Thanks for the quick response!! I'm half thinking that I'll grab it (will trade in my last guitar amp towards it, I wouldn't be paying the cost they're asking otherwise) and take advantage of the 30-day policy to confirm it with Fender and their Custom Shop...and the other half is telling me to pass and keep looking. Is the Custom Shop pretty good about communicating with customers about these kind of things or do they just refer customers to the Fender general inquiry line?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Thanks for the quick response!! I'm half thinking that I'll grab it (will trade in my last guitar amp towards it, I wouldn't be paying the cost they're asking otherwise) and take advantage of the 30-day policy to confirm it with Fender and their Custom Shop...and the other half is telling me to pass and keep looking. Is the Custom Shop pretty good about communicating with customers about these kind of things or do they just refer customers to the Fender general inquiry line?
I've always found the Custom Shop to go beyond the usual when it comes to customer service. I would call them first; if you buy it and find some discrepencies, what do you do with it? Seems very strange there's no serial number. Without it, how can you check it's authenticity? I say pass on it.
Huh, stupid me! The serial number is on the bridge (2748) and under the pickguard is stamped "Relic" and the "Fender Custom Shop" logo. Obviously I'll check the neck pocket and heel for confirmation if I get it. Still weird that the headstock logo seems to be above the finish but GC does have their return policy...
Now that you mention it, early basses had the serial numbers stamped in the bridge; got us both on that one. 
I recall reading somewhere that early Fenders had the decals on top of the lacquer. The "Relic" stamps are to prevent someone from trying to pass them off as vintage Fenders; I think they put them on NOS's and Closet Classics as well. Good luck with it; I have four CS NOS Time Machines and, IMHO, they are superior to regular Fenders.
I recall reading somewhere that early Fenders had the decals on top of the lacquer. The "Relic" stamps are to prevent someone from trying to pass them off as vintage Fenders; I think they put them on NOS's and Closet Classics as well. Good luck with it; I have four CS NOS Time Machines and, IMHO, they are superior to regular Fenders.
Last edited:
Thanks slick! I ended up passing as GC and I just couldn't come to an agreement on price (it has sat at $2499 since December 2014); I guess I could have bumped up my budget a bit but I think that the price was a bit high for a '55 CS that was pretty beat up (purposefully or not) and had some issues that would need tweaking like faulty pots, a cleaning and a good setup. Still on the hunt (sigh)...
Indeed, until the mid/late-60s Fender put their decals on top of the lacquer.Now that you mention it, early basses had the serial numbers stamped in the bridge; got us both on that one.
Thanks for the tip! That'll definitely be something to keep in mind while shopping for the elusive "The One" P-Bass.
Love them! Give us more details, and pics of the CS logo on the back of the headstocks. 
What is more, what is that shy Jazz in the last photo?
What is more, what is that shy Jazz in the last photo?
NOS '64
Check out the way the finish is wearing off... in the first pic too on the arm cut out.
Check out the way the finish is wearing off... in the first pic too on the arm cut out.
Ya. Kind of a pinkish Hugh. Been my #1 player for about 6years. I think it's a few years older than that. I bought it from a guy who had it as his studio bass.
Niiiice, welcome hennessybass, you're #23...NOS '64
Check out the way the finish is wearing off... in the first pic too on the arm cut out.
I'm traveling at the moment. I'll have to snap those when I get back. The Jazz is another CS, but I have since sold it. It was a hair heavy for me, and I acquired a 1974 Jazz that was doing it better for me, so I let it go.Love them! Give us more details, and pics of the CS logo on the back of the headstocks.
What is more, what is that shy Jazz in the last photo?
Have a good travel! 
Oh... and the P-Bass is a 69 Mark Kendrick Masterbuilt Relic, and the VI is a NOS.Love them! Give us more details, and pics of the CS logo on the back of the headstocks.
What is more, what is that shy Jazz in the last photo?
A Relic? I thought it to be NOS. 
Ok, the tuners aren't that shiny, but everything else seems untouched.
Ok, the tuners aren't that shiny, but everything else seems untouched.
It's a pretty light relic... mostly checking... fine with me though.A Relic? I thought it to be NOS.
