My Obsession is Telecaster Basses (1951 to Present)

One of my favorite designs, aesthetically and sound-wise...

Several years ago, I was given a bastardized copy of a early Precision/Telecaster Bass...an Ampeg Big Stud Bass. (See the instrument on the far left side of the outdated guitarsenal pic below)

It was abused by a former owner, but on the occasions I play bass, that is the one I grab.

Fiesta Red Herd Pic, 2016 by Fiesta Red posted Oct 16, 2017 at 9:39 PM

 

Got to listen to some JJ Cale now , while watching .
Impressive pictures thanks for sharing .

So cool !

 

Not a bad obsession to have! Fabulous collection, thanks for showing.

 

Very cool basses and amps. Love it. Great that you gig them.

 

Stupid question incoming, why do they call them telecaster basses since the body shape is closer to a strat than a tele ? Because of the headstock which is similar to a tele ?

 

Nice Stuff!! Thanks for sharing!

 

Made my day....thanks

 

I think the Telecaster Bass came out in 1968 as one of Fender's first reissues, it was a reissue of the early Precision Basses before they changed to a split pick up. I'm guessing it was a marketing decision to call it a Telecaster Bass.

Thanks for showing your great collection. I've always wanted that version but had to settle for a '75 with a humbucker.

 

I have owned exactly one early Precision bass...1952, iirc. Great instrument. Interestingly, it had been owned by a very sort fellow who installed pedal steel leg inserts in the body so he could lay it out flat...like a steel...and play it standing up that way.
Plus one on there never being a Telecaster bass until 1968. fender and their model names?????? Why didn’t they just call it what it was....a Precision reissue?

 

Great collection...but not a Telecaster Bass in the bunch.

Man, I've always kinda wished they'd never Strat-ified the P-Bass, especially the headstock. I think this look is superior.

 

Great collection! Definitely my favorite style bass. It is not even worth mentioning in this thread, but my only bass is the Squire CV 50s P bass. I put a SD 1/4 pounder in it. Its a great instrument, but still not worthy. There are some great axes in this thread.

 

Yeah -- there's something special about a tele headstock on a fender bass.

Here's my trusty '56. It got "upgraded" with a split-pickup 50+ years ago.
I guess the original owner felt left behind after the '57 model came out.

 

Nice collection. I too have owned only one. And until now I hadn't realized there was a modernized (pickup, bridge, contours) MIM one.

 

I have a Tele bass affliction too. I have a Sting and once owned a blonde '72 Telecaster bass - the slab body with the humbucker at the neck heel. I too love the original Tele shape headstock. Finally, see the avatar...Squier VM 32" scale. I've removed the 'tone' circuits and the switch is not used. I also converted all hardware to black and use black tape wound strings. The white pick guard is sometimes on, sometimes off. It's the only bass with a real Telecaster body shape. I'm just obsessed with that shape.

 

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I’m planning to sell my bass and amp one of these days soon, glad to see at least some love for the old Tele Bass.

 

Cool collection! I have a parts P-Bass with the body contours but the Tele-style headstock and the gold pickguard. It has a split pickup rather then the original style. I love that thing.

 

That is one cool collection of Tele basses.

I'm guessing the Rick doesn't get much work at country gigs. ;-)

 

The only bass with a smile like the Mona Lisa!

 

Years ago I had King Bee build me one with a Lollar Pick up.