The electric bass developed by Leo Fender is the progenitor of the subsequent electric bass, the Precision Bass. The fretted fingerboard made it easier to achieve accurate (precision) pitch than a fretless wood bass. This is why it was named Precision Bass. This bass, which was accepted by many musicians from the time it was first released, underwent several specification changes. The first model change was the transition to a comfort body and the introduction of the sunburst finish in 1954, followed by the split pickup in 1957, which has remained unchanged to this day. In 1959, a rose fretboard was adopted, and around 1960, a tortoiseshell pick guard was adopted, and the specifications were almost complete.
This time, we compare a Vintage Precision Bass made in 1961 and a Vintage American Vintage Bass made in 1992.
Pegs
The first Precision basses released in 1951 used reversed-wound pegs made by Cruson, which had flat head screws in the gears. Later, in 1957, the gear thread was changed to a positive thread.
The one on the right was made in 1961 and the one on the left was made in 1992.
There is not much difference between them. The Vintage series on the left has a peg for the Vintage Reece shoe made by Gotoh.
As you can see, Gotoh's pegs have a higher gear ratio and can rotate smoothly.
There are 4 dents on the head side and 2 dents on the pegs.
These are the marks made by the U-shaped support fittings used to fix the shafts in two places on the back of the pegs.
Since the end of 1964, a recess has been made in the area where the fitting meets the peg, allowing the peg to be placed on a flat surface with no gaps.
Vintage Leesue reproduces the original from 1962, with the natural markings.
The faithful reproduction of the original is a true masterpiece!
Logo
The spaghetti logo was used from 1951 to 1964.
The headstock was changed to its current shape in 1957, and from 1961, two patent numbers were placed under the logo, with the number becoming four digits at the end of 1962.
Vintage Leashoes have been on the market since 1982, with slight changes to the logo depending on the year. This 1992 Spaghetti logo is slightly thicker and the position of the logo is different. The logo decal has been applied over the paint and is a replica of the original. The decal can be removed by rubbing.
Sorry for my big mouth, but I think the logo position and shape could be better ～～～～ even if the patent number can't be helped.
Fingerboard
The big difference is the fingerboard.
The 1961 Precision Bass on the right is made of Hakaranda wood, which is now an endangered species banned by the Washington Convention, and imports and exports are also restricted. Hakaranda (Brazilian rosewood) is characterized by its heaviness, hardness, and difficulty in processing, as well as by its distinct black stripes along the grain, which give the wood a vivid texture.
The fingerboard is slabbed, which means that the bonding surface is flat to the neck, but there are some differences here as well! The neck end is laid flat, but the head side of the 1961 original has a rosewood joint that looks like a mountain, which is due to the way the head is machined. This is the difference in the way the head is cut. I think I caught a glimpse of the "hand work" that is often referred to in vintage guitars.
Neck Joint
The left half of the neck joint of 1961 Precision Bass is not painted.
This is due to the fact that a handle was attached to this area during the painting process, a feature that has been present since the early 1960s.
Nowadays, the painting process is different, and this part is not visible, so this part is not imitated.
Body Top & Paint
Until around 1968, Fender used nitrocellulose lacquer for all painting processes, including priming. After that time, they used lacquer only for the paint and finish, and poly for the primer. The 1961 lacquered version has a color that peels as if there is a clear finish underneath, and the yellow of the 3-tone sunburst allows the grain of the wood to show through. The poly one peels like glass, and the yellow one allows the wood grain to show through, just like the 1961 one. The red color is not painted under the pickguard and is not visible, but it is firmly carried over to the vintage lissue.
The paint job is not always good or bad, but in a country like Japan, where there are four seasons and the temperature and humidity change dramatically, it is hard to say that the lacquer paint job is better.
Cavity & Control
Cavity shape is almost the same, pots are Stappole 250K for 1961 and two A-curve for 1961, and paper film is used for capacitors. The vintage reissue is a CTS 250K with an A-curve volume and a B-curve tone made in 1992, and the capacitors are ceramic. The B-curve pots are easier to use for players who use subtle volume and tone settings, and many replace the pots with B-curve pots.
Pickups
Split pickups, which have been used since 1957, are still used on this instrument.
These small 1" x 2" pickups are mounted in pairs, one for the 1st and 2nd strings and the other for the 3rd and 4th strings, and two pole pieces are assigned to each string. This allows the pickups to reliably capture the high amplitude movement of the bass strings.
In addition, each of the two coils is wound in opposite directions and has a magnet with opposite polarity, which is series-wired to provide a hum-canceling effect.
The pickups made in 1961 are called "black bobbins", which are made of black fiber paper bobbins, and the wire used is deep brown with many turns.
Vintage Leissue split pickups have the same function and shape, but the wire is bright orange enamel wire.
Bridge
The bridge has been changed several times, and the bridge on the 1961 model has a deeper saddle groove and a more gently angled bridge plate than the one used in 1959.
The saddle height adjustment screws are slightly narrower on the 1961 model, and both sides of the saddle have more chamfers.
Joint plate
This is the joint plate that holds the neck in place. The serial number of the Vintage Leeschuh series begins with the letter V.
Vintage Leashoe series is relatively easy to identify because the age of the neck is marked on the neck.
Original Vintage series are identified by different methods such as neck date, pot date, serial number, and other details.
However, the serial number is the easiest to identify at a glance. Please see below.
Body contour and body back
As you can see from the side, the contours are deeper on the 1961 vintage.
There are some individual differences between the two vintages, but this is where the difference is clearly distinguishable.
The range of the contours is not so different when you see from the back of the body.
Performance and Sound
The 1961 Precision Bass is often described as fat, but it is not only fat, it is deep and sweet, with good extension and lots of overtones.
The neck is very rigid, and there is no sense of frustration for a bass of this age.
Vintage Leesieux is honestly "young" and you can't deny the impression.
I think there is still room for improvement, but at the moment, although it has some fatness, it lacks depth.
The neck tends to change condition depending on the string tension compared to 1961.
This is a comment made in comparison to the original 1961 vintage, which is very different from the general bass comparisons.
However, the price difference between the current Vintage series and the original Vintage is 10 times, so I think it is more than enough. 。。。。。
From the staff
Thank you very much for your patience with my poor explanation.
Please understand that this is only a comparison between our 1961 and 1992 Vintage Rishu, and not a comparison between Vintage and Vintage series in the market.
However, we would be very happy if we could be of some help to you.
I am looking forward to seeing you again.......and I would be happy if you could 、、、、 ～～～～.