1957-1958 Fender precision colors

[CrimsonGhost]

Hi guys, i see alot of early-mid 60's colors, but finding colors for 57-58 p-basses seems harder.

what was actually availible in 57-58 and what was most popular? where there really many fiesta red or black ones made?

Any pics?

thanks

 

[Tom Howland]

Sunburst
See thru white
Black
Lake Placid Blue
Candy Apple Red
Shoreline Gold
Fiesta Red

I've seen late 50's percisions in these colors.

 

[lpdeluxe]

Black has been popular since the beginning for Fender g**tars. For basses, blond was the first, followed by sunburst, then black and fiesta red.

Fender would finish an instrument in any automotive paint (Duco or Lucite) for a 5% premium, so there's a lot of variety about.

Lake Placid Blue, Candy Apple Red, Dakota Red etc weren't officially "custom" colors -- in Fender's meaning of the term: "other than sunburst, but only one of these we've picked out" -- until about 1960.

 

[jrfrond]

Here's a must-read on this topic:

Fender Vintage Finishes

 

[CrimsonGhost]

Anyone have any pix of original 57-58's in black?

 

[mikeswals]

Jamerson's first P Bass was a '57 in black, but it was refinished in that color right before he got it.
There are a few pics of it in the SITSOM book.

 

[CrimsonGhost]

I'll have to check that out, Anyone else know of any pictures of original 57-58 p-basses in black?

 

[Fender1980]

I'll have to check that out, Anyone else know of any pictures of original 57-58 p-basses in black?

Les from Nitty Gritty Dirt Band had a black 57-58 p-bass.

 

[shadven]

I think Fender only offered two tone Sunburst on basses in 1957 and 1958? Maybe a rare blonde still went out the door. I do not think custom colors were even available. I have heard stories of one-offs if you went to the factory.

 

[Metal Sombreros]

Waylon Jennings played a black 50s P in Buddy Hollys band

 

[2saddleslab]

Waylon Jennings played a black 50s P in Buddy Hollys band

Looked like sunburst to me.

 

[Metal Sombreros]

Looked like sunburst to me.

View attachment 7525139

I will be damned I guess I have never seen that version of that picture! Totally my bad.

 

[Ric Vice]

While custom colors were available ( take a look at the " The Fender Bass an Illustrated History) they were likely custom orders. When Fender re-issued the 57 precision the first time it was available in Sunburst, Black, White and Red. I remember the Custom Colors because I worked at a Chevrolet Dealership with my father in the Used Car Reconditioning Department and Body Shop.