Fender Precision Bass Solid Body Electric Bass Guitar (1964)
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Fender Precision Bass Model Solid Body Electric Bass Guitar (1964), made in Fullerton, California, serial # L24786, Shoreline Gold re- finish, alder body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
This 1964 Precision bass has been recently restored with a high-grade relic nitro refinish, with the great bulk of its original parts -- and character -- still intact. The Shoreline Gold body topped by the original tortoise celluloid pickguard has a look that is not exactly what one would expect in 1964 but even so this is a truly lovely pre-CBS Precision with the feel and sound that defines the classic '60s Fender bass. Features particular to this period include a thin rosewood fingerboard with clay dot inlay, "Spaghetti" silver Fender logo decal, tortoiseshell pattern thick nitrocellulose pickguard and Kluson bass tuners.
The bass was originally assembled right in time for summer '64, just six months before the CBS takeover. The neck heel is stamped 5 MAY64C, the pots are coded to the 10th week of that year. The original black-bobbin pickups are yellow ink stamped underneath; this is somewhat smeared but '64' is clearly visible. The pots and wiring remain original with a few re-done solder joints as required for the refinish work. The pickguard, shielding plate, knobs, neckplate, tuners, strap buttons, bridge and bridge cover are original; the center chrome pickup cover is a reproduction and the "tug bar" finger rest is missing.
As with many Fender basses from this period the original sunburst body finish (still visible in the neck cavity) is gone; the refinish by noted maker/restorer Joe Riggio is a fine rendition of the classic Fender Shoreline gold with some light relic checking. In 1964 the standard fitting for a gold Precision would have been a "green" nitro pickguard but the original tortoise 'guard on this bass gives it a unique look; this would have been correct for 1960-61. The neck retains its original worn thin Pre-CBS lacquer finish; the headstock has been polished out and the decal is a repro.
This bass offers the classic Precision sound with a bright midrange growl that warms up nicely when the tone knob is rolled off a bit. At a shade over 9 Lbs (with the covers on) this is about average for a 1960s Precision Bass, with a nicely resonant sound even unplugged. It makes for a great player's example of the world's premier electric bass, still ruler of the roost 55+ years on and ready for the next half-century of low end action. There is something magical about 1964 Precision Basses; this one is still a fine example as played by the majority of electric bassists in the 1960s and heard on literally thousands of recordings since. It remains a wonderful instrument for any style of music, a joy to play and a prime player's example of the final glory days of the Fullerton California Fender factory.
Overall length is 45 3/4 in. (116.2 cm.), 13 in. (33 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 34 in. (864 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.)., 9.04 lbs.
This bass is in excellent playing condition with most original hardware and the newer restoration-quality body finish. This has a pattern of induced checking and some actual chipping to the undercoat around the neck pocket. The back of the neck retains the original thin lacquer finish and is somewhat worn down with the classic "old Fender" feel. There are some feelable scratches and dings, otherwise it is smooth. The original pickguard has lost its forward lower tip from shrinkage and there are several small holes drilled above the fingerboard from apparently abandoned attempts to relocate the fingerrest.
As noted the decal is a correct style "Spaghetti logo" repro, although missing the small patent numbers it would have had in 1964. The headstock face appears to have been lightly sanded and polished out losing the original decal but does not appear overfinished. The original hardware shows some typical wear but is fairly clean overall; the bridge does not have much corrosion to the saddles, screws and springs and we would assume the cover was left on for much of the bass' existence. The foam under the pickup coils has been mostly replaced.
The fingerboard and original small frets show surprisingly little wear, we would assume the bass has likely had flatwound strings on for most of its life. The neck is excellent, the truss rod works fine and has never been over-cranked. This would make a perfect stage or recording bass, with the 1960s Pre-CBS sound and feel intact and a fairly flashy look for an old P-bass look thrown in! It is housed in a relatively clean early 1970's black tolex Fender case. Restored to Excellent Condition.
This 1964 Precision bass has been recently restored with a high-grade relic nitro refinish, with the great bulk of its original parts -- and character -- still intact. The Shoreline Gold body topped by the original tortoise celluloid pickguard has a look that is not exactly what one would expect in 1964 but even so this is a truly lovely pre-CBS Precision with the feel and sound that defines the classic '60s Fender bass. Features particular to this period include a thin rosewood fingerboard with clay dot inlay, "Spaghetti" silver Fender logo decal, tortoiseshell pattern thick nitrocellulose pickguard and Kluson bass tuners.
The bass was originally assembled right in time for summer '64, just six months before the CBS takeover. The neck heel is stamped 5 MAY64C, the pots are coded to the 10th week of that year. The original black-bobbin pickups are yellow ink stamped underneath; this is somewhat smeared but '64' is clearly visible. The pots and wiring remain original with a few re-done solder joints as required for the refinish work. The pickguard, shielding plate, knobs, neckplate, tuners, strap buttons, bridge and bridge cover are original; the center chrome pickup cover is a reproduction and the "tug bar" finger rest is missing.
As with many Fender basses from this period the original sunburst body finish (still visible in the neck cavity) is gone; the refinish by noted maker/restorer Joe Riggio is a fine rendition of the classic Fender Shoreline gold with some light relic checking. In 1964 the standard fitting for a gold Precision would have been a "green" nitro pickguard but the original tortoise 'guard on this bass gives it a unique look; this would have been correct for 1960-61. The neck retains its original worn thin Pre-CBS lacquer finish; the headstock has been polished out and the decal is a repro.
This bass offers the classic Precision sound with a bright midrange growl that warms up nicely when the tone knob is rolled off a bit. At a shade over 9 Lbs (with the covers on) this is about average for a 1960s Precision Bass, with a nicely resonant sound even unplugged. It makes for a great player's example of the world's premier electric bass, still ruler of the roost 55+ years on and ready for the next half-century of low end action. There is something magical about 1964 Precision Basses; this one is still a fine example as played by the majority of electric bassists in the 1960s and heard on literally thousands of recordings since. It remains a wonderful instrument for any style of music, a joy to play and a prime player's example of the final glory days of the Fullerton California Fender factory.
Overall length is 45 3/4 in. (116.2 cm.), 13 in. (33 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 34 in. (864 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.)., 9.04 lbs.
This bass is in excellent playing condition with most original hardware and the newer restoration-quality body finish. This has a pattern of induced checking and some actual chipping to the undercoat around the neck pocket. The back of the neck retains the original thin lacquer finish and is somewhat worn down with the classic "old Fender" feel. There are some feelable scratches and dings, otherwise it is smooth. The original pickguard has lost its forward lower tip from shrinkage and there are several small holes drilled above the fingerboard from apparently abandoned attempts to relocate the fingerrest.
As noted the decal is a correct style "Spaghetti logo" repro, although missing the small patent numbers it would have had in 1964. The headstock face appears to have been lightly sanded and polished out losing the original decal but does not appear overfinished. The original hardware shows some typical wear but is fairly clean overall; the bridge does not have much corrosion to the saddles, screws and springs and we would assume the cover was left on for much of the bass' existence. The foam under the pickup coils has been mostly replaced.
The fingerboard and original small frets show surprisingly little wear, we would assume the bass has likely had flatwound strings on for most of its life. The neck is excellent, the truss rod works fine and has never been over-cranked. This would make a perfect stage or recording bass, with the 1960s Pre-CBS sound and feel intact and a fairly flashy look for an old P-bass look thrown in! It is housed in a relatively clean early 1970's black tolex Fender case. Restored to Excellent Condition.