This is my new pride and joy - a Fender re-issue '51 Precision Bass. Thiis is s special edition of the world's very first bass guitar, produced by the great Leo Fender.
My model was made in Japan, and has that superior lacquer finish associated with Japanese Fenders, even on the fretboard. The body is made of alder, with a one-piece maple neck. The colour is "butterscotch blonde". It has the distinctive Telecaster-style headstock. And machine-knurled knobs!
When first introduced in 1951, the Fender Precision Bass received the following review in the Musical Merchandise Magazine:
Portable string bass really new
RADIO and Television Equipment Co., 207 Oak St., Santa Ana, Calif., announces a new "portable" string bass, which they say can be carried as easily as a guitar.
The new bass is styled similar to the
Fender "Telecaster" Spanish guitar, but has only four strings which are tuned the same as on a conventional string bass. The instrument is
fretted and includes a built-in electric pick-up.
Obviously, the new bass is a big departure from the standard type of bass, as it is only one-sixth the size and is played in the same position as a guitar, with a neck strap. The body is thin and solid and the neck is slender, the design permitting not only comfort but also ease in playing difficult chords.
Playing is done in "finger style" similar to clasiic guitar, rather than slapping or jerking the strings. It is said that not only can the bass player play difficult material much easier than ever before, but also that he would be less tired after a night of playing, as it requires very little string movement to produce full volume.
(click the pic to enlarge)
I popped over to Inverurie at lunch time. The scenery was absolutely stunning - bright blue sky, wall to wall sunshine, the brightness of all the snowy hills - - and -12 at noon! Our temerature at home this eveneing was a balmy minus 17, and dropping!
Another day, another heavy snowfall. We've currently got around half a metre of snow lying... digging out each day is not much fun but has to be done... the lowest temperature we've had so far was minus 21.
I ain't never seen nuffink like it, 'specially in November!
Our garden this morning - eight inches of snow in 24 hours!
New photo albums from my 2010 trip to France, with a few oldies thrown in.
Spotted coming over the hill at Gardoussel.
See: the adventures of Dorene, Mike, Stu, Monique and Ewan as they visit Dunnet Head, the most northerly point in mainland Britain. Later, our intrepid troupe sets sail aboard the John O'Groats ferry across the notorious Pentland Firth to Orkney. There, they take a strange form of primitive transport to visit prehistoric sites. And there were lashings of yummy ice cream...
It was great to see my old mate Richard Dancey again! Richard came to stay in Kemnay for a week, and naturally we had to have a day or two exploring the north-east of Scotland.
Another fine piece from Frances - - this is the very floral village square of St. Andre de Valborgne, nearby to Gardoussel.
70 today, and you don't look anything near it!
This is my new pride and joy - a Fender re-issue '51 Precision Bass. Thiis is s special edition of the world's very first bass guitar, produced by the great Leo Fender.
Well that was just the best holiday I've had in ages. A road trip to the Isle of Wight, starting with a stopover at Dave and Debbie's in East Kilbride, then two fantastic days in Liverpool at the Albert Dock. A long drive south and I'm on the Island for seven nights at the Hermitage, Totland Bay. Thoroughly recommended, especially the full English breakfast! And then some great days with the family, just fab! Click one of the links below for holiday pics.
Joan shows off her medal for completing her fourth London Marathon. Well done Joan, we're all really proud of you!
Frances' latest landscape painting.
What a way to spend a Sunday afternoon. This is the locomotive Oliver Cromwell hauling the "Great Britain" steam train as it passes through Inverurie station on its way to Inverness.
I wish I had been there to take the photo!
Mad as March hares? Our intrepid mariners Paul and Tim take to the water and chance their luck at rafting the River Don from Monymusk to Kemnay.
It was great to see my big sis Dorene again, on a brief visit to the frozen North. (Actually, it was a wee bit warmer than Aberdeenshire.)
It was fantastic to catch up with my old mate Snowy after a decade or so. His latest band, the Blues Project, played the Inn at Lathone, by St.Andrews. Great virtuoso blues music played in a very intimate venue, the band really connecting with the audience. I just loved every minute of it!
