1965 Fender Precision Bass CAR
Fender's first official custom color chart debuted in 1961 at the behest of the head of Fender Sales, Don Randal, as custom ordered finishes were steadily increasing through the late 1950s and early '60s. The 1961 chart featured 14 chips, in addition to making "blond" available to models other than the Telecaster. The color chart was amended in 1963, replacing the seldom ordered pastel Shell Pink with the metallic Candy Apple Red, which quickly became Fender's mostly popular custom color.
A stunning example of a Pre-CBS spec Candy Apple Red Fender instrument, this 1965 Precision Bass is remarkably well preserved and is entirely original down to the last screw. The bass’s only flaw is an extra hole left behind when the tug bar (finger rest) was moved to the bass side of the strings to function as a thumb rest. With light crazing and a few very small chips being the only signs of its age, the original Candy Apple Red finish is in near mint condition. There are no notable signs of wear on the neck, and the original frets are almost perfect.
A neck date of January 1965 and pot codes dated to the 50th week of 1964 indicate that this Precision Bass was built right around the time of CBS's acquisition of Fender. As a result, this bass is built with entirely Pre-CBS features, including a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with clay dots, and an L-series serial number. Additionally, the Candy Apple Red finish features an Inca Silver undercoat. As the company transitioned to a gold undercoat in 1965 (which resulted in a slightly darker red hue), the Inca Silver’s resulting lighter Candy Apple hue is distinctly a pre-CBS thing.
The original gray-bobbin P-Bass pickup measures 10.8k and offers full-bodied and rich tones with excellent clarity and punch. This bass sports the typical P-Bass C neck with a 1-3/4" nut width. It’s remarkably comfortable, and has a first fret depth of 0.795" and a full 1" depth at the twelfth fret. It's a resonant bass with a respectable weight of 9lbs 3oz.
With its original hardshell case that remains in similarly excellent condition.
With original hardshell case.
A stunning example of a Pre-CBS spec Candy Apple Red Fender instrument, this 1965 Precision Bass is remarkably well preserved and is entirely original down to the last screw. The bass’s only flaw is an extra hole left behind when the tug bar (finger rest) was moved to the bass side of the strings to function as a thumb rest. With light crazing and a few very small chips being the only signs of its age, the original Candy Apple Red finish is in near mint condition. There are no notable signs of wear on the neck, and the original frets are almost perfect.
A neck date of January 1965 and pot codes dated to the 50th week of 1964 indicate that this Precision Bass was built right around the time of CBS's acquisition of Fender. As a result, this bass is built with entirely Pre-CBS features, including a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with clay dots, and an L-series serial number. Additionally, the Candy Apple Red finish features an Inca Silver undercoat. As the company transitioned to a gold undercoat in 1965 (which resulted in a slightly darker red hue), the Inca Silver’s resulting lighter Candy Apple hue is distinctly a pre-CBS thing.
The original gray-bobbin P-Bass pickup measures 10.8k and offers full-bodied and rich tones with excellent clarity and punch. This bass sports the typical P-Bass C neck with a 1-3/4" nut width. It’s remarkably comfortable, and has a first fret depth of 0.795" and a full 1" depth at the twelfth fret. It's a resonant bass with a respectable weight of 9lbs 3oz.
With its original hardshell case that remains in similarly excellent condition.
With original hardshell case.