Fender pre-CBS Club: pics mandatory!

[StereoPlayer]

My ‘55 arrived 3 days early!
My initial impression is that I am very happy with the bass. It is exactly as I expected, no surprises. Even the neck decal appears original? This bass wasn’t for sale anywhere, and it took me a year of soft negotiation and friendship building. It came to the previous owner almost as a freebie. It is a blonde ‘55 that someone had painted red over the blonde with no sanding or skill. Fortunately, it was a very poor paint job that was slowly removed leaving the original blonde finish underneath in surprisingly good shape. It’s players grade and an absolute joy to play. The original pickup is very strong and there don’t seem to be any dead spots. The neck is beefy with a soft “V” shape. Neck and body pencil dates are both 5-55. Original phenolic saddles, original pick guard. Knobs and control plate are replacement. I was looking at a couple others, but they were to pristine and cost more than twice what I paid for this. I’m a player and I want to play gigs with this bass, not just admire it on my wall.View attachment 4131871View attachment 4131872View attachment 4131873

A very hardy congrats! Not enough likes!

 

[bigmikebass]

So @$%*&#’n awesome!
You have to be smiling all day long!

 

[DavidBassista]

Looks amazing. Is that a one-piece body? How does it sound compared to your others?

 

[ghorvers]

Looks excellent! Enjoy!

 

[2saddleslab]

My ‘55 arrived 3 days early!
My initial impression is that I am very happy with the bass. It is exactly as I expected, no surprises. Even the neck decal appears original? This bass wasn’t for sale anywhere, and it took me a year of soft negotiation and friendship building. It came to the previous owner almost as a freebie. It is a blonde ‘55 that someone had painted red over the blonde with no sanding or skill. Fortunately, it was a very poor paint job that was slowly removed leaving the original blonde finish underneath in surprisingly good shape. It’s players grade and an absolute joy to play. The original pickup is very strong and there don’t seem to be any dead spots. The neck is beefy with a soft “V” shape. Neck and body pencil dates are both 5-55. Original phenolic saddles, original pick guard. Knobs and control plate are replacement. I was looking at a couple others, but they were to pristine and cost more than twice what I paid for this. I’m a player and I want to play gigs with this bass, not just admire it on my wall.View attachment 4131871View attachment 4131872View attachment 4131873

Congrats, @shadven! She's a beauty.

 

[Arrow]

Maybe you can find an original controleplate and knobs on Ebay or Reverb to make it 100% original.
Great bass, congrats!

 

[shadven]

Well I presume @shadven let the money do the talking...

Pretty much. Super nice guy too.

 

[shadven]

Maybe you can find an original controleplate and knobs on Ebay or Reverb to make it 100% original.
Great bass, congrats!

I bought some relic'd round dome knobs, but the holes for the post are to small.

 

[shadven]

Looks amazing. Is that a one-piece body? How does it sound compared to your others?

It is a one piece body... I guess that adds a little "rareness" to it? It sounds similar and different than my '54. I played with a band for 3 hours last night just banging out tons of songs. The volume on all strings up and down the neck is very even. On my '54 when I do a little riff-accent up the neck it doesn't really pop, but on this '55 it really jumps out at you like a Jazz bass does. Does that make sense? Overall, it has a great thumpy tone with strong highs.

 

[Michael Bauer]

Well, it took me just 6-7 months to get to this, but I have been having trouble getting my pics to load on websites. Anyway, here is my 1958 Fender Precision, neck date 3/58. I am told this was from the very last batch of two-tone bursts. Sounds absolutely stunning! I'll try to load more pics, if I can get my computer to cooperate.

 

[Lucky Chuck]

A 4-digit serial number!? Wow, that beauty's almost as old as me!

 

[ExaltBass]

Well, it took me just 6-7 months to get to this, but I have been having trouble getting my pics to load on websites. Anyway, here is my 1958 Fender Precision, neck date 3/58. I am told this was from the very last batch of two-tone bursts. Sounds absolutely stunning! I'll try to load more pics, if I can get my computer to cooperate.
View attachment 4153008 View attachment 4153009 View attachment 4153010 View attachment 4153011 View attachment 4153012 View attachment 4153014

Stunning!

 

[SJLee]

Well, it took me just 6-7 months to get to this, but I have been having trouble getting my pics to load on websites. Anyway, here is my 1958 Fender Precision, neck date 3/58. I am told this was from the very last batch of two-tone bursts. Sounds absolutely stunning! I'll try to load more pics, if I can get my computer to cooperate.
View attachment 4153008 View attachment 4153009 View attachment 4153010 View attachment 4153011 View attachment 4153012 View attachment 4153014

Outstanding!!!

 

[4-fingers]

It’s no wonder why Fender reissues that beauty with the two-tone burst and three-tone variation. Enjoy!

 

[micguy]

Tone is in the fingers. My fingers are pre-CBS:

 

[DavidBassista]

It looks amazing. Congrats. I also noticed the 4-digit serial number. What's the story behind that?

 

[BassAgent]

Holy moly that is one kíller looking bass.

 

[JPMcGuire]

Just pulled the trigger on an early 64 lake placid jazz. Owned by Phil lesh back in day so a little extra shakedown streetish mojo. Need a tuner and a proper control plate but that’s it.

 

[bassmike2010]

Just pulled the trigger on an early 64 lake placid jazz. Owned by Phil lesh back in day so a little extra shakedown streetish mojo. Need a tuner and a proper control plate but that’s it.

...Beautiful.

 

[JPMcGuire]

Now all fixed back to original. Bass sounds and plays amazing. Need three of those small pan head screws for the control plate if anyone has any for $?