54 Precision Attic Find

[Tim Rinkerman]

I was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time to become the new owner of this weary player..it needs some attention. The body is getting the most attention... taking special care to protect and preserve Mr. Gomez's handwriting. Stripping the rattle can car paint off and repairing the sad woodchopping in the pickup route were first priorities.

 

[Axstar]

Goodness! That was routed with a flat blade screwdriver! I'm very interested to see where this is going to go. Are you going to put it back to '54 specs if possible?

 

[Tim Rinkerman]

It still had its original bridge and cover..the foam was still stuck in it! Serial number 1007 stamped into the bridge and the wood under the bridge, but not on the neck plate. I've read that the neckplate serial number didn't become standard till 1955. The neck is completely original...some fret wear...yea, some wear all over...but it plays cleanly and isn't warped. It's just getting lightly cleaned to get some of the staining off the wood...the patina is staying...I showed some shots of milling out the bad wood, and locating the new pickup route...there was a fragment of a broken screw in the pickup cavity which worked out to be one of the original pickup mounting screws. I was able to use it to plot out the location for the new cavity..

 

[Paul M]

I never knew they punched the serial number into the wood under the bridge back then.

 

[Tim Rinkerman]

Goodness! That was routed with a flat blade screwdriver! I'm very interested to see where this is going to go. Are you going to put it back to '54 specs if possible?

There was still original blonde finish in the neck pocket..when it was still white. As much as I want to give it a butterscotch lacquer job, I feel it would be most appropriate to get it back to its original color...with the proper amount of age to it, of course..so, yes...it won't be a museum restoration, but I have a pretty good grip on a few skills that it should take to make this old girl proud again.

 

[Tim Rinkerman]

I never knew they punched the serial number into the wood under the bridge back then.

It looks original to me...I can't imagine the guy that did this hack job put it there ...I was just so relieved to see the dates and initials intact!

 

[Paul M]

It looks original to me...I can't imagine the guy that did this hack job put it there ...I was just so relieved to see the dates and initials intact!

I wasn't doubting the authenticity. I've read a lot about old Fenders, I just never came across that detail until now. Maybe it was hacked into back in the 60's when it wasn't thought to be valuable. I did a lot of irreversible mods to my 73 Precision back in the early 80's because I thought I would never be able to afford a new "professional" bass like a Fender . Now I wish I had just left it as it was.

 

[Farseer]

That is too cool. If you don't mind, how much did you give for her?

 

[Tim Rinkerman]

I wasn't doubting the authenticity. I've read a lot about old Fenders, I just never came across that detail until now. Maybe it was hacked into back in the 60's when it wasn't thought to be valuable. I did a lot of irreversible mods to my 73 Precision back in the early 80's because I thought I would never be able to afford a new "professional" bass like a Fender . Now I wish I had just left it as it was.

That is too cool. If you don't mind, how much did you give for her?

That is too cool. If you don't mind, how much did you give for her?

Lets just say that the woman whose attic this came out of is going to have alot nicer Christmas this year than she would have had otherwise...

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Most would think the bridge cover was installed upside down, but if it had original foam in it, maybe that's how they were supposed to be mounted.

Looks like the bridge has its original Bakelite saddles too!

 

[Mastermold]

Fun restoration project!

 

[Tim Rinkerman]

This is where we are presently...second coat of sanding sealer drying....for a couple more days....

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

This is where we are presently...

What colour are you gonna refinish it

 

[AztecViking]

Looking forward to seeing how this ends up.

 

[JKB1957]

Santa has been very good to you. That is one hell of a find, even in the condition it's in. Merry Christmas. Keep the groove.

 

[jjmuckluckjr]

Sweet leaping Jesus, what a find. Unfortunately, far too many early basses have fallen prey to moders who’s woodworking skills fell short of the mark. (Just cause you made a bong in shop class, doesn’t mean you’ll outdo Fender’s Custom shop!)
You sir, on the other hand have done an excellent job. We’re it up to me, I’d leave it natural. But it’s definitely a new #1.

 

[racecar5]

Just want to say, as a machinist I'm glad so see someone using a vertical mill to do the repair. So tired of most repair men who get out there router and template and proceed. They can never duplicate the preciseness of a properly set up mill. My hats off to you on that repair. I look forward to seeing the finish product!

 

[telecopy]

Wow. What a find. Butterscotch. Single ply black pickguard. Single coil P pickup. Sweet..

 

[REMBO]

WOW!!!! ....Awesome!! ...Please Post Pics When She's Done!! ...Love It!! ....Great Job!!

 

[Skullie]

Wow, what an amazing find and excellent work. Interesting to see a late 1954 Precision that still has the slab body with no contours. Looking forward to see how the resto turns out.