Fender pre-CBS Club: pics mandatory!

[Energy]

This week, I made the perfect bass even more perfect!

The only thing that bothered me about my 1956 P Bass was the decrease in volume when I turn the tone down. So I took another look at the wiring and found that the "hot" wire from the pup is soldered to the tone pot, not the volume pot. Consulted the schematics and found that this is actually the way they did it back then. I'm sure Leo had a reason to wire it that way (I know he most likely didn't do it himself, though ), but to me it seemed wrong and the solution is very simple: I connected the pickup to the volume pot. I didn't need to clip the resistor, and all other solder joints remain unaltered.

Now the tone knob works perfectly without attenuating the output. I couldn't be more happy.

 

[Judge Nickels]

That is fascinating and very likely explains why turning down the tone knob on my CS Dusty Hill signature reduces the volume. I agree that it is annoying. Since I'm not 100% sure I won't ever sell my Dusty, I'll probably leave it alone.

Gorgeous '56, btw!

This week, I made the perfect bass even more perfect!

The only thing that bothered me about my 1956 P Bass was the decrease in volume when I turn the tone down. So I took another look at the wiring and found that the "hot" wire from the pup is soldered to the tone pot, not the volume pot. Consulted the schematics and found that this is actually the way they did it back then. I'm sure Leo had a reason to wire it that way (I know he most likely didn't do it himself, though ), but to me it seemed wrong and the solution is very simple: I connected the pickup to the volume pot. I didn't need to clip the resistor, and all other solder joints remain unaltered.

Now the tone knob works perfectly without attenuating the output. I couldn't be more happy.

View attachment 3681112 View attachment 3681106

 

[jim nolte]

Does anyone know what the varnish looking material that coats the pole pieces is? It’s been wearing away on my L series Jazz for years,was it to prevent rust?

 

[BergiaBurns]

How many basses did Fender build in the years 59,60,61,62,63 a day, Someone knows that?

In 1963 = 30.000 Guitars and Basses. I think 20000 Guitars and 10000 Basses.
300 Working Days = 33 Basses per day.

 

[ExaltBass]

The serial number plate on my '59 is 29097... must have been bottom of the bin

 

[Dynacord]

View attachment 3683924
In 1963 = 30.000 Guitars and Basses. I think 20000 Guitars and 10000 Basses.
300 Working Days = 33 Basses per day.

Having worked in music stores I'm skeptical of a 2 to 1 ratio of guitars to basses. I would speculate more like 5, 6 or 7 to 1 - particularly in that era.

 

[Dynacord]

Does anyone know what the varnish looking material that coats the pole pieces is? It’s been wearing away on my L series Jazz for years,was it to prevent rust?

Lacquer.

 

[BergiaBurns]

Having worked in music stores I'm skeptical of a 2 to 1 ratio of guitars to basses. I would speculate more like 5, 6 or 7 to 1 - particularly in that era.

ca 15- 20 Basses a Day.

 

[Dynacord]

Wow! looks awesome, I'm surprised with the date marking on the neck as most early 59's don't have dates marked there but do have is on the body (pick-up cavity).

Again I quote from Vintage Guitar Info on Fender neck dates (Vintage Guitars Info - Fender, collecting vintage guitars fender stratocaster, strat, telecaster, tele):

• 
  Fender Neck Dates, 1950 to present.
  From the first solidbody guitars to 1976, Fender dated their instruments at the "butt" of the detachable neck. Here is a timeline of the format the dates, and how they were printed:
  
  .........

• Early 1959: Due to a complaint by a Fender customer as to an obscentity written on the neck butt, no markings were used for the first part of 1959. I've seen dates of 6-59, so they started using them again at least by mid-year.

Another example of a 4/59 neck date - this one from Jeff Dunn (Duck's son) from his dad's main bass:

Does anyone know what the varnish looking material that coats the pole pieces is? It’s been wearing away on my L series Jazz for years,was it to prevent rust?

PS I should have clarified, the pickups were often potted in lacquer. I don't think it was intended as rust prevention.

 

[devnulljp]

My defretted 64 P

 

[liverbird]

Another example of a 4/59 neck date - this one from Jeff Dunn (Duck's son) from his dad's main bass:

View attachment 3684769
View attachment 3684770

Nice pics!

There's one bit in this context though I've always been wondering about on Clay Harrell's excellent site:

Early 1959: Due to a complaint by a Fender customer as to an obscentity written on the neck butt, no markings were used for the first part of 1959. I've seen dates of 6-59, so they started using them again at least by mid-year.

Like the 4-59 date in the photo from Duck's bass, I seem to recall seeing other dates from the first half of 1959 or so. Whereas I don't recall seeing any from late 1959 - usually it's either blank or occasionally a handwritten "OK". Then dates from mid-1960 onwards again.

Anyone have different experiences?

 

[ExaltBass]

Nice pics!

There's one bit in this context though I've always been wondering about on Clay Harrell's excellent site:

Early 1959: Due to a complaint by a Fender customer as to an obscentity written on the neck butt, no markings were used for the first part of 1959. I've seen dates of 6-59, so they started using them again at least by mid-year.

Like the 4-59 date in the photo from Duck's bass, I seem to recall seeing other dates from the first half of 1959 or so. Whereas I don't recall seeing any from late 1959 - usually it's either blank or occasionally a handwritten "OK". Then dates from mid-1960 onwards again.

Anyone have different experiences?

The end of my '59's neck is pretty naked...

 

[Dynacord]

Nice pics!

There's one bit in this context though I've always been wondering about on Clay Harrell's excellent site:

Early 1959: Due to a complaint by a Fender customer as to an obscentity written on the neck butt, no markings were used for the first part of 1959. I've seen dates of 6-59, so they started using them again at least by mid-year.

Like the 4-59 date in the photo from Duck's bass, I seem to recall seeing other dates from the first half of 1959 or so. Whereas I don't recall seeing any from late 1959 - usually it's either blank or occasionally a handwritten "OK". Then dates from mid-1960 onwards again.

Anyone have different experiences?

Agreed. Clay's site is fantastic but I think that piece of info is flipped. Have seen later '59s which were undated while the early ones I've seen were.

 

[R.W. Goldguard]

Nice pics!

There's one bit in this context though I've always been wondering about on Clay Harrell's excellent site:

Early 1959: Due to a complaint by a Fender customer as to an obscentity written on the neck butt, no markings were used for the first part of 1959. I've seen dates of 6-59, so they started using them again at least by mid-year.

Like the 4-59 date in the photo from Duck's bass, I seem to recall seeing other dates from the first half of 1959 or so. Whereas I don't recall seeing any from late 1959 - usually it's either blank or occasionally a handwritten "OK". Then dates from mid-1960 onwards again.

Anyone have different experiences?

That has been my experience and also what I've heard from others. Though they may exist I have never seen a picture of a Rosewood board 59 that had a date. I have seen bases with body dates for June July September and December that have no date on the back of the neck. I've seen several pictures updates on the ones with Maple fingerboard.

 

[kurpak]

My 9/59 body date precision has no date on the neck. It does have one of the very first tort guards with the prototype screw hole pattern before Fender settled on the familiar 13 hole pattern.
Notice the screw closest to the volume knob much lower than the usual location.

 

[Dynacord]

My 9/59 body date precision has no date on the neck. It does have one of the very first tort guards with the prototype screw hole pattern before Fender settled on the familiar 13 hole pattern.
Notice the screw closest to the volume knob much lower than the usual location.

View attachment 3685774

Very cool. I was unaware of the transition pattern.

There are some '59s with no neck or body date as well. Pretty much left to the general features and pot dates to figure it out.

 

[BergiaBurns]

Benny Bendorffs "Oma"

A 63, stripped in 1969. With this Bass he started in the same year in the James Last Orchester.
He played her in the whole wide world..
Sometimes she is my Guest.

 

[BergiaBurns]

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Not mine, but woah mama! 65 jazz in daphne blue.

 

[SJLee]

Beautiful!