Hellzero

Terrific basses, reminds me when I was a student in Brussels some, say, 30 years ago or even a bit more : this was THE bass at the time and still is now, quite amazing. GLWYS.

It has indeed, Russ. How are the Arieses ?

This also an interesting point, but that's not it. Remember, I said that values are important. In fact, it's so obvious that nobody seems to notice it, but you have to know Fender history quite well. It's always the smallest detail that will get you caught. And yes AB is only a seller and nothing else, and I love to inquire even if it's not my job.

The default of the neck pocket is also very helpful as is the always present primer coat (called "fondur") and the nitro-cellulosic paint easy to identify with a bit of acetone. The miror marks on the neck plate or bridge are very good testifiers. The stamps or always pencil (on early ones, than it was with an alcohol pen) written dates or names or initials are also worth mentioning. The tool marks on the body are relevant. The routing under the tuners at a precise period is also important. The real beef bone nut has its word to say. But there still is this little thing which could be gold for fakers. Let me tell you a little story related to faking cars, the famous Renault R8 Gordini. You can turn any standard R8 into a Gordini : modify the front to accommodate the specially designed lights, change the motor, change the angle of the rear wheels, change the instruments, change the interior, change the car emblems, add some chrome and don't forget to change the colour and the primer coat. This way you will fool almost everybody, but there is that little thing that only a few knew which will be decisive. Here it is : there was only one, yes one, painter for the R8 Gordini and he made the same mistake on each and every R8 Gordini he painted, finally not a mistake, a real signature. So what's that signature, easy to see ; just unscrew the rear seat, look on the right side near the tunnel, there it is, the testifier : a paint pouring exactly at the same place on each R8 Gordini. Now that fakers know the weak point, there are loads of fake R8 Gordini. So better keep this thing "secret" and simply ask me when you want to put a lot of money in pre CBS or even until 1973 Precision or Jazz. By the way, the only woods used by Leo Fender for the Precision and Jazz are alder or ash (7 parts glued is the best I've seen) for the bodies, and maple and/or Brazilian rosewood (until the end of the stock, so around 1966-67 and up to 68 sometimes) for the necks. There has never been padauk fingerboards or any other exotic woods at the time... Except according to crooks and fakers. The mistake or little thing proving that the instrument has been rebuilt is in these 3 listings, use your gray cells and you should find the problem. I've not checked the rest of these 1964 Jazzes, but only that one little thing : http://www.andybaxterbass.com/details.php?id=325 http://www.andybaxterbass.com/details.php?id=739 http://www.andybaxterbass.com/details.php?id=458 And AB is certainly not aware of that detail.

It's not the secret, but the first thing to look at is the tortoise scratchplate, it must have shrunk and the screws fixing it must have followed that shrinking, meaning they can't be at right angle. Then look at the logo, the varnish under it must be way far clearer. Then, the discolouration under anything that can be removed must be non existing. At the time, to solder the cables, they had to use some flux which gives this greasy looking aspect around the solder that can't be flashy. Then, there are the codes on the pots. The values are something very important. The heel of the neck must have risen, wich means that if the neck is dead flat, the frets have been dressed or worst changed. And then, there is the secret weapon...

Wow, I've owned also a lot of vintage basses (and guitars), wrote a mémoire about pre 1965 basses, and this one, according to the pictures, is the real thing. In fact, it's quite easy to know if these instruments are true vintage ones or real fakes. And there is a tiny little thing (plus many many many others) that nobody seems to know which can testify the period, but I'll keep it secret, sorry, there are too many crooks around making fantastic money with real fakes and I don't want to help them. This one is a true period correct in fantastic condition Jazz Bass, which is very very very rare. GLWYS.

And here, the fitting manual, more a sheet, in fact :

And the real name is : Wilkinson 4+1 : 5 string bass conversion

But it was made fo it too, and there are large nuts on some Jazzes...

Hum, it was made by Wilkinson before they started to make crap... Some people are looking for this, but with the right name it will be easier, and it's also designed for the Jazz Bass.

Trade option added !

PM'ed

I own a BassCube and owned an Amp One, those are simply the best combo amps ever. The Basic Performer being the most versatile. And the service at AER is maybe a bit slow (it's a very small society), but is exemplary. My BassCube has been upgraded for free and I only paid for the pieces that weren't covered by some warranty. So, now I have a completely revised amp for peanuts... It's worth mentioning it.

Sell the Aguilar DB659 preamp and buy the Glockenklang Bugatti 400 Power Amp and you'll have something like one of the best preamp-amp in the world, the other being AER, strangely, German too...

So keep it, you'll regret it later, and I know the feeling quite well.

Did you ever take some pictures to see the real condition ?

Looks like it's on hold now.

PM'ed.