Home / Instruments /Accessories / Ordering / Tips / Friends
archtop.com
1957 Fender Precision Bass
Status: Pricing and hold status for all instruments currently available is shown on our Instruments page here. If this instrument does not appear on the Instruments page it has been sold, and is no longer available. Photos and descriptions of Previously Sold instruments may be found here. To be notified of examples of this model or similar instruments in the future, please contact [email protected],. Please be specific on which instrument(s) you're looking for, and we'll be happy to contact you as soon as they become available.
Serial #: 20956, on neckplate. Neck date: 1/57
Finish: Two-tone sunburst, nitrocellulose lacquer type.
Hardware and materials: All- original hardware includes black staggered-pole single coil pickup with chrome cover; one-piece white ABS pickguard; knurled dome volume and tone controls; nickel open-back tuners; round string retainer in peghead; four saddle adjustable bridge with chrome cover; single-screw finger rest; adjustable truss rod. Solid one-piece maple neck with small profile peghead.
Notes: Introduced in 1951, the Fender Precision Bass was a truly revolutionary achievement: the first commercially successful solid body bass guitar, and the most popular instrument of its kind ever made. So dominant was Fender's innovation that the term 'Fender Bass' remains synonymous with 'electric bass' in many quarters to this day. Following the debut of the Stratocaster in 1954, the 'slab body' of the P-Bass was contoured for greater comfort, the pickup polepieces were staggered in height for better balance, the two-tone sunburst with white pickguard became standard, and serial numbers appeared on the neckplate.
This outstanding example from early 1957 combines many of the most desirable features of the classic P-Bass, before the model was substantially re-designed the following year. One of the last with the original single-coil pickup, the instrument delivers the punch and clarity that made the earliest Fenders legendary. The small peghead profile is lighter and better balanced than post-'58 guitars, and this transitional instrument has the rare combination of the old string-through body with the newly introduced four-saddle bridge.
Maintained in superb condition, the instrument is almost entirely free of pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear, and apart from some traces of finish wear at the back edges, shows few signs of play altogether. At just 8lb 12 oz. the instrument is comfy and well balanced, and action is smooth and low over a gentle C profile solid maple neck, with full 1 11/16" nut. All electronics are 100% original with undisturbed solder joints, and Stackpole pots with January '57 codes, matching the date on the neck. The longtime owner was informed that the body was factory refinished in the 60's, and both the presence of light vintage checking and a black light inspection confirms that the lacquer is many decades old, with absolutely spot-on factory colors. The original white ABS guard shows a few light stress cracks near the neck socket, but remains sturdy and solid throughout.
An outstanding player, from Fender's most fabled era. One only: call now.
Case: Mid '60s Fender black tolex hardshell case with red plush lining.
