Rick's Fine '52

[quote name='chrisd24' timestamp='1352204918' post='1859980'] rick I'm sure i saw a jaydee in phoenix soundworks in Earls Barton the other day.....not sure wether that helps or not! [/quote] Appreciate that, just had a chat, sounds like an odd one, and it's the owners.....and not for sale. (Fender headstock Jaydee apparently??). Thanks for the heads up though!

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1352159819' post='1859643'] He has an alembic. He wants a Jaydee Mark King and now he's being tempted by Trace elliot stuff..... What happened to the RIck we used to know? [/quote] I think I need to see a Doctor, I'll make an appointment now!!!

Looks in great nick too?? Half a mile away?? Do I really need any more gear?, No, as tempting as it is. Great little set up for someone though.

Welcome to basschat Nico...enjoy! Rick

[quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1352124064' post='1858975'] Late 80s I saw something like this when I was in the States. It was a 60s era Telecaster. Didn't have as many colours - from memory, yellow/gold, blue, green, red. The story I was told was that it was a test/practice piece. Bodies/parts that had been rejected for some quality control issue were used. [/quote] Very likely, the thing that bugs me about that though, is that it would probably stay in the factory for some time, and even if it did resurface, it would probably have a mismatch of parts. This bass had neck, pots, pickup, bridge, tuners, neckplate, pickguard etc, all from '65, which would suggest it was assembled in the factory after spraying and used for something (There lies the mystery). Of course its possible someone obtained period correct parts for it and built it up much later on?

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1352119962' post='1858887'] To be fair, Rick - that happens on every forum. It's not unique to TB. [/quote] I'm sure, but personally, I find basschat far more 'honest', and people generally far more respectful than on other sites. I actually found talkbass quite laughable in the end. I don't mind people having varying degree's of knowledge, but when they imply otherwise, I just don't get it. for example, I know nothing about Warwick's, so it wouldnt even enter my head, to contribute towards a thread where someones asking for advice on Warwicks, when it is obvious there are folk far more knowledgable to offer advice and comment. Talkbass though is different, everyone has an opinion (One based on fact...apparently) on everything. Not for me at all.

[quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1352112334' post='1858734'] There is that custom design/paint job Mustang that was done for a TV show in the Fender Bass Book. It could be that someone wanted a multi-coloured burst, and paid for a custom job. I guess to do a multi-burst, you'd simply spray each colour over the whole body?! Si [/quote] Also possible, who knows? I'd love to find out more, but think any previous owner would already have done all the digging possible, and as there's no 'evidence' for any explanation, I guess thats as much as we'll [i]ever[/i] get, shame really, as there's probbaly a really interesting reason behind it's production?

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1352112220' post='1858732'] Have you asked about it on TalkBass Rick? There's a few real Fender experts over there. Mind you, feedback for Rudy's is generally terrible. Poor customer service, way over-priced, lots of basses badly set up etc. The Americans seem to rate Rudy's & neighbour Sam Ash a bit like we do Denmark Street [/quote] I don't use Talkbass very often, full of 'experts', who actually know very little. This is true, I actually had an exchange with someone once on there, who said my '56 Precision was clearly a Telecaster bass with a changed serial number plate, because it had the single coil pickup, and not the split coil.......really. It is quite bad on there! I think most vintage dealers have a bad reputation, mainly due to their pricing, and elaborated stories behind each one (Like this one I started the thread with). If they just said, "It's a regular '62 Jazz, what you see is what you get", then we'd probably have more time for them, but every instrument they have seems to have an impressive 'history'!! I don't think anyone really buys all that though, and I'm pretty sure they don't pay those prices either. Most are consignment instruments, and they just pass the offers on to the owners, who accept or not. Most of their money is made selling new gear, (And accessories) which is intermingled with the oldies. If I was trying to sell a genuine $23k bass though, I'm not sure I'd want it hanging in the middle of someones shop for any old oik to bash around on?

[quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1352096047' post='1858576'] Did the salesman's nose grow longer as you were speaking to him? $23K - yeah right. [/quote] Ha, no it didn't, but it probably should have!! I think the story could well be true, it could also have been a practice board for a new sprayer (As stated in previous response), that was assembled and played later on, could be anything really. One things for sure, unless there's some proper documented evidence (Which they don't have), ideally with photographic proof also, then it's worth maybe a little more than a regular '65, for curiosity value only. I actually quite like it, but only if the story is true, without the evidence, it has little value other than the sum of its parts, which, purely from the sentimental fenderite in me, I think is a shame. Thanks for all the comments guys, thought it would be an interesting share on here. I was hoping someone was going to point me in the direction of a whole article about these famous 'custom colour sample guitars' from 1965, nonetheless, an interesting piece, and I'm glad I saw it. Rick

[quote name='Schnozzalee' timestamp='1352071606' post='1858516'] I believe it's a '65 but if I heard Laurie telling me that poop I woulda just stood there smiling at him until he felt very uncomfortable if that story makes em a huge profit I suspect it'll come back to bite em in ass!! You can have my G&L George Fullerton Signature Models for £23k!!? Every man has his price I guess [/quote] I know what you mean, I didnt fully believe him either, hence the post on here, although nothing coming out of the early days of CBS would surprise me at all !!

[quote name='MrFingers' timestamp='1352071387' post='1858513'] They do exist, it's called a "sparkle" finish, and once in a while one pops up. Made on custom order, or for big fairs like NAMM. [url="http://www.shortscale.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=40866"]http://www.shortscal...pic.php?t=40866[/url] [/quote] These sparkles are rare, but the whole guitar was the same finish, not a multi-colour sample job like this.

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1352069003' post='1858474'] Good lord! that is the sort of thing you would expect to see if MDP was let loose with a spray gun!! [/quote]

[quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1352069455' post='1858480'] I wouldn't be surprised if it was true, it would be a single sampler for their colours, which (& my Fender knowledge is slight) were mostly - for custom colours - done with car-paints? Before I parted with that kind of money for it though the least they could do is get an official verification from Fender for it? Is there nothing in the Fender bass history books about such things? [/quote] As Luke said though, a single piece of wood, say1ft square, with each colour would show the finish far better than this does, and much cheaper. It does look factory finished in the flesh though. I've read just about every reference book on Fenders, and never seen or heard anything about it. And yes, for $23k, I'd want a picture of George Fullerton holding it at a Guitar Fair in '65!!

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1352067961' post='1858457'] I kinda like it - would definitely gig with it if I could afford it Price seems like a bargain for Rudy's - they have a $54K '69 Strat up for sale at the moment. . . [/quote] Thats true, they're not the cheapest, but they often have the most unusual items. '69 Strats, thats 'Hendrix era' Barrie, that's gotta be worth an extra $40K on it's own, especially if it was found in a garage sale, or loft!!!

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1352067232' post='1858444'] but it fails in even really showing the colours- like a set of photographs and a painted plank would be better/cheaper [/quote] Definitely, most odd!

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1352066344' post='1858433'] ugly! [/quote] I agree, although I don't think it was supposed to be pretty. I just think it's odd that Fender would do something like this, why not just use a proper example of a custom colour guitar in these colours, for shows, knowing they could sell them on afterwards. Unless it's just an example of Fender CBS Management scrimping to the extreme?

I was in New York last week (Yes, great time to go I know, but survived Hurricane Sandy!!), and whilst upstairs in Rudy's, I found this oddity. 1965 Precision. Neck dated November 65, all pots date to the same month. Laurie, in the shop, said it was a bass used to show the custom colour range available at the time, and several of these basses were used at show's, and then sent to larger dealers, not for sale, but to show the finishes available. The bass shows shoreline gold; inca silver; teal green; sea foam green; candy apple red, and lake placid blue. Its kind of a sunburst finish, with all these colours used, the front of which is mainly LPB. The bass shows some wear, but also factory exposed sections of the various finishes. It looks genuine, and all factory applied/exposed colours. Weather checking also looks consistent through the finishes. The pics are terrible I'm afraid, as it was very bright in the shop, and my ipod isnt the best camera! I know a fair bit about vintage Fenders, but have never seen any reference to these, or heard anything about them anywhere previously. Anyone seen or heard of anything similar?? It was $23k!! Heres' the awful pics, but hopefully you get the idea? Any thoughts?

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1351977754' post='1857585'] I have a lot of empathy with you. Been there got the T shirt. [/quote] I hope it was a white one, with a contrasting black tie??

Thats a real shame, but sounds like everyone had ample warning. I think you'll actually be glad you made this decision, and wish you well with any new venture you embark on, which I'm sure will suit you far better. Rick

Great price, this would be 5x this price in better nick.

[quote name='MrFingers' timestamp='1351622767' post='1853403'] Musikraft does it as well. [/quote] Yeah, stupid price too. Mine cost me less than nothing....really!