Pre CBS '63' P Bass Help

[micguy]

It's a nice looking bass. If you can afford it, there's no crime in buying it - just know that it's probably not a good investment, and if you want a really nice playing bass, there are undoubtedly better instruments at that price.

 

[Vektori]

I'd rather put that money into a custom bass, build by my specification. Probably wouldn't even be that expensive. But then, i don't give a crap about vintage instruments or P-bass for that matter... would never use even 1/8 of that ammount to a one sound P-bass. Any P-bass.

 

[HoochfromP]

Test and buy (or not) is a neat way for sure. Sometimes though it'd suppose not moving forward on a sweet deal or/and a rare find, as the bass is too far away. Took the plunge a few times and bought basses after some chat online, never been disappointed. The higher price the seller is asking though, the more sharp details he's entitled to provide on what he's selling for sure.

 

[Emperor Elite]

The price is too high for a refin '63. Please DO NOT buy this bass without playing it first. The neck can be wonky, it can have a slight flip at the 14th fret, it could have a dead spot or a wolf tone, there are many things that could be problematical. You might also hate the neck profile. I've owned two '63s and they were both very chunky.

If your heart is set on this bass, then demand a 24 hour approval period. If the seller balks on that, then walk away.

 

[SleepyShark]

A custom shop will not appreciate like an original 1963 even if the 63 plays like crap

Correct and a good mention. OP said they want to use it as a player, though. In that case, I’d save some cash and go CS. You’re more likely to get a well-built player, you won’t be gigging an irreplaceable artifact out in public, and you can get exactly what you want, rather than what’s already floating around out there.

 

[mike buzzetti]

Bought almost all my basses without being able to play them before the purchase, including some mighty fine axes like my Wal MK1. Which is a keeper, like some others. Going this way makes it important, at least for me, to get nice deals when purchasing, as re-sale value might be something to consider more often. $8K for a refin & refret 63 Precision ? Honestly i don't know as it's a player bass, and players market.

Made recently an exception to my online purchase habits. Just traded my close to original (except 2 vol pots and some wires) oct 1965 jazz bass with this 1963 Precision (and some cash my way, $2.8K or so). Think it's a fair deal. The 1963 is refin and (medium-jumbo) refretted. Refin is from the 70s, not full-nitro but aged beautifully, looks legit/consistent imo. Neck is stiff, trussrod has almost no effort to do, pickups and electronics are original, as the rest of the bass (minus pickup screws), low action, and best Pbass i ever played - and i played quite a few.
THATS my Avatar bass right there !!!! LOVE IT

Long story short i'm super-happy, the guy i traded with is super happy. Would i've'd sealed the deal if purchased online ? It's former owner drove almost 500 miles to make the deal happen, so i think it was pretty clear for me and him we'd trade our bass if there was no major issue with them. What surprised me though is how amazing this 1963 Precision is. Nice surprises are the best ones for sure !

View attachment 4670314

Thats My Avatar bass right there ! LOVE IT

BTW this 63 bass is listed on Reverb also, that guarantees returnability FYI !

 

[ChetChetney]

Thanks for all of your opinions - much appreciated! One thing I really like about the bass, even with the refinish, is how solid it looks and also it’s originality. Also, look how tight the neck pocket is. For example, look at the attached ‘65 P Bass I found a photo of that’s for sale from another dealer. Does this look good, sloppy, or completely normal? Thanks

 

[TomB]

Normal, I’d say.

 

[ChetChetney]

Here is another pic of this ‘65 P from another dealer. Is this neck pocket too wide? Thoughts?

makes me like this Fiesta Red refin more and more.

 

[Mastermold]

Here is another pic of this ‘65 P from another dealer. Is this neck pocket too wide? Thoughts?

makes me like this Fiesta Red refin more and more.

I hear you, I prefer tight neck pockets. Both my ‘64 Precision basses are tight, their pick guards have shrunk but the wood fits snugly.

 

[Mastermold]

Thanks for all of your opinions - much appreciated! One thing I really like about the bass, even with the refinish, is how solid it looks and also it’s originality. Also, look how tight the neck pocket is. For example, look at the attached ‘65 P Bass I found a photo of that’s for sale from another dealer. Does this look good, sloppy, or completely normal? Thanks

Rosewood looks dry.

 

[Iridescentone]

Doesn't look like that neck came with that body, doesn't look like typical Brazilian to me, either. Transplant?

 

[DTRN]

For that kind of coin you could get just about any bass AND amp combo you want. I would leave it alone and move on.

 

[Mastermold]

Since we’re beyond the original post I’ll share my ‘64 refin in CAR. It’s been a solid player for me.

 

[96tbird]

Holding my tongue About value because I bought a 1961 Jazz (62 model neck date late 61) that had been stripped and finished natural. It was a basket case of dirt trapped in the varnish, paint brush bristles trapped, brush strokes you could see and feel.

so I had it refinished.

Since then, seeing prices on refins shooting up, of course I am happy. On the other hand, OP want to drop this much on a refin and it’s a lot of dough. It seems t me though that this is around the current asking price for a refin, original being double that amount.

I don’t see it being a losing proposition, maybe not a solid investment, but face it, these are only going to continue going up, albeit in spasmodic jumps rather than constant increases.

Here’s mine fresh from the refin nine years ago. We had to customize the burst to cover damage to the body.

 

[dasherf17]

Pukey color...buy it, enjoy it...paint's cheap...

 

[Dave Hill]

If you think this bass is overpriced, you should see what the 1500 sq ft 80’s ranch home on 1/2 acre just sold for down the street.
Do some Reverb surfing. It doesn’t appear that high. Get used to the current norm.

 

[Ostie]

Is it me, or is the string spacing between the A and D a little wider?

 

[ChetChetney]

Is it me, or is the string spacing between the A and D a little wider?

Yea, I see that too very clearly. Sure either the A or D string just needs to be shifted on its bridge…

 

[Glazenn]

@ChetChetney
It’s a week now… many stay hungry here
Have you moved forward?
Thank you