Wow, that is insanely clean for an early 51 precision. Love that really nice motown/soul/r&b sound with the tone rolled off. I recently bought a Fender Vintera Series 50s precision bass. It is based off of the 1957-59 precision with the split pickup, pick guard that houses the control knobs, and strat headstock. Not a bad bass for the price point, it really has the vintage feel, look, and sound.
Thanks for making me a good deal on this bass! I picked up some sandpaper and files to start a relic job on it. Also scored some used pickups of ebay to throw in. i may order a pickguard and get some cool stickers for the case. Cant wait to start customizing!
I have 2 Japanese reissues. 1 blonde and 1 sunburst. Beautiful instruments. Great basses for recording, with a supernatural growl. The sunburst got the original pickup and the blonde, a lindy fralin.
Awesome bass! But are the case correct? From 1950 to 1953 Fender used a guitar-shaped hard case for the Tele and Pbass nicknamed the "thermometer" case, due to it's unique thermometer shape. This case had a brown covering with a brown plush lining. The case had a bulb shape at the peghead. Cases came from the Bulwin Manufacturing Company of Costa Mesa. Tweed was introduced in 1954, manufactured by the Victoria Luggage Company.
I really like that tele look. Probably the best looking P-bass imo, since I'm not a fan of the stratty look. A telecaster is just the best looking e-guitar ever designed imo. I am gonna buy the 51 tele style neck from Fender for my p-style bass at some point 😊
Awesome video! What a complete piece of bass history that thing is. If I had that kind of money to part with, I seriously would. The mother of all basses.
There're some oddities about this for sure, the saddles look like they are plastic, not the fiberboard I've seen on every other early-'50s P. The case isn't right for a '51 either. That pickup with copper foil surrounding the coil has me scratching my head as well, and the pickguard looks too good for that era-it's a known fact that the earliest ones practically self destructed over time as the material got brittle and cracked all to hell. It's cool as ice and clean a.f. ... But, I dunno ... $35k is a LOT of cheddar for any bass, and how can you verify that it's one of the first three made? Serial numbers were highly suspect in the first year also. So many questions ... So many dollars ...
It could be a transition or prototype bass. The bridge saddles look period correct. (Vulcanized/pressed fiber) which tended to bend into a U shape over time from string pressure. Just look under the bridge cover and you’ll see a foam rubber mute that muted the G-D and A strings. The E string wasn’t muted because Leo thought it wasn’t needed because it made enough of a thump sound without the mute.
Pick guard doesn’t look correct either. Too small for the 51 to 53 models. It should cover the upper horn almost completely. This looks more like a 54 guard.
The for sale page is still active at this time and it is on Reverb, price down to $29,950. Due to it's very early history, I am surprised a collector hasn't picked this one up yet.
Collect it? Screw that, I'd play it every day. That's what it was made for. I can only hope that a Dentist with too much money won't buy it as a wall hanger or keep it in the case as an investment. It needs to be played.
This bass has real historical value, as reflected in it's monetary value, but is it really worth much as a musical instrument? I've never had an opportunity to try such an old Fender. Does it play and sound better than an average $1000 bass made today?
You'd have to define "better", its obviously a subjective term. Of course history has to do with the price, rarity as well.... But the thing is, you're not just buying "a bass" with something like this - its had over 50 years for the wood to settle into itself, its got a story in the finish, and its been loved by at least one person for that whole time period. Will it sound different than a modern bass? Sure! But either sound may or may not be what you're after. To some ears, the vintage sound is better, some ears love a modern bass with active EMGs! The only way to really know is to try them out - and every vintage guitar or bass is going to feel and sound a little different from one of the exact same year/make/model. Fun stuff for sure! The cool thing about this shop though, is you *can* try out a cool vintage instrument like this, without just looking at it behind a glass wall. Definitely stop by their shop if you ever have the chance!
@@screamingstrings76 Very true. One's attitude toward an instrument, regardless of its value or quality, will certainly influence the music played through that instrument. I would love to try out a vintage Fender. Maybe I'll get lucky one day and stumble into one at a garage sale:)
Yeah, the early P basses almost have a life of their own. I guess because before mass production Fenders were literally hand made. I've heard tales of Tadeo out in the yard with a plane shaping the necks by feel - The way his necks fits your hand is just uncanny. If you ever get a chance to sit down with one of these early models, do so and you'll get what I'm on about here.
Why showcase the bass through this old combo? However well this amplifier may sound (not at all a fan of vintage amplifiers myself), I would much rather get the bass striaght through some king of high end audio interface, to find out how it actually sounds and not have to try to tell the amplifier signature from the bass sound. It would've been so sweet to hear the clean signal from on of the very first pbasses ever produced!
I know it has historical significance, it's collectible and all of that... but, it sounds worse than those Soviet basses you occasionally see on ebay for far too much money. I'm not sure how much was amp/speakers and how much was pickup, but that thing sounds dreadful.
Wow, that is insanely clean for an early 51 precision. Love that really nice motown/soul/r&b sound with the tone rolled off. I recently bought a Fender Vintera Series 50s precision bass. It is based off of the 1957-59 precision with the split pickup, pick guard that houses the control knobs, and strat headstock. Not a bad bass for the price point, it really has the vintage feel, look, and sound.
Jesus christ, what a bass! That is a dream come true. One day, one day, one day I will have one like that. Great video! Thanks.
Oh man.... a beautiful piece of history. What a nice instrument...
That's like the dusty hill bass. What a incredible bass
I can't believe Dusty doesn't have a signature bass!
It's weird that this is the top comment. He passed away today. RIP.
@@danlopez5452 he does and Rip Dusty
@@danlopez5452 there’s a fender custom shop Dusty Hill bass that even has the reverse headstock.
Thanks for making me a good deal on this bass! I picked up some sandpaper and files to start a relic job on it. Also scored some used pickups of ebay to throw in. i may order a pickguard and get some cool stickers for the case. Cant wait to start customizing!
Anthony Martin you should def drill some new holes and put a badass II on it. Maybe even a fretless conversion!
I want to cry
You had better spray paint it some sparkly metallic color too.
im already crying, and this was posted over a year ago '';,,;''
Honestly hope your kidding
What a beauty - crystal clear, sounds great ... all the way to that high E flat too!
From 1951, great timeless design.
I have 2 Japanese reissues. 1 blonde and 1 sunburst. Beautiful instruments. Great basses for recording, with a supernatural growl. The sunburst got the original pickup and the blonde, a lindy fralin.
Fernando Milan just got a MIJ Reissue myself. How you liking that Fralin?
I had a 1952 serial #0289. For 21 years. Seeing Keith Ferguson talked me into it !!
Tone rolled off - incredible tone!
Awesome bass! But are the case correct? From 1950 to 1953 Fender used a guitar-shaped hard case for the Tele and Pbass nicknamed the "thermometer" case, due to it's unique thermometer shape. This case had a brown covering with a brown plush lining. The case had a bulb shape at the peghead. Cases came from the Bulwin Manufacturing Company of Costa Mesa. Tweed was introduced in 1954, manufactured by the Victoria Luggage Company.
Fell in love with this bass
I really like that tele look. Probably the best looking P-bass imo, since I'm not a fan of the stratty look.
A telecaster is just the best looking e-guitar ever designed imo.
I am gonna buy the 51 tele style neck from Fender for my p-style bass at some point 😊
Awesome! The one! Thanks! 😎
Awesome video! What a complete piece of bass history that thing is. If I had that kind of money to part with, I seriously would. The mother of all basses.
That bass sound amazing .It is a true Fender ...I had a 1969 tele bass (blond) sounded like that.
COOL 😎
Amazing bass man, i love it!
People sometimes misuse words like, “unbelievable”, “awesome”, “epic”…
This needs more words!
Did it sell?
oh man...what a bass! is it LaBella strings?
There're some oddities about this for sure, the saddles look like they are plastic, not the fiberboard I've seen on every other early-'50s P. The case isn't right for a '51 either. That pickup with copper foil surrounding the coil has me scratching my head as well, and the pickguard looks too good for that era-it's a known fact that the earliest ones practically self destructed over time as the material got brittle and cracked all to hell.
It's cool as ice and clean a.f. ... But, I dunno ... $35k is a LOT of cheddar for any bass, and how can you verify that it's one of the first three made? Serial numbers were highly suspect in the first year also. So many questions ... So many dollars ...
The pickup looks like a guitar pickup to me. Either Leo didn't have bass pickups at first, or the pickup has been switched out and it's not original
It could be a transition or prototype bass. The bridge saddles look period correct. (Vulcanized/pressed fiber) which tended to bend into a U shape over time from string pressure. Just look under the bridge cover and you’ll see a foam rubber mute that muted the G-D and A strings. The E string wasn’t muted because Leo thought it wasn’t needed because it made enough of a thump sound without the mute.
You’re better off purchasing a 1951 custom shop ‘51 p bass for a few Gs. It had more consistent quality control than the original.
Pick guard doesn’t look correct either. Too small for the 51 to 53 models. It should cover the upper horn almost completely. This looks more like a 54 guard.
@@lohikarmi235 which is more likely: weird undocumented prototype or hacky road repair with a random Tele pickup and copper foil?
Did you use to own a music store in kansas city metcalf area ?
Thirty Five Grand.....with case
or pay 550 for a japanese one like me lol
and still a fender....throw a fralin in it...itll be golden
Or $350 for a Squier 50’s P!!!
The for sale page is still active at this time and it is on Reverb, price down to $29,950. Due to it's very early history, I am surprised a collector hasn't picked this one up yet.
That is sick
Love it ❤️🥺
3:44
Collect it? Screw that, I'd play it every day. That's what it was made for. I can only hope that a Dentist with too much money won't buy it as a wall hanger or keep it in the case as an investment. It needs to be played.
my dream bass...
Love it
This bass has real historical value, as reflected in it's monetary value, but is it really worth much as a musical instrument? I've never had an opportunity to try such an old Fender. Does it play and sound better than an average $1000 bass made today?
You'd have to define "better", its obviously a subjective term. Of course history has to do with the price, rarity as well.... But the thing is, you're not just buying "a bass" with something like this - its had over 50 years for the wood to settle into itself, its got a story in the finish, and its been loved by at least one person for that whole time period. Will it sound different than a modern bass? Sure! But either sound may or may not be what you're after. To some ears, the vintage sound is better, some ears love a modern bass with active EMGs! The only way to really know is to try them out - and every vintage guitar or bass is going to feel and sound a little different from one of the exact same year/make/model. Fun stuff for sure!
The cool thing about this shop though, is you *can* try out a cool vintage instrument like this, without just looking at it behind a glass wall. Definitely stop by their shop if you ever have the chance!
@@screamingstrings76 Very true. One's attitude toward an instrument, regardless of its value or quality, will certainly influence the music played through that instrument. I would love to try out a vintage Fender. Maybe I'll get lucky one day and stumble into one at a garage sale:)
Yeah, the early P basses almost have a life of their own. I guess because before mass production Fenders were literally hand made. I've heard tales of Tadeo out in the yard with a plane shaping the necks by feel - The way his necks fits your hand is just uncanny. If you ever get a chance to sit down with one of these early models, do so and you'll get what I'm on about here.
Cool bass, but it would have been nice to have heard its ENTIRE tonal range... Not just with all the treble rolled off.
35k!!!
Oh, my, god!!!
wow
wowww and i love how the early p basses sound like buttered toast click click click.
I'm getting a copy of this. Hand made. ✋️
Why showcase the bass through this old combo? However well this amplifier may sound (not at all a fan of vintage amplifiers myself), I would much rather get the bass striaght through some king of high end audio interface, to find out how it actually sounds and not have to try to tell the amplifier signature from the bass sound. It would've been so sweet to hear the clean signal from on of the very first pbasses ever produced!
That style of headstock looks so much better than what they use today.
Fender precision seems like the great white shark of basses. Pretty much perfect, so it didn't really need to evolve
That would be appropriate if it didn't do that exact thing in 1957.
Wow!do you trade with my Harley Benton ?
ruclips.net/video/96w8Z2o5smw/видео.html
der squier ist auch nicht schlecht ... im besonderen kommt es auf den pickup an ... hört selbst
my dream
I'd buy it :-)
I want it
Damn. That tone just made me chubby.
Now, I can die...
Hard to believe...
Get a bass player on that stick
I hope that's not really a thumb rest. ;-)
Not using an ampeg b15??? Blasphemy….
It doesn’t sound like 35k
Would’ve been nice to hear an actual bassist play the thing.
Whodathunk Ethan Hawke moonlights in a guitar store
I know it has historical significance, it's collectible and all of that... but, it sounds worse than those Soviet basses you occasionally see on ebay for far too much money. I'm not sure how much was amp/speakers and how much was pickup, but that thing sounds dreadful.
Why don't hire a BASS PLAYER TO SHOWCASE A BASS?
Nikita Bondarenko , yeah I'd've wanted to hear someone do some slapping😄. Too bad Joe Dart couldn't demo it!
@@rbanyagaa bass like this shouldn’t be slapped.
Shut up.
Romans 10:9
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
честно говоря, звучит как говно, один бубнеж, как будто струны 51 года
sounds like a cheap china bass with the worst strings of the world played after ten years
Aesthetically, I prefer this to the later precision shape.
3:40