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Post subject: Precision Bass Case (?)
Posted: Fri Dec 27, 2013 9:35 pm
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Joined: Thu Nov 01, 2012 1:58 pm
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Location: SW Florida
My 52P came in a tweed hard case that I just assumed was a fairly recent G&G or similar, since it looked basically the same. The bass did not fit as nicely as I would have liked, so I put it in a SKB that fits the body like a glove, and thought I would sell the tweed case as I have no need for it. So I went online to find out what it was worth. The leather tab on the tool box says De Cuir, Los Angeles, CA. A quick Google search did not bring forth a case company with that name in Los Angeles, or anywhere else for that matter, and further searching has not yielded anything positive. The latches are Cheney from England with a "World Patent Pending" stamped on each one.

Anyone know anything about this case/case manufacturer? Maybe I should be hanging on to it.

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Post subject: Re: Precision Bass Case (?)
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 7:57 am
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De Cuir is...or was....a California specialty luggage maker specializing in durable road worthy sample cases for traveling salesmen, many of which found their way into use as flight cases by commercial airline pilots. They turned out instrument cases also, but more sample cases. They were around about 50 years. However it was my understanding that the De Cuir Sample Case Co, Inc filed notice with the CA Secretary of State that the corporation was going inactive recently. The CEO was Dorothy C Decuir who is in her late 80's and still lives in LA County. I'm just speculating here, but it appears that when she retired there was nobody willing to take over the business so she closed it down. Good sample cases. I was absolutely unaware they were making cases for Fender.


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Post subject: Re: Precision Bass Case (?)
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 10:09 am
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Thanks BD, now I have to try and learn more. The case may not have been made for Fender, but it has that same golden tweed, brown end caps, gold hardware, brown handle. One difference, the interior is a deep brown fur.

Would like to come away with a keep, don't keep mental decision. Appreciate your input, pointing me in the right direction.

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Post subject: Re: Precision Bass Case (?)
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 10:21 am
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So the case is not an original 1952, and neither a Precision nor a Jazz fits well? You don't need nor want it = Sell.

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Post subject: Re: Precision Bass Case (?)
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 10:58 am
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Joined: Thu Nov 01, 2012 1:58 pm
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Location: SW Florida
I haven't found anything that would lead me to believe that style case was made then. The 52s came in the plastic/leather gig bag or a case that was kind of guitar shaped (flat on the hinged side, contoured on the top)

The book on 51-54 Ps by Detlef Schmidt lists my bass serial number as 1953, and those he has listed he has personal knowledge of. I have not taken mine apart yet, but George Gruhn says 52 and the pics show a body date of 3-19-52 and pup date of 232. Gruhn's appraisal says he could not make out the neck date, but it was a photo appraisal only so it may be legible when I do pull the neck.

I guess where I am going with that, is if the neck turns out to be a 53 (and there is evidence that sales might have lagged and bodies waited for orders), and Detlef's records are accurate, that opens an entire new year to look for cases.

I have contacted Detlef as well.

My gut is the case is not all that old. Once proven, it will be gone. But I don't want to sell it and then find out..........oooops.

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