1955 Fender Precision Bass

[mikeswals]

Actually UPS will do it, up to $50,000 on any individual package, and up to $100,000 on a pallet. And up to $70,000 on certain domestic items in a single package for those who need more than 50 grand in insurance. Subject to terms and conditions of course. They are definitely going to want certain packing criteria to be met. They did for me when I shipped a 30+ year old 12 string. Matter of fact they packed it right there at a UPS location for me, for a fee of course. The buyer said it arrived without so much as a scuff on the box.
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I believe you probably used a 'Ship It' type store?
Those places aren't owned by the carriers. They have contracts to be a local hub, but they will have their own insurance companies and their own pricing. UPS employees dont pack anything...ship it stores do.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

At 25 grand, it would be in a case and then bubble wrapped until it was big enough to fill up a casket, and then strapped down inside an SUV with the rear seats removed and me driving. And I would have escorts front and rear of me just like a wide load going down the highway

Escorts, now there is an idea.

 

[Ric Vice]

I screwed up the dates in two places in my post. I thought ‘55 was the first year of contoured body as the one in this thread clearly has by appearance and description. I didn’t know any ‘54s had contours. The slabs aren’t comfortable to me. I had a ‘73 Tele bass for a while that was a slab body. Not for me.

Agreed, additionally the 51-54 necks are cut like the underside of a baseball bat, the fretwork is inset right into the neck and the bridges are two strings to a saddle, so intonation isn’t particularly reliable.

The earliest Fender P-bass I’ve ever seen or touched was serial number 0402 at Fly By Night music in Neosho, MO. Dave Crocker owned the store, the bass, and dozens of different models of pre ‘65 Fender instruments. Dave thought the bass was possibly a late ‘51, but more likely a ‘52. The bass Dave had was blond with a black pickguard. It wasn’t nearly as pristine as the ‘55 in this thread. It did not have the bridge or pickup covers on the bass and it was lighter colored where both covers made contact with the body, but the ‘55 in this tread is still light where the covers touched the finish, so that contact must protect the finish from contaminates.

My take is that those early Fender Precision's were “works in progress” which Leo kept tinkering and refining. By 1957 he had redesigned the bridge, contoured the body and improved the neck profile and radius. In 1957 he added at the split pickups and voila the recipe was complete. Just my take, I know there are players who love the early Fenders. I respect that.

 

[jim chapman]

At 25 grand it's waaaaay too rich for my blood.

But it's a fine example to look at. Be sure to scroll down to see all the pics in the ad.
1955 Fender Precision Bass 1 of the rarest & finest all original examples. | eBay

I sold a very nice but professionally=refinished '55 a few months ago for $8,000 CDN and I believe that was a fair price on both sides. I can't imagine paying $25,000 for one unless it came out of Leo's basement. Just sayin......

 

[Playbyear]

This 1955 is still for sale
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[Fresh Eddie]

When I saw this picture I was amazed that all three headstocks hadn't snapped off yet. Haha.

 

[DJ Bebop]

When I saw this picture I was amazed that all three headstocks hadn't snapped off yet. Haha.View attachment 4171648

Stretching out the back bow

 

[Fresh Eddie]

Stretching out the back bow

Haha! I should have apologized in advance to the Gibson fans for the fragile headstock joint joke.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Haha! I should have apologized in advance to the Gibson fans for the fragile headstock joint joke.

Nope, no need