ezbass Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 (edited) OK, I have hemmed and hawed over this decision for a long while and have hinted at it a few times, but now the time has come to part with my well worn, 1963 P Bass Let's get some pictures happening first: [url="http://s308.photobucket.com/user/ezbass/media/P1-1.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s308.photobucket.com/user/ezbass/media/P2.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s308.photobucket.com/user/ezbass/media/P3.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s308.photobucket.com/user/ezbass/media/PB170008.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s308.photobucket.com/user/ezbass/media/PB170009.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s308.photobucket.com/user/ezbass/media/PB180003.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s308.photobucket.com/user/ezbass/media/PB170004.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s308.photobucket.com/user/ezbass/media/PB170007.jpg.html"][/url] I'll take more pics if required. As you can see, it's had some action in its 52 years of life. However, it plays really smoothly and has a very low action, yes the frets have some wear, but there are many years of playing left in those puppies. It sounds like, well, a P Bass, except an exceptional P Bass. I can still remember picking it for the first time in the Bass Centre (more on this later) and being amazed at the tone and playability. Tone wide open - Jam era Foxton; tone 1/4 off - Steely Dan Aja/Royal Scam era Chuck Rainey; totally off - reggae-tastic! For a one pickup bass, this is no one trick pony. Now it's not all original - to my knowledge, the pickguard, and tug bar, have been replaced along with a few 'guard screws (this was by me as it came with a non-period correct anodised gold aluminium one, that I still have and will accompany the beast). The strap buttons are Fender Roadworn replacements (again by me, replacing the nasty Dunlop straplocks it came with). Finally, I understand that the Fender decal was replaced at some time. Other than that, the Bass Centre told me the rest was all original. So there's a little story that goes with this bass, all of which is word of mouth unfortunately. Anyway, here goes; when I played this originally and fell in love with it, I bought it, not from the Bass Centre itself, but from its owner, Barry Moorhouse. Whilst I was waiting for my payment to go through, I asked Nick Owen (a BC member BTW) if he knew any of the history, if there was any. Apparently when Attractions bass player, Bruce Thomas, had his original Salmon Pink P Bass stolen, he asked Barry to find a suitable replacement, which he did. As you may, or may not, know BT doesn't play too much these days and sold it back to Barry, which he, in turn, sold to me and this is what we have here. Again, I have no proof of this whatsoever and this was never a deciding factor in my original purchase, but it does add a little frisson. So, why am I selling this King of P Basses? Well truth is, I pretty much just play 5 stringers these days and this poor thing just sits on the wall looking mournful and deserves to be played more. Add to that that I have raging GAS to finance. So my friends, [b]£3,500 [/b]of your English pounds gets you a piece of history. No trades, sorry. I'll supply it with a premium, Fender hardcase. With regard to shipping, I have to say that I'm loathe to, 1) because I hate to ship instruments, let alone vintage ones and 2) I'd prefer folks to come over (or meet up) and play it and see the wear for themselves. This would make a great YOB bass for a good number of our members and just an excellent addition to your quiver of basses. C'mon, you know you want it Edited December 16, 2015 by ezbass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblueplanet Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 " Shakes and quivers " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 How much does a kidney fetch these days? I still have both mine... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted May 12, 2015 Author Share Posted May 12, 2015 (edited) I've been asked a couple questions via PM, the answers to which I'll add here. It is not a refin, as far as I know and the colour and undercoat are identical to Glen Matlock's P as featured some time ago in Bass Guitar Magazine. It weighs in at 7 pounds the bathroom scales, which are pretty spot on. Pics of the neck, pocket and headstock: Neck pocket [URL=http://s308.photobucket.com/user/ezbass/media/PB180004.jpg.html][IMG]http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/kk344/ezbass/PB180004.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Headstock front [URL=http://s308.photobucket.com/user/ezbass/media/P1100128_zpstrmnkga6.jpg.html][IMG]http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/kk344/ezbass/P1100128_zpstrmnkga6.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Headstock rear [URL=http://s308.photobucket.com/user/ezbass/media/P1100129_zpscvinbctt.jpg.html][IMG]http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/kk344/ezbass/P1100129_zpscvinbctt.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Neck [URL=http://s308.photobucket.com/user/ezbass/media/P1100130_zpsn5wbwkof.jpg.html][IMG]http://i308.photobucket.com/albums/kk344/ezbass/P1100130_zpsn5wbwkof.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Edited May 13, 2015 by ezbass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyrilxlsnoise Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Fantastic bass.. GLWS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoirBass Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 I've actually had the pleasure of playing this bass and it is a fantastic instrument. If I had the cash spare I'd be spending it on this. GLWTS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted May 12, 2015 Author Share Posted May 12, 2015 [quote name='NoirBass' timestamp='1431458521' post='2771622'] I've actually had the pleasure of playing this bass and it is a fantastic instrument. If I had the cash spare I'd be spending it on this. GLWTS [/quote]Thanks for the 'thumbs up', it is indeed a real players P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassManGraham Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 BUMP IT UP - YOU DON'T REALLY NEED IT! GLWS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soul-Fi Steve Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 That is a stunning bass..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted May 13, 2015 Author Share Posted May 13, 2015 [quote name='BassManGraham' timestamp='1431472143' post='2771807'] BUMP IT UP - YOU DON'T REALLY NEED IT! GLWS [/quote] I used to play that song, with this bass, guess what? It sounded spot on (tone-wise at least). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted May 13, 2015 Author Share Posted May 13, 2015 I have had a typing error pointed out to me by the wonderful Happy Jack, cheers dude. My second post with pics should've, and now does, read, "This is not a refin." Sorry for any confusion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted May 16, 2015 Author Share Posted May 16, 2015 (edited) Afternoon all, a little change to the above ad. A couple of folks have PM'd me and, very nicely I might add, have wondered if this actually might be a refin. This is based on the paint within the neck pocket. As I have said previously, as far as I know it isn't. However, I wouldn't want the new owner to feel cheated if they took it to a specialist and found that it was indeed a refin. So, I have perused the prices of the Andy Baxter stock of current and previous refin P Basses and have adjusted the price to £3,700 in line with what he appears to be charging for a basses of similar vintage. So that's [b]£3,700 (not at the moment, see last post) [/b]boys and girls, tried and collected from Ez Towers. I now have a new Rickenbacker and this needs to go to pay for it and make room on the wall. Edited July 27, 2015 by ezbass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted May 24, 2015 Author Share Posted May 24, 2015 Bank Holiday bump. Look down the back of the sofa and in those jeans you've not worn for a bit, there'll be loads of money there. C'mon, you know you want it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivansc Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 This is torture! TWO 1963 precisions, refinished in white, both up for sale at the same time.... Both for way more money than I can afford. Had my refinished Precision from 62 stolen in 63/4. *sigh* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted May 25, 2015 Author Share Posted May 25, 2015 Possibly refinished; opinions vary. Definitely Pre-CBS, 1963 though; neck stamp and serial number as provenance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick's Fine '52 Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 Whats the line and filler at the back of the E string tuner?, has it cracked? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted May 25, 2015 Author Share Posted May 25, 2015 (edited) [quote name='Rick's Fine '52' timestamp='1432547000' post='2782432'] Whats the line and filler at the back of the E string tuner?, has it cracked? Thanks [/quote]I honestly don't know. Running my fingernail over just now reveals no change in texture or ridges. Up close it looks more like a stain, like something has run. It doesn't extend around the edge and there's no evidence of a crack there. Equally, the round blob just south of the tuner is a mystery. I've never had any tuning or neck stability issues with this bass in all the time I've owned it, so beyond the occasional, "I wonder what that is?" I've not given it any thought or concern. Edited May 25, 2015 by ezbass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zomnius Posted May 31, 2015 Share Posted May 31, 2015 stunning, glws Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Japow Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 Now here's a real beauty, which will appreciate even more with age. A P-bass is on my must-have-in-the-very-near-future list. And my MD would fall in love with me if I turned up with this beauty. Alas, imminent house move to Orpington has priority. I've already been to Ez Towers and experienced the world class hospitality... hmmmm... what are tyre-kickers of basses called? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted June 4, 2015 Author Share Posted June 4, 2015 (edited) [quote name='Japow' timestamp='1433452437' post='2791273']what are tyre-kickers of basses called? [/quote]Always welcome? Kindred spirits? I love talking bass and sharing my stuff with visitors. Come and try the battered beast ,fellow BCers; maybe you'll be as entranced as I was when I bought this. Edited June 4, 2015 by ezbass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted June 18, 2015 Author Share Posted June 18, 2015 I'm off on a school trip next week (I've obviously been bad in a former life) so I won't be looking at BC as much as normal. So here's a pre trip bump for those who might want to get in before I'm away. Price is £3700 collected, not the 4k in the OP (can't seem to change that for some reason). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alembic63 Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 YOB..for me, stunning GLWTS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4-string-thing Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 Almost a YOB bass for me, but as Ken Bruce would no doubt say..... One year out!!!! Still, looks gorgeous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted June 28, 2015 Author Share Posted June 28, 2015 (edited) Played my new Ric in anger for the first time the other day, definitely a keeper. Therefore, this must definitely move on (I was starting to waver a little bit). Edited July 17, 2015 by ezbass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted July 21, 2015 Author Share Posted July 21, 2015 School holidays, hurrah! This means I'm around pretty much anytime if anyone wants to come and try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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