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1958 Fender Precision

BearCave

BearCave

May 13, 2005
801
1,808
SE Wisconsin
www.madunicmusic.com
#1
Hi There!

I'm looking for some advice. I've recently come across a near mint all-original 1958 Fender Precision that is for sale and am looking to make a deal to obtain the bass. I'm looking to do a straight trade for it, but I'm not sure if I want to pull the trigger. As it stands currently, I'm up to having to trade seven basses out of my collection (three custom shop Fenders, a 50th Anniversary Jazz, a Gibson ES-Les Paul Bass, a Spector Euro 4LX Doug Wimbish Signature Bass, a Hofner HCT500/1) and some amp gear (Ampeg SVT-3PRO and SVT410HLF cab, a Mesa PH412 cab).

Am I nuts for even considering trading all of this gear or not?

Please help!!

Thanks!
 
#4
Well, for as long as I can remember, I've been gassing for a Pre-CBS Fender. Most of the gear that I'm thinking about trading, I barely play or don't play at all. I know that I could probably get more if I sold the gear myself (retail value vs. trade-in value), but that would take me forever to sell and then I risk losing the '58 to someone else snatching it up.

Ugh!
 
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#8
Speaking with Dave the owner of the shop, he said that it is all original, including the finish. It's in his store on consignment and he told me that the seller had the bass cleaned and buffed before putting it up for sale which is giving it a "glassy" appearance. The '58 was the first year for 3-Tone Sunburst, which is the finish of this bass. I trust Dave's knowledge and input because he owns one of the largest personal vintage guitar collections in the country, including several all-original vintage Fender basses that he has on display on the second floor of his store.
 
#14
BearCave said:
Not necessarily about the raised "A" pole piece on the pickup. See "Unique to this Year" on the following link. :)

Fender Precision Bass 1958 Sunburst Price Guide | Reverb
Click to expand...

Could have been a late '58 thing as opposed to an early '59 change. Most resources state it's a '59 change but a lot of those kinds of things did happen at the end of the previous year (like oval tuners starting in late '65). Or it could be an early '59 bass with mostly '58 dated parts. What are the pot dates?
 
#15
The Bass Clef said:
Could have been a late '58 thing as opposed to an early '59 change. Most resources state it's a '59 change but a lot of those kinds of things did happen at the end of the previous year (like oval tuners starting in late '65). Or it could be an early '59 bass with mostly '58 dated parts. What are the pot dates?
Click to expand...

I didn't see the pots myself, but Dave told me that everything dates to '58. I will see if I can get some pictures of the internals.....
 
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#19
BearCave said:
I didn't see the pots myself, but Dave told me that everything dates to '58. I will see if I can get some pictures of the internals.....
Click to expand...

Not that a '59 isn't just as cool as a '58, but I recommend getting pics of the pot codes and the handwritten neck and body dates before you commit just because it's always good to have all the proof you can for that large of an investment of money, and also because if it does turn out to be an early '59, you might be able to negotiate another few hundred off the price/trade in value.
 
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