CIJ P-Basses?

[4mal]

Your's looks to be a PB-70 which is the 70's RI from Japan a that time. Could be bass-wood, could be Alder, won't be ASH. Ash is only in the trans finishes from my understanding.

Not sure about the strip but there's plenty of folks here who do that stuff. If it's poly, NAPA has a stripping agent that is supposed to be top notch. Their number for it is 6802. Formerly known as Aircraft Stripper according to the local NAPA guys. I have a can waiting for me to screw up the courage ...

Mine is an 87 but it's the 57/62 model. Same body as your's I suupect. Mine is a 62 as it has the RW neck, the 57 would be maple. I would guess hte biggest difference in our basses is the color, the knobs and the decal - well after the washer tuner ... mine set's up easy and plays to match. The neck profile is precision large but somehow it just feels comfortable... that from a died in the wool J guy ... nice, nice bass!

[Tim Armstrong]

From what I've read here, and from what a friend who's stripped a poly body fairly recently tells me, a heat gun is the most effective way to get that stuff off...

Cheers, Tim

[mudbean]

At the couple of little dings that go all the way through, it almost looks like there's separation between the black plastic outer coat and a clear undercoat, like it would loosen up and peel off with some heat.

Oh, brother! What am I thinking of getting myself into?

mud

[winny pooh]

Don't refinish it, just put on a torty guard, big chrome knobs and enjoy! Nice Bass!

[mudbean]

Originally Posted by winny pooh

Don't refinish it, just put on a torty guard, big chrome knobs and enjoy! Nice Bass!

Now, there's a thought, too (and a much easier one, at that!). The knobs are a done deal - a P gots to have the chromes! Thanks, I feel very lucky on this one.

mud

[GuitarJonz]

I agree, a pickguard change would be way easier than stripping, and possibly messing up a nice MIJ P. Tort (dark brown tort, not the hideous reddish version) and black pearl come to mind.

[bobbybigmac]

Nah, Ya gotta keep the black. Black is beautiful baby !
I love the Torty pick guard on black and here's a few other ideas.
How about Pearl Red PG on black or check out vintage Anodized PG on black.

[mudbean]

Originally Posted by GuitarJonz

WOW! I really like this one!

Yep, I think I'll stay with the black and just do a new pickguard - I stopped by GC last night and picked up the chrome knurled knobs and a new jack. Almost pulled the trigger on a white pearloid guard, but it was a Fender part, so they wanted $40 - figured I'd look around a bit.

mud

[KCKC]

MB, nice score!

I had one with a maple neck. It was my back up. Traded it for a drum machine.

Should've found a real drummer . Young and foolish!

I'd go brown torty! You gonna love it.

kc

[giginthesky]

mud, congrats! i've got a few 80's MIJ basses. my only advice is loose the knobs and keep the funky washer do-hickey. i got a real kick ot of that! for what it's worth, i put a mint green guard on my black rosewood p bass.

[mudbean]

Thanks!

So far, I've purchased a Fender Vintage Pearl guard, chrome knurled knobs and a set of straplocks. I'll post pics of the cleaning & upgrade process.

Hey, I also have a set of Duncan Quarter Pound pickups - d'you think that they would be an improvement over the stock pups?

mud

[4mal]

If you want slammin' rock 'n roll - big low mid's bump then yeah - personally, no - I would prefer stock.

[mudbean]

Originally Posted by 4mal

If you want slammin' rock 'n roll - big low mid's bump then yeah - personally, no - I would prefer stock.

Ah, many thanks - maybe I'll throw the QPs in the Squire.

mud

[mudbean]

Hi All -

I'm having a bear of a time trying to remove the (ugly) black plastic knobs - I pull and pull, but they're not coming off. I'm hesitant to try prying them with something - I'm afraid they might crack (HEY! They're UGLY, but they're OLD! I don't wanna just bust 'em off and throw 'em away.)

Any ideas?

mud

[manfesto]

Originally Posted by mudbean

Hi All -

I'm having a bear of a time trying to remove the (ugly) black plastic knobs - I pull and pull, but they're not coming off. I'm hesitant to try prying them with something - I'm afraid they might crack (HEY! They're UGLY, but they're OLD! I don't wanna just bust 'em off and throw 'em away.)

Any ideas?

mud

Use two spoons, one under each side of the skirt. Push down on the spoon handles to lift the knob up perfectly straight. For strat-type knobs, it works every time!

[mudbean]

Originally Posted by manfesto

Use two spoons, one under each side of the skirt. Push down on the spoon handles to lift the knob up perfectly straight. For strat-type knobs, it works every time!

Thanks, I'll give that a try this evening!

mud

[mudbean]

O.K., the knobs were so tight to the pickguard that I couldn't get spoons under them, so I used table knives - worked like a charm, popped right off without damage (Thanks!!). Hope to finish upgrade this evening, pics to follow ...

mud

[mudbean]

Okey dokey, finally got to get at 'er ...

Here we are in process. The jack was a bit worn & scratchy, so I got a new All Parts one. I love those new knobs!



Neck heel & pocket detail ... I don't know how well it shows in the photo, but I took the shine off the back of the neck with some finegrit paper - I think it's polyurethane, and it felt too sticky & grabby when I would slide my hand up & down the neck. Feels great now, but nearly nude (that's O.K. to leave as such, right?).

That's the new (Fender parts) pearloid guard in background.



This guy played 'er a bit, at least, eh? That's the 3rd fret - guess he liked to play in G!



Et voila! 1986-87 MIJ Fender P-Bass. New pinstripe fabric strap with black Dunlop Straplocks, too.



Tuned 'er up & played 'er a bit ... and, Oh, Sweet Jeebus!! This thing plays like a dream and sounds amazing - like a P!!

My prediction was correct - instant #1.

Anyone want to buy a G&L? Just kiddin', I'd never let my first love go.

mud

[4mal]

Sweet! That fret wear ? Just means the bass was good enough to get played!

[mudbean]

I am very stoked ... also have my monthly restaurant gig this Friday, will bring the P. I am simply amazed at how this baby plays, OY!!

Edit: Sheesh, can I say "I am stoked" enough freakin times? Sorry, folks.

Hey, mal - You were mentioning models earlier. Do my neck & pocket markings, PB-562, indicate anything?

mud