Sparky Mark
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Everything posted by Sparky Mark
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SOLD- Price reduction to £10,500. The time has finally come after 10 years for me to offer up this beautiful example for sale. Description: 1961 Fender® Precision Bass®, featuring slab Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard, and Sunburst finish. The bass is all original. Although the body finish has the normal chips and dings, the neck is in excellent shape. Both body and neck feature their original finish, and the lacquer on the neck is in excellent condition. The bass was mainly played prior to my ownership with flat wounds so the frets are in great condition. The Brazilian rosewood fingerboard is a deep, rich, dark colour, almost Ebony-like. The neck is straight and the bass plays wonderfully. This neck is the typical "C" shape of the period, with the thickness measuring .781" at the first fret and .972" at the 12th fret. The sound is killer from this great example from one of the best eras of the legendary Pre-CBS Fender® Bass. At one point the owner of the bass (this was a one owner instrument), had the pots changed and these slightly larger pots required slightly enlarging the cavity. The original pots, both dated 304 6107, are now back in place. No other modifications, alterations, or other issues exist with this bass. The neck date is 4/61 and the serial number is 639XX. The bass weighs a very light 8 lb. 3 oz., making this attractive example easy on the old back on those long nights. The pickup set is strong and healthy, measuring a perfect 11.6K for the pair. The bass comes in its original brown tolex case. The case is in good condition for its age, but does show signs of wear. The leather on one side of one end is missing. All latches work correctly and pop when opened. Interior is clean without any odours. Thumb rest, bridge and pickup covers included. I priced this with reference to a well known dealer's prices for Precisions dated either side of 1961 but happy to negotiate via direct message/phone with reputable Basschatters in possession of good forum feedback. Many thanks for looking.- 21 replies
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Do a search for Fender target and clown bursts; there's quite a lot of info on Talkbass too.
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That's a nice one. Some are so pronounced they call them target bursts.
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It's another example of a burst with almost no blending between the black and the red.
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^^^^This. If the seller will give you a full refund, don't hesitate to take it. He can send it to Ashdown for a check up and then sell with confidence.
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If bassists hit Vintage status at only 30 years, I must be an Antique by now!
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30 years old is generally accepted as the point where a guitar can be called vintage.
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Why do you think they are not original please?
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Sod's Law says that whenever you are wanting a specific year (YOB for instance) of manufacture it won't be available until you've bought something else. I was after a 62 and ended up with 61, 63 and 64.
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That's also true but pre CBS are more desirable to many simply because of the direct link with Leo Fender and a degree of rarity. My CS Pino is as good as any P I've ever tried but it's probably still only worth a third of my genuine 1961.
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Agreed, the prices are higher but for no good reason. There's nothing rare about 68s or anything that makes them better than a 72.
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Exactly right; nothing to do with age.
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£7.5 to £8k is what AB is asking for 65/66 3TSB jazz basses currently.
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A good 72 is worth more than an average 68; they're basically of the same vintage. Pre 65 is where the big money is, with 65 and some 66 on the cusp. 68 is well into CBS territory so intrinsically no more attractive just because it's 4 years older than a 72. Dealers will continue to ratchet prices upwards based on age alone it seems, but we know there are great basses and dogs from all Fender era.
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If they are roundwounds they won't be the originals and of course the buyer can ask for them to be left on. The offer of a new set is still the correct thing to do in my opinion. (That's an ugly burst though).
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Agreed. What on earth was AB thinking when he typed the unknown string brand comment? For this price he should have written that the bass will be set up with new strings of the buyer's choice.
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** The 15th South East Bass Bash - Sunday 12 November 2023 **
Sparky Mark replied to Hamster's topic in Events
I know that feeling far too well... -
** The 15th South East Bass Bash - Sunday 12 November 2023 **
Sparky Mark replied to Hamster's topic in Events
Lol Cottle was/is brilliant too; an amazing player with complete dedication to his mastery of bass. I can't believe it's been 7 years since I was able to attend my last SE bash which had Herbie Flowers being supported by Dave Swift and John Bentley playing a lovely rendition of Take a walk on the wild side. Herbie briefly loaned me an Ovation Magnum and Fender Bassman combo back in the early 70s which allowed me to migrate from a 3/4 upright to electric bass igniting my life long passion for bass. -
** The 15th South East Bass Bash - Sunday 12 November 2023 **
Sparky Mark replied to Hamster's topic in Events
You can say that again... oh, you already did. -
** The 15th South East Bass Bash - Sunday 12 November 2023 **
Sparky Mark replied to Hamster's topic in Events
Brilliant day! I'd never thought about it before but it makes total sense to start with the middle finger on the plucking hand when a phrase starts on the G string because your middle finger is usually the longest (unless you're from Norfolk apparently!). -
There's the possibility that as Sherwood Green was a custom order colour that maybe this bass was ordered with non standard frets?
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The frets look wider than original early 60s frets like these on a 63.
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That 61J looks legit to me, albeit with a refret, refinish and replacement pot. Slab fretboard is correct, beautiful uncracked pickguard and the rough bit by the bridge will be from the mute fixing holes. Black is my least favourite Jazz colour but Sherwood Green would've made his asking price not that unreasonable, possibly a bit of a bargain.
