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Post subject: 62 P-Bass mysteries revealed
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 7:58 am
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Hey All, I'm attempting to help out a friend of mine who's husband passed away 2 years ago. He was a full time working musician here in SE Texas and left many items behind for her. One being a 62 P-Bass. I'm trying to get all the componants confirmed as being authentic before trying to get it appraised. Her intent being to put it back into circullation. I've got many pics, a few I'll post here. more upon request. The Body concerns me because it has no markings in the neck pocket and was obviously refinished. It was done nicely and long ago as you can tell by the neck plate being removed as well as the harness cavity. Also the pots appear to have been re-soldered a few times and ones a solid shaft and ones split, don't know what the standard was for basses by Fender in 62. Appreciate any thoughts or ideas you might have, it is going for a good cause. Image [imghttp://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac42/hardie775/th_Rayesnewstuff020.jpg][/img] [imghttp://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac42/hardie775/th_Rayesnewstuff041.jpg][/img] Image


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Post subject: Re: 62 P-Bass mysteries revealed
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 11:29 am
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More pics
[imghttp://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac42/hardie775/Kevinsstuff008.jpg?t=1296671132][/img] Image [imghttp://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac42/hardie775/Rayesnewstuff027.jpg?t=1296671234][/img] Image


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Post subject: Re: 62 P-Bass mysteries revealed
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 11:32 am
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and still more Image Image


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Post subject: Re: 62 P-Bass mysteries revealed
Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 12:06 pm
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There are some guys on here who might be able to help. You may also want to try over at talkbass.com. But I'm guessing your best bet is probably to take it to a reliable luthier near you.

Nice looking bass by the way!


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Post subject: Re: 62 P-Bass mysteries revealed
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 12:21 am
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If that is a '62, the pickguard is probably not original. The ten-screw single-ply gold anodized aluminum pickguards introduced in the 1957/58 model year were replaced with thirteen-screw celluloid pickguards for the 1960/61 model year. The bridge looks correct though. That might be an aftermarket or plastic reproduction pickguard if it has 13 screws. I can't tell from these photos.


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Post subject: Re: 62 P-Bass mysteries revealed
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 6:32 am
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It's not a plastic pickguard, too heavy. I'm certain it's metal. What about the body, should the neck socket have any markings. the neck plate is 89xxxx, so that's '62. The neck itself is gorgeous, obviously authentic vintage neck, but it lacks a serial number as well. I am obviously unsure whether Fender marked these early model with just the neck plate alone. appreciate the help


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Post subject: Re: 62 P-Bass mysteries revealed
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 2:20 pm
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The only serial number would be on the neckplate. Any stampings or pencil marks in the body's neck pocket were probably painted over or sanded away in the refinish. If it was a REPRODUCTION body you'd see licensing markings from the repro company in the neck pocket so I'm not worried about it being a repro body. If the solid shaft pot is original the pot code from it would help authenticate it if not covered in solder. I'm sure the split shaft pot is not original so no need to bother.

June 30, 1960 was the last possible day that the gold anodized aluminum pickguard was specified on mass production basses. How many screws (other than the finger-rest screws) are on that pickguard? It is not uncommon for people to swap parts, even neckplates around.

Any markings on the base of the neck? You may have to remove the neck again to see them. Pre-March of 1962 there should be a hand written in pencil date. Starting in March of '62 they started using a date stamp. There are photos on this page of what to look for: http://www.vintagerocker.com/fender/neck_dates.html

If you are going to get a proper appraisal, the appraiser should be able to figure out what you have as that is why you pay them. There are so many different hallmarks to check.

While the bass certainly has value, it is a Player Class instrument and won't be valued nearly as highly as it would with original finish, original pots, solder, etc. Originality and condition are the two main criteria that makes any vintage Fender a Collector Class instrument. Player Class instruments like this usually bring only a fraction of what a Collector Class instrument brings. Refinishing alone excludes a vintage Fender instrument from the Collector Class even if it has all original parts. Still it is quite valuable, it just is not a $13,000 1962 P-Bass. It would be worth the 25 or 50 dollars for a professional appraisal. Try George Gruhn at Gruhn Guitars in Nashville. He is a noted authority that does online appraisals in a thoroughly professional fashion for a very reasonable fee. He will want sharper clearer photos of certain things.


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Post subject: Re: 62 P-Bass mysteries revealed
Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 10:29 am
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Brother Dave is giving you good information.

The only thing that I could add to the strategy of verifying this bass is to use some paint stripper in the neck pocket or under the pickup to reveal any date or factory markings that may have been covered by the refinish. I don't recommend stripping the entire bass, it appears to be a nice finish and I think the green color may have its own appeal to a new buyer.

The split- shaft pot is definitely not original to this bass. The bridge appears to be original and the pickup should be evaluated by a professional to see if it is original but I am sure that it is a very nice bass and it will sell quickly if it is priced right.

Good luck.

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