Just discovered this thread. Here's a pic of my '61 Jazz.
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Fender pre-CBS Club: pics mandatory!
- Thread starter Mastermold
- Start date
I know that colour, and absolutely love your 64 P Energy.
Here is a repost of my original finish March 65 J
Almost how mine was found in the wild. I call mine a ‘62 because of the three knob layout: as I understand it, that was the ‘62 model change from stacked. But mine has a neck date 10/61. So, I’ll join you in reclassifying mine as a 61?
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My neck is dated 7/61. When I got it last year the pickups were original but all of the other electronics had been replaced with crappy pots and steel braided wiring. It's quite possible it originally had the stack knob setup but I've seen late '61 original models that already had the 3 knob configuration so it's right in that transition area. I went with a brand new genuine Fender kit 3 knob setup as I prefer that configuration over the stack knob setup. Most likely your bass originally had the 3 knob setup being that late in the year!
where does a 1965 BASS V put it in the club rule book since it was designed by Leo, probably built and maybe handled by Leo, but '65 was it's first year and only marketed as he's accepting CBS's check?
Sounds like a candidate for the club. Definitely a special bass. 
cool, thanx, guys!
I'll be happy to accept knowing she's considered legit just as soon as I submit the pic-o-proof!
it was always kind of a quandary where these fit in the picture as most / many of the mere 200 made are CBS issues with block markers, ('65 being the only dots) and so few have even discussed this unique model that it's status in any regard has mystified me forever.
Cool. Yes mine was stripped bare and a crap varnish job. Fortunately the electrics were/are untouched other than the resolder required for my refin. It’s pretty cool to own a 56 year old fender. My dream bass though is a year
Leo didn’t really build much other than prototyping. He couldn’t even play. So him handling any of our instruments is a long shot. Tadeo Gomez is who you desire making your neck.
I'll look for a shot of yours, that might look damn cool.
just the remote chance that Leo could have merely laid a hand on either of our basses just in passing makes anything from his era special, and these early ones were so scarce that the odds come up substantially that they at least shared such rare air.
for a big bass I find the V to be super comfortable, it fits like an old shoe and the neck is like home. I hope yours is that way as well, mine is different than any bass I've tried, it's rather perfect!
A guy that I worked with (he is recently retired) has a 64 Precision that was once his dads. He doesn't play and has two teenaged sons that have dabbled but don't play. He brought it to work for me to see once a few years ago. It was originally sunburst but his Dad didn't want to be like everyone else and stripped the finish off. The tort guard has shrunk a bit and has a couple cracks but it is original. It appears nothing was touched but the covers are long gone. When my friend first got it from Dad, he wrote the notes of the e string on the top of the maple board ,lol......it played really nice through a crappy amp. He has promised to give me first shot at it should he sell it but I believe he thinks it's worth a bundle. I would take it for a fair price and get it refinished, probably sea foam green. I have a hunch the call is coming soon........I would offer to have a local and respected luthier look at it and set a fair price and inspect it too. I hope he sees that as reasonable.......he once said he thought it could we worth $10000 Canadian. I didn't burst his bubble. BTW.....Dad is still alive, is in a nursing home but still plays.....but he prefers his Yamaha 5'er!!
Your friend doesn't know but those mods have dramatically reduced its collector value. If you're interested in the bass, shop the cost of a professional restoration and deduct that from the price of a restored/refin '64 and you'll have a fair price. Hope you're able to work a deal--good luck!
I was questioning that too. I’m no expert, but I’ve never heard of one in the early 60’s
That would be a valuable piece of information for me......i seem to recall him saying it was a 64 but maybe it is a little newer. 66 would be a birth year bass and more desirable personally. Newer than 65 no longer classify this as a pre CBS....correct? Experts opinions most welcome.
