1952 Fender Precision Bass
The impact and influence of the Fender Precision Bass cannot be overstated. While the invention of the electric bass guitar is credited to Paul Tutmarc with his Audiovox Model 736 Bass Fiddle, Leo Fender’s Precision Bass was the first production electric bass guitar to be met with commercial success. The introduction of Fender’s P-Bass in 1951 marked a shift away from the use of upright acoustic basses in contemporary music, redefining the bass guitar’s role in musical ensembles and helping influence the evolution of modern popular music in the middle of the 20th century.

While the version of the Precision Bass that most people are familiar with was launched in 1958, Fender’s first P Basses featured a double-cutaway slab body with a single-coil pickup in the middle position and large single-ply black pickguard. The Precision Bass holds the distinction of being the world’s first production double-cutaway electric guitar with two defined horns.

This late 1952 “blackguard” Precision Bass is a wonderfully restored example of a historical Fender instrument from the company’s golden era. Featuring an expert body refinish by Joe Riggio, this P-Bass presents as an authentically aged original Fender instrument from the early 1950s. We are quite fond of the reproduction lacquered bakelite pickguard and maple finger rest, which were painstakingly crafted in-house using authentic parts from a 1953 bass as reference. The finish on the fingerboard boasts some incredibly attractive natural playwear, standing as testament to how much this instrument was played and loved in decades past. There is light and very old overspray on the neck, much of which has been worn off, the balance of which is hard to detect.

With a first fret depth of 0.908″ and a barrel that tappers to 0.999″ at the twelfth fret, a 1-21/32” nut with and a wonderfully rounded carve, the neck feel is nothing short of heavenly. The original frets feel great and play well, and the set up is excellent. Weighing in at a respectable 8lbs 13 oz, this Precision Bass is a comfortable and remarkably resonant instrument.

Outfitted with a Seymour Duncan Antiquity pickup, this 1952 Fender Precision Bass offers incredible tones that are full, rich, and punchy with excellent note definition. The original wiring harness is fully intact, with its Clarostat pots and “phonebook” capacitor.

This Bass retains much of its original hardware, including the serialized bridge, saddles. control plate, knobs, and reverse tuners.

With non-original hardshell case

Vintage 1952 Fender Precision Bass electric bass guitar
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1964 Fender Jazz Bass
Making its debut in mid 1960, the Fender Jazz Bass marked the continued expansion of their “Off-Set” line of instruments while offering a more deluxe option for bassists to choose, if desired. The first production models featured stacked concentric volume and tone controls for the two pickups, but by mid/late 1961 this circuitry was abandoned in favour of the simpler master-tone circuit that remains in use today.

An incredible pre-CBS instrument, this 1964 Fender Jazz Bass is completely original apart from a missing pickup cover. Boasting a particularly attractive three-tone sunburst finish that has aged gracefully over the last six decades, this bass is a seriously good-looking vintage Fender. The only flaw to be found is an extra strap button hole on the body at the neck joint.

Sporting a pair of original and unmodified pickups, measuring 7.7k in the neck position and 7.8k in the bridge, this 1964 Fender Jazz Bass offers harmonically rich tones with excellent clarity and punch. The original frets are in very good condition and play cleanly across the fingerboard. While most Fender Basses from this era are plagued by a significant rise in the fingerboard past the neck joint which causes fretting out, this bass has only a mild rise that is not causing any playability issues.

With its perfectly worn maple neck that features a comfortable rounded carve, this ’64 Jazz Bass delivers an amazing playing experience that can only be found in an authentic pre-CBS Fender instrument.

Neck date of April 1964. Pots dated to the 10th week of 1964. Scale length of 34″. First fret depth of 0.792″, twelfth fret depth of 0.982″, and a 1-1/2″ nut width. Weight of 8lbs 15oz.

With original hardshell case.

Vintage 1964 Fender Jazz Bass electric bass guitar
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1964 Gibson ES-355TDC

Making its first appearance in the March 1959 issue of the Gibson Gazette magazine, the ES-355 was the flagship model in Gibson’s lineup of Thinline semi-hollow electrics introduced a year prior.

A stunning example of a semi-hollow from Gibson’s golden era of electric guitar building, this 1964 Gibson ES-355TDC is a completely original and wonderfully preserved guitar. The rich Cherry finish has faded very little over the last six decades and is remarkably clean throughout. The only noteworthy signs of play wear in the finish are two areas on the bass-side shoulder of the neck where the finish has been worn away from countless hours of use. The hardware’s gold plating shows the usual signs of wear on the bridge and pickup covers and has developed an attractive patina throughout that adds to the beauty of the guitar. The original frets have been dressed, and we’ve just set the guitar up here in our shop.

While many vintage ES-345s and ES-355s have been modified to have their Stereo wiring and Varitone circuits removed, this 1964 Gibson ES-355TDC retains its original wiring and untouched electronics.  The guitar’s original Patent No. pickups measure 8.9K (bridge) and 7.9K (neck) and offer full and open tones with excellent dynamics and clarity. The Patent No. sticker pickups of this era are identical to the “narrow-magnet” PAFs used from 1960-1962, with the only real difference being the sticker itself.

This 1964 Gibson ES-355TDC spent the majority of its life in the hand of one owner who lived a couple of hours North of our shop. The guitar was recently featured in the “ES Believers” book by Vic DaPra and David Plues.

Scale length of 24.75″. First fret depth of 0.803″, twelfth fret depth of 0.939″, and a 1-21/32″ nut width. Neck circumference at first fret: 2.49″. Weight of 9lbs 11oz.

With original hardshell case.

Vintage 1964 Gibson ES-355TDC electric guitar
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1965 Gibson EB-2
Making its debut at the 1958 summer NAMM show, Gibson’s EB-2 was the company’s bass guitar counterpart to the newly launched Thinline Double Cutaway guitars (ES-335 etc). The first variant of the EB-2 was produced between 1958 and 1962, with a second appearing in 1964 after a brief hiatus. These second variant EB-2 differed only slightly from the older models, with smaller cutaway horns as opposed to the “Mickey Mouse ears” of the late ’50s and early ’60s; a nickel or chrome plated pickup cover in place of black plastic and nickel or chrome plated right-angle tuners in place of banjo-style tuners. The mid 1960s brought huge success for the model; however, sales began to slump rapidly later in the decade, resulting in the EB-2 being discontinued in the early 1970s.

A beautiful example of an early second variant EB-2, this ’64 spec bass features a full 1-11/16″ nutwidth and a combination of nickel and chrome hardware. This 1965 Gibson EB-2 bass boasts a stunning and remarkably clean Cherry Red finish with minimal playwear. The original frets are in excellent shape with no significant wear. The overall condition of this instrument suggests that it has seen relatively little use over the last six decades. One of the four tuning machines differs from the other three in that it is a non-reverse chrome machine head. As this bass was built in an era where Gibson was transitioning to non-reverse chrome tuners, it is very likely that this part is original to the instrument; there is no evidence of otherwise.

The original humbucker offers a powerful, dark, and rich voice, with the baritone switch delivering increased clarity and articulation from the pickup when engaged. The instrument’s excellent sonic characteristics are complimented by a full and round neck profile that is wonderfully comfortable, making the instrument an absolute joy to play.

This original pickup is currently measuring 181 kOhm instead of the roughly 30k that we would expect. It currently sounds incredible and is functioning properly so we’re not particularly concerned by this measurement.

Scale length of 30.5″. 1st first fret depth of 0.907″, 12th fret depth of 0.985″. Weight of 8lbs 15oz.

With original hardshell case

1965 Gibson EB-2 vintage bass guitar
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This ‘Bird is a remarkable example of the mid-level offering of the Firebird line. Finished in a beautifully aged Inverness Green, this 1966 Gibson Firebird III is nothing short of stunning. With approximately 1500 second-variant, non-reverse Firebird IIIs produced between 1965 and 1969 in all finishes combined, it’s quite uncommon to come across an example finished in a custom colour – and Inverness Green isn’t exactly a common color. This is a crazy-rare guitar.

The dawn of the 1960s saw a guitar market that was expanding at an exponential rate, and the popularity of solid-body electrics was increasing rapidly. While Fender was having a great deal of success with their fully fleshed out range of solid-bodies, Gibson was falling behind. With their “Modernistic Series” guitars having been met with reluctance by guitarists and their newly refreshed Les Paul line not meeting sales expectations, Gibson decided that it was time to launch a new line of electrics.

Enlisting the help of automobile designer Raymond Dietrich, the Firebird line was developed in late 1962 and launched in the spring of 1963. The range consisted of four guitars at varying price points that would appeal to a wide range of buyers. With its offset waist and asymmetrical shape, the new line of guitars was meant to directly compete with the Jazzmaster and Jaguar guitars being built by Gibson’s primary competitor in the electric guitar market. To further entice potential Fender buyers to choose Gibson, the company offered ten custom colour options for the Firebird line beyond the standard Sunburst finish. These Ducco colours included Frost Blue, Cardinal Red, Ember Red, Polaris White, Kerry Green, Golden Mist Poly, Silver Mist Poly, Heather Poly, Pelham Blue Poly, and Inverness Green Poly.

It didn’t take long for Fender to notice the similarities between the new Firebird guitars and their range of offset guitars, prompting meetings with higher-ups and attorneys from both companies. In order to appease Fender’s lawyers a redesigned Firebird line emerged in June of 1965. These second variant Firebirds, colloquially known as the “non-reverse” models, featured a modular design that allowed for the body to be outfitted with the pickguard and electronics of any of the four Firebird models, a practice which greatly cut down on production costs.

This completely original Firebird III is in excellent condition overall. The original frets play cleanly throughout the fingerboard and the instrument sets up quite well. While many second variant Firebirds have issues with cracked pickguards due to shrinking plastics, the pickguard on this guitar remains crack-free almost 60 years on. The only flaw to be found is a repaired hairline crack that stems from the control cavity – a crack that is often found on Firebirds of this vintage. This area has been cleanly glued and does not pose any structural issues.

The trio of powerful P-90 pickups, measuring 9.15K (N), 8.25 (B), and 4.25K (N+B) respectively, all sound incredible and push the front end of an amp beautifully. With a full-bodied, cutting voice in the bridge position; creamy, rich tones in the neck, and a snappy response reminiscent of position 2 of a 5-way switch on a Strat in the middle, this Firebird is a versatile instrument fit for any studio or stage. Round neck carve with 1-9/16” nut width. The 1st fret depth is .802”, and the 12th fret depth is .979”.

With original hardshell case.

1966 Gibson Firebird III, Inverness Green, vintage electric guitar

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Owned and played regularly with the Barenaked Ladies for the past many years, this refinished 1968 Fender Precision Bass has been one of Jim Creeggan’s main instruments since acquiring it from Walton’s bassist Keith Nakonechny some years back. Through most of its tenure with Creeggan the bass wasn’t yet refinished, but the original finish had already been stripped off; a quick google search will yield countless photos from Barenaked Ladies shows with Jim rocking on this very P-Bass.

Gloss black finish that’s aged naturally since being redone, replacement pickguard, replacement pots and wiring, rewound original grey bobbin pickups, new KTS Titanium bridge saddles. Original neck finish, original tuners and hardware, original frets. Nicely set-up in our shop, great neck feel, strong pickup. It’s a fun bass, and knowing its history makes it all the more special. It’s surprisingly resonant and loud unplugged, and we suspect the new Ti saddles have an appreciable effect on tone.

The neck has a comfortably rounded carve typical of the later 1960s. The nut measures 1-5/8” and first fret depth is .875”. Scale is 34”, and 12th fret neck thickness is 1.00”. The pickup measures 10.6k, and the bass weighs 8-3/4 pounds.

vintage 1968 Fender Precision electric Bass guitar

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Fender’s Telecaster Thinline debuted in 1968, and early in 1969 the model was made available with custom-colored finishes on a special-order basis. Today, these custom-color Telecaster Thinlines are exceptionally rare, and one of the rarest among them is Canary Yellow.

This 1969 Fender Telecaster Thinline is a local find, brought to our shop by its owner of the last nearly-40 years. It’s in stunning condition and is completely original but for a new switch (the original is in the case pocket) and an accurately rewound neck pickup. Finish and frets show very little wear, all hardware is original and in excellent working order, and the finish is untouched. The original bridge cover is even still on the guitar! This is indeed something of a unicorn amongst vintage Fender guitars.

Neck dated August 1969, pots dated 1966 (as was the norm through the late 1960s), bridge pickup dated September 1969. Pickup DC values are 5.75k (bridge) 5.7k (neck), and the guitar weighs 7.5 lbs.

The one-piece maple neck has a deep and round carve with a 1-5/8” nut. Playability is excellent, set up was just taken care of here at Folkway.

With original hardshell case

1969 Fender Telecaster Thinline, Canary Yellow vintage custom-color electric guitar

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The Firebird VII was the flagship model of Gibson’s then-new line of Firebird guitars upon its introduction in 1963. The guitar boasted three of the newly designed mini-humbucker pickups, a Lyre Vibrola and ABR-1 bridge, gold plated hardware, and an ebony fingerboard with block inlays.

Built in Gibson’s Nashville plant in 2006, this Firebird VII is an excellent tribute to the original “reverse” models produced between 1963 and 1965. The Polaris White finish has already begun to age and darken and the gold-plated hardware against the off-white finish looks spectacular. It’s a particularly handsome instrument.

The three mini-humbucker pickups offer rich, clear tones, with the switching allowing for a wide array of tonal capabilities. The wiring harness on this guitar has been modified slightly to offer individual volume control for each pickup and a single master tone knob, which allows a player to blend all three pickups together in any configuration. While not historically accurate, this easily reversible modification makes the guitar much more versatile than it would otherwise be. In its current state, the treble tone knob functions as a volume for the middle pickup, and the bass tone knob is a master tone.

With a first fret depth of 0.81″, 0.86″ depth at the twelfth, and the standard 1-11/16″ nut width, the neck has a fast and comfortable profile that measures up similarly to Gibson’s 1963 carve. The guitar weighs just under 8-3/4 lbs, which is quite respectable, given all the extra hardware a Firebird VII has.

The guitar shows normal playwear for an instrument that is nearly two decades old. The original frets show some wear but still have plenty of life left, and the guitar is set up nicely with 4-5 64ths action at the 12th fret. There is a small, repaired seam separation between the bass-side wing and the centre of the body at the lower bout that poses no concern to us.

With original hardshell case.

2006 Gibson Firebird VII electric guitar

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2017 Fender 1962 Telecaster Custom Wildwood Spec NOS, Custom Shop

Another excellent offering from Fender’s Custom Shop, this 2017 Wildwood Spec 1962 Telecaster Custom will give you a taste of what it would have been like to play a Custom Telecaster straight out of the factory in the early 1960s. It’s a stunning guitar with excellent fit and finish, and stands as a testament to the quality delivered by the Fender Custom Shop.

Sporting a pair of hand-wound Wildwood 10 Twisted Tele pickups, this guitar offers a warm, full, and powerful voice with excellent bark in the bridge position, and a smooth and airy response in the neck.

This Fender 1962 Telecaster Custom Wildwood boasts a remarkably comfortable full C-shaped neck carve with a first fret depth of 0.858″ and 0.972″ at the twelfth. Weighing in at a scant 7lbs 4oz, this Telecaster delivers an excellent playing experience that will have you picking for hours on end.

Scale length of 25.5″. 1-5/8″ nut width with a neck circumference at the first fret of 2.60″. Pickup DC values of 10.1K (B) and 5.8K (N).

Wish original hardshell case, CoA and case candy.

2017 Fender Custom Shop ‘62 Telecaster Custom NOS Wildwood Spec electric guitar

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The Fender Bass VI is an incredibly rare model, with factory records showing small total numbers during its production run from late 1961 through its discontinuation in 1975. It’s a guitar/bass hybrid with 6 strings, 30” scale, and offset-stylings, and it’s a whole lot of fun to play. Designed for the guitarist who wants a whole lot of low-end goodness in their sound, or a bass player who’s into approaching the instrument with a different style, the Fender Bass VI offers a unique sound, feel, and style. With styling and electronic design similar to that of the Jaguar/Jazzmaster offsets, the Bass VI at first glance looks more guitar than bass. With a 30” scale and strings gauged between guitar and bass, the Bass Six is tuned an octave lower than a guitar.

This example is in wonderful condition and is entirely original except for some replaced foam under the pickups and on the mute and two replaced switches. Untouched original finish, frets, and hardware. It’s been set-up and had the upper the frets dressed, resolving any issues caused by a slight raise in the fingerboard extension.

The neck is dated April 1967 and the pots are dated mid 1964. Fender clearly wasn’t shipping many of these! The body finish shows some playwear along its edges in the usual places, and there is not much fade in its sunburst color. Curved rosewood bound fretboard with pearloid block inlays, alder body, lacquer finish. The A-width neck has a 1.5” nut width, a first fret depth of .792”, and a 12th fret depth of .962”. The pickup DC values are 6.7, 6.7 and 7.2k. 9.1lbs

With original hardshell case.

1967 Fender Bass VI vintage electric six string bass guitar

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2007 Hopkins Monarch Regal 17″

Peter Hopkins is an archtop builder hailing from Penticton, BC, in the heart of the province’s Okanagan valley. His instruments are masterfully crafted of top-tier materials and are prized by players around the globe for their tone, meticulous build, and stunning looks. 

This 2007 Hopkins Monarch Regal features a tone bar braced Sitka top and highly figured big leaf maple back and sides. The neck is figured eastern maple, and the board, bridge, and hand-made tailpiece are of ebony. Hopkins’ trim detail work is astounding, with perfectly mitred 9-ply celluloid bindings to the body, fretboard, and headstock; 5-ply mitred soundhole, tailpiece, and pickguard bindings, and perfectly cut pearl inlays. The pickup is a handmade Kent Armstrong Smoothtop humbucker with discreet pickguard-mounted thumbwheel volume and tone controls wire to an endpin jack that doubles as an anchor for the tailpiece hanger. Gold Grover imperial tuning machines, gloss sunburst lacquer throughout. The body is 17” wide with rims that are 3” deep.

Strung with flatwound LaBella strings, this guitar’s acoustic tone is characteristically mellow, dark, and smooth as would be expected. Plugged into the floating pickup the amplified tone is tremendously appealing, with a smoky, dynamic and woody response; a well-defined and choppy midrange, and open and warm fundamental. This guitar instantly evokes the great Jazz guitar recordings of the 1950s and 60s. 

In beautiful condition and perfectly setup, this Hopkins presents perfectly. The frets were dressed in our shop and the action is set slinky and low with 12-53 flats. There are no repairs to note and playwear is minimal. 

The neck has a comfortably round C carve with a 1st fret depth of .850” and a nut width of 1-3/4”. The scale length is 25”, and string spread at the bridge is 2-3/16”. 

With Ameritage deluxe hardshell case.

2007 Hopkins Monarch Regal archtop electric guitar

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