http://mandoweb.com/Instruments/Fender-Precision+Bass+in+butterscotch+blonde-1952/3859 Not my area of expertise but I thought this might be of interest to some, particularly to see one in this condition. And I expect the price tag reflects that!
For something that purports to be that early and original, you think they would put the bridge cover on the right way around!
Assuming this bass is all original as the way they detail it in the posting - WOW! Say what you want Relic and Roadworners - that right there is the deal. A super virgin, complete with original vinyl gig bag. That is what it is all about to me - and what it has always been about to me on the vintage Fenders. Of course, it would be an ornament for me to look at - as I don't spend any time on full scalers, nor will I ever - they simply don't fit me. It appears it was tucked away for years, but whoever played it when it WAS being played, obviously treated it with the utmost repect. I for one, admire someone who honors their instruments - and keeps them in pristine condition like this one. You only seem to see the ones that looked like they were dragged behind a tow truck - and then amusingly watch the folks swoon over them. Pretty interesting actually, when you really think about it. One person's jewel is another person's yawn - but I would bet - price aside - this is something we could all agree upon. Too bad all the collectors and famous players scarfed up all the good ones which look like this. Even the players who scored the nice ones are afraid to take them out of the house due to the appraised value. They may sneak them in and out of the studio somewhere, but you rarely see this kind of vintage perfection on a tour. Many are locked away in a vault somewhere. For a limited time only - and for a mere $20K - you too can join the "I-own-an-original-pristine P Bass" club. Remarkable - thanks for posting!
Funny, it's on the right way in the top right pic, reversed in the rest. Now, if it were in the tobacco burst color.... (nah, still wouldn't go for it, but...)
OK, you don't like relics. We get it! We get it! We get it! We get it! We get it! We get it! We get it! We get it!
Hey ifmn15 You have me all wrong. Nope, I love Vintage Fenders which have been coddled and taken care of - simple as that. One person's jewel is another person's yawn, and although I am yawning big time with relics, I totally embrace your right to fawn over them. Not a huge deal or a problem for me - and certainly NOT trying to pick a fight. As I said they would be on exhibit in a case somewhere untouched in my studio while I play mine - the ones that fit me:
If this played well and sounded good (and I had $20k), I would buy this in a second. One of the first Fender basses made, in near mint condition and basically 100% original.... $20k is actually a VERY good price. An early Strat or Tele in this condition would be untouchable under $100k. Could be over $250k for a great example. Amazing piece of history in crazy good condition. Cool!
Ah ok, and the one I'm remembering is indeed a '54 (my brother's, that I learned on). I didn't remember it being a pure slab, but couldn't quite remember what the contours were. Still had the single coil and tele headstock though.
LOL - no problem - but that slab can be a pretty uncomfortable monster until you get used to it! Some people never do - they are usually the ones that played a 54 first! When I move from the 51 to the 54 there is always a comfortable sigh of contentment coming from my lips.... Not to mention my rib cage. Thanks for the comment!
The condition of that bass is unbelievable. Actually I wonder. The metal parts shown in the pics are almost too clean. You would think there would be some kind of patina or some signs of age. There also seems to be no fading on the finish. The bridge cover in the first pic is in the correct position but the strings are removed. Looks like they just layed the cover on for that pic and screwed it back in (upside down) after installing the strings. Not a big deal but whoever strung her up missed the string guide on the D string at the headstock. If it lived most of its life with the cover reversed, I would have expected some difference in the finish where the cover sat for years. It is almost like it was kept in a special climate controlled room its entire life. Remarkable example, if it is real. It does have the correct slotted screws on the pickguard, covers and control plate and tug bar. The tuners do have philips head screws but Fender was starting to move to those. Even the logo looks brand new. There is buckle rash and some nicks on the edges but I would expect paint fading and signs of metal aging even if it was played sparsely. This would be worth getting appraised/authenticated for sure, wow.