Help Me Choose a Color...Pre-CBS Precision

[joker820]

Greetings fellow TBers,

I recently acquired a second 1963 Precision Bass in need of a re-finish. My first one was re-finished Foam Green so I was thinking of going with a metallic this time around. The second one was purchased due to it having all original parts (even the mint pickguard!) and the shop was going to part it out on Reverb. I couldn’t see it end it’s life like this so I decided to undertake a rescue mission. I will probably end up having to sell it down the road unless I win the lottery because a substantial portion of my net worth is now tied up between two basses . Sadly the original custom color has been lost to time. The two colors I’m leaning towards are Shoreline Gold and Burgundy Mist. I’d like to avoid the common Candy Apple Red and Lake Placid Blue but suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance!

 

[Bass V]

major kudos for pulling off the rescue!
metallic was my instant thot so have at it, no matter the color cos I like them all.

 

[joker820]

Uploaded a few more photos for reference

 

[Rabidhamster]

Man that bass looks good as is to me. Almost like a really really worn Mary Kaye

 

[joker820]

Man that bass looks good as is to me. Almost like a really really worn Mary Kaye

If you could see it in person, it’s nothing like that but I appreciate the kind words haha

 

[SB300]

Of the 2 colors I would opt for the gold. I like the burgandy but I think I would get tired of it. Reminds me of when I had my '63 Mustang refinished. The guy was also doing Dick Dale's strat in gold diamond flake. Mine was metal flake. His flakes were much bigger and brighter. It was stunning.

 

[hypercarrots]

charcoal frost metallic

 

[joker820]

charcoal frost metallic

That’s a good one. Those almost look best with tort though. I’d have to find a picture with a mint guard.

 

[fretno]

Dakota red

 

[joker820]

Dakota red

Not a bad color I’m leaning towards a metallic this time. I like the way they look with the mint guards.

 

[ComesATime]

charcoal frost metallic

Agreed. One of my favorites. Breaks the mold of the black, but still classy as all get out.

 

[P. Aaron]

Keep it in the era: if it has a mint guard already: Sonic Blue or Daphne Blue.

 

[The Bass Clef]

charcoal frost metallic

Charcoal Frost is a cool color, but it wasn’t available until 1965, so it’s not correct at all for a ‘63.

 

[The Bass Clef]

My vote for a period correct metallic finish would be inca silver or sherwood green. Those are the only other pre-CBS metallic choices you have besides the ones you already mentioned.

 

[joker820]

My vote for a period correct metallic finish would be inca silver or sherwood green. Those are the only other pre-CBS metallic choices you have besides the ones you already mentioned.

Inca silver is cool but I prefer Shoreline out of the two. Sherwood isn’t a bad “budget” alternative to the one on reverb for $33,000 One thing I forgot to mention is the rosewood is kind of light colored on this one compared to the Brazilian boards of the era. This is either Indian or super light Brazilian.

 

[The Bass Clef]

Inca silver is cool but I prefer Shoreline out of the two. Sherwood isn’t a bad “budget” alternative to the one on reverb for $33,000 One thing I forgot to mention is the rosewood is kind of light colored on this one compared to the Brazilian boards of the era. This is either Indian or super light Brazilian.

I agree it doesn’t look like Brazilian and more like Indian (which would actually be pretty rare I think on a ‘63). I can’t say that I know of any pre-CBS Fenders with Indian RW off hand.

$33K for any color 1960s P bass is smoking crack in this market. We’ll check back on that one in 10 years, lol.

 

[Juststanley]

Sonic blue with some relicing...

 

[roller]

You can't go wrong with either one... although in favor of doing something a tad more rare (especially seeing that Burgundy Mist has shown up a bit more lately, particularly on Jazz Basses and Jazz copies with matching headstocks), I'd opt for Shoreline Gold.

Ever consider Firemist Gold or Firemist Silver? Those are nice metallics as well... and are even more rarely seen. The bronzey color of FG is sweet... as is the greenish hue of an aged FS.

Whatever you do, please have the stones to leave that headstock as-is. Everyone and their mom has a matching headstock these days... but Fender custom colors (especially if you can find someone to do an aged version) will look particularly nice with all that original hardware and a gorgeous honey headstock.

Post pics when she's wearing her new outfit, please!

The two colors I’m leaning towards are Shoreline Gold and Burgundy Mist. I’d like to avoid the common Candy Apple Red and Lake Placid Blue but suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance!

 

[Stumbo]

Shell Pink

 

[1bassplayinfool]

Candy Apple Red?