54 Precision Attic Find

[Tim Rinkerman]

Why are you leaving the string ferrules in? Not questioning your process, just wondering.

Those ferrules have been pulled into the place where they're at for 60 something years...I think that contributes to the feel and individuality of the bass....and the way the strings react into the wood...and they're in there pretty f**n tight..I used an expanding mandrel to get a hold of one to move it, and it didn't budge...not going to run the risk of changing the fit.

 

[Arizona Jones]

...and they're in there pretty f**n tight.

Ha! Ha! Ok, makes sense. Looking forward to more progress and photos.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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.

I’d sure like to find one of these in my attic.... nice piece.

 

[Wallofbasses]

So much win on this thread. You are living every TBers dream. Awesome work!

 

[Tim Rinkerman]

One week later...a thin coat of Ohio Nitro butterscotch clear....if this looks as good as it does now next week, the clear clear will be next. The surface is leveling out nicely, the shading is consistent..some think that I have buried the grain too deeply....I believe it is only because you have seen it with no finish on it, but any blonde ash body has alot of grain covered, the clear will add a bit more definition to what you can see. I purposely added a bit more depth around the pickup route to camoflage the repair as best I could without making it look like a solid color.

 

[ExaltBass]

One week later...a thin coat of Ohio Nitro butterscotch clear....if this looks as good as it does now next week, the clear clear will be next. The surface is leveling out nicely, the shading is consistent..some think that I have buried the grain too deeply....I believe it is only because you have seen it with no finish on it, but any blonde ash body has alot of grain covered, the clear will add a bit more definition to what you can see. I purposely added a bit more depth around the pickup route to camoflage the repair as best I could without making it look like a solid color.

Nice job! I like that you are taking your time, and thinking it through.

 

[Tim Rinkerman]

Maybe some Fender historians can help me out here...I have always thought that a "slab" body is one with square edges, and no body contouring...no forearm contour, and no waist contour. I have seen quite a few being called slab bodies,but they clearly have been contoured...am I missing something?

 

[ICM]

Maybe some Fender historians can help me out here...I have always thought that a "slab" body is one with square edges, and no body contouring...no forearm contour, and no waist contour. I have seen quite a few being called slab bodies,but they clearly have been contoured...am I missing something?

You're right, a slab is just that, no contours.

You may have read about a slab rosewood board that occurs on contoured fenders.

 

[Fender_Bender]

Looking good. If you put the guards on you don’t have to worry too much about seeing the repaired area. Has there been mention of a pickguard yet?. I made this years ago from thinned down Masonite painted black. Scuffed up a bit it looks like the real thing.

 

[Tim Rinkerman]

I'm using a Fender custom shop bakelite reproduction. The holes line up perfectly.

 

[EdBo]

One week later...a thin coat of Ohio Nitro butterscotch clear....if this looks as good as it does now next week, the clear clear will be next. The surface is leveling out nicely, the shading is consistent..some think that I have buried the grain too deeply....I believe it is only because you have seen it with no finish on it, but any blonde ash body has alot of grain covered, the clear will add a bit more definition to what you can see. I purposely added a bit more depth around the pickup route to camoflage the repair as best I could without making it look like a solid color.

Looks fantastic !!! The repair cover-up looks perfect and the grain looks right, IMO. Excellent job.

 

[Mark Desmo]

One week later...a thin coat of Ohio Nitro butterscotch clear....if this looks as good as it does now next week, the clear clear will be next. The surface is leveling out nicely, the shading is consistent..some think that I have buried the grain too deeply....I believe it is only because you have seen it with no finish on it, but any blonde ash body has alot of grain covered, the clear will add a bit more definition to what you can see. I purposely added a bit more depth around the pickup route to camoflage the repair as best I could without making it look like a solid color.

Frighteningly good work Tim. Well done so far.

 

[Mark Desmo]

I'm using a Fender custom shop bakelite reproduction.

Is it actual Bakelite?
I wasn't aware of those.

 

[Tim Rinkerman]

Is it actual Bakelite?
I wasn't aware of those.

I believe it is. It is incredibly hard and not flexible..
Fender Precision Custom Shop 51 Bakelite Pickguard Black Limited edition Vintage | eBay

 

[Mark Desmo]

I believe it is. It is incredibly hard and not flexible..

Cheers. Yeah that sounds about right.
It's pretty good really, I mean to be able to get one of those.

 

[JIO]

View attachment 2843936 Here’s the photo I was thinking of. IIRC it’s claimed to be at a NAMM show circa 1954. The pink is definitely darker than shell pink and the bass on left appears to be Sherwood Green. The matching colour tug bars are a cool touch.

What I've always been curious about that trade-show pic is the P-bass lying on the deck - it looks like it has an Antiqua finish (!) that would be an interesting historical tidbit!

 

[Axstar]

Maybe some Fender historians can help me out here...I have always thought that a "slab" body is one with square edges, and no body contouring...no forearm contour, and no waist contour. I have seen quite a few being called slab bodies,but they clearly have been contoured...am I missing something?

I've seen the term 'slab' used most commonly to describe that 1966 run of Precision basses with no contours, and which Fender Custom Shop reissued a few years back:

In short it was a post 1957-style bass given the aesthetics of a '50s Telecaster guitar (though the pickguard should have only been single ply?) and sent out the door. A few of these came to the UK. There was a second run of them where Fender were a bit more liberal with the colours chosen, and several received rosewood necks.

 

[Tim Rinkerman]

The first coat of clear nitro...now the real waiting begins...I cleaned up the string ferrules before I cleared it.

 

[Tim Rinkerman]

Just so you all know...I didn't want to come on here and sound like a "flipper", but....if you've noticed..I'm seriously left handed. As nice as this bass is going to be, I'm not Jimmy Haslip, and I have no desire to play it upside down! So it will be going down the road after I deem it finished to my standards. This seemed like the best audience to show the process of restoring it to, there are no secrets, or hidden problems...if I'm out of line saying it will be for sale in this forum, admin me and I will throw myself to the ground roughly.
On second thought, I will donate a portion of the proceeds to TalkBass

 

[EdBo]

Well I'm running out to buy lotto tickets !