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Fender pre-CBS Club: pics mandatory!

#2,501
Well. It WAS a one owner, guy’s uncle bought it new and recently passed away. He brought it in wanting an appraisal and potential selling it. He didn’t end up selling it to the shop, but he said “why don’t you give me your phone number if you’re interested”.

I try not to mix store business with my personal business, boss wouldn’t be too happy.

No way I can afford it but hey you never know.
 
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#2,504
jim nolte said:
It means it’s “ Badass “
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IMG_1016.jpeg
That it is!
 
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#2,509
I came across this interesting ’59 Precision for sale on 1959 Fender Precision Bass Sunburst Factory Mint Green Pickguard

It’s a ’59 with a mint color pickguard. I was under the assumption that Fender went directly to the tortoiseshell guard from the anodized guard. Three holes in the shield look like they were drilled after the fact to accommodate the 13-hole mint guard. My guess is the shield was originally designed for one of the early 10-hole tortoiseshell guards. The body was drilled for 13 holes so it was definitely built for a 13-hole guard.

Any thoughts on whether the mint guard is the original to this bass? Did Fender even have mint pickguards in '59?

1959FenderPBassSunburst-13.jpg.webp1959_Fender_Precision_Bass-5.jpg.webp
 
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#2,510
dmk said:
I came across this interesting ’59 Precision for sale on truevintageguitar.com

It’s a ’59 with a mint color pickguard. I was under the assumption that Fender went directly to the tortoiseshell guard from the anodized guard. Three holes in the shield look like they were drilled after the fact to accommodate the 13-hole mint guard. My guess is the shield was originally designed for one of the early 10-hole tortoiseshell guards. The body was drilled for 13 holes so it was definitely built for a 13-hole guard.

Any thoughts on whether the mint guard is the original to this bass? Did Fender even have mint pickguards in '59?

View attachment 7166488View attachment 7166489
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Are they claiming it’s original to that bass?

Edit: never mind, I found the description on their website. I’m not aware of mint guards in 59, I thought they went from anodized to tort or white. If you’re interested in the bass I bet they could give you more information directly.
 
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#2,511
It depends on which holes appear to be added as to whether this was a shield from an early 10 hole tortoiseshell or possibly a transional 13 hole tortoiseshell pickguard which had a different pattern
If you can provide that information, I might be able to answer your questions
This is the alternate 13 hole pattern
 

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#2,513
If you are correct about the hole that is between and above the controls it was probably a 10 hole pickguard.
That is based on the fact that I have never a screw pattern lacking that hole other than the 10 hole pattern as seen on the original goldguard.
 
#2,514
One thing I’ve learned through Terry Foster’s books, Geddy Lee’s Books, and Davidsons Well Strung Guitars inventory database is that Fender did everything you can think of at least once. Sparkle finishes done in furniture shops? Check! Fiberboard fretboard pre cbs basses with wall mount holes on the neck plate? Check! Maple cap non bound Jazz Basses? Check! Mint guards on 59’s? Check!

They did it all, they even made slanted frets on the earliest Marauders, with the pickups being completely covered by the pickguard. 1959 P basses have like 4 different screw patterns….


Here’s a late 50’s tele with a factory custom color (pre actual custom color chart) blue with a factory Bigsby and a painted neck. Yes a painted neck, original from Leo’s factory.
IMG_8028.png
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#2,515
dmk said:
I came across this interesting ’59 Precision for sale on 1959 Fender Precision Bass Sunburst Factory Mint Green Pickguard

It’s a ’59 with a mint color pickguard. I was under the assumption that Fender went directly to the tortoiseshell guard from the anodized guard. Three holes in the shield look like they were drilled after the fact to accommodate the 13-hole mint guard. My guess is the shield was originally designed for one of the early 10-hole tortoiseshell guards. The body was drilled for 13 holes so it was definitely built for a 13-hole guard.

Any thoughts on whether the mint guard is the original to this bass? Did Fender even have mint pickguards in '59?

View attachment 7166488View attachment 7166489
Click to expand...
Another theory is more likely, maybe someone cracked or broke the original tortoise guard, as the originals are known to do, and got a replacement part sometime in the early 60’s. Not impossible
 
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#2,518
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