Craigslist '59 P

[Tom Howland]

no two sunburst finishes are the same.
sunburst finishes can look brilliant or dull depending on the lighting when the picture was taken.
the black was at it's widest during this period of sunburst finishes, I've seen P basses and Jazz basses from this era that have super wide black borders.
it does look awfully mint for the age of the bass but it's certainly not impossible for it to be original.

This as different as it looks, is a period correct sunburst.
I've seen late 50's early 60's bursts like this.
That not saying this is not a refinish, just that it's could be a correct refinish for this time frame.

 

[smcd]

The CL bass absolutely looks like a refin.

 

[P. Aaron]

$9k for it & nothing but questions. The seller states that they have owned it for a considerable period of time.

One couldn't be sure unless you held it in your hands and had the necessary expertise to confirm the the seller's description is accurate.

Or, pay 1/2 as much on your own custom finished CS.

 

[lowphatbass]

I'm guessing the CL bass is original, quite a few '60 P-basses look just like that. No doubt somebody was heavy-handed with the black paint back then.

 

[geddy402]

In my humble opinion it looks original to me. Story seems pretty elaborate to be made up, but you never know.

And like what was just mentioned its probably a late 59...given its tort and brw. I'd say the neck date probably puts it last quarter of 59. It looks more like a 60s 3tsb, which may make it even more rare...or unusual depending on how you look at it.

Just my 1 cent...

 

[geddy402]

Anyone check it out in person?

 

[OOTB68]

The story sounds quite interesting, except for the fact that Earl Van Dyke was a piano player for Motown, not a drummer. Comparing this to my original '59 P bass, I think this MIGHT be an original finish. But I am just a lucky owner, not a bonafide expert.

 

[geddy402]

Looks like its still for sale. Anyone get to check it out in person? Is it the real deal?