Fender Precision Bass Solid Body Electric Bass Guitar (1966)
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Item # 9396
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Fender Precision Bass Model Solid Body Electric Bass Guitar (1966), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 140981, sunburst lacquer finish, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, alder body, original black tolex hard shell case.
This is simply a stunningly clean example of an early CBS-era Fender Precision Bass, appearing very little played since new. The CBS Corporation had owned Fender for just over a year when this bass was built; it shows only minor cosmetic changes from the pre-CBS pattern and still retains the feel of Leo's earlier instruments. Most of these basses have been played for decades so finding one in this sort of condition is a superb treat.
This bass shows the typical features for this period; a thin-lam rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay and the then-new larger frets, the silver "transition" Fender logo decal on the headstock, and a 3-ply tortoise pattern plastic pickguard in place of the earlier nitrocellulose piece. The thin lacquer sunburst finish is the brighter and tightly defined "target" burst typical of 1965-66. The neck is still finished in the thinner lacquer that feels more comfortable to most players than the thicker finishes Fender began using the next year. The maple neck has some nice figure visible on the back, not that common in '60s Fender basses.
We snuck a look under the pickguard to verify the electronics are untouched and the visible pot date is 6611. The ink stamp on the heel of the neck is 5 May 66C, so it probably was assembled and sold in the summer of that year. Besides its untarnished looks, this is a superbly light and resonant bass; an effortlessly excellent player. We often find that 1966 era Precisions have a distinctive sound, a bit brighter than earlier versions and with a noticeable midrangey growl. They make great rock basses and this is a truly outstanding example, absolutely one of the nicest we have ever seen.
Overall length is 45 in. (114.3 cm.), 13 in. (33 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm.) . Scale length is 34 in. (864 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
This bass simply does not show much wear at all, especially considering it is now 50+ years old. There are a few pretty minimal dings, dents, and chips to the finish, which shows very strong color with hardly any fade. This Precision never sat in the sun in a store window! There are also a few small scars to the pickguard from truss rod adjustment, but really for more than incidental wear that's about it. It remains 100% original with all hardware complete and intact down to the last screw.
There are no alterations or repairs, and this is a fabulous bass just waiting to be played properly. It has had a little fretwork and that's it. The original black Tolex "no tail logo" Fender case has a bit more wear than the bass itself, but it also in generally excellent shape. This Precision looks like it would have sitting in a pawnshop slightly used during 1967's Summer of Love, magically transported to spread good vibrations to our times. Excellent + Condition.
This is simply a stunningly clean example of an early CBS-era Fender Precision Bass, appearing very little played since new. The CBS Corporation had owned Fender for just over a year when this bass was built; it shows only minor cosmetic changes from the pre-CBS pattern and still retains the feel of Leo's earlier instruments. Most of these basses have been played for decades so finding one in this sort of condition is a superb treat.
This bass shows the typical features for this period; a thin-lam rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay and the then-new larger frets, the silver "transition" Fender logo decal on the headstock, and a 3-ply tortoise pattern plastic pickguard in place of the earlier nitrocellulose piece. The thin lacquer sunburst finish is the brighter and tightly defined "target" burst typical of 1965-66. The neck is still finished in the thinner lacquer that feels more comfortable to most players than the thicker finishes Fender began using the next year. The maple neck has some nice figure visible on the back, not that common in '60s Fender basses.
We snuck a look under the pickguard to verify the electronics are untouched and the visible pot date is 6611. The ink stamp on the heel of the neck is 5 May 66C, so it probably was assembled and sold in the summer of that year. Besides its untarnished looks, this is a superbly light and resonant bass; an effortlessly excellent player. We often find that 1966 era Precisions have a distinctive sound, a bit brighter than earlier versions and with a noticeable midrangey growl. They make great rock basses and this is a truly outstanding example, absolutely one of the nicest we have ever seen.
Overall length is 45 in. (114.3 cm.), 13 in. (33 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm.) . Scale length is 34 in. (864 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
This bass simply does not show much wear at all, especially considering it is now 50+ years old. There are a few pretty minimal dings, dents, and chips to the finish, which shows very strong color with hardly any fade. This Precision never sat in the sun in a store window! There are also a few small scars to the pickguard from truss rod adjustment, but really for more than incidental wear that's about it. It remains 100% original with all hardware complete and intact down to the last screw.
There are no alterations or repairs, and this is a fabulous bass just waiting to be played properly. It has had a little fretwork and that's it. The original black Tolex "no tail logo" Fender case has a bit more wear than the bass itself, but it also in generally excellent shape. This Precision looks like it would have sitting in a pawnshop slightly used during 1967's Summer of Love, magically transported to spread good vibrations to our times. Excellent + Condition.