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Re-fin but is this really an otherwise-original 63 Precision?


Clarky
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This guy has a good reputation on eBay (bambibau) and one BC'er has mentioned him positively (albeit I got a very rude reply when I put in a cheeky bid for one of his other basses!) He admits this is a re-fin but states that all else is original. But the neck looks strange to me (the date stamp says '63 but the dots don't look dark enough to be clay, more like white plastic; the headstock which he admits is "thin" hasn't aged much, especially around the decal). Maybe it is legit? Its certainly a beautiful thing.

What do the BassChat Fender 'tecs think?

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1963-Fender-Precision-Bass-Sunburst-OHSC-Rare-Ash_W0QQitemZ250604900710QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBassi?hash=item3a59375166"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1963-Fender-Precisio...=item3a59375166[/url]

Edited by Clarky
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The neck has most likely been heavily re-finned as the decal is not period correct - it should have some design/patent nos. under the main wording. Clay dots can look whiteish in very bright light which is what is present in the pics.

The chrome covers are likely more modern replacements. In particular the one over the pickup is 'arched' whereas the period correct one would have a definite 'bent leg' shape.

Looks OK otherwise (quality re-fin on the body) but the price is not that far off an all-original.

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As The Bass Doc says, the decal is the simple spaghetti logo which was used from 1951 to 1961 when a couple of patent numbers were added so this suggests a neck refin with a replacement vintage decal at some point. The pics of the headstock also show what look like water stain marks seeping into the finish by the G tuner (back of headstock) and all of the tuning posts (front of headstock) which suggests it's been stored in a pretty damp environment at some time. That's borne out by the corrosion on the tuner collets and aslo a very corroded input jack. That's my tuppence


[quote name='Clarky' post='796131' date='Apr 4 2010, 11:50 PM']This guy has a good reputation on eBay (bambibau) and one BC'er has mentioned him positively (albeit I got a very rude reply when I put in a cheeky bid for one of his other basses!) He admits this is a re-fin but states that all else is original. But the neck looks strange to me (the date stamp says '63 but the dots don't look dark enough to be clay, more like white plastic; the headstock which he admits is "thin" hasn't aged much, especially around the decal). Maybe it is legit? Its certainly a beautiful thing.

What do the BassChat Fender 'tecs think?

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1963-Fender-Precision-Bass-Sunburst-OHSC-Rare-Ash_W0QQitemZ250604900710QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBassi?hash=item3a59375166"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1963-Fender-Precisio...=item3a59375166[/url][/quote]

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[quote name='Beedster' post='796785' date='Apr 5 2010, 06:06 PM']Only buy that if you can play and inspect it first Clarky, to do otherwise is madness

Chris[/quote]

In fact, having looked at it more, don't buy it plain and simple. I know you want a 3tsb YOB Precision, but they're really not that uncommon, and as Howard pointed out, that price is what you expect to play for all original, not a refin with a potentially modified neck and some non-original parts.

And the headstock is just wrong.....

Chris

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[quote name='PURPOLARIS' post='796803' date='Apr 5 2010, 06:26 PM']The photo's showing the pots and pups look to be taken from a different camera and were probably lifted from an original 63 Fender auction. I'd run hard and fast from this auction, it just seems all wrong to me.[/quote]

That's a good spot, but it might just be that he (or the original owner) took pics sometime in the past and he didn't want to dismantle it again?

Doesn't inspire confidence though does it.

Chris

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[quote name='Sibob' post='796934' date='Apr 5 2010, 08:58 PM']There you go dude! :

[url="http://www.newkingsroadguitars.co.uk/guitarshop/1963_SBPrecision.html"]http://www.newkingsroadguitars.co.uk/guita...BPrecision.html[/url]

hehe

Si[/quote]
Thanks Si, but that one is (a) very pricey and (b ) looks like it has been run over by a wire-wool covered steamroller on a tarmac road!

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I'm confused here on prices, Si.

Bass Doc and Beedster both think three-and-a-half grand is not far off the price of a real, unadulterated 63 P and yet here is a knackered one for six grand and you think its four grand off a clean one. So what should I be thinking for a non re-fin, OK nick 63 Precision?

Edited by Clarky
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Hmmmm, for some reason, I had in my had that Beedster spent about 9-10k for his '64 Precision?

But now I think about it......I'm not sure where or If I heard that lol

I guess it also depends on if you're buying privately or from a shop. I would expect to pay about £2600-3200 for a late 60's, so I suppose an early 60's...depending on condition would be 4-6k!?

Si

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As the Doc says, the logo isnt right. From late 62 there should be 4 patent numbers under the precision decal and it should be mounted lower down and too the right a bit. All info nicked from the excelent The Fender bass-an illustrated history.


Me thinks someone`s telling porkies!!
Jez

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Clarky, if you're after an early P and don't mind a refin might be worth getting in touch with sixshooter to see if his lovely 59 P is still available. I think it might be - [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=68691&hl=59+precision"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...hl=59+precision[/url]


[quote name='Clarky' post='796131' date='Apr 4 2010, 11:50 PM']This guy has a good reputation on eBay (bambibau) and one BC'er has mentioned him positively (albeit I got a very rude reply when I put in a cheeky bid for one of his other basses!) He admits this is a re-fin but states that all else is original. But the neck looks strange to me (the date stamp says '63 but the dots don't look dark enough to be clay, more like white plastic; the headstock which he admits is "thin" hasn't aged much, especially around the decal). Maybe it is legit? Its certainly a beautiful thing.

What do the BassChat Fender 'tecs think?

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1963-Fender-Precision-Bass-Sunburst-OHSC-Rare-Ash_W0QQitemZ250604900710QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBassi?hash=item3a59375166"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1963-Fender-Precisio...=item3a59375166[/url][/quote]

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[quote name='ikay' post='797324' date='Apr 6 2010, 11:07 AM']Clarky, if you're after an early P and don't mind a refin might be worth getting in touch with sixshooter to see if his lovely 59 P is still available. I think it might be - [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=68691&hl=59+precision"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...hl=59+precision[/url][/quote]
Thanks ikay, that 59P sure is drop dead gorgeous, re-fin or not

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Guys, just as well Mrs Beedster doesn't come here or I'd be fish food. My '64 is, unfortunately price-wise, a custom colour. If you check the price guides out there you'll see that CCs often go for 2-3 times what a similar condition/year common colour goes for (common colours in that era were 3tsb and Oly White). I bought it because 1. It's my month of birth, 2. It was the only June 1964 I'd ever seen in over 5 years of looking, and 3. it's a great instrument (I wouldn't have bought it otherwise). You can get a 3tsb '63 for between £3000 and £4000 relatively frequently. Clarky, if the finish looks nice and new, without some serious and detailed provenance don't go near it, as it probably is nice and new, or at least, you wouldn't want to take the risk. That bass in NKR looks lovely to my eye. I played nearly all their stock a while back, they're nice guys with some nice basses and well worth a chat with and a visit. I would certainly go and play it if I were looking for a specific year.

C

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