PRICE DROPPED – 1980 MUSICMAN STINGRAY BASS IN NATURAL FINISH – PRE ERNIE BALL

One of the nicest example from the first generation of the Fender Precision Bass. With a graciously aged butterscotch finish, it’s just perfection and plays beautifully as you would expect from one of these 51-54 Pbasses. Detlef Schmidt is the author of what’s considered the most accurate book about the first generation of the Precision Bass, he collected as many serial numbers as he could and this one is featured on his list. The neck has a great patina with the classic finish wear at the back, which is common to these early 40s and 50s Fender instruments. Flat head screw on tuners, neckplate and pick guard as supposed for these. Original covers still there and came with a tweed case that looks like may have been externally modified but looks all original inside, although is hard to confirm. Bass is completely original, with pots perfectly working as well as the black bobbin pickup and the original paper capacitor. It came in with a reissue pickup but the original 1954 black bobbin (which sounds amazing) was inside the tweed case and is now back with the bass and rest of the wiring is untouched. The finish has a gorgeous checking and looks like they patched a couple of extra screws holes (possibly a thumb rest) but they are barely noticeable. Bass is very light and resonant with an incredible sustain due to the string through the body. The pencil dates are unfortunately not legible anymore but the serial of this bass is present on the bridge and can be found on Detlef Schmidt’s book. These early models are becoming incredibly hard to come by and this one is a great example.

1961 Fender Precision Bass in beautifully worn black finish and a piece of Australia music history.

Previously owned by none less than the amazing Harry Brus (Australian Crawl, Renee Gayer , Kevin Borich, Jimmy Barnes, Ross Wilson and many others) , this instrument has so many stories to tell and has been working hard but it’s still one of the nicest fender basses I have ever played.

Light as a feather due to the alder body and with the very rare and coveted Brazilian rosewood slab fretboard.

The original pickup is just pure magic and the neck is super comfortable and slim .

All parts on the bass are genuine beside the nut and frets which have been redone as they were to worn .

One of the best looking basses I have had the pleasure to own and play and a piece of Australian rock history