for sale 1964 precision bass

[kybosh]

1964 Precision bass , L series serial number
Original Sunburst finish , with good honest wear
Brazillian rosewood fretboard , minimal fret wear
Tortoiseshell scratchplate
Transition logo
Original chrome bridge and pick up covers (ashtrays)
Original hard shell fender case with orange plush lining
All original electrics with the exception of changed tone pot

Very light , plays like butter , very cool old bass

£5000

link for photos , see [url="http://www.aberdeen-music.com/forums/equipment/65332-1964-fender-precision-bass.html"]http://www.aberdeen-music.com/forums/equip...ision-bass.html[/url]

[ezbass]

Direct link to Photobucket [url="http://m64.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/yellowisfriedegg/64%20precision/guitars048.jpg.html?&pbauth=1_uLEBonVPfaLdh1h3YMYz2TTH0RrOjygCAwpfWk1okRFDXxJWnHGAz3pn4ZZMtslH9T2MwhQ%2B7MaqdZ36FUM5dHEz4bh9MMZH0bfVaY7mIRrE2tjubVnZQ5spDrLkMQQ8NgkFhbXl%2BpeWtymvPuED224uh8nGFM3N"]here[/url]
Very nice looking bass. Have a bump

[Beedster]

Welcome kybosh. That's quite a big ask for a '64 in these cash strapped times . Are you 100% sure that's the original finish?

[kybosh]

[quote name='Beedster' post='1267292' date='Jun 13 2011, 01:57 PM']Welcome kybosh. That's quite a big ask for a '64 in these cash strapped times . Are you 100% sure that's the original finish?[/quote]


cheaper than this : [url="http://www.newkingsroadguitars.co.uk/guitarshop/1964_FENDER_PRECISION_-_MINT.html"]http://www.newkingsroadguitars.co.uk/guita...ION_-_MINT.html[/url]

and a lot more character

gotta start somewhere with a price , make me an offer

[Beedster]

[quote name='kybosh' post='1267342' date='Jun 13 2011, 02:43 PM']cheaper than this : [url="http://www.newkingsroadguitars.co.uk/guitarshop/1964_FENDER_PRECISION_-_MINT.html"]http://www.newkingsroadguitars.co.uk/guita...ION_-_MINT.html[/url]

and a lot more character

gotta start somewhere with a price , make me an offer [/quote]

LOL, no offence intended, and my pre-CBS days are gone I'm afraid. It might be a function of the photos or my screen, but the 3tsb under the plate looks exactly the same as that on the rest of the body to my eyes, hence my question re finish. I've owned a couple of pre-CBS 3tsb Precisions, and on both there was a substantial difference in finish between exposed and unexposed nitro, especially in the red? Like I said, perhaps just a function of the pics.

Good luck with it anyway

C

[Rick's Fine '52]

[quote name='kybosh' post='1267271' date='Jun 13 2011, 01:35 PM']1964 Precision bass , L series serial number
Original Sunburst finish , with good honest wear
Brazillian rosewood fretboard , minimal fret wear
Tortoiseshell scratchplate
Transition logo
Original chrome bridge and pick up covers (ashtrays)
Original hard shell fender case with orange plush lining
All original electrics with the exception of changed tone pot

Very light , plays like butter , very cool old bass

£5000

link for photos , see [url="http://www.aberdeen-music.com/forums/equipment/65332-1964-fender-precision-bass.html"]http://www.aberdeen-music.com/forums/equip...ision-bass.html[/url][/quote]

Nice bass, is the finish definitely original, these are normally 2-tone under the guard. Also, the tuners are definitely recent reissues. Nice looking P-Bass though, love the sunbursts. Good luck with the sale.

[Juggernot]

You should do some better pics mate, and put them straight on here. People paying 5 grand for a bass probably want their balls tickled a bit.

[99ster]

[quote name='Juggernot' post='1267714' date='Jun 13 2011, 06:58 PM']...People paying 5 grand for a bass probably want their balls tickled a bit.[/quote]

Tea => keyboard!

That is an all time classic post!

Edited June 13, 2011 by 99ster

[MikeBass]

[quote name='Juggernot' post='1267714' date='Jun 13 2011, 06:58 PM']You should do some better pics mate, and put them straight on here. People paying 5 grand for a bass probably want their balls tickled a bit.[/quote]


LOL!!

a ball tickling and slightly less than 5k may prise my '64 P from my grasp!!

[leroydiamond]

[quote name='Juggernot' post='1267714' date='Jun 13 2011, 06:58 PM']You should do some better pics mate, and put them straight on here. People paying 5 grand for a bass probably want their balls tickled a bit.[/quote]

What about the Suzi Quatro's out there!

[kybosh]

as far as I know the finish is original , I've had the bass for a while and it was bought from a dealer , under the scratchplate is much the same as this : [url="http://www.eddievegas.com/store/details/1964-ORIG-FENDER-PRECISION-BASS-1-OWNER.php"]http://www.eddievegas.com/store/details/19...ASS-1-OWNER.php[/url]

Also with the tuners , I have no reason to think they are replacements , what make you think they are ? (I know 1 screw on one tuner is not original as it was missing when I bough the bass so I replaced it myself)

any other comments welcome , I'll try and get better photo's up if anyone is actually interested in buying ?

[99ster]

[quote name='kybosh' post='1268417' date='Jun 14 2011, 11:25 AM']as far as I know the finish is original , I've had the bass for a while and it was bought from a dealer , under the scratchplate is much the same as this : [url="http://www.eddievegas.com/store/details/1964-ORIG-FENDER-PRECISION-BASS-1-OWNER.php"]http://www.eddievegas.com/store/details/19...ASS-1-OWNER.php[/url]

Also with the tuners , I have no reason to think they are replacements , what make you think they are ? (I know 1 screw on one tuner is not original as it was missing when I bough the bass so I replaced it myself)

any other comments welcome , I'll try and get better photo's up if anyone is actually interested in buying ?[/quote]


As you've asked for comments - here's my 10p worth.

[b]Tuners?[/b]
Unfortunately the tuners appear to be re-issues/not original... The original ones would have fewer teeth in the gears - from memory I believe it's 21 teeth (I'm at work now so can't check on one of my 60's Fenders). Whereas the ones on your bass appear to have too many to be original ones.

[b]Finish?[/b]
From late '62 early '63 onwards there should be a very obvious paint stick shadow inside the body's neck pocket. There doesn't appear to be one on your bass. And the way the red is sprayed, on the back especially, it just doesn't look quite right...sorry if that's a bit vague.

Edited June 14, 2011 by 99ster

[The Bass Doc]

[quote name='99ster' post='1268613' date='Jun 14 2011, 01:44 PM'][b]Tuners?[/b]
Unfortunately the tuners appear to be re-issues/not original... The original ones would have fewer teeth in the gears - from memory I believe it's 21 teeth (I'm at work now so can't check on one of my 60's Fenders). Whereas the ones on your bass appear to have too many to be original ones.[/quote]

This is correct. Another clue is that originals have chrome posts as opposed to nickel and show only a slot viewed from the front whereas repros show a central hole as well as the slot.

*anorak off*

[farmer61]

I can hear the sound of wringing hands

[bremen]

[quote name='The Bass Doc' post='1268623' date='Jun 14 2011, 01:53 PM']This is correct. Another clue is that originals have chrome posts as opposed to nickel and show only a slot viewed from the front whereas repros show a central hole as well as the slot.

*anorak off*[/quote]

But the repros are better, right?

[The Bass Doc]

[quote name='bremen' post='1268633' date='Jun 14 2011, 02:00 PM']But the repros are better, right?[/quote]

Well they'll certainly work a bit 'tighter' than 47 year-old ones I suppose.

[Rick's Fine '52]

[quote name='kybosh' post='1268417' date='Jun 14 2011, 11:25 AM']as far as I know the finish is original , I've had the bass for a while and it was bought from a dealer , under the scratchplate is much the same as this : [url="http://www.eddievegas.com/store/details/1964-ORIG-FENDER-PRECISION-BASS-1-OWNER.php"]http://www.eddievegas.com/store/details/19...ASS-1-OWNER.php[/url]

Also with the tuners , I have no reason to think they are replacements , what make you think they are ? (I know 1 screw on one tuner is not original as it was missing when I bough the bass so I replaced it myself)

any other comments welcome , I'll try and get better photo's up if anyone is actually interested in buying ?[/quote]

The finish under your scratchplate is 3-tone sunburst, as the exposed parts of the body. On the link you quote (Eddie Vegas), the area under the scratchplate is 2-tone, as should be. The note someone else states about the paint stick mask, is also visible on the Eddie Vegas Bass, and not yours.

Comments by others on the tuners are correct, also, an easy way of telling, is on the number of threads on the shaft, original tuners show about 3-5 turns (Depending on the angle viewed), the reissues have a dozen or so, like yours.

The tuners are definitely not original, and in my opinion (Based purely on the pics, an in-hand inspection may prove very different indeed), it has been refinished, although this could have been 40 years ago of course, if it looks old to you.

Still a fantastic bass, even if it has been refin'd.

[Beedster]

[quote name='kybosh' post='1268417' date='Jun 14 2011, 11:25 AM']as far as I know the finish is original , I've had the bass for a while and it was bought from a dealer , under the scratchplate is much the same as this : [url="http://www.eddievegas.com/store/details/1964-ORIG-FENDER-PRECISION-BASS-1-OWNER.php"]http://www.eddievegas.com/store/details/19...ASS-1-OWNER.php[/url][/quote]

The bass you've linked to doesn't look right to me either

[kybosh]

Sounds like I got done , the finish is certainly very old , lots of weather checking etc , I was told by the seller it was original. I checked all the things like neck date , foil sheild under scratchplate , pot dates (I got the tone pot changed locally as the old one did nothing , still have it in the case) never knew about the tuners , thanks for the advice.

....anybody want to make an interesting offer then ?

Edited June 15, 2011 by kybosh

[bassaussie]

[quote name='kybosh' post='1269575' date='Jun 15 2011, 05:28 AM']Sounds like I got done , the finish is certainly very old , lots of weather checking etc , I was told by the seller it was original. I checked all the things like neck date , foil sheild under scratchplate , pot dates (I got the tone pot changed locally as the old one did nothing , still have it in the case) never knew about the tuners , thanks for the advice.

....anybody want to make an interesting offer then ?[/quote]

One of the difficult things with dating an old Fender is that, while things like pickup dates, pot codes etc all give a good indication of age, they're also peripheral parts that can be replaced, so they don't automatically indicate the age of the bass itself, nor the actual originality of the instrument (especially when it comes to the finish). Even the neck stamp really only tells you how old the neck is, not the body itself, and the same thing applies there as well - an all original neck does not automatically indicate the same for the body. I've got a couple of old Fenders which I bought a few years back, and I have to be honest, I think I got very lucky to end up with the pieces I did.

Personally, I won't comment on your bass, other than to say that the comments on the tuners are correct. If it turned out that they were the only non-original parts, then it wouldn't be such a bad thing, as a modification like changed tuners is easily reversible.

[Beedster]

[quote name='bassaussie' post='1269584' date='Jun 15 2011, 06:51 AM']One of the difficult things with dating an old Fender is that, while things like pickup dates, pot codes etc all give a good indication of age, they're also peripheral parts that can be replaced, so they don't automatically indicate the age of the bass itself, nor the actual originality of the instrument (especially when it comes to the finish). Even the neck stamp really only tells you how old the neck is, not the body itself, and the same thing applies there as well - an all original neck does not automatically indicate the same for the body. I've got a couple of old Fenders which I bought a few years back, and I have to be honest, I think I got very lucky to end up with the pieces I did.

Personally, I won't comment on your bass, other than to say that the comments on the tuners are correct. If it turned out that they were the only non-original parts, then it wouldn't be such a bad thing, as a modification like changed tuners is easily reversible.[/quote]

+1

Re the finish on the bass in question, I don't think anyone above has said that it is definitely a refin, and I doubt anyone could do so from photos alone (well, I certainly couldn't). I think the sentiment of the posts above is "are you [i]sure[/i] it's original". Whilst there are characteristics of a Fender finish that are present 99% of the time, there's also considerable variation in Fender QC. Whether that variation extends to the characteristics that have been identified as unusual for an original finish on this bass I couldn't say. Either way, I don't think the OP should simply accept that it's a refin and drop the price, but should get the bass inspected in person by an expert (and not that place in Norwich that calls everything a vintage Fender ).

[bassaussie]

[quote name='Beedster' post='1269591' date='Jun 15 2011, 06:17 AM']+1

Re the finish on the bass in question, I don't think anyone above has said that it is definitely a refin, and I doubt anyone could do so from photos alone (well, I certainly couldn't). I think the sentiment of the posts above is "are you [i]sure[/i] it's original". Whilst there are characteristics of a Fender finish that are present 99% of the time, there's also considerable variation in Fender QC. Whether that variation extends to the characteristics that have been identified as unusual for an original finish on this bass I couldn't say. Either way, I don't think the OP should simply accept that it's a refin and drop the price, but should get the bass inspected in person by an expert (and not that place in Norwich that calls everything a vintage Fender ).[/quote]

That's a very good point Beedster. I can certainly see why the comments above were made about the finish, but Fender basses from the 60s were far from an exact science. As Beedster has said, the OP should definitely have the bass evaluated by someone with some real expertise in valuing an old Fender. It may turn out to be a refin, or it may turn out to be a strange one that came from the factory like that.

[99ster]

[quote name='Beedster' post='1269591' date='Jun 15 2011, 07:17 AM']+1

Re the finish on the bass in question, I don't think anyone above has said that it is definitely a refin, and I doubt anyone could do so from photos alone (well, I certainly couldn't). I think the sentiment of the posts above is "are you [i]sure[/i] it's original". Whilst there are characteristics of a Fender finish that are present 99% of the time, there's also considerable variation in Fender QC. Whether that variation extends to the characteristics that have been identified as unusual for an original finish on this bass I couldn't say. Either way, I don't think the OP should simply accept that it's a refin and drop the price, but should get the bass inspected in person by an expert (and not that place in Norwich that calls everything a vintage Fender ).[/quote]


Excellent post Chris.

[kybosh]

Thanks guys , looks like I will have to head south and get the bass checked out by someone who knows their stuff