53 Precision NBD

[BASSDROID]

This beauty fell in my lap a few weeks ago. Picking it up tomorrow.

It appears to be a 1953 Precision. All of the correct parts are present minus the pickguard and the body was stripped years ago. Definitely a player, which suits me.

Everything appears to check out as far as I can tell.

 

[BASSDROID]

 

[Salicete]

Get a pickguard and flip the covers and control plate, and it is pretty much back to form, or just leave it be and enjoy.

Nice catch!

 

[Salicete]

Also, and good quality old Deep Purple albums below the bridge? I'm looking for a clen copy of Stormbringer.

 

[BASSDROID]

Also, and good quality old Deep Purple albums below the bridge? I'm looking for a clen copy of Stormbringer.

The guy selling this owns a used record store. I'll see if he has a copy when I go there tomorrow.

 

[Pep]

The missing logo makes me wonder.

 

[BASSDROID]

The missing logo makes me wonder.

Yes, at first me too.
However it was refinned years ago, in the 1960s. The neck dimensions are appropriately baseball bat sized and the fingerboard is not an additional piece of wood. The Tadeo Gomez initials and date look legit, though those certainly can be faked. The crud on the slot head truss rod nut looks legit for its age. I'm inclined to think its genuine.

Price is fair for what it is...8k

 

[bass player 53]

The only curiosity that I notice is that some truss rods appear to be single slotted, and
others with Phillips slots, including two basses made by TG on the same day.

 

[Pep]

The only curiosity that I notice is that some truss rods appear to be single slotted, and
others with Phillips slots, including two basses made by TG on the same day.

Perhaps some of the truss rods were replaced.

 

[bass player 53]

Perhaps some of the truss rods were replaced.

Well, I’m not a handwriting expert, but there are examples without the initials, and the handwriting letters seem to be a little different from TG.

 

[BASSDROID]

It has been said that slot head was used up until 51 and phillips afterward.

But it's also generally accepted that parts were not used sequentially...including bridges, potentiometers, etc. Whatever was on hand was what got used.

 

[bass player 53]

It has been said that slot head was used up until 51 and phillips afterward.

But it's also generally accepted that parts were not used sequentially...including bridges, potentiometers, etc. Whatever was on hand was what got used.

It’s a nice bass; a major expense for me.
Enjoy it, in good health!

 

[darwin-bass]

$8K? Are old Fenders really worth that much? I'm out of touch apparently.

 

[bass player 53]

$8K? Are old Fenders really worth that much? I'm out of touch apparently.

Sellers are asking more on Reverb. Asking prices are what sellers think people are willing to pay for something, mostly based on past sales. There is no other way to valuate something. A person’s willingness to pay an asking price is a very complex decision.

 

[SharpCat]

I apologize for drooling on your bass.

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

It would bring more with the original finish and pg, but it's a nice player and look fine.

 

[blastoff]

thats a big ol slab of history right there.

 

[DougBass]

I have a Custom Shop 51 and I used at a gig backing up my son. I’ve never had so many compliments about how well a bass sat in the mix. I’m VERY jealous of that bass! Best of luck to you, she’s beautiful.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

Super groovy player!
That thing needs to be honking the blues asap!

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

Very nice! Play the bejesus out of it.