Fender Precision Bass 1961
Ottavia Delamar
The Fender Precision Bass has historically transcended genres and decades alike, and this 1961 model is a beautiful example of that. Strung with flatwounds, and with its original pickups and electronics, this bass will do just about anything you need it to and then some. This particular model is a joy to play and sounds like all your favorite records.
Brazilian rosewood (Dalbergia nigra) is listed on Appendix I of CITES and EU Annex A of the EC Regulations, which means that guitars made with parts from this species require exemption Certificates (commonly called Article 10 Certificates) to allow commercial use within the European Union (EU). We can supply this certificate for 75. For sales outside the EU a re-export licence is required which we can supply for 150. Customers outside the EU will also need to apply for an import licence from the relevant authority in their country.
1961 Fender Precision bass, all original and complete with exception of the case. (Brown Fender reissue) Sunburst finish over an Alder body, slab Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard with clay dots. It has a fantastic neck with a superb playing action and amazing tone.
The Sunburst finish is still very vibrant. There is some wear to the finish around the edges and a little buckle rash on the back of the upper horn and also some checking. The headstock is very clean, the finish on the back of the neck has mostly worn away leaving a very smooth feel. Serial number:64213. Weight: 8lbs 8.5oz. The body dates 8/61. The neck dates 9/61, the two original pots date to the 20th week of 61. The pickups have black bobbins and original winds. The case latches still work but the case itself has seen better days and the ends are broken in a few places.
This bass is a joy to play with a superb even sound right across the fretboard, it has a straight neck, and the truss rod works as it should. The frets are in great condition. (presumably this bass has been strung with flats for most or all of its life) It's been fully set up with a set of flat wound strings. The neck is wide and slim in depth. Nut width: 43.29 mm. Depth at 1st fret 20.46mm The pickup reads 10.7 Kohms.
Andy Baxter Bass & Guitars has established a name as the best place to shop for vintage basses in the UK. We're also getting a name for ourselves stocking fine vintage 6 string electric & acoustic guitars. All instruments are thoroughly checked over and set up before sale. We offer free setups for the first year after purchase.
As a reputable and knowledgeable dealer, we offer the complete variety of brands, including Fender, Gibson, Rickenbacker, Music Man, Hofner, and Vox. Vintage bass guitars with a high degree of character and investment value are our specialty. We work with musicians, collectors and dealers around the globe, and offer quick delivery worldwide.
What next...If you are happy to buy over the internet, I will send you as much information about the bass guitar you're interested in as I can, and if you require more high resolution photos dont hesitate to ask.
Payments are to be made on the dates agreed. If the customer fails to do so or pulls out of an agreed deal after 1 month has elapsed from the date of the first payment, 10% of the agreed sale price is non refundable. A further 10% will be added each consecutive month thereafter. Within the first month a 5% fee is applied. Andy Baxter Bass has the right to withdraw from any agreement and re list the item if payments are not made on the agreed dates. A 10% non refundable deposit will hold any guitar for 30 days. With installment / layaway / deposit agreements all sales are final, no returns, no refunds and no exceptions.
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Status: Pricing and hold status for all instruments currently availableis shown on our Instrumentspage here. If this instrumentdoes not appear on the Instruments pageit has been sold, and is no longer available. Photos and descriptions ofPreviously Sold instruments may be found here. To be notified of examples of thismodel or similar instruments in the future, please contact [email protected],. Please be specific on which instrument(s) you're looking for, and we'll be happy to contact you as soon as they become available.
Hardware: Original black staggered level-pole single coil pickups with original chrome coverplate; original knurled flat top volume and tone knobs; original nickel reverse no-logo Kluson tuners; original string retainer and finger rest; original bridge saddles and bridge cover; original CTS pots and cap; original adjustable truss rod. Vintage replacement 3-ply tortoise pickguard with shielding plate.
Notes: Introduced in October of 1951, the Fender Precision Bass has single-handedly defined the electric bass guitar to this day. So iconic and ubiquitous was this revolutionary model that for decades the electric bass as an instrument was generically referred to as the 'Fender Bass'. By 1954, the body was contoured like the Stratocaster for greater comfort, and with only minor variations, the Precision Bass has remained essentially unchanged, maintaining its pre-eminince as the industry standard ever since.
This outstanding instrument has been in the collection of single owner since the mid-70's, and has been lovingly maintained, with all original electronics and hardware, right down to the factory chrome coverplates. Built in the last full year for the slab rosewood fingerboard, the solid maple neck is straight, with its original truss rod, and retains its original natural finish with smooth pro thumbwear, original decal, and pencil neck date indicating a manufacture in March of 1961. The original staggered flat-pole single coil pickups are clear and powerful, and the original CTS pots date from mid-to-late 1960, with the original disc capacitor in place.
The natural deep amber nitrocellulose lacquer finish on the body was professionally replaced over 40 years ago, and apart from some light buckle worming, appears largely free of playwear, with no cracks or checking. The three original strap buttons are in place, with the addition of an extra button positioned near the neck plate, and the 3-ply tortoise pickguard was replaced decades ago, over an additional grounding plate for maximum hum reduction. The neck has smooth low action over a fresh high-precision setup, with medium gauge nickel flatwound strings, and all electronics tested and guaranteed.
An exceptionally well cared for example, this gleaming instrument is supplied with its original rectangular black tolex Fender logo plush lined hardshell case. True early '60's feel and performance, priced for the serious player. One only, call now.
This Fender P-Bass was made in the USA in 1961. This bass has lots of changed parts and it was preofessionally refinished. Basically the body, neck, and neckplate are original and all the other parts are replaced. Despite the changed parts this is a fabulous playing and sounding pre-cbs slab board P-Bass. It has been pro-setup and it plays great. It comes with a non original case.
We offer a 48 hour no questions asked return policy. If you don't like it, just send it back and we will issue a refund. We do not refund shipping charges and if you pay with a credit card there is a 5% restocking fee. If you pay with cash, check, paypal, or bank wire there is no restocking fee.
This 1961 Fender Precision bass had suffered headstock damage in the 1970's. The repairer at the time filed away and smoothed the damaged area which significantly altered the shape, as seen in picture 1, which compares it with another bass from 1961.
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