1962 Fender Precision basket case?

[danbanbass]

Hi guys,

 

I spotted this on Bass Directs website, it’s a pretty thing but going from the description it strikes me that this bass is a bit of a basket case bitsa - https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/product/fender-precision-bass-1962-sherwood-green-refinish-pre-owned/

 

I’m in now way affiliated with them just seems a lot of money for what it is?

”

1962 Fender Precision Bass for sale, this bass plays beautifully but is made up of a few different parts.

Replacement alder body, originally had a bridge pickup too (filled and refinished in Sherwood Green)

1962 Fender neck, had an ebony fretless fingerboard fitted at some point, but now wears a rosewood fingerboard, there is evidence of the fretless side dots on the neck now.

Non original pots, non original pickguard.”

 

What do you guys think?

Edited 18 hours ago by danbanbass

[Reggaebass]

The notching at the neck heel would suggest to me that it’s had work done on the truss rod or been replaced, which would put me off, and is there any routing under the pickguard  from when an extra pickup was added?, it’s not one for me personally 

[danbanbass]

Me neither, looks to be a bit like triggers broom

[Reggaebass]

21 minutes ago, danbanbass said:

looks to be a bit like triggers broom

Great one 😂

[Beedster]

That bass has been doing the rounds a while, think it was owned until recently by a guy on here, original price was way higher, suspect BD have done full audit hence lower price

[Beedster]

...although would be more correct to call it a bitsa, there's not a single piece of wood that's all original (body after-market, replacement board etc) so not really fair to describe it as a '62 in any way

[SurroundedByManatees]

You can't list this titled as a '62 and take yourself seriously at the same time imo. We are talking about a half original neck, a pickup and a bit of hardware that is (when giving the benefit of the doubt) probably original. 

 

Just my opinion of course.

[Pea Turgh]

It’s a sexy bastard though.

[Beedster]

4 minutes ago, Pea Turgh said:

It’s a sexy bastard though.

Agreed, if I thought I had a chance I’d offer Mark region of 50%/£2,250 for it 

[Reggaebass]

39 minutes ago, Pea Turgh said:

It’s a sexy bastard though.

It is, and I’d like to play it, at one time I would only buy anything that was totally original and with the original case ,but as times gone on Ive relaxed on this as long as they play and feel really good and it’s reflected in the price , I’ve been offered lots that wasn’t original that I regret not buying 

[Beedster]

2 hours ago, SurroundedByManatees said:

You can't list this titled as a '62 and take yourself seriously at the same time imo. We are talking about a half original neck, a pickup and a bit of hardware that is (when giving the benefit of the doubt) probably original. 

 

Just my opinion of course.

I agree, and I’m a little surprised that they have.
 

But they’re not lying when plenty of other sellers have/would, so any buyer knows exactly what they’re getting

[Bagman]

looks great 

 

but 450 not 4500

[binky_bass]

14 hours ago, Beedster said:

Agreed, if I thought I had a chance I’d offer Mark region of 50%/£2,250 for it 

I still don't see the value at that price. The only wood thats maybe from 62 is the maple part of the neck. £2250 would be a price I genuinely think would be a huge struggle to sell it for as it sits. I can see this being sold and not long after being resold elsewhere with less of a description and still claiming it to be a '62. At least BD have been honest in their description, though in the title they definitely should make it clearer. 

Edited 2 hours ago by binky_bass

[Beedster]

31 minutes ago, binky_bass said:

I still don't see the value at that price. The only wood thats maybe from 62 is the maple part of the neck. £2250 would be a price I genuinely think would be a huge struggle to sell it for as it sits. I can see this being sold and not long after being resold elsewhere with less of a description and still claiming it to be a '62. At least BD have been honest in their description, though in the title they definitely should make it clearer. 

Point taken. There could still be some magic in that bass, especially as I'm a sucker for early 60's Precision necks, especially one that's been well played in, and although I'm not sure I buy the idea that older pickup necessarily sound any better than contemporary equivalents, I'd take the chance! But either way, and re price, I imagine it could be the equal of basses priced at around £2000-£2500, which these days includes production USA Fenders, hence the logic. Of course I might see it/play it in the flesh and decide it's not the their equal and keep my cash 👍 

[binky_bass]

I suppose without knowing where the body came from and who did the change over of the fretboard and electronics etc. it makes the value hugely subjective. But, I cannot see a day where it can be fairly called a '62 unless the replacement body can be verified as also a '62, which I'd doubt! If the body/fretboard were hand crafted by a known and respected luthier (Shuker, ACG, Sei etc.) then maybe 2k might be not crazy high. But for all we know it could be a far eastern replacement (probably not). It'd be good to know why all these changes happened, where the new parts came from and who assembled it. With that, the price might be more understandable. I think asking 4.5k for it as it sits regardless of who did what is a joke. 

Edited 1 hour ago by binky_bass

[walshy]

Yeah Im sure that was on here too, I have certainly seen it doing the rounds.The colour is lovely but it's a bitsa at best. It may still be a very cool bass though and @Beedster I use a '63 pick up in my '72P and I swear it sounds better than the original. Of course I may just be willing it to be of course 🤣. Its probably worth £2k in parts though for the pick up, tuners and bridge 

[Burns-bass]

It’s stretching credulity (and ethical business practices) to call this a 1962. It’s another example of “vintage mania” in action. Should be £1000. You’ve effectively got half a neck. 

 

Any magic that was imparted at the Fender factory has long been exorcised by a fool with a screwdriver.