Just a 100% original 1959. The skinny, however, is that it is an extremely good sounding specimen at that. In fact, I strongly suspect that it doesn't get any better than this sound-wise, and that is what I buy a bass for. I'm not a collector. As you know, these '57 - '59 P-basses are very, very rare (I think there even are only 2 or 3 videos on YouTube showing the real thing, the rest are all CS attempts, or more tragical reissues ;-) ). If you are lucky enough to find one that is for sale, it is not a logical conclusion that is a good one. I had a very good '66 that sounded better than most '62's. The (wood) craftsmanship on '50s Fenders shows slightly more care if you ask me. You hear that in tone, and feel it in resonance. This one has the leveled magneto p/u's, and an incredible neck - which as you know varied widely in those 3 years before rosewoods fretboards came in. It is not especially thin, D/C-like, but has a great (early '60s?) feel and the entire bass therefore has been played in extraordinarily well over the years, as all the mojo testifies. But there is still more than enough lacquer and fret beef left for some more wear from a couple of years of playing by yours truly. All in all, it really is quite a special instrument - I am still in awe and couldn't have fathomed that a bass from this era could make such a huge difference from later or worse samples. I am not saying this to brag, but rather as a serious warning in general when buying vintage guitars. A good seller has a reputation and will never risk sending you crap, so it is possible to 'order' one from Gbase or what have you. But the best way to find your ideal '59 is to search, play, buy, sell, and compare for years and then get lucky. Most good ones are all the safe property of pro bassists, studios etc.. I was double lucky, for I have a pro friend who had already done all this research for himself, and who was willing to transfer guardianship over this one to me :-D . Had to sell that '66, a '71 Blueline SVT, and some smaller stuff for it, but man... what a sound.
On the subject of dots does anyone know if the side dots were normally pearl or clay, my side dots look to be pearl but with clay center dots. Maybe it's a dot transitional 
One true pre-CBS, and two 'transitional years'
