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Post subject: Re: real or fake?
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 11:25 am
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Location: SW Florida
I think you will be very pleased with your $8800 spec purchase.

I see nothing in the pictures that would disuade me from purchasing it at that price. In fact, I think you have likely doubled your investment. I really wish it had the original pickguard on it - and that is going to be the dickens to find.

I am really looking forward to your update.

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Collector of vintage Fender 4 string basses.


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Post subject: Re: real or fake?
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 2:31 pm
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I don't want to rain on anybody's parade but thereare some glaring problems with thisi bass, or at least the finish on the bass.

questions:
Why is there paint on the brass gounding plates under the pickups and in the control cavity?
-Indicates a refinish

Look at the picture of the headstock front that reflects glare, why are there rough patches in the clear coat?
-Indicates a refinish

Why isn't the color shift between the exposed portions of the body and the hidden parts a clean line. If the bass was stored for 40 years and not played it should be whiter IMHO. At least the finish line at the pickguard and under the bridge and the bridge cover should be distinct as I have seen on other Olympic whiite Fenders. Those areas should be bright white and not airbrushed at the edges. -This is also indicative of a refinish.

IMHO the pots look too new,even if they have the right codes. They should be more oxidized after 50 years.

We must remeber that all of the characteristic manufacturing techniques used by Fender in the 1960s are well documented and availble to anyone doing research.
This looks like a phenomenal bass and it may be a fantastic instrument but
I am not sure of its authenticity.


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Post subject: Re: real or fake?
Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 2:50 am
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Joined: Tue Apr 28, 2009 11:16 am
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Location: UK
Quote:
Edit. He says the screws are gold but the plating has worn off of the tops


Very possible for a bass played without the bridge cover, but this bass has clearly been played with the cover on?

With exposed screws - & control knobs - take the screw / knob off & look at the non-exposed underside / surfaces. The gold plating should still be evident there.

I have a very heavily gigged 65 CAR P Bass with all original finish / gold hardware, & the two control knobs don't have any gold finish left on the sides / top, but on the underside there is clear evidence of the original gold finish.

Gold plating was originally applied over standard finish hardware metal parts, so if the thin plating wears off you are left with what looks like a standard item.


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Post subject: Re: real or fake?
Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 3:58 pm
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The bass came last night. I guess the shipper never specified that I sign for it because it was sitting on my porch in a box that screamed 'Gretch Guitars' across it. It was actually propped up and leaning against the door so thatI could read it from the sidewalk... classic.

I took it apart and put it back together. I have no new info. It definitely feels right, old, like I was opening a time capsule. But that is not really enough to go by. It is playable but desperately needs to be set up.

There are no holes for the thumb rest below the G string. The single hole in the picture is a nail hole. So that is still a question that needs answering. I really do not know how to spot a refinish except for the really obvious and bad ones I have seen. If this thing is a forgery, it is a masterpiece. That being said, in order to feel confident about what I have, I've gotta take the 4 hour trip to Gruhn before the 28th. I don't feel comfortable shipping it there. Plus with insurance it is $400 round trip in shipping. I can drive it for $50.
The saga continues.


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Post subject: Re: real or fake?
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 10:04 am
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I really hope Gruhn has good news for you.

That is a beautiful Jazz bass and I know how they just sing when they are set up properly.
That neck is one of the most beautiful necks I have ever seen.
The only thing I could suggest to you in verifying its age is to try to establish some sort of provenance for your bass.

If you could locate or establish the chain of ownership of the bass, that can help verify the authenticity of the bass.
IMHO it looks like it was made for a touring band, possibly in another color when new, and then sent back to Fender or one of their contractors for a refinish at some point.

I once saw an orange sparkle 1962 Jazz bass for sale at Guitar Center for around $8500.
That was definitely a touring band bass! LOL
Good luck with it and enjoy playing it


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