Fullerton Standard P-Bass 1983

[Roodillon]

I am a guitar player but I keep a bass for recording or the odd gig. Although I play guitar, I really enjoy playing the bass. I don't try to play it like a guitar or use a pick on everything. I play it as a bass, to drive the music. After 28 years on guitar, I enjoy the bass a lot.

A couple of years ago I needed a bass. I had given the black and white Squier P-Bass that I bought used in 1996 for $110 to my girlfriend. That Squier was actually a great bass! I never felt the need to get a "better" one. But now I needed a bass again and I ended up buying a used P-Bass that was black and white, just like the Squier, only this one was a Fender, and made in USA. And as it turned out, it was made in 1983 and is a Fullerton P-Bass. I did not know about that when I bought it and they never mentioned it, although it was a music store. The bass is very nice. I could tell that it was special when I started playing it. I did not even play it at the shop, I just bought it and took it home. I usually do it that way, I have 30 days to see if it fits. When I started playing it at home I first noticed the gorgeous laquered neck. It's very smooth. Then when I was playing it, well it just feels so natural. It feels like an extension of my body. It feels loose and forgiving and expensive. It feels better than a new hand crafted $10,000 bass.

I was thinking of maybe selling or trading it though. I don't need such a pedigreed bass, although it's great to have. I have desired a Rick 4003 since I was a teenager and first saw Lemmy, and I also lust after a Traben Bootsy Star bass. I think that either one would be a fair, even exchange trade straight up for my P-Bass. It is in excellent condition, played but not abused. It was probably a bedroom bass. I have the original hard shell case. The bass seems to be 100% original but the pickups were replaced. Here is the part where there is some confusion. I have been told that the pickups in it are very rare. They are white EMG active pickups, probably from the 80's. They say that the early white ones are very hard to come by. I can tell you that they sound GREAT, but I don't know about value. I cannot find a similar set for sale to judge by. As for the original pickups, I've found them from $200-$400. If I keep the bass I am going to get a pair just so I have them, but I'll definitely leave the EMG's in there for playing because they kick butt.

Well that's my bass. I'd be interested in any opinions!

http://zeus.zshare.net/download/d3919aa4758e30f39ec1b07a0ec801ac/1218250556/16749116/p-bass.jpg

[walterw]

the ric would a step sideways, those east asian trabens a step down. from how you describe it, you would be shooting yourself in the foot if you got rid of it.

[Roodillon]

Thanks for the advice. I know that the Rick is a step sideways. My P-Bass will increase in value where the Rick would be pretty much stable but not increase like the rare Fullerton made P-Bass will. So you are right on there, if current values are the criteria. I did not know that the Traben was east Asian, and a step down in quality, but I hear you. It just looks like a lot of fun and would suit my experimental nature with the separate pickups and preamps. But I would not give up a solid bass like mine for the Traben if it's something that won't hold value or is of lesser quality. I can probably save up and buy the Traben. Those types of things usually have low resale value compared to what they cost new. I don't buy instruments for investment purposes only (I'm not wealthy like that anyway) but it never hurts to consider future values when buying. The Fullerton P-Basses seem to be hot and continually rising in value. I will probably end up keeping it. Of course it plays like a dream too. That never hurts! If I was a full time bass player I'd appreciate it more. I got a very good deal on it. I did not even realize what I was buying. I was happy to get a Fender branded P-Bass for what I paid - never mind one that was made in USA. And then it turns out to be not only made in the USA but a rare and desirable one. I never even knew about the Fullerton basses until I saw one on eBay and was like "wait a minute...". You don't want to know what I paid for it - and at a music store, no less.

Any idea about those pickups? I cannot find any info on vintage white EMG pickups for the P-Bass.

[walterw]

you can buy white emgs now, and they haven't changed much from the 80s as far as i know.

[ChrisP]

maybe this helps.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=450391&highlight=fullerton

[Johnny Alien]

Have you played a Rick yet? Their necks are very different than Fender necks and IMO while I love the Rick sound I could never get used to the neck and I am a huge fan of Fender necks. If you really love the Fender that much then keep it as you may regret getting rid of it later and it will be more expensive to replace. I sold an 83 P bass just like yours 2 years back for $700 and now they are in the $1000 plus range.