questions about my new acquired MIJ Precision Bass s/n E8xxxxx with a PB-557 neck

Hi everyone – I just joined this forum and have a number of questions about this bass. I have included photos, which I hope will help.

When I bought it (at a thrift store) the volume and tone controls were both loose – as in they were in their correct holes in the pickguard but not secured to it tightly – and that part of the pickguard was not attached to the body and was pulled away from it. I have no clue what was going on with the previous owner, because when I plugged it in to a little guitar amp I have and tapped on the pickups I got sound, and when I turned the volume and tone controls, they both worked.

I had no difficulty removing the tone control knob and tightening its nut so it was firmly connected to the pickguard, but I could not remove the volume control knob. Even with the set screw removed and silicon spray shot into the knob it would not budge. So that is my first question – anyone have any ideas about how I might get this knob off so I can secure the control to the pickguard?

My next question is – does this pickguard appear to be the original one? If it isn’t (and possibly if it is) I was considering cutting through it so the volume control was not running through it and possibly gain better access to the nut that is inside the control knob.

While struggling with the volume knob or tightening the tone knob I must have moved things in a way that one “leg” of the capacitor got disconnected. I resoldered it based on a diagram I found on the internet, but then found a photo with a different configuration. Can someone please tell me if the wiring is correct or not? I have attached a photo with labels to make things clearer for you to see.

Next, the bridge. I see that it is missing a saddle (I think that is what it is called), so one question is does anyone have a source for one of these of the same vintage? BTW, the height is adjusted with an Allen wrench on this one (vs. ones I’ve seen that use screws).

The other question I have about the bridge is the two center saddles do not sit parallel to each other – is this correct? I mean how can the strings come off the saddles in a straight line when these two saddles seem to run into each other?

My last question is about the scale of the neck. It looks to me like it is 34 or 35 inches, probably more likely 34 inches. Is this correct? If so, I believe that means it is a long scale neck, right?

Thank you in advance to anyone who can help me with these questions. I am looking forward to restoring the bass to its original condition as much as possible (wiring correct, saddle replaced with one of the same vintage and buying some missing screws), putting on some strings and then actually playing it!

This appears to be a 34" scale. Yes the cap leg is soldered to the pot case, which is part of the overall grounding scheme.
Lots of places to obtain bridge saddle parts including some of the forum sponsors.
Is this an original pickguard? I don't know how to tell.

thank you!

This appears to be a 34" scale. Yes the cap leg is soldered to the pot case, which is part of the overall grounding scheme.
Lots of places to obtain bridge saddle parts including some of the forum sponsors.
Is this an original pickguard? I don't know how to tell.

My '87 E7 MIJ though RW is also 557, other than the Basslines, it is original. Your guard, I am confident, is not original. There is no truss access cut in the guard and from the photo, appears to be single ply, though yours has pup cover screw holes as this series has, all these I have seen have three ply guards. Your saddles are turned around and/or in the wrong positions, the E and A saddles adjustment screws should be inserted on the right side of the string slot with D and G saddle screws on the left side of the slot.
Good replacement saddles are available everywhere, you may find a match for yours though you may need to replace all four. The frozen knob can be helped off using a small flat head screw driver like the one used to remove or tighten the knobs. Stick the screw driver under the knob and pry carefully just a tad and do so at multiple places around the knob, put something on the guard so you won't scratch it with the driver. Though neck heavy, these are solid players and come up from time to time at reasonable prices, wish I had found mine at a thrift store. That's a nice bass, enjoy and PM if I can help?

Thanks so much - I will most likely PM you!