Time machine '52 Precision?

[ChefKen]

At my first lesson a few weeks ago Doug Wimbish put a 1952 P bass in my hands from his collection. A player.....worn beautifully!! One of the nicest playing necks I have ever held. Amazing....wish I took a pic.

 

[veebass]

That is indeed in amazing condition.
Here's some pics of my 56 that show the contours that I believe started in 54? These feel deeper than modern Fenders and I find these mid 50s P Basses very comfortable.
Mine is ash and all original but has been and continues to be played.
It has a soft V neck profile which I love. At around 8lbs a beautiful bass to play.

 

[iiipopes]

It's too bad we don't see a picture of the bridge without the cover so we can see if it has the bakelite bridge saddles.

 

[GeneralElectric]

That bass has been hanging in Mandolin Brothers for a few years now. For those who don't know that store is on par with elderly instruments and gruhn guitar for vintage fretted instruments. Coincidentally it's also the guitar store I grew up in. You can trust their appraisals. And in real life the bridge cover is on correctly.

The owner Stan Jay died recently so his son is selling off Stan's private collection and will probably dismantle the business after he eeks every last dime he can out of it.

 

[ModuMan]

That bass has been hanging in Mandolin Brothers for a few years now. For those who don't know that store is on par with elderly instruments and gruhn guitar for vintage fretted instruments. Coincidentally it's also the guitar store I grew up in. You can trust their appraisals. And in real life the bridge cover is on correctly.

The owner Stan Jay died recently so his son is selling off Stan's private collection and will probably dismantle the business after he eeks every last dime he can out of it.

Ah, now I understand a little better. My Dad lives on Staten Island and while he doesn't play he loves music and would stop by on occasion. They sent him a list of instruments that Stan really liked and he forwarded that to me.

Link Removed

When I looked the bass inventory I immediately spotted the '52 and wanted to share it. Too bad the store likely won't continue. Maybe I should convince Dad to pick something up!

 

[GeneralElectric]

They have other stuff that isn't listed as well. Their motto? "Find another one."

 

[millsbass5]

I know this sounds kinda crazy to some people, but, I'm way more amazed at the condition of that gig bag. Now THAT'S a rare piece of Fender history.

If there's one thing that really bugs me, is that almost all dealers don't get (or at least tell) "the story" on the various vintage instruments they're selling. The only time you see a story with something being sold, it's very likely that it was celebrity-owned.
If I were a dealer, I would try my hardest to obtain pictures, to make copies to go with the instruments to future buyers. I actually think that could be a pretty good selling point for some guitars. I'm surprised no one's taken this approach. I have the story on one of my vintage Fenders. As for the others, I would absolutely love to know what path they've been on throughout their life.

 

[millsbass5]

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.

If Mandolin Bros. is selling this bass, you can sure bet that it's been appraised/authenticated, for damn sure. They're a pretty reputable vintage dealer that was around before collecting/selling vintage instruments was even remotely "cool".

 

[ROOTSnFIFTHS]

If Mandolin Bros. is selling this bass, you can sure bet that it's been appraised/authenticated, for damn sure. They're a pretty reputable vintage dealer that was around before collecting/selling vintage instruments was even remotely "cool".

Agree completely. I am originally from the tri-state area and well aware of Mandolin Bros.

I am going to go back and salavate over those photos because as I said before, that bass is in remarkable condition.

Thanks to the OP for sharing and also to GeneralElectric for the clarification.
...MMM, now wonder if I can get $20K for selling my truck....

 

[iammr2]

People would play them that way to unmute the strings.

I never saw or heard of that until the last dozen or so years. Like all the P's and J's, in the old days we just took all of the bridge covers off. Just sayin'...

Beautiful bass.

 

[mikeswals]

that bass is in remarkable condition.

Its amazing and to me priced well for the condition compared to a couple other beat up ones I saw priced nearly the same...I'd rather have the minty one!

As far as conditon goes, several years ago there was another slab circa 52-53 P bass that surfaced in equally nice condition. The son showed his mom and dad had a country & western act and she was the bassist and the original owner and was clearly delicate with the bass, as well as a B-15 along with it. So yeah, not every player back in the day was a smokey roadhouse warrior.