Rick's Fine '52

[quote name='jsixties' post='1248659' date='May 28 2011, 09:15 PM']It means [b]T[/b]errific [b]I[/b]nstrument [b]M[/b]ate... more or less.[/quote]

Oh, right, makes sense.

Thanks

[quote name='Stag' post='1248468' date='May 28 2011, 05:45 PM']This thread is pure porn filth.

I like it.[/quote]

Indeed, everyone has a 'porn' collection don't they, and it's always the rarer, more obscure stuff that gets all the attention.........ahem.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1248450' date='May 28 2011, 05:29 PM']Its a long story but a TIM is as good as Bump around here [/quote]

Sorry, I'm not up on all the current abbreviations/acronyms etc.

[quote name='jsixties' post='1248319' date='May 28 2011, 03:29 PM']I think you are the first person I know with eight 50's Precision!
Good luck with the sale, maybe a forum it's not the perfect site for a bass of 7k... but no doubt it worths.[/quote]

You can never have too many 50's basses though can you??

You might be right, i have it available in a few different locations, someone will get a very fine bass indeed.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1248290' date='May 28 2011, 03:01 PM']TIM TIME!!!![/quote]

Who's Tim??

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='1248211' date='May 28 2011, 01:28 PM']If you've managed to relic the Sting bass like that it reinforces why I'll NEVER buy a vintage instrument! [/quote]

It looks good, but when you see it close up next to areal one, there's a world of difference. The real difference of course, is when you play it...absolutely no comparism.

But then one would cost upwards of £10k, the other one cost me £320, and a couple of Saturdays work.

Having said that, people buy vintage gear as investments too. I bought a '58 Precision 5 years ago, for £3000, totally original, its now worth £10000, cash in the bank invested over that time, on the current and recent interest rate of...errr....zero, would probably be worth about £3500. And, for the past 5 years i've enjoyed it immensely, and made a tidy profit when i decide to sell. Good pension fund if you ask me.....which you didnt of course.

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='1247883' date='May 28 2011, 07:47 AM']Hi Rick.

Did you do the refinish on your bass?

Just out of interest do you still have the 'Sting' sig bass that you won on ebay, as I'm looking for one and it'd be significantly cheaper than your original?

At the right price I'd buy that off you and it'd go some way towards your next purchase.[/quote]


Here's some pics of the Sting bass i bought, that you mentioned, before and after. Quite a difference...

Before..



What do you think??

[quote name='Rick's Fine '52' post='1248091' date='May 28 2011, 11:47 AM']I hardly 'compared' it to a Sting Bass, this is a 'real' Sting bass, the finish is nicely checking too.

I take your point though. [/quote]


Last time i was on a Forum (6 years ago), it was thought quite rude to keep bumping your own gear, but i've noticed some people doing it over 5 times a day!?!?

On that basis, i deem it thoroughly acceptable, and so....here's my bump, that i am no longer ashamed of......I'll apologise now, in advance, for any future bumps, of a similar nature.

Thanks

Oh, and will someone buy my bass, it gets cheaper every day...

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1247844' date='May 28 2011, 02:03 AM']Not sure that someone spending 7 big ones on a bass would want it compared to a Sting bass.
Good luck.[/quote]

I hardly 'compared' it to a Sting Bass, this is a 'real' Sting bass, the finish is nicely checking too.

I take your point though.

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1247217' date='May 27 2011, 03:34 PM']Anyone got a photo showing a similar bass with the mutes in place?[/quote]

This is a close up of a '61 Jazz mute assembly, the guitar is on the left in the bottom pic. Hope this helps.

[attachment=81114:mutes.jpg]

[attachment=81115:trio_62__s.jpg]

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='1247883' date='May 28 2011, 07:47 AM']Hi Rick.

Did you do the refinish on your bass?

Just out of interest do you still have the 'Sting' sig bass that you won on ebay, as I'm looking for one and it'd be significantly cheaper than your original?

At the right price I'd buy that off you and it'd go some way towards your next purchase.[/quote]

The Sting bass was bought as a Project for me, as i wanted to actually play one regularly, but the 2 originals i have are too expensive to take out, so i bought the sting, and completely stripped it, the body was completely relic'd (Properly, it looks genuine, lacquer checking all over it), the neck was swapped with a '51 reissue neck (No horrible Sting pearl inlay at the 12th fret), stripped, edges rolled, and amber nitro tinted, new decal added, single screw thumbrest was added, and the chrome covers were distressed and fitted to complete the look. It now looks the part, and sounds great.

Here's a pic, alongside my originals, the completed Sting bass is on the left.

Not sure if i want to sell it though??

[quote name='wesfinn' date='May 28 2011, 09:57 AM' post='1247953']
absolutely gorgeous bass! If i had that sort of money spare I'd of bought this in a flash!

Excellent ebay post as well, has every bit of information that you could need. Good luck with the sale Rick!

Thankyou Wesfinn, i appreciate that. To be honest, as a buyer too, there's nothing more frustrating than having to ask loads of questions, then only getting half the q's answered, and having to ask again, its a real pain, so i try and be as full as possible with descriptions, and pics.

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='1247947' date='May 28 2011, 09:53 AM']Welcome to my topic, Rick.

Seriously, this is one of the things I love about Basschat - I was very curious about your bass, and now I get a complete explanation from the owner/vendor.

I entirely agree about your price (as implied in the title of this topic), and you have made me even more glad that it's a '55 rather than either a late '56 or an early '57. I'm in no position to be spending that sort of dosh right now, and if yours had been a true YoB bass for me (29 Dec 1956) I'd have been in temptation's way ...

Good luck with the sale.[/quote]

I do have a 2-tone sunburst version that has neck and body dates of 1/57!! Try and get some pics up soon.

[quote name='risingson' post='1247807' date='May 28 2011, 12:53 AM']I don't usually comment to correct posts but I think you're meant to post Ebay links in the ebay section of the forum

Also if this is totally genuine then that bass is superb![/quote]

Apologies to all, only joined this forum yesterday.

I've now corrected that oversight, and listed the actual bass and details here.

Thanks for the info.

This is an ORIGINAL 1955 Fender Precision Bass !!

[u]Not[/u] a Reissue or Relic

1955, Original example of Fender's 2nd Series Precision Bass

Original version of the 'Sting' Bass!

This is a rare opportunity to acquire a very rare bass indeed, and seldom seen, especially in the UK. Don't miss this chance.

Find another one in the UK!



[u]Summary[/u]

2-Tone Sunburst, professional nitro refinish

All important parts are original

Single piece Maple Neck

Spaghetti Logo

Neck date 10/55

Body Date 10/55

Pots date to 1955

Light bass,plays like butter

Condition, overall 9/10

Fender Custom Shop Tweed Case



[u]Detail[/u]

[u]Original parts[/u]
Body

Neck

Tuners

Pickup (Lindy Fralin rewind)

Wiring

Pots

Capacitor

Dome knobs

Control Plate

String Tee

Decal

Strap Buttons

Ferrules

Neckplate (7212)

Single screw thumbrest (Refin'd & lacquered)

Bridge Saddles

Screws


[u]Non-Original parts[/u]
Single Ply pickguard (Originals commonly shattered)

Bridge Plate (Taken from a 1968 Fender Telecaster Bass)

Chrome Covers

Fender Custom Shop reissue Tweed Case


The nitro finish has been carried out professionally, and looks absolutely stunning, transluscent, to show the fantastic grain on the body, has light weather checking and cracking to finish, look like a NOS. There are 2 extra holes by the bridge, which have been professionally filled prior to the refinish. These are not visible when the chrome cover is fitted.

Currently strung with flatwounds.

I need to sell this bass to fund another purchase, so please feel free to make an offer…..preferrably a sensible one!

Strongly advise serious bidders to view this exceptional bass. Can be viewed in Northampton, fairly central (J15 of the M1) or possibly Cambridge. I'm not a shop or music store, so no returns I'm afraid.

Cash on collection preferred, that way it's a secure and honest transaction for all parties. Any other methods of payment must be discussed first, no exceptions. UK & International Shipping is an option, at buyers risk. Quotes can be provided, although UK is probably £35, Europe around £60. These estimates do not include insurance. If unsure, get some on-line quotes.

I've included all the important information and pictures, but please ask any questions before bidding.

No tyre-kickers or time wasters, bid to buy, not to try.

If you're serious though, please come and have a look, have a play, have a beer, or a coffee. I have a '59 4x10 tweed Bassman you can play it through.

Thanks for looking.

Looking for about £7K

Fender Precision '55 for sale, all details on the ad here;

Take a peek...

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Precision-Bass-1955-Original-NOT-Reissue-/220789011397?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item33680cf3c5"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Precision-Bas...=item33680cf3c5[/url]

[quote name='Johnston' post='1243178' date='May 24 2011, 05:32 PM']Does the bodywork chrome not look a little shiny compare to the machineheads??

It's almost as if the neck came from one bass and the body from another. Some of the solder looks very shiney too.

If it was a car I would think it was a reshell [/quote]

As stated in the ad, the covers are reissue.

See more on this thread for further clarity.

Thanks

[quote name='eubassix' post='1243577' date='May 24 2011, 10:16 PM']Interesting! .. he bought this in March:-
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390294556498"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=390294556498[/url]
and some 54 pots and amber shellac a bit later (his Selling profile is Private .. but not the Buying).
Could it be the same bass?[/quote]

Bl**dy Hell Sherlock, you have some free time!! LOL I joke

This is my bass for sale.

Regarding your investigation;

1. The shellac purchased was for an ageing job i did on a tweed amp, you wouldnt use shellac amber tint for a guitar, you'd use amber nitrocellulose lacquer
2. The pots i bought were 1954 pots, and, ahem, dated 1954. I still have those pots, they were purchased because they were too cheap not to.
3. The pots on the bass for sale are '55 pots, and dated 1955. They are original to the bass.
4. The '56 i bought from NKR is completely different, the body/neck are clearly different. wood/grain. The wear on the '56 is extensively worn.

The bass for sale is a complete '55 bass, not a bitsa whatsoever. It has been professionally nitro refin'd, which is now very weather checked and cracked, starting to age nicely. Very rare in the UK, and not an unreasonable price, based on current vintage prices. NKR has a beat up '59 for £10k...for example.

Only sell to fund another purchase, otherwise i'd leave it in the collection.

Sensible offers considered, i've had a few, and some random trade offers?!?! Someone even offered me a Ford S-Max!! Seriously. LOL

Must sell

Hope this clarifies the story above.

Feel free to ask anything.

Should i list in on here , in the For sale section?

Regards to all.

Rick.

[quote name='RhysP' post='1247669' date='May 27 2011, 10:41 PM']Never mind, I'm sure you'll be able to afford a new bass one day.

Lovely collection you've got there.[/quote]

Thanks Rhys.

To be honest, new basses don't do it for me...as you can see. Even the new Fenders are just too tight, too responsive, too trebly, too bright.

the old ones are soft, and warm, and sooo smooth sounding, and the necks play like butter. They're like an old pair of jeans, or an old pair of Adidas Superstars, they just feel right...every time you wear 'em.

I've never played a new...ish bass, and thought "Oooh, that's nice". Actually that's not strictly true, i did play an Alembic Stanley Clarke which i could quite happily have taken home!

[quote name='Hobbayne' post='1247502' date='May 27 2011, 07:48 PM']Can I borrow your 52 P bass tomorrow night for the British Legion Tango and Samba night?? [/quote]

It's the only Bass I take on those gigs!! You'll need the tweed bassman too though!

[quote name='BB3000S' post='1247659' date='May 27 2011, 10:32 PM']Amazing, truly amazing collection - thank you so much for sharing!
Especially love the 58's (my gosh, three of them!) and the 52's are sooooo nice.[/quote]

Thanks, technically one is a '59, as the body is dated 3/59, although the neck/pots etc, are all dated late '58.

Sorry, i sense myself getting geeky....i tend to do that when talking about my vintage stuff. The 52's are very special.

Hopefully be a couple of new additions in the coming weeks, watch this space.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='1247493' date='May 27 2011, 07:31 PM']Amazing collection.[/quote]

Thanks, it's taken a while to build up, there's still a few on the wish list though!

So far I've sold 3 children and 2 kidneys............none of which were my own!! (That was a joke....just in case the CID are reading this)

[quote name='Machines' post='1247486' date='May 27 2011, 07:20 PM']I'm not really into vintage Fenders, but those are amazing. I would love to have one just to hold it and imagine what's happened to it in the last 60 years .[/quote]

I know what you mean, you certainly get that feeling when you're playing them, if only they could talk, there'd be a few cool stories to tell, thats for sure!

[quote name='Truckstop' post='1246862' date='May 27 2011, 11:43 AM']Wow! That is a true vintage bass collection!

Truckstop[/quote]


Thanks Truckstop, i appreciate the comment.

[quote name='Mr Fudge' post='1246856' date='May 27 2011, 11:39 AM']This is like a Howard Carter Tutankhamen moment without the sand or surprise.

Stunning ![/quote]


Hopefully without the Curse!!!

thanks for the comments.