Fender Precision Bass 1963

by Nigel Chappell
(London UK)

Rare ?? .. Natural wood finish

Fender Precision Bass 1963
S/N .. L02126

Natural wood finish .. see attached picture
Allegedly the original owner specified this finish when he went to the factory to collect it from a friend that worked there ... ??

I bought it in 1968
Sold to a friend in 1970
Bought it back from him in 1972
Been with me ever since

Many thanks

Nigel Chappell
nigel@royservs.com
PS Have made donation

ANSWER

Hi, Nigel--
Thanks for the pic!

Here is the Blue Book general info:

PRECISION BASS (U.S. MFG. 1951-1981)
- offset double cutaway ash body, bolt-on maple neck, 20-fret maple fingerboard with black dot inlays, four-on-one-side tuners, strings-through bridge, chrome bridge cover, black or white pickguard, single coil exposed pickup with cover, two knobs (v, tone) mounted on a metal plate, chrome hardware, available in Blonde (1951-1981), 2-Color Sunburst (1954-1959), 3-Color Sunburst (mid-1958-1981), or Custom Color finishes (1956-1981), mfg. 1951-1981.

There is no mention of a natural wood finish, but it does say that "custom" finishes were available. These custom colors, however, seem to include:
Dakota Red, Fiesta Red, Candy Apple Red, Olympic White, Sonic Blue, Lake Placid Blue, or Gold Metallic, Burgundy Mist, Surf Green, Fire Mist Silver,Sherwood Green, or Shell Pink finishes.

So, yes, it does appear that the natural wood finish is rare. I don't know for sure how much the finish would add to the value, but some of the custom finishes can add up to 50%.

Here is the pricing info:

1963
Mint $9,000
Exc.+ $7,500
Exc,$6,250
Avg.+ $5,250
Avg. $4,500
General $3,750

Best Wishes,
Lynne

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