Fender Precision Bass Owned by Jeff Tweedy of Wilco Solid Body Electric Bass Guitar (1972/1975)
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Item # 13315
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Fender Precision Bass Owned by Jeff Tweedy of Wilco Model Solid Body Electric Bass Guitar (1972/1975), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 402784, Candy Apple Red/Gold re- finish, alder body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
Coming to us straight from the Wilco loft we have a super cool looking player grade Precision bass, a bit of a Fender Frankenstein refinished in what is now a snazzy gold lacquer coat of paint, although it started out as a refin in Candy Apple Red! Though some of the more "retro" chrome hardware is gone, the overall feel of the bass is more akin to a '60s vibe than to the heavier poly-finished boat anchors of the later 1970's. The larger decal, bridge with solid, non-serrated saddles and the long "G" string screw and particularly the narrower "B" nut width on the neck are the notable newer features incorporated by this time, as the '70s rolled on.
The neck is clear dated MAR 72B, with the typical lighter poly finish of the period and a lacquer coat over the headstock to seal the decal. The body appears to be from the 1974-5 period, with holes for the thumbrest that was once mounted above the strings. The serial number on the neckplate is typical for 1973; the pickguard is aftermarket. The grey fiber pickup bobbins have the codes on the underside mostly obscured but on appears to read out as 1975. The wiring rig included pots dated to 1966 but they are likely not original to this bass. Even considering its mixed origins this one of the cooler player's '70s Fender basses we have had of late: a hot-rod of sorts with just enough going on to be a great deal for someone more interested in tone and playability than originality, but completely stylish and stage-ready.
Overall length is 46 in. (116.8 cm.), 13 in. (33 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 34 in. (864 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This is a superb player grade bass, an excellent and handy gigging bass likely assembled from the parts of several Precisions long ago. While not an all original instrument it is largely made up of authentic older Fender parts. The body was refinished decades ago now showing a deep firemist-y gold lacquer, but has amazingly faded dramatically from Candy Apple Red, still visible under the pickguard. The refinish has held up pretty well over the years with wear here and there and one notable area of buckle rash on the back where it has worn down to the wood below; little traces of what was once likely a sunburst finish remain nestled in the grain. There are some dings and chips, mostly to the edges. While the lower bout of the gold lacquer does have a bit of orange peel texture, it was not an amateur job.
The 1972 neck was not oversprayed or refinished and all hardware on it is original. The original frets have some consistent wear across the whole of the neck and the rosewood fingerboard is free from pitting, divoting, or any playability issues. It is currently an excellent player with Jeff's choice of flatwounds. As for the electronics: the flat pole, grey bobbin P-Bass pickups are likely original to the body, though the electronics harness dates at least partially to sometime after later 1966, according to the pot dates.
The bridge and saddles are functional and original, though the bridge has been well worn and the chrome plating has begun to flake. The pickguard is an aftermarket piece and never had the thumbrest installed, and the neckplate and screws are original Fender parts from around 1973. The chrome bridge and pickup covers are long gone; these were out of vogue by the mid-1970's and the holes for them were filled before the refin. The strap buttons are later straploks.
The bass is a lovely player and resides in a black hardshell case, albeit not a Fender-branded case, with a certificate of authenticity from the Wilco Loft validating the provenance of this piece, also verified by the Loft markings along the base of the case. In short, it's a great looking and sounding player-grade P-bass with a powerful provenance. Very Good + Condition.
Coming to us straight from the Wilco loft we have a super cool looking player grade Precision bass, a bit of a Fender Frankenstein refinished in what is now a snazzy gold lacquer coat of paint, although it started out as a refin in Candy Apple Red! Though some of the more "retro" chrome hardware is gone, the overall feel of the bass is more akin to a '60s vibe than to the heavier poly-finished boat anchors of the later 1970's. The larger decal, bridge with solid, non-serrated saddles and the long "G" string screw and particularly the narrower "B" nut width on the neck are the notable newer features incorporated by this time, as the '70s rolled on.
The neck is clear dated MAR 72B, with the typical lighter poly finish of the period and a lacquer coat over the headstock to seal the decal. The body appears to be from the 1974-5 period, with holes for the thumbrest that was once mounted above the strings. The serial number on the neckplate is typical for 1973; the pickguard is aftermarket. The grey fiber pickup bobbins have the codes on the underside mostly obscured but on appears to read out as 1975. The wiring rig included pots dated to 1966 but they are likely not original to this bass. Even considering its mixed origins this one of the cooler player's '70s Fender basses we have had of late: a hot-rod of sorts with just enough going on to be a great deal for someone more interested in tone and playability than originality, but completely stylish and stage-ready.
Overall length is 46 in. (116.8 cm.), 13 in. (33 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 34 in. (864 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This is a superb player grade bass, an excellent and handy gigging bass likely assembled from the parts of several Precisions long ago. While not an all original instrument it is largely made up of authentic older Fender parts. The body was refinished decades ago now showing a deep firemist-y gold lacquer, but has amazingly faded dramatically from Candy Apple Red, still visible under the pickguard. The refinish has held up pretty well over the years with wear here and there and one notable area of buckle rash on the back where it has worn down to the wood below; little traces of what was once likely a sunburst finish remain nestled in the grain. There are some dings and chips, mostly to the edges. While the lower bout of the gold lacquer does have a bit of orange peel texture, it was not an amateur job.
The 1972 neck was not oversprayed or refinished and all hardware on it is original. The original frets have some consistent wear across the whole of the neck and the rosewood fingerboard is free from pitting, divoting, or any playability issues. It is currently an excellent player with Jeff's choice of flatwounds. As for the electronics: the flat pole, grey bobbin P-Bass pickups are likely original to the body, though the electronics harness dates at least partially to sometime after later 1966, according to the pot dates.
The bridge and saddles are functional and original, though the bridge has been well worn and the chrome plating has begun to flake. The pickguard is an aftermarket piece and never had the thumbrest installed, and the neckplate and screws are original Fender parts from around 1973. The chrome bridge and pickup covers are long gone; these were out of vogue by the mid-1970's and the holes for them were filled before the refin. The strap buttons are later straploks.
The bass is a lovely player and resides in a black hardshell case, albeit not a Fender-branded case, with a certificate of authenticity from the Wilco Loft validating the provenance of this piece, also verified by the Loft markings along the base of the case. In short, it's a great looking and sounding player-grade P-bass with a powerful provenance. Very Good + Condition.