I'm having trouble even finding any information about it any help is much appreciated
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1958-59 fender precision bass unicorn?
- Thread starter LouieAff
- Start date
Welcome to talk bass.
Your bass isn't a 58/59. What makes you think it is? Serial number on the neck plate is from 1973. The bass itself looks more 74-75 to me. The case is 70s. The unicorn is… a unicorn.
Hope that helps.
What do you find "all over the place" about it? Did someone tell you it's a 58/59? Looks like a legit mid 70s Fender precision. If you take the pick guard off and post pictures of the tone and volume pot number codes we can determine the age of the bass a little better. But, I'd say you have a 1974ish Fender Precision on your hands. Enjoy it!
edit: something a little off about the pickguard, it might be a replacement. Can't tell for sure though.
Last edited:
Based on decades of unicorn research, Mr. Floor.
The previous owner passed before we could ask about it I tried doing just some online searching and found pretty much nothing about it some sites say the serial numbers match 1958 to even 1959 but with the etched fender F under the serial number got me confused also the condition 80 years old and it looks like that idk couldn't find the pickup shelds but the hardware on it looks like it's been pulled apart a couple times very confusing for an amateur like myself to look at
I think 1974 natural finish Precision with a maple neck is a pretty accurate description of what you have.
A 1959 Fender would only have 5 digits in the serial number and no F in the center, among a lot of other differences which don't really matter here.
A 1959 Fender would only have 5 digits in the serial number and no F in the center, among a lot of other differences which don't really matter here.
Here's a good resource for Fender serial numbers. See the "F plate" section.
Fender Serial Number Guide
Forget 1950's. That bass is from the mid 1970's, period.
^^^^^^^
There's always some "drift" with serial numbers from year to year, but that's pretty low - squarely within '73.
Then there's the bridge. Clearer photos would be nice, but is that a long screw on the G saddle? ('73)
The pickguard / thumb rest - if original - says '74.
My visual scale tells me it weighs 10.5 lbs.
and my psychic senses tell me it's quite possible the original owner likely passed away from lung cancer.
oh, and the unicorn on the case is not original
Great score...Beautiful bass.
Must sound epic....Growl and thump
Must sound epic....Growl and thump
Yes heavy smoker but alcohol did him in^^^^^^^
There's always some "drift" with serial numbers from year to year, but that's pretty low - squarely within '73.
Then there's the bridge. Clearer photos would be nice, but is that a long screw on the G saddle? ('73)
The pickguard / thumb rest - if original - says '74.
My visual scale tells me it weighs 10.5 lbs.
and my psychic senses tell me it's quite possible the original owner likely passed away from lung cancer.
View attachment 5253761
oh, and the unicorn on the case is not original
Yeah I based 74 on the thumb rest. If the OP pulls the pickguard and finds tug bar holes, 73.^^^^^^^
There's always some "drift" with serial numbers from year to year, but that's pretty low - squarely within '73.
Then there's the bridge. Clearer photos would be nice, but is that a long screw on the G saddle? ('73)
The pickguard / thumb rest - if original - says '74.
My visual scale tells me it weighs 10.5 lbs.
and my psychic senses tell me it's quite possible the original owner likely passed away from lung cancer.
View attachment 5253761
oh, and the unicorn on the case is not original
By the time this bass was made, there was a popular new American network TV show largely based on nostalgia for the late 1950s.
That's a neat unicorn that drips 70s styling I bet it doesn't even devalue the case.
I concur!
@LouieAff I just hope you didn't pay '58/'59-Fender-P-Bass money for it.
D
Like others have said, definitely mid 70s. There's absolutely nothing about that bass that says 58/59.
It can still be a great bass of course, although the value is nowhere near a 58/59.
It's still worth quite a bit of money. 70s Fenders are sold for pretty insane prices these days, even though they can be a bit inconsistent. Some are great, others... are not. If you don't plan on keeping it, and it's in good condition, you can probably get a very good price for it (which can most likely finance a much better bass IMO, unless this one has sentimental value to you of course).
It can still be a great bass of course, although the value is nowhere near a 58/59.
It's still worth quite a bit of money. 70s Fenders are sold for pretty insane prices these days, even though they can be a bit inconsistent. Some are great, others... are not. If you don't plan on keeping it, and it's in good condition, you can probably get a very good price for it (which can most likely finance a much better bass IMO, unless this one has sentimental value to you of course).
