Fender 1961 or 1962?? Precision Bass Story

[briandavismurph]

I will keep this brief out of respect for your time. Pictures of the bass included for your reference.


Pulled from a dumpster in Dekalb Illinois 1975 at the beginning of the NIU school year at which time I adopted it and take full responsibility for everything that has happened since that time. I was young and stupid. I have no recollection of the color at the time but do recall a "repaired" break in the head stock which is still apparent. I remember taking it to a “repair guy” and him lamenting the fact that hide glue was used for the headstock repair. Bass has been refinished a few times prior to the white enamel coat it currently wears. White enamel was sprayed at an auto body shop in late 70’s. Pickups and bridge have been replaced by quarter pounders and modern bridge [make unknown] back in late 70’s.


Short term plan- Get this P-bass up and playing. To this end I bought a neck, make unknown at the Chicago GTG on April 15th [yesterday] which was a great time for all who attended. Checked the fit when I got home and it’s near perfect. The neck is dead straight without strings and the truss rod works. I will hope for some advice here as far as finishing the neck. I’m thinking Tru-Oil finish on the neck back and naked rosewood on the front with a little drink of linseed oil. Will probably do the front of the head stock in lacquer with a logo of some kind. I plan to use all the original tuners [yes they fit] and hardware. As you can see the tuners might benefit from a good soaking of some kind. Not sure what to do here. I am hoping for a drama free install of the neck with no fret leveling needed. I’m hoping to just string it up and play with no buzzing allowed. We’ll see.


Long term plan is to get the original neck and body to a local shop and have him size it up for repair and re-fretting. If there is any redeeming value to the neck I might undergo a more legitimate restoration, but for now I am feeling kind of hopeless due to the rude de-fretted and damaged nature of the fingerboard as well as the amateur nature of the body refinish. I would value your opinion here. I am reluctant to throw a boatload of cash at a bass that would have no real investment value. I do have the original pickups and bridge. I could easily be convinced that I should just set it up and play the hell out of it.


As Cliff would say Thank You for your indulgence.

 

[ICM]

That's beautiful. It's got some serious character. The neck doesn't look too bad, seems to be a common break point for fenders of this age.

 

[mongo2]

The pickups look more like older DiMarzios rather than Quarter Pounders to me. Also looks like the controls were redone, and the output jack appears to be a cheap replacement (I'd use a Switchcraft)...and why is the output wire wrapped around the tip contact of the output jack?

 

[briandavismurph]

The pickups look more like older DiMarzios rather than Quarter Pounders to me. You may well be right, I was using my memory from nearly 40 years ago Also looks like the controls were redone, not surprised at this and the output jack appears to be a cheap replacement (I'd use a Switchcraft) if this is true I would agree based on things i have learned from this group...and why is the output wire wrapped around the tip contact of the output jack?

I'm clueless about most wiring, may have to learn more, or take it to my local pro .....I really appreciate your comments and thoughts

 

[JTE]

DeKalb in '75? How far from Ax-In-Hand?

Quarter Pounders would have 1/4 inch nob-adjustable magnets rather than the allen-key adjustable pole pieces, so I'm also thinking DiMarzio. Were it mine, I'd start with neck analysis for viability of restoration, and not worry about the body yet. I'd also go for a more vintage-style PUP, Duncan being my choice (but I haven't dealt with after-market PUPS in about 20 years), kosher up the wiring, and put a vintage-style threaded saddle bridge to go with your after-market neck. Gets you up and running with minimal cash outlay while determining whether the original neck can be salvaged. I kinda like the "porch painted" vibe it has.

 

[briandavismurph]

DeKalb in '75? How far from Ax-In-Hand?

Quarter Pounders would have 1/4 inch nob-adjustable magnets rather than the allen-key adjustable pole pieces, so I'm also thinking DiMarzio. Were it mine, I'd start with neck analysis for viability of restoration, and not worry about the body yet. I'd also go for a more vintage-style PUP, Duncan being my choice (but I haven't dealt with after-market PUPS in about 20 years), kosher up the wiring, and put a vintage-style threaded saddle bridge to go with your after-market neck. Gets you up and running with minimal cash outlay while determining whether the original neck can be salvaged. I kinda like the "porch painted" vibe it has.

Thanks for your thoughts, Ax in hand was about 2 miles from the apartments I was living in when i took possession of this bass. Thanks for the porch paint love

 

[UnDoNe]

Subscribed, as I love old restoration threads!

If it was mine, I'd get it refretted, get the neck issue looked at, strip the old finish and get it nitro-ed in a period-correct colour. I'd get the old bridge and pups back in it to. Have fun with a cool bass

 

[A-Step-Towards]

It sounds like you have the majority of the original parts and defiantly the key ones. The necks fretboard doesn’t look to bad neither does the crack. It would cost A lot to have someone properly restore it but I think it would be worth it. I’d have someone that has restored vintage fenders do it if I had it done, or just play it with the newer neck as is and let the next person who owns it restore it. We are all just curators of our possessions. John Kallas could do that bass justice but at A price.

 

[JTE]

Thanks for your thoughts, Ax in hand was about 2 miles from the apartments I was living in when i took possession of this bass. Thanks for the porch paint love

I worked at the Ax-In-Hand in Normal from '77-'88 (Jim nought the store from KarryLarry around '80 I think so it became Guitar World). So I spent a good deal of time with L arry learning about old and vintage instruments.

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

I too think you have DiMarzio pups.
Not a bad thing, if you just want a player.
Hot, responsive.
Depends on what you want.

Since you got it from a dumpster you can afford to put some money into it
without going in over what it is worth.
I dare say that since you say you have most of the original parts,
a full restoration from JohnK would cost you some, but add more to the value.
I am sure he has worked wonders with less.

 

[two fingers]

Yeah, those look like DiMarzio pickups.

If it were me, I would get it refretted, slap a Fender waterslide on that white head, slap the original bridge on it, pick whichever pickup you loke best between the original amd current, and let it eat.

It's not a holy grail. And the story/mojo behind that bass is YOURS. You should play it that way amd have fun with it.

And when somebody asks you what it is, grin and tell the truth. "It's a '62 P bass I pulled out of a dumpster in 1975 and had refinished a few times."

I dig it. And it's a great story. Restoration, as if it's a holy relic? Nah. Let some invester worry about that after you've squeezed every note you want out if it.

 

[wvbass]

Yeah, those look like DiMarzio pickups.

If it were me, I would get it refretted, slap a Fender waterslide on that white head, slap the original bridge on it, pick whichever pickup you loke best between the original amd current, and let it eat.

It's not a holy grail. And the story/mojo behind that bass is YOURS. You should play it that way amd have fun with it.

And when somebody asks you what it is, grin and tell the truth. "It's a '62 P bass I pulled out of a dumpster in 1975 and had refinished a few times."

I dig it. And it's a great story. Restoration, as if it's a holy relic? Nah. Let some invester worry about that after you've squeezed every note you want out if it.

Exactly.

 

[Pbassmanca]

The whole bass excites me, however, if the original pickup is still in good working condition, then that excites me even more.......

 

[Wisebass]

Pulled from a dumpster in Dekalb Illinois 1975

Hi briandavismurph

A "mojo machine" with a great story!

If it were me, I would get it refretted, slap a Fender waterslide on that white head, slap the original bridge on it, pick whichever pickup you loke best between the original amd current, and let it eat.

This! Or?..... second thought,
maybe just rewire it...

and rock it fretless!!!!!


may the bass be with you

Wise(b)ass

 

[briandavismurph]

I worked at the Ax-In-Hand in Normal from '77-'88 (Jim nought the store from KarryLarry around '80 I think so it became Guitar World). So I spent a good deal of time with L arry learning about old and vintage instruments.

I will keep this brief out of respect for your time. Pictures of the bass included for your reference.


Pulled from a dumpster in Dekalb Illinois 1975 at the beginning of the NIU school year at which time I adopted it and take full responsibility for everything that has happened since that time. I was young and stupid. I have no recollection of the color at the time but do recall a "repaired" break in the head stock which is still apparent. I remember taking it to a “repair guy” and him lamenting the fact that hide glue was used for the headstock repair. Bass has been refinished a few times prior to the white enamel coat it currently wears. White enamel was sprayed at an auto body shop in late 70’s. Pickups and bridge have been replaced by quarter pounders and modern bridge [make unknown] back in late 70’s.


Short term plan- Get this P-bass up and playing. To this end I bought a neck, make unknown at the Chicago GTG on April 15th [yesterday] which was a great time for all who attended. Checked the fit when I got home and it’s near perfect. The neck is dead straight without strings and the truss rod works. I will hope for some advice here as far as finishing the neck. I’m thinking Tru-Oil finish on the neck back and naked rosewood on the front with a little drink of linseed oil. Will probably do the front of the head stock in lacquer with a logo of some kind. I plan to use all the original tuners [yes they fit] and hardware. As you can see the tuners might benefit from a good soaking of some kind. Not sure what to do here. I am hoping for a drama free install of the neck with no fret leveling needed. I’m hoping to just string it up and play with no buzzing allowed. We’ll see.


Long term plan is to get the original neck and body to a local shop and have him size it up for repair and re-fretting. If there is any redeeming value to the neck I might undergo a more legitimate restoration, but for now I am feeling kind of hopeless due to the rude de-fretted and damaged nature of the fingerboard as well as the amateur nature of the body refinish. I would value your opinion here. I am reluctant to throw a boatload of cash at a bass that would have no real investment value. I do have the original pickups and bridge. I could easily be convinced that I should just set it up and play the hell out of it.


As Cliff would say Thank You for your indulgence.

Thank you for all of your observations and suggestions.
May I please ask advice on a short term question:
I have a new unfinished rosewood neck I will install for the short term.
I like the smooth feel [ala Lakland] of the back of the neck but wish to protect it from sweat, moisture etc.
Would Tru-Oil be a quick and easy way to go here?
As far as the rosewood fretboard, leave it naked with a little linseed oil for protections?
I will straighten out the electronics [short term] and start playing this P while I am figuring out the neck in the mean time.
Thanks again for all your suggestions and thoughts.
Brian

 

[briandavismurph]

Thank you for all of your observations and suggestions.
May I please ask advice on a short term question:
I have a new unfinished rosewood neck I will install for the short term.
I like the smooth feel [ala Lakland] of the back of the neck but wish to protect it from sweat, moisture etc.
Would Tru-Oil be a quick and easy way to go here?
As far as the rosewood fretboard, leave it naked with a little linseed oil for protections?
I will straighten out the electronics [short term] and start playing this P while I am figuring out the neck in the mean time.
Thanks again for all your suggestions and thoughts.
Brian

I forgot to add one more question, regarding the corrosion on the tuners [two of them, please see pix] what is the best way to handle this? I can think of two, soak in some kind of magic juice, or use an abrasive. Looking for some input here. Many thanks