acquisition in my entire life. Full in love with it
Verizon FiOS sucks
Your pants comparison, is right on the dot. I also feel that second hand basses feel nicer, than new ones. But then again, I'm quiet certain that a lot of it all, is between our ears. You knów that you play an older instrument, and there for are maybe more biased. It's an interesting thing. Thanks for the great video!
esotheric review
You like to hear yourself talk
I love the backward turning tuning gears that were on my now long gone 1963 P bass. I was used to them from my many Gibson basses. I still have and use a 67 EB2C. I sought out similar gears that I installed on my Bronco mod. Backward turning gears are also on my F5 mandolin. Nothing like the sound of a P bass.