• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

NVBD - 64 L Series P Bass

PaperbackRyder

PaperbackRyder

Supporting Member
Apr 21, 2007
919
1,068
69
Maynard, MA
#1
Yessir, she is one sweet ride!
Finally got my dream ax. Shopped a couple of dozen examples, from 63-68, even tried some 72-73's, but a guy I know showed me this one...
Always GAS'd for a 64 L series. No tangible reason why that year, and L Series means nothing AFAIK.
This baby has all the pre-CBS features; clay dots, thin rosewood veneer FB, shrinking (unbroken) pickguard, and a sweet, rich creamy tone with just a hint of natural compression...or a nice punch. I couldn't put it down this weekend...
Critical to me was neck width. This one is 1 22/32nds of an inch, and doesn't feel too wide. Others at 1-23/32's felt a little bit big, and at spec 1 3/4" just cannot seem to get comfortable with.
Sunburst with nice player wear. Back of the neck is sublime. Worn thru finish. Seems like below the 5th fret has a soft V shape and above the 5th fret seems more flat, but that might just be the finish wear. In any case it feels perfect in my hands.
Been changing string and strap heights and got her dialed in. Cant wait to take get her out on a gig, but i don't anything booked until next weekend...
 

Attachments

  • 64Front.jpg
    64Front.jpg
    358 KB · Views: 195
  • 64neck.jpg
    64neck.jpg
    595.8 KB · Views: 166
  • 1601206_10152996707427501_7760629778580856409_n.jpg
    1601206_10152996707427501_7760629778580856409_n.jpg
    67 KB · Views: 193
  • 64back.jpg
    64back.jpg
    297.4 KB · Views: 163
  • 64head.jpg
    64head.jpg
    544.4 KB · Views: 168
  • Like
Reactions: Mastermold, Gecko 5, harleyman888 and 9 others
#11
^^^What he said. I dont know why Fender stuck an "L" on the front of the s/n. It would be cool if the L stands for "Last or Leo" or something like that. There is a relatively small group of guitars with it, which make it more rare or desirable. There has always been overlap from year to year w.r.t. the numbering schemes, but I believe the majority of "L" designation were in '64. Someone else please chime in a correct me if I'm wrong.
 
#13
PaperbackRyder said:
^^^What he said. I dont know why Fender stuck an "L" on the front of the s/n. It would be cool if the L stands for "Last or Leo" or something like that. There is a relatively small group of guitars with it, which make it more rare or desirable. There has always been overlap from year to year w.r.t. the numbering schemes, but I believe the majority of "L" designation were in '64. Someone else please chime in a correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...

L serial numbers start as early as '63 and I've seen them as late as '66.

/rick
 
#15
Congrats! Still looking for my precbs dream....:(

I think the most common explanation is just that it was an error in that the L should have been a 1. Not wanting to go to waste, they just used them until they got rid of them.
 
#16
PaperbackRyder said:
Yessir, she is one sweet ride!
Finally got my dream ax. Shopped a couple of dozen examples, from 63-68, even tried some 72-73's, but a guy I know showed me this one...
Always GAS'd for a 64 L series. No tangible reason why that year, and L Series means nothing AFAIK.
This baby has all the pre-CBS features; clay dots, thin rosewood veneer FB, shrinking (unbroken) pickguard, and a sweet, rich creamy tone with just a hint of natural compression...or a nice punch. I couldn't put it down this weekend...
Critical to me was neck width. This one is 1 22/32nds of an inch, and doesn't feel too wide. Others at 1-23/32's felt a little bit big, and at spec 1 3/4" just cannot seem to get comfortable with.
Sunburst with nice player wear. Back of the neck is sublime. Worn thru finish. Seems like below the 5th fret has a soft V shape and above the 5th fret seems more flat, but that might just be the finish wear. In any case it feels perfect in my hands.
Been changing string and strap heights and got her dialed in. Cant wait to take get her out on a gig, but i don't anything booked until next weekend...
Click to expand...
Beautiful bass, it will serve you well!! have one of the last L series Jazz Basses, neck date May 65, it was and is my "gold standard" for 4 string basses!! I won't and you shouldn't ever sell it. It has as much output as most active basses I've played! Something about those L s' Jim
 
#17
PaperbackRyder said:
^^^What he said. I dont know why Fender stuck an "L" on the front of the s/n. It would be cool if the L stands for "Last or Leo" or something like that. There is a relatively small group of guitars with it, which make it more rare or desirable. There has always been overlap from year to year w.r.t. the numbering schemes, but I believe the majority of "L" designation were in '64. Someone else please chime in a correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...

Story I've seen is that when the plates were ordered from their outside source the serial number range requested was supposed to start with the number 1. On the typewriters of the day the lower case letter "l" was used for the number 1 since they looked the same in the font used for the typewriter and there was no key for the number 1. The person typing up the order made a typo and hit the shift key which shifted the lower case "l" to the upper case "L" and a mystery was born.
 
#19
Wonderful bass, congrats man. I have an L series from May 1963 getting Re- Refinned. I'm having withdraw from playing it but should be getting it back soon. If you're interested, here is my thread on it: http://www.talkbass.com/threads/fixing-up-1963-precision-bass.1079115/

Regarding the "L" in the serial number, if that story about the type writer is true, that's hilarious. And somewhat serendipitous considering the founder was Leo. I have my grandmothers 1947 Smith-Corona that doesn't have a "1" key.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back