NBD - Pre-CBS -OMG

[Miles_ONeal]

View attachment 4485155 View attachment 4485156 View attachment 4485157 View attachment 4485158 View attachment 4485159 View attachment 4485160 View attachment 4485161 I’ve been watching the curb all day waiting for UPS to show up… and they finally showed! I am the proud owner of an 1954 P-Bass. I bought it from the family of the original owner. I am the first person to own this bass since it was purchased by the original owner in 1954. The neck has never been off the bass, original everything, original case, strap and bill of sale from 1954. The bass and a Deluxe amp set him back $310, and he paid it off over 1 1/2 years. This bass plays beautifully and sounds so deep and warm… really incredible. I gig with my basses and this one will see lots of gigs in its future!

EBCFs on there?

 

[2saddleslab]

Good for you!! I am continuing my search for '51 to go with my first-year Bassman.

I once owned a 52 Bassman [first year], serial # 0051. I had it recovered by Sam Hutton, who formerly worked for Fender.

 

[Gunga Din]

#124 - is it in Detlef's book? I don't have it to hand atm.

 

[GretschWretch]

I once owned a 52 Bassman [first year], serial # 0051. I had it recovered by Sam Hutton, who formerly worked for Fender.
View attachment 4491175
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Let me be sure I understand the second pic. You wanted to be "period" but the Ampeg fridge had not been invented yet, so the best substitute you could find was a Coke machine?

 

[WillyW]

I once owned a 52 Bassman [first year], serial # 0051. I had it recovered by Sam Hutton, who formerly worked for Fender.
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Is this what heaven looks like?

 

[2saddleslab]

Let me be sure I understand the second pic. You wanted to be "period" but the Ampeg fridge had not been invented yet, so the best substitute you could find was a Coke machine?

The Coke machine dates to 1950, the blonde P bass 1951, the sunburst from 1952, the Bassman from 1952 as well. Period is correct.

Is this what heaven looks like?

Not sure if it's heaven but certainly not the alternative.

 

[stevieg]

View attachment 4485155 View attachment 4485156 View attachment 4485157 View attachment 4485158 View attachment 4485159 View attachment 4485160 View attachment 4485161 I’ve been watching the curb all day waiting for UPS to show up… and they finally showed! I am the proud owner of an 1954 P-Bass. I bought it from the family of the original owner. I am the first person to own this bass since it was purchased by the original owner in 1954. The neck has never been off the bass, original everything, original case, strap and bill of sale from 1954. The bass and a Deluxe amp set him back $310, and he paid it off over 1 1/2 years. This bass plays beautifully and sounds so deep and warm… really incredible. I gig with my basses and this one will see lots of gigs in its future!

Very nice!!! Use in most excellent health.

s

 

[Chaz pugz]

Good luck, it’s a beauty. I am just curious , the picking finger scratches on the pick guard. I hav never seen that type of wear on a bass, ever . It looks like he used either a coin or some other unconventional method to play.

 

[DirkP]

The Coke machine dates to 1950, the blonde P bass 1951, the sunburst from 1952, the Bassman from 1952 as well. Period is correct.

Not sure if it's heaven but certainly not the alternative.

According to the Fender Bass, An illustrated History, p. 13, sunburst was introduced in late 1954.

 

[Stugilliam]

Shadven, I just noticed that he played her with the bridge cover turned around, I guess that he didn't like the mute, did any of the mute survive? He also liked playing her into a Kustom 200 bass amp! A little speculation on the exact model but I would think that the Kustom would be a perfect companion for the 54. Damn Man, incredible find!!

 

[2saddleslab]

According to the Fender Bass, An illustrated History, p. 13, sunburst was introduced in late 1954.

View attachment 4491947

Sunburst finish was indeed introduced in 1954. The [anodized] aluminum PG was introduced w/ the P bass revamp in 1957. But my bass, which had both, was made in 1952, by Tadeo Gomez. I contacted George Fullerton to see if he could verify if either were possible early experimental details, but he couldn't. He said it could have been a one off made by an employee, or aftermarket refin & custom PG.

 

[fr8ghtrain]

What a great find and this bass has an awesome legacy for sure. I just had to search for him. Here's the guy who was the original owner. Leroy Bower

 

[2saddleslab]

Let me be sure I understand the second pic. You wanted to be "period" but the Ampeg fridge had not been invented yet, so the best substitute you could find was a Coke machine?

Possibly just an illusion?

 

[Stugilliam]

What a great find and this bass has an awesome legacy for sure. I just had to search for him. Here's the guy who was the original owner. Leroy Bower
View attachment 4492314

Well that explains the unusual pickguard wear by the neck and it still looks like a Kustom 200.

 

[Mastermold]

Shadven, I just noticed that he played her with the bridge cover turned around, I guess that he didn't like the mute, did any of the mute survive? He also liked playing her into a Kustom 200 bass amp! A little speculation on the exact model but I would think that the Kustom would be a perfect companion for the 54. Damn Man, incredible find!!

He posted above the mute is gone.

 

[bassdog]

Very cool! If you gig it, don't let it out of your sight for a moment. Better yet, keep it with you at all times. Enjoy and add your mojo to the existing mojo.

 

[GretschWretch]

Possibly just an illusion?

No; I've compared all three pics. You're tampering with the evidence.

 

[Mastermold]

We need some of these photos in the pre-CBS Club thread!!

 

[sigbass75]

We need some of these photos in the pre-CBS Club thread!!

And what we def need is more Polka! Rest in peace.

 

[shadven]

Re-do the frets, will not affect the value, nice time capsule

The frets have a fair amount of life left in them.