1959 Fender Precision Basses

[Dynacord]

It survived, here it can be seen with Alexander in 1972.

Yes, Jeff (Dunn) figured that out later as well.

 

[JPMcGuire]

Hi All 59 p users. I have a custom calton case that was made for my 59 I’m willing to sell if anyone interested. Just not gigging anywhere to warrant a case that nice. Pm me. Or text. 2482218523 JP

 

[s_wood]

I have a gold guard/ slab body 4/59 serial # 37xxx

I’ve owned 2 gold / slab 59’s. One had a 3/59 body and a serial number of 43xxx. The other doesn’t have a body date that I can find. Serial number is 37xxx

 

[D Bopp]

Here’s my 1/59 p. All the dates in the body, pots, and neck plate date the bass to 1958. But I guess because the neck is jan 59, then the bass is a 59.

 

[Dynacord]

Here’s my 1/59 p. All the dates in the body, pots, and neck plate date the bass to 1958. But I guess because the neck is jan 59, then the bass is a 59.

CLEAN example!

 

[johnnydi]

Here's my 59 slab/ ano. No date on neck. Date on pickup cavity is hard to read. Serial 34098. pots show one is 47 week of 58 and the other is 7 week of 59. It seems all original to me.

 

[used guitars]

he put that much (loved) heartburn on that bass without breaking the handle (if that's what happened) on that bassman - whoa. also like when the PG screw names the bass to be a '59 ONLY

 

[Metal Sombreros]

I had a reissue didnt like it

 

[Dynacord]

I had a reissue didnt like it

I tried a Custom Shop "59" reissue. Didn't sound or feel much at all like the real thing...

 

[Yahboy]

I do miss mind 59's P ....... but Squier ...

 

[Gervais Cote]

I tried a Custom Shop "59" reissue. Didn't sound or feel much at all like the real thing...

Same here !

 

[johnnydi]

I tried a Custom Shop "59" reissue. Didn't sound or feel much at all like the real thing...

Why do you think that is? I can only think of two things that would make that happen. Wood tone (Brazilian rosewood) and just age?

 

[Gervais Cote]

Why do you think that is? I can only think of two things that would make that happen. Wood tone (Brazilian rosewood) and just age?

Maybe the density of wood was different back then, especially if they were from slow growing trees found in nature.

 

[Dynacord]

Why do you think that is? I can only think of two things that would make that happen. Wood tone (Brazilian rosewood) and just age?

For me the main thing was the feel of the neck but also just that the tone was brighter and not as full.

 

[johnnydi]

For me the main thing was the feel of the neck but also just that the tone was brighter and not as full.

I believe fender never bothered to match the neck of a 59 slab or 58-59 maple. I think they made them all the same. Regardless if you get a custom shop 63, 62, 59, 58. They may have all the same neck shape? My 1959 slab is very thin. still the wide 1.75 nut but way thinner than my 1964 precision. That one has a full baseball bat neck. The cool thing about my 64 is i never had to adjust the neck. And its clear that the neck was never removed when i bought it 25 years ago. So extremely stable. To be fair, i only did micro adjustment on my 59. Maybe a 1/16 of a turn a couple time. So very stable as well. But i have no issue at all putting Jamerson labella 52-110 on the 64. It doesn;t even move at all. Its set in sone. The 59 however i don;t dare to put those on. I use the 43-104 on it.

 

[johnnydi]

Question for anyone with knowledge. Why on some old fender. The headstock has changed color thru the years but where the fender decal is, it still show the original color of the finish. But on other old fender, it doesn't do that. Look at my 64 above. You can tell the decal area is a lot pailer than the rest of the headstock. But on my 50 precision, you cannot tell the difference between the color of the wood? Anyone? I understand the UV effect that will make the wood more amber at it age. But i don't understand why some change and some don't on the decal area. Thanks

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Do Google research on pre-CBS P Basses. My poor memory is saying that 1958 was the transactional year for 3 tone and rosewood. I'm sure that TBers will chime in.

The neck plate serial #s are meaningless because those serials and plates were also used on Telecasters and Strats.

Good luck.

I believe 1959 is correct.

 

[johnnydi]

I believe 1959 is correct.

58 is the transition to 3 tone sunburst. 59 is the transition from anodized pickguard to tortoise and rosewood fretboard.

 

[Bluesgrunt]

I believe fender never bothered to match the neck of a 59 slab or 58-59 maple. I think they made them all the same. Regardless if you get a custom shop 63, 62, 59, 58. They may have all the same neck shape? My 1959 slab is very thin. still the wide 1.75 nut but way thinner than my 1964 precision. That one has a full baseball bat neck. The cool thing about my 64 is i never had to adjust the neck. And its clear that the neck was never removed when i bought it 25 years ago. So extremely stable. To be fair, i only did micro adjustment on my 59. Maybe a 1/16 of a turn a couple time. So very stable as well. But i have no issue at all putting Jamerson labella 52-110 on the 64. It doesn;t even move at all. Its set in sone. The 59 however i don;t dare to put those on. I use the 43-104 on it.

Do you have a thickness measurement at frets 1 and 12 on your 59 slab neck?

 

[nixdad]

I believe fender never bothered to match the neck of a 59 slab or 58-59 maple. I think they made them all the same. Regardless if you get a custom shop 63, 62, 59, 58. They may have all the same neck shape? My 1959 slab is very thin. still the wide 1.75 nut but way thinner than my 1964 precision. That one has a full baseball bat neck. The cool thing about my 64 is i never had to adjust the neck. And its clear that the neck was never removed when i bought it 25 years ago. So extremely stable. To be fair, i only did micro adjustment on my 59. Maybe a 1/16 of a turn a couple time. So very stable as well. But i have no issue at all putting Jamerson labella 52-110 on the 64. It doesn;t even move at all. Its set in sone. The 59 however i don;t dare to put those on. I use the 43-104 on it.

Your B-15 looks like my former '65 with the stock JBL.