Fender Precision Bass Model Solid Body Electric Bass Guitar (1965), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 110423, sunburst lacquer finish, alder body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black tolex hard shell case.
This is an early CBS-era 1965 Fender Precision Bass still retaining many older features with a look and feel barely changed from the last Pre-CBS instruments made in late 1964. The features of this period include a thin-lam rosewood fingerboard with pearloid dot inlay, recently changed from the earlier pattern "clay" dots. This heel neck is stamped 5 Oct 65C, still finished in the thin pre-CBS lacquer with the original early '60s-style smaller fretwire. The headstock carries the "transition" silver Fender logo decal, which first appeared in the spring of '64.
This bass was likely assembled at the end of 1965 (the pots are coded 6542) and the neckplate has the stamped "F" and early 100,000 series number that had just appeared that fall. The body finish is the vibrant "target" sunburst typical of 1965 and retains good color with only minor fade to just the red pigment edging into a slightly oranger hue. The sound is perhaps a bit brighter than many earlier '60s models but warms up nicely when the tone knob is rolled off a bit, with the typical growl of this early-CBS era. Overall this is a very nice example of the world's standard electric bass, ruler of the roost 60+ years on and ready for the next half-century of low-end action.
Overall length is 45 in. (114.3 cm.), 13 in. (33 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 34 in. (864 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.)., 9.06 lbs.
This bass remains in nicely original condition with some light typical wear but is all original with no visible repairs or modifications. There are dings, scuffing and dents to the finish, most heavily on the face of body which has some larger dents and an area of finger wear into the wood above the strings off the back edge of the pickguard. The back has a decent sized area of buckle wear in the center, while the body edges show fewer dings and chips than many. The neck finish has some light wear, down to the wood along part of the treble side and showing some light surface chipping behind the first fret and in the 7-9th fret areas.
The original; pickups and wiring remain unaltered, the foam beneath the coils has been replaced for adjustability's sake. The original small frets have some light wear but nothing too serious. The bass is complete including the chrome covers, a new piece of correct-style foam under the bell cover has been added to enhance the vintage LaBella flatwound string sound but can easily be removed if more modern tones are required! The bass comes in at a hair over 9lbs, handles very well and resides in the original Fender black Tolex HSC that is well worn but still functional. Overall Very Good + Condition.
