The 1st ever made Precision Bass

[bassdude51]

John Entwistle claimed he possibly had #1.

 

[markbvt]

Outside of extremely collectible instruments, like '59 Les Pauls, I think vintage prices were low until the very late 80's. I recall that you could frequently find pre-CBS Fender basses for under a grand up until the early 90's.

Great thread. And yeah, I can attest to the above. I picked up a '66 Jazzmaster in the late '80s for about $400, which IIRC was less than new Strats and Teles were going for at the time, and not all that much more than some lightly used Squiers at the same shop. Though in fairness, the price was probably on the low side because the body had been refinished in metallic blue rattle-can. Imagine my delight when I got it home, took off the pickguard, and discovered the original sunburst underneath -- some fine-grit sandpaper soon had the original finish restored.

Unfortunately, about a year later I traded that guitar for a brand-new American Standard Jazz Bass, which at the time was an even trade value-wise. If only I'd known...

I also picked up a '66 Duo-Sonic II a couple years later and still have it, and a '67 Bassman head that I also still have. Both were inexpensive at the time.

By 2001 the vintage market was through the roof, but there were still occasional deals to be had. I came across a '66 P-bass that had been badly refinished with latex house paint, fitted with a black anodized aluminum pickguard, had a couple of tuners replaced, etc -- but still played great. I picked it up for just under $1000, stripped off the latex paint and refinished it with black nitro lacquer, gave it a replacement Fender American Vintage tortoise pickguard, and it's been my favorite bass ever since. May not be a collectible, but at least it looks good now, and it plays and sounds fantastic.

--mark

 

[Straybassman]

I have a personal connection (indirectly) to the '51 Fender P bass that was owned by John Entwistle. I'd like to tell the story but I'm not sure who would appreciate it. I've been doing some reading this morning and apparently that bass was sold at Entwistle's estate sale. Does anybody know who the current owner is?

 

[iriegnome]

Does anybody know what happened to the first ever Precision Bass made by Fender in 1951? Or where is it kept now?

Actually I saw a documentary with John Entwistle. IIRC he had it in his collection. Don't know where any of the hundreds of basses he owned went to after his death

 

[Mastermold]

Actually I saw a documentary with John Entwistle. IIRC he had it in his collection. Don't know where any of the hundreds of basses he owned went to after his death

According to that documentary, his favorite P-bass was supposed to be cremated with him, so I guess that's one we may know about.

 

[Bflat]

Hard to believe another September 18 1951 Precision bass has surfaced. also has all of the early differences including the 2 hole tug bar screw holes and the longer control cavity and the hand made chrome cover. just wow, that makes 4 of them now

 

[Ric Vice]

Outside of extremely collectible instruments, like '59 Les Pauls, I think vintage prices were low until the very late 80's. I recall that you could frequently find pre-CBS Fender basses for under a grand up until the early 90's.

A friend of mine told me that when he was shopping for his first "real" guitar (a Strat) in 1979, the guy was telling him that for the same money he could buy a late 50's Strat he had on sale. (he bought the '79).

That is very true, I demoed a set of pre CBS Fender Precision’s that were for sale circa 1975. There was a 1951, 1956, a 1958 and a Fender 5 string.
I bought the 58 and still own it. None of them were over $350.00 if that. Remember as the story goes they used to stamp out a group of serial number plates
and throw them in a bin, where the floor workers at the plant, would reach in and select one for whatever bass or guitar they were finished with.

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

It's the rarity (and expense) that keeps getting in the way of me owning a birth year bass.

Born Dec 51.

At least I do own Detef's great book.

 

[Bflat]

It's the rarity (and expense) that keeps getting in the way of me owning a birth year bass.

Born Dec 51.

At least I do own Detef's great book.

thats a great book, I have it ,too.........I never understood the birthyear bass thing, for me it would be 1954....you can find beat up but playable 51's for 4k if you look long enough....I'd like to buy this early 51, its for sale, haven't got a price yet.

 

[Shaggai]

Hard to believe another September 18 1951 Precision bass has surfaced. also has all of the early differences including the 2 hole tug bar screw holes and the longer control cavity and the hand made chrome cover. just wow, that makes 4 of them now

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I'm not sure whether I should kneel down and worship the bass, or just say you poor, poor musical instrument at least you gave it a hell of a fight. Maybe both, but then I'm not sure in which order.

 

[D Bopp]

Hard to believe another September 18 1951 Precision bass has surfaced. also has all of the early differences including the 2 hole tug bar screw holes and the longer control cavity and the hand made chrome cover. just wow, that makes 4 of them now

It's pretty awesome, but looks like some kind of relic refin. The string ferrules have been painted over. Also, the headstock decal looks like a late 60s. Same decal that is on my 67 P.