NBD: Real Deal 1959 Precision!

[mikeowen17]

Look what arrived today!

I’ve long yearned for an OG P bass with all the early features - Spaghetti Logo (with no patent numbers - don’t know why I care, but I do!) and slab board with some good honest wear!

Safe to say this ticks the boxes!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I will never forget the smoothest playing bass I have ever touched was a ‘59 Precision. I could have had it for $1,090 back in 1989.

 

[J-Bass RMR]

I didn't know they came in "relic'd" versions.
CONGRATS!

(what's on the left?!)

 

[ahbradot]

Now that's a bass!!!
Doesn't get much better than that.

 

[Memphis Soul]

Wow that is great! Congrats!

 

[Jeff Scott]

I hope you didn't pay too much for that beat up, old bass.

 

[mikeowen17]

I didn't know they came in "relic'd" versions.
CONGRATS!

(what's on the left?!)

Yeah - I think you pay extra for the relic ‘mojo’

On the left is my 65 Candy Apple Red P - also all original, and January 65 so has all the pre-CBS goodies (clay dots, L serial, silver undercoat rather than gold etc etc)

 

[Iridescentone]

Nice stuff. Am I seeing raised poles under the A string?

 

[mikeowen17]

Nice stuff. Am I seeing raised poles under the A string?

No - no raised poles on this one - I believe that stopped in 1958 if I am not mistaken.

 

[rpavich]

Holy cow...my dream bass...that ticks every box in 2" wide sharpie!

 

[iammr2]

Wow! You're in P bass heaven with those two!

 

[aprod]

I will never understand the allure of a beat to death old bass. And I own two. Give me my newer Fender all day. To each his own. Enjoy.

 

[Iridescentone]

No - no raised poles on this one - I believe that stopped in 1958 if I am not mistaken.

Exactly. That's why I just had to ask!

If yours were raised like a '58, that would be an outlier, but not outta the realm of possibility, knowing that Fender would do (limited) factory special orders on request, especially during their early transition years and especially for notable players.

"Way back when", a pair of 58's and an early '59 maple /ano, found their way to me. The 58's both had the raised A poles, but the '59 did not, naturally. When I enlarged your '59 pic, the 3rd string's poles "looked" slightly higher than its others. Apparently an optical illusion, though.

That CAR '65 is a beauty, too!

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Very happy for you and also extremely jealous

 

[Mastermold]

Look what arrived today!

I’ve long yearned for an OG P bass with all the early features - Spaghetti Logo (with no patent numbers - don’t know why I care, but I do!) and slab board with some good honest wear!

Safe to say this ticks the boxes!

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Congrats!! Feel free to post more photos in the Fender pre-CBS club thread!!

 

[humbuckaroo]

Beautiful bass(es).

Not exactly on topic, but do you shim yours? My AVII 1960 has is at 2.5mm at the 12th (nothing pressed down) and I wonder if I should get a shim, and if so, what size.

 

[H K]

WOOOOOOOW!!!!

Congratulations!

 

[bassdude51]

TDF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mikeowen17]

Beautiful bass(es).

Not exactly on topic, but do you shim yours? My AVII 1960 has is at 2.5mm at the 12th (nothing pressed down) and I wonder if I should get a shim, and if so, what size.

Mine is set to approximately 3/32” (2.4mm) without a shim - which is what Roger Sadowsky defines as ‘low action’ (I generally use a combo Roger’s guidelines and my own feel to set up basses). So sounds like you’re right in the range!

 

[Gervais Cote]

Kind of bass that rocks with rounds and grooves with flats, can’t ask for more ! Lovely in every way.