For sale 1965/66 Fender Precision Bass - Candy Apple Red

I’m offering a very vibey mid-’60s Fender Precision Bass in Candy Apple Red.

When I got this the playability was below my standard with some of the fret wear down to .00272". The bass was recently professionally refretted with vintage-style fret wire, and the nut was replaced as part of the work. Fret height is now sitting around 0.38". The truss rod has room to be tightened and current relief is around 0.012". Cardboard shim has been replaced with a real wooden shim. Action is 2.4mm on the bass side and 2mm on the treble side. It plays and feels great and is ready to be enjoyed.

I want to be completely transparent about both the good and the bad:

THE GOOD:

• Genuine mid-’60s Fender Precision Bass
• July 1965 neck date
• Original Candy Apple Red finish
• Original vintage neck and body
• Original vintage grey-bottom P Bass pickup
• Original vintage electronics/pots - pot codes date to 7th week of 1966
• Original vintage bridge
• Recently professionally refretted
• New bone nut
• Beautiful, honest vintage wear and checking
• Great vintage player with plenty of character

THE BAD / NON-ORIGINAL:

• Non-original tuners (appears to be early 1970s)
• Non-original pickguard
• Pickup lead wires have been modified
• Additional/non-original routing. Luckily, it's all hidden under the guard
• Not sure of the originality of the case, it has the fishtail Fender logo with a red interior and it's in pretty rough shape.
• Neck pocket appears to have been lightly sanded at some point; the reason is unknown, however you can see there's still some finish remaining and it fluoresces as it should under UV light

This is obviously not an all-original collector-grade example, and the price reflects that. The bass has clearly been played and modified during its life, but it retains the important vintage core that makes these instruments special: a genuine mid-’60s Fender neck and body, an original Candy Apple Red finish, and original vintage electronics and hardware in key areas.

The additional routing is visible in the photos and is the primary reason this bass is priced well below a clean, all-original example. I would much rather be completely upfront about the condition than try to hide or minimize anything.

This would be an excellent choice for someone who wants a genuine vintage Fender Precision Bass with a great look, feel, and history, but who doesn't need a museum-grade, 100% original example.

Some backstory from the previous owner:

I purchased this Instrument in 3/15/95 in New York City at the legendary Matt Umanov's Guitars on Bleecker Street, in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York. At the time, I worked in the Village, and on lunch break, I would amble over to Matt's store to look at guitars, and see what Musicians might be hanging out and shopping for Vintage Guitars. Matt had this guitar on display, and it was the envy of many Bass players until I snagged it. While in the store, I heard some great local bass players sample it, and rave about the Neck and Tone. It was on consignment from a "well known recording session and live gig player musician" in the West Village. Matt always had the finest instruments. This was one of them. I stored it in Richie Haven's Studio on Perry Street, so lots of Groovy People played it. Richie Loved it!

Please feel free to ask any questions. I am happy to provide additional photos or information, as well as chat on the phone.

I will split shipping costs with the buyer. I use PirateShip UPS. PayPal Goods and Services is the payment method unless it's an in-person transaction. That being said, a meetup is possible! I've met quite a few TB users and it's been a positive experience every time.

Trades considered for the right vintage Fender bass or other interesting instruments. I like boutique stuff too! Lately been eyeing LEH and Bacci.