Rick's Fine '52

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1388996173' post='2328444'] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Nah ... they never made those flightcases until '63 ...[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color] [/quote]

[quote name='thebassist' timestamp='1388434754' post='2322012'] Awesome and beautiful bass. It looks like two-tone sunburst - that is just so incredible. [/quote] It does look 2-tone, but it is 3 tone. It is common in this period for the fronts to fade to 2-tone. Search on gbase, and filter your search for fenders between 1959 and 1960, and sunburst in colour, and you'll notice 90% of them will appear 2 tone. Bursts from this period are often referred to as 2[font=Arial][size=3][color="#000000"]½ tone sunburst. The back is more visibly 3 tone, as is the front at certain angles/light.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Arial][size=3][color="#000000"]Thanks for the comment.[/color][/size][/font]

OK, I'll succumb to popular demand, as I've had a few requests.... This is a 1961 Fender Jazz. I have about 100 pics of this, so if anyone wants to see anything in particular, let me know. Original finish, mutes, covers, case, catalog, manual, ad, strap, cloth, lead, spare unopened strings;

what makes this legit?, these have very few markings if original, yet I haven't seen ink stamps like that before on a pre-cbs?

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1386606859' post='2302080'] Chill man, it was a bit of fun relating to an earlier post in the thread. [/quote] I'm very chilled, and I know what you were referring to, unfortunately you quoted my post to which your post referred, so I replied. Trust me, I'm not an argumentative person whatsoever, and I do have a sense of humour, but, like most other Fenderites, I don't buy this one.

[quote name='Huge Hands' timestamp='1386604650' post='2302042'] Rick, FYI - if you click on Simon's link on the first page of this thread, it has more pics and has a go at explaining the history (and kind of still doesn't believe it) - something about George Harrison's tech replacing the decal? I'm not disagreeing with you, not at all, just pointing out that there is more explanation, whether feasible or not. I'd love to know the truth for sure - I'm hooked! [/quote] Just read it. Thats that sorted then eh, all is good in the world!! Almost as plausible an explanation as that good old loft find...........

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1386604920' post='2302049'] Sir, sir!!! The pedants are picking on Herbie again! [/quote] Whose picking on Herbie?, quite the opposite if you read my post.

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1386596518' post='2301903'] IIRC The Fender headtock logo was replaced circa 1982 as it had worn away. [/quote] What, and with it being such an important part of Fenders history, being a prototype/sample of their rarest bass, and played/owned by a famous musician, they decided to put any old decal on it? Sorry, not buying that. Herbie is obviously not worried about the aesthetic look and condition of the bass, because it is very heavily worn, and checked, through playing, so its highly unlikely he would have sent the bass back to have a decal put back on it, i think he's the kinda guy who actually likes the look of the natural wear he's given it over the years. .

Just a quick note on the 'is it from '59?' debate. Experts have said for many years that this is not from '59. Fender have themselves said that the first Jazz prototype/sample/whatever you want to call it, was not made until at least June 1960, with the final release being made available in shops in August/September 1960 (The vast majority of stack knob Jazz bodies are all dated August 1960, becaue they made a lot in one batch. Also, many Fender experts would tell you that the colours used (Fiesta Red and LPB), wouldnt have been available in '59. The more obvious point of note is that the headstock on Herbies bass, shows a decal that was used from very late '61 to '62. It has the patent numbers under the Fender decal, and is missing the small PAT PEND decal. This would suggest the neck is from late '61 earliest. It's a one owner bass, yet the owner has always said it has no changed parts. The owner has never allowed anyone to get the pot codes or check out the bass's neck or body date. A combination of a simple 10 minute inspection of these components would show everything. Also, the pickup cover screws are the smaller ones used from late '61 too. By the way, I am not questioning anyones comment, or ownership history of this bass. My interest is far more in the instrument itself, and my knowledge of vintage Fender basses, than of any interest in that of the owner. I do admire his playing, and his discography though, but my post isnt about that. I am yet to hear of one 'expert', or Fender historian who believes this to be from 1959. Its a quite well documented bass, and his reluctance to 'show' components, yet still call it a '59 continues to annoy.....not me I might add. I'll keep my opinion to myself. The pat numbers say everything. And nobody would have sent a bass back to the factory in the early 60's because the decal wore off would they??

[quote name='rk7' timestamp='1382372472' post='2251382'] Already own mine, can't think of anything that would top it. Yes, I am a fortunate son. thank you please RK [/quote] Why don't you list it in your sig then??

[quote name='Pow_22' timestamp='1382354254' post='2250953'] Ric 4005 or original '57 P bass (burst/gold/maple) [/quote] Great taste!!!

[quote name='leftyhook' timestamp='1384645701' post='2279205'] Wal mk 1. mine [/quote] Do you hire it at the moment then??

For me, Mani's paint splattered 4005, no question at all.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1383257657' post='2262386'] Or I'd get a Fodera, like a bell end. [/quote] Just saw this. Made my day!!

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1384639496' post='2279132'] Please explain to us why a bass has magic for one bassist and not another then. [/quote] I haven't, and wouldn't say it does, in my experience, when I've found a bass to be 'magical' (your word, so we'll stick with it), everyone else has thought the same. When another bass player who knows their onions, has claimed a bass to be special, and I've played it, I've agreed. It doesn't happen often, but you would know when it does.

[quote name='cameltoe' timestamp='1384639110' post='2279126'] Calm down you two! Come watch X Factor. As the OP, I don't know where the magic comes from, but I've felt it three times my whole life. A circa '94 MIJ Precision, my RW, and the Custom Shop I once tried. Never played a true vintage fender. Would love to. [/quote] Don't bother looking anymore, what you need is a set of pre-CBS fingers!!

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1384638852' post='2279123'] Why you done? I am NOT contradicting myself. The magic comes from the player finding the right equipment according to their body and mind's needs and perception. Just because someone thinks a certain bass is magical for whatever reason doesn't mean the bass has magic, does it. It's all in the mind. [/quote] Whatevs. Actually smiling.

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1384637810' post='2279113'] Yes, I AM excited. That's why I am still so passionate about music and musical equipment after all these years. When have you ever heard an artist or a sculptor raving about the magic of their brushes and chisels? It's all in the mind mate. [/quote] You continue to contradict yourself, which I've just noticed somebody else pointed out. How can you be so passionate about musical equipment???, apparently it's all in your fingers. I'm damn sure a painter and sculptor have tried all manner of tools and brushes, and have a set that they have found that they wouldn't part with, as they feel special to them. I bet they don't just get some from B&Q and use them. A chisel doesn't have hundreds of components that when they are all aligned and performing perfectly, and beautifully worn in, have a magical quality.....do they?? All musicians I know would all claim that some instruments have that rare quality that makes them magical, including classical musicians, and guitarists, without exception. I'm done on this thread.

[quote name='cameltoe' timestamp='1384636421' post='2279094'] Went and tried a few today, and none felt magical That magic is very much what I'm after. If my RW Precision can do it for me, surely another can? I'm not going to buy anything that doesn't speak to me in that 'magical' way. [/quote] You'll find it, just keep looking, and playing them, or maybe it will find you, as also happens.

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1384635462' post='2279068'] It's a piece of wood and metal, and a little plastic. They are all different. On their own, they are nothing. If they fall into the hands of the right players, who the wood and metal and plastic fit perfectly with their bodies and minds, then the wood and metal and plastic can facilitate the magical feelings in the bassists who hold them. Everything good about a bass is in the player. I have the bass that makes me feel like this, it's a 1983 USA Fender Jazz. I have played some '60s Fenders, they were all bad for me. Oddly, a beat up old Ricky 4001 really made me feel magical a few years ago, and I hate Rickys. It's spiritual man, no bass has a spirit despite what vintage sellers tell you. The spirit, and the magic, is in the player. It's just wood and metal and plastic. It has no soul. [/quote] No-one said it had a soul, I think your getting a bit excited. It's simply about how it feels in your hands, nothing more. Vintage sellers don't tell me anything, or need to tell me anything, I know a great bass when I play one. Nothing spiritual about it, and that wasn't implied or intended, your words. As for your quote "Everything good about a bass is in the player", with respect, I think that's a total load of old balls, in fact, its probably the biggest load of old balls I've ever heard whilst talking about guitars. But we all have our opinions.

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1384243130' post='2274266'] But the magic will be coming from you mate, not the bass [/quote] I've just read the rest of this thread, after posting something at the beginning. I think a lot has gone off-track a little, but had to reply to this post. I disagree entirely with this. I'm a very average player, and whatever bass I play, I'm still very average, there's certainly no magic in my playing. I have however felt the magic in many basses. There are basses out there that I've played, and they have felt effortless to play, with dream tones, and simply ooze magic, and make everything, including my playing, sound amazing. I've only experienced this with old, good example, original, vintage Fender basses though, haven't even come close to that emotion and feeling with anything else, and its certainly not coming from me. So no, if you find an instrument that oozes this magic, then its a rare thing, but it happens, and I usually buy it, and rarely part with them (A rare exception happened recently actually, when i sold a very rare, magical original 50's Precision, to a friend of 'chilliwailer' on here, who came with him to check the bass out, this was one of those magical basses, and hopefully chilliwailer will testify to this, as he's a subscriber to this thread, and he will confirm, i'm sure, that magic does come from some instruments). You cant explain it, but if you've experienced it, then you know what I mean, if you haven't, then you haven't, but hopefully you will. You also said in another post " If a bass is decent, one can find oneself through it. The best bass is the bass you don't even notice you're playing". I agree with this, which makes your posts confusing to me, and contradicting. I suggest you play as many pre-cbs Fenders as you can find, and odds are, you will find a magical one, and then you'll know.

[quote name='Left Foot' timestamp='1384627503' post='2278955'] Hi Rick, Im not dumb but I wouldn't know the first thing about fender necks. How about sharing your knowledge so its more 'common' and I can feel less dumb. thanks. [/quote] I wouldn't say its 'my knowledge' that's important here, but a Custom Shop '60's Jazz reissue bass, would have a period correct, flush, crosshead trussrod nut. Not a protruding monstrocity this one has. Google 'fender bass truss rod' on google images, you'll see what I mean. There's other points, but that is so obvious it needs no further evidence to show it's not real.

[quote name='iconic' timestamp='1384164436' post='2273306'] Interesting thanks for the reply, I always thought Rotosound invented the roundwound, I never knew rounds were around in the 50's . 1/ What gauges are they out of interest? 2/ These Fender strings you have, do they have made by Squier (Squire) anywhere on the pack per chance? [/quote] I dont recall from memory, but i will endeavour to look this evening,a nd try and get some pics of the packets. Rick

[quote name='iconic' timestamp='1384160819' post='2273259'] Ok, what strings were being used back in the day and can they still bought new today..... otherwise its all cork sniffing isn't it from my laymans view? Theres oodles of threads on strings effecting tone even that flats dont all sound the same....I know it was all flats back then and but i'm guessing there wasn't much choice around? cheers [/quote] Definitely not all flats. I have a set of unopened strings from the 50's, Fender originals, and they are rounds. I also have a 60's set, again Fender, and rounds. I dont think there was much choice around, up to about '57, as there simply werent the basses, but after 1960 there were oodles more, and therefore more people making strings, and different types. .