1964 Fender Precision Bass in "Fiesta Red". Refinished prior to original sale in 1966. Short Video Added, 28/11/22 £6500 Skipton, North Yorkshire.

[pembroke151]

June 1964 Fender Precision Bass.

 

Acquired by myself in Scotland in 2020.  I have it on good authority that it was purchased in Edinburgh in 1966 in this colour, originally intended to be Fiesta Red. There are some traces of what I think might be Sunburst under the Red which are visible near the neck heel.

I bought this from a friend who purchased it as part of a job lot from the original owner, who gave us all the information above re original purchase dates etc.

 

I think any buyer would probably want to discuss and look in detail at the bass, so I will do my best to facilitate this in a timely fashion.  I travel around quite a bit so could possibly arrange a meeting if possible, anywhere between Scotland’s central belt and the South coast of England.

 

A few key points about the bass.

• Yes, it’s a refinish, I know.  But it was painted in this colour sometime between being completed in the US and being sold in the UK in 1966. Call that what you will.
• All parts original with the exception of the following.
  • Strap button on the rear of the headstock and the top horn.  They were missing.
  • Volume pot. Seized solid so replaced with a new Fender vintage repro part. I have kept the original pot, featured on the (in situ) pictures.
• Scratchplate - Generally good with some scorch marks near the controls.
• Pickups - verified as correct, sound fantastic.
• Tuners - All good and working.

 

The bass was refretted using original spec thin fret wire when I bought it, the original frets were too low.  This work was carried out by Stuart Palmer in Doncaster who was happy to verify that the bass was right and as it should be.

The neck has been varnished over at some point, it’s a smooth job on the neck playing area but the headstock has seen some pooling from overspray?  Apparently this was quite a common practice way back when.

 

I have gigged this bass quite a lot, and it sounds fantastic, whether recorded or live it just performs, loads of feedback for the player through the old wood and it looks fantastic under the lights on any stage.  The paint has become a lot more Orange than Fiesta Red but it seems to change under certain lighting and always looks cool.

It’s light too, 3.95Kg.

 

I’ll do my best to answer any serious questions, so please feel free to ask.

Serious enquiries only please.  I know these things attract a unique type of critique and I know it’s an expensive item.  I’m selling it as an appreciating asset, and this is a rare chance to own a piece of the story.

 

I created a sound clip to help with any demo.. 

 

Thanks for looking.

Edited November 28, 2022 by pembroke151
Added video clip.

[Reggaebass]

Very nice 👌 

[MungoBass]

What a treat for my eyes! Beauty.

 

[OliverBlackman]

I think they were often refinished red by UK stores hoping to sell to shadows fans

[Burns-bass]

1 hour ago, OliverBlackman said:

I think they were often refinished red by UK stores hoping to sell to shadows fans

Thats the classic “Selmer refin”. In the end, it was a network of refinishers who applied the red on top of the sunburst (they didn’t strip the paint off).

 

It does seem plausible, but worth chatting with an expert. Good luck with the sale, it looks a lovely bass.

 

[sblueplanet]

Great mojo 😎

[ricketyoldtree]

Hey, I’m very interested in this.. I’ve been looking for something similar for some time.. if you wanna chat gimme a call, 07778511434, names Richard.. cheers

[pembroke151]

On 24/11/2022 at 22:51, ricketyoldtree said:

Hey, I’m very interested in this.. I’ve been looking for something similar for some time.. if you wanna chat gimme a call, 07778511434, names Richard.. cheers

I'll try to get you sometime tomorrow.  Dave.