FS: '65 Precision, Modulus Flea, USA '75 RI Jazz £5600

[Beedster]

Just thought I'd mention that I'll be listing three rather lovely basses at the weekend, a lovely road-worn '65/L-series Precision in 3TSB at £3000, a Modulus Flea in black at £1800, and a USA '75 RI Jazz in natural at £800. I'm putting some money into a non-music project so am letting the creme of my crop go (still keeping my old fretless Precision and a few other lovelies)

Pics and details on Saturday

Chris

Edited July 30, 2016 by Beedster

[Volume]

Thanks for the heads-up! - I'll be watching intently for more details!

Rich

[concertoni2]

follow.

[tredders]

I'd like to see the P bass details...

[Beedster]

OK, first up, '65 Precision. In fact, perhaps the nicest Precision I've owned. Bought from Simon Clifton around 2009, went to Greg (Shaggy) for a while in the days when I had Precisions to spare, and came back again when another Precision went to Greg

PUPs and circuit are [b]NOT[/b] original. PUP is a Fender USA '62 RI, I'm not sure about the circuit but will check. As far as I know, the rest of it is pretty much as it left Fullerton in '65. The finish is beautifully aged, it doesn't really show in the pics, but it has the perfect level of mojo, worn-in but not worn-out. It is however the neck and the board that are special about this bass, I've owned many Precisions, including several pre-CBS and Custom Shops, and this is THE best neck of the lot, perfect to play, with the darkest rosewood board I have ever set eyes on.

In its 51 years there's clearly been some use and some tampering, specifically under the neck-plate (see bottom pics), where it looks like someone has tried to install a different neck (I say that because none of the new holes in the body are visible in the neck heel which is untouched). Either way, two of these holes have been filled and one not. God bless 1970's modders eh!

Overall however it's a glorious instrument. Tone and playability are 100% pre-CBS. Despite its age and obvious heavy use over the years, it's in generally very good condition and feels extremely solid (I say that having played some pre-CBS instruments that did not feel solid at all). It's not a collectors item and never will be, but it is what it is, a beautiful example of one of the most iconic instruments in popular music, the early 60's 3TSB Fender Precision.


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Edited July 31, 2016 by Beedster

[Beedster]

Second up, a 2005 Modulus Flea recently bought from Chris Anthony on here. What's to say, a great example of one of the best basses ever built. I can play stuff on Flea Basses that I just can't play on any other bass, and whatever it is I'm playing better generally sounds better on a Flea also. Pretty much as it left the factory as far as I can tell, comes in original Modulus case also. I'm pretty sure that in 20 years these basses are going to be talked about in the same terms as 80's Wals are now, iconic, unique and beautifully crafted instruments. More pics to follow.

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Edited July 31, 2016 by Beedster

[Beedster]

Last up a 2005 Fender USA '75 Reissue Jazz. Killer slap tone and everything else Jazz Basses do so well. These are not only extremely good basses but increasingly hard to find, and I've seen the MIJ version selling for what I'm asking for this. An absolute stunner with a VERY fast neck indeed. Ashtray looks a bit offline but isn't actually screwed on at present Again, more pics to follow

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Edited July 31, 2016 by Beedster

[Beedster]

....and before you ask.... I'd prefer collection to courier but I will send fully insured at buyer's expense. Sorry, but no trades unless you have a nice old USA ply 3/4 or 4/4 double bass, preferably blonde - I really do not need or want anything else. I'm selling these lovely instruments as well as some other gear* to raise cash for a non-music project, not to buy new gear

*Other gear includes '95 Gibson SJ200, Mesa Walkabout 15" Scout in stunning tan, Acoustic Image Contra Combo, PJB Bass Buddy, and a few bitsa instruments. Listings will appear over the next couple of days

[JapanAxe]

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1469875531' post='3101653']
I'm selling these lovely instruments as well as some other gear* to raise cash for a non-music project, not to buy new gear
[/quote]

We'll see how long [i]that[/i] lasts!

[essexbasscat]

Temptation is called a 65 L series precision... damn, wish I had the cash

Good luck with the sale

[Musashimonkey]

Completely agree with your flea bass comments Chris. Really regret letting mine go. This black one looks gorgeous, and a great price. I don't suppose you'd take a trade for a kidney at all?

[silverfoxnik]

Beautiful collection of basses, Chris. Takes a lot of guts, vision (or stupidity) to let all 3 go at once!!

But if you didn't do this sort of thing once in a while, it just wouldn't be so much fun around here.

GLWTS x 3

[Shaggy]

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1469874597' post='3101635']
OK, first up, '65 Precision. In fact, perhaps the nicest Precision I've owned. Bought from Simon Clifton around 2009, went to Greg (Shaggy) for a while......
PUPs and circuit are [b]NOT[/b] original. PUP is a Fender USA '62 RI, I'm not sure about the circuit but will check.
[/quote]

Certainly hands-down the best split-pickup Precision I've ever owned or played, and I've had a few good 'uns. I put the current circuit (and pickup) in - it had a decent generic circuit when I first had it, but I sourced one from the States with genuine NOS 1965 CTS pots, and vintage-spec cloth-sheathed wire, switchcraft jack, and orange drop cap. Not cheap!

REALLY fancying that Modulus, as I've never owned one but hear so many good things about them. Unfortunately, just bought yet another old Gibson bass!

Got us all wondering what this new "project" is Chris!

[Beedster]

Thanks for the comments folks. Shame to see them go but as is so often the case, there're basses that for whatever reason get played all of the time, and there's basses that you just LOVE to have, and they're not always the same basses. The basses I'm keeping are good enough for my needs, mostly going through an REDDI into my desk, a that's a sufficiently forgiving process to not notice any real difference between basses worth £3000 and those worth £500, so there you go.....

But I will really miss the '65

Greg, family stuff mate. The girls are growing up and there's a few things that we as a family could really enjoy doing that would currently really stretch my salary, but towards which a few sold basses and amps would give us a nice start. One of them's the sort of thing you put on a trailer, take to Whitstable and go sailing in

[Christian Houmann]

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1469874597' post='3101635']
OK, first up, '65 Precision. In fact, perhaps the nicest Precision I've owned. Bought from Simon Clifton around 2009, went to Greg (Shaggy) for a while in the days when I had Precisions to spare, and came back again when another Precision went to Greg

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PUPs and circuit are [b]NOT[/b] original. PUP is a Fender USA '62 RI, I'm not sure about the circuit but will check. As far as I know, the rest of it is pretty much as it left Fullerton in '65. The finish is beautifully aged, it doesn't really show in the pics, but it has the perfect level of mojo, worn in but not worn out. It is however the neck and the board that are special about this bass, I've owned many Precisions, including several pre-CBS and Custom Shops, and this is THE best neck of the lot, perfect to play, with the darkest rosewood board I have ever set eyes on. I will take the bass apart and take pics to verify the things a prospective buyer will need verifying
[/quote]
A trades towards your P?

[Schnozzalee]

^ Ditto

[Beedster]

[quote name='Christian Houmann' timestamp='1469910456' post='3101984']
A trades towards your P?
[/quote]
[quote name='Schnozzalee' timestamp='1469910683' post='3101988']
^ Ditto
[/quote]

As above guys, USA built 3/4 or ideally 4/4 ply double bass is all I need at present, sorry

[tommorichards]

Im extremely tempted by the flea bass. I eagerly await more pictures.

[Beedster]

[quote name='tommorichards' timestamp='1469916183' post='3102036']
Im extremely tempted by the flea bass. I eagerly await more pictures.
[/quote]

Ahead of my posting new pics here's the original thread with pics http://basschat.co.uk/topic/286044-modulus-flea-bass-sold-subject-to-the-usual-stuff/page__fromsearch__1

[tommorichards]

Ahh, i thought it was that one, such a sexy beast.

Edited July 31, 2016 by tommorichards

[Beedster]

[quote name='tommorichards' timestamp='1469916904' post='3102044']
Ahh, i thought it was that one, such a sexy beast.
[/quote]

It is indeed Tommo

Bump for pics of the '65 above

C

[Beedster]

I've been going back through my rather lengthy bass records, and need to revise the details of the Precision (original listing when I sold it first time around here http://basschat.co.uk/topic/134893-fs-65-precision-3tsb-l2500/page__p__1229442__hl__'65 precision__fromsearch__1#entry1229442)

1. The tuners are not the originals although they are period correct
2. The pickguard is not original although it is original mid-60s.

It has to be said that I'd not taken this bass apart before, so was unaware of the modifications to the neck pocket. All these things considered, alongside the non-original PUP, I'm dropping the price for the '65 to £2,500, but will not take a penny less. Given that US Reissue Precisions are creeping up towards the £2k mark, this is a major bargain, and a relatively pain-free step into the pre-CBS Fender market for some lucky BCer. And trust me, it is one absolutely lovely instrument

[Johnnysonic]

On the 65 Precision, I have to say that the tuners are not 'period correct', except for one. Three are later reissues. Also, the L plate is an earlier one, dating from early '63. I suspect that the bass might be a 'bitzer'. Not knocking it, just saying. It looks like a nice bass all the same.

Johnny

[Beedster]

[quote name='Johnnysonic' timestamp='1469999578' post='3102633']
On the 65 Precision, I have to say that the tuners are not 'period correct', except for one. Three are later reissues. Also, the L plate is an earlier one, dating from early '63. I suspect that the bass might be a 'bitzer'. Not knocking it, just saying. It looks like a nice bass all the same.

Johnny
[/quote]

Thanks Johnny, fair points. Just to clarify, the tuners are, as I say above, 'period correct' in that given the possible range of tuners that could be retro-fitted to a Fender bass, these are correct albeit with a slight difference in gearing (i.e., design, footprint, reverse winding etc are all correct for the era). If you're saying they're not original '65 Fender, yep, I agree, but I'd hoped that's what I's also said above, hence the drop in price. The plate is technically from '63, it could have been put on after the fact, it could be a case of classic Fender QC (re QC, it makes me laugh given the general vibe around anything pre-CBS, that to paraphrase some aficionados, "things had really started to slip at Fullerton by late '62"). I take your point about 'bitsas', but to an extent all Fender's with the possible exception of masterbuilds are bitsas, and having spent several months in 2008 trawling the top end of vintage shops trying to find the perfect pre-CBS Precision (and in many cases annoying the staff by insisting that any bass I was interested in was taken apart to allow me to check the things you need to check before parting with £5k+), it was pretty sobering just how many very expensively priced instruments in very reputable shops had components (e.g., neck and pots), as well as serial number that didn't agree, and often by far more than two years (and quite a few 'pre-CBS instruments turned out to be somewhat post-CBS). Many lengthy discussions ensued about the originality and authenticity of pre-CBS Fenders, and one thing that I came away with was the sense that, not unlike the art and antiques markets, it's hard to be 100% sure about anything.

Anyway, it is what it is. As I said above, it's not and never will be a collector's instrument. It is however a glorious bass, and that's the key selling point. To me it's worth every penny of the asking price as an instrument, and whilst I claim no more expertise than anyone else on here, in bass terms I know a decent instrument when I see one (and I've owned sufficient 70's Precisions to know what the bad one's feel, play and sound like, trust me). Let's put it into context, at £2.5k you'll be paying less than the retail price of a contemporary Custom Shop Precision for this bass, and given what I've seen 60's parts go for on eBay, it's probably worth more than the asking price in parts alone.

I'd welcome any other comments re authenticity and originality, because the more reasons you folks give me to keep this, beauty the happier I'll be, although the kids might have to wait a little longer for the boat

Cheers

Chris

[njr911]

I wan't all three of these basses...the GAS never stops does it.

GLWTS