Fender P-bass LYTE ???

[robotguitar]

I just picked up a Fender P-bass Lyte made in Japan, with a serial number dating it to 1985-86 at the Fuji gen plant. Was trying to appraise it, but the only ones I found on ebay had gold hardware, and my bridge and tuning keys are silver in color. The guitar is in good shape but there is scratchiness in on of the tone controls and the active pick-ups seem to be a little hot. Was thinking of selling it so if anyone has any ideas what it might be worth, or how to get rid of the scratchiness, please let me know, Thanks

 

[SamClemons]

You can buy a spray can of tuner cleaner at Radio Shack or an electronics store and spray and rotate the pots. That will probably fix the scratchy pot. If the pickups are two "hot" just turn your volume control down.

 

[robotguitar]

You can buy a spray can of tuner cleaner at Radio Shack or an electronics store and spray and rotate the pots. That will probably fix the scratchy pot. If the pickups are two "hot" just turn your volume control down.

So, would I spray and turn the pots from the top of the bass or would I need to open up the back cavity?

 

[SamClemons]

Here is what I would do. Take the knobs off, put something around them to keep from getting the spray all over your finish, can should come with a small pipe to direct the spray, and spray it in from the top. I have done this many times on both guitars and amps. Works like a charm. If you take the knob and just crank it back and forth like 20 times, it may clean up. The static is just corrosion from non use. Neither action will hurt it any.

 

[Dave W]

There was a P-Bass Lyte Standard with chrome hardware, the one with the gold hardware was the Deluxe. Both models were in the imported Special series. IIRC the differences were cosmetic.

The pickups aren't hot at all: these basses had active preamps. Unless it has been replaced, your controls should be master volume, bass boost/cut, treble boost/cut and a pan pot. If you're using these as if they were passive volume and tone controls, it's no wonder the pickups seem hot to you. Try setting the bass and treble controls to mid-point and work from there.

 

[robotguitar]

Thanks. Any idea on the value for something like this compared to the deluxe models?

 

[Dave W]

I really have no idea of the current value. They weren't expensive basses. Even in the late 90s the Deluxe could be bought for $500 new street price. The Standard wasn't that much less, maybe $100.

Now that I think about it, there may have been a different bridge pickup in the Deluxe, at least in the later versions.

 

[bobbybigmac]

Thanks. Any idea on the value for something like this compared to the deluxe models?

Nice bass but not worth a whole lot as a "collectable". Don't get me wrong, the term "worth" for me, in this discussion, = a dollar amount. I believe if the bass sounds great, feels great to play, and you love it then it's has a big worth/value to you. May be priceless to you but not to a collector looking for vintage.

The 80's Japan Fenders have a following but don't get a lot of respect when it comes to value. The exception are the very early 1982 issue JV serial Fenders that have the vintage Fender logo and small Squire at the end of the head stock. These are copies of the 57 and 62 models. A VG condition of an early JV Pbass is around $1000 to $1200.
An early Jazz JV bass are a little more say $1200-$1500.

Next , in terms of collectable value, are the mid 82-84 JV Fenders without Squire logo and the big fat Squire logo models. Good examples are the early Duff basses ( Fender Logo) and vintage ( Squire logo made in Japan neck plates) models. These IMHO are great basses and getting harder to find at a reasonable price. Unfortunately they have a less than desirable monetary value from an appraiser's view.
Last list value I saw was only $500 for an VG Fender Pbass with JV serial. Shame, because they are great players.

So I'd guess your bass, being 85/86, and not a custom colour or the Stu Hamm model, may only be worth, to a collector, $350-400 ???
Just MHO. Still love it and treat it right.
Money isn't everything.

 

[robotguitar]

Thanks for all the info. I sprayed out the pots with just canned air and the electronics are fine. I appreciate all the help...

 

[Immo]

I just like to express my humble opinion that Fenders with tuners like THOSE look really weird. Large, vintage, open tuners are the only option for Fender headstock, so I don't get it why the "Lyte" version was mutilated by the producer with small, oil tuners...
Anyway, in general it's a really nice bass.

 

[Dave W]

I just like to express my humble opinion that Fenders with tuners like THOSE look really weird. Large, vintage, open tuners are the only option for Fender headstock, so I don't get it why the "Lyte" version was mutilated by the producer with small, oil tuners...
Anyway, in general it's a really nice bass.

Because this was a "lyte" bass. The large vintage open tuners are heavier.

The smaller tuners also helped prevent neck dive since the bodies on these basses were slightly smaller and lighter.

 

[Immo]

Because this was a "lyte" bass. The large vintage open tuners are heavier.

The smaller tuners also helped prevent neck dive since the bodies on these basses were slightly smaller and lighter.

Ah, that was my guess., but I always thought that bass was more "lyte"... on the pocket