Fender 1964 Precision Bass Olympic White Very Good Pre-CBS

No sales tax for US customers outside California.

Fender sold the company to CBS on January 5, 1965. From that date forward, every decision at Fender was filtered through a corporate cost-reduction mandate that changed the instruments in ways that make the Pre CBS years coveted. The 1964 Precision Bass is the final full production year of the pre-CBS instrument — built entirely under Leo Fender's direct oversight to the specification and quality standard he had been refining for over a decade.

The clay dot fingerboard inlays on this bass are the key production detail that dates it to early-to-mid 1964. Fender replaced the clay dots with pearloid dots late in the year, making clay dots on a 1964 Precision a reliable indicator of earlier production — before the transitional changes that began appearing toward the end of the pre-CBS era. The Brazilian rosewood fingerboard is the tonewood that Fender used throughout this period and that was discontinued in later years due to CITES restrictions. 

The Olympic White custom color finish over alder is correct for this production year. Custom color pre-CBS Precision Basses have consistently outperformed sunburst examples in the market and continue to appreciate. The finish is well worn and has yellowed and aged naturally over sixty years in the way that nitrocellulose lacquer does, producing the patina that no refinish can replicate and that serious collectors value as evidence of originality.

The original split-coil humbucking pickup reads 11.14k — correct for a 1964 Precision - unaltered and fully functional. The original pots date to the 40th week of 1963.  All the parts are original: the bridge, original Kluson clover reverse tuners, string tree, strap buttons, knobs, "tug bar", and the neck plate. The bridge and pickup covers are not included. 

The original pickguard shows shrinkage and cracking — normal and expected on a nitrite guard of this age.  We did the slightest bit of filing to give some room around the pickup covers.  The foam behind the original pickups was replaced as the original foam had degraded and turned solid. 

The bass set up superbly with room in the truss rod for future neck relief adjustments.  Action is set at 3/32" on both strings at the twelfth fret. The case is the period-correct, no-logo case in black.  It is missing the middle latch but is otherwise intact and serves well to protect the bass.

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Specifications:

Brand: Fender
Model: Precision Bass
Year: 1964
Color: Olympic White
Condition: Very Good
Weight: 8 lbs 5.5 oz
Body: Alder
Body Date/Code: See photos
Neck: Maple
Neck Date/Code: See photos
Neck Profile: C
Fretboard: Brazilian Rosewood
Inlays: Clay Dot
Frets: Original
Fret Count: 20
Nut: Original
Nut Width: 1-3/4"
Radius: 7.25"
Scale: 34"
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: .782"
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: .995"
Action 1st String at 12th Fret: 3/32"
Action 4th String at 12th Fret: 3/32"
Overall Length: 45-7/8"
Lower Bout: 12-7/8"
Waist: 9"
Upper Bout: 10-3/4"
Body Depth (outside edge): 1-5/8"
String Gauge: 45-100
Hardware Color: Nickel/Chrome
Pickup: Fender Split Coil (Original)
Pickup Reading: 11.14k
Pickguard: Original — shrinkage and cracking present, see photos
Bridge: Original
Tuners: Original
Knobs: Original
Pots: Original
Case: Original "no logo" case, missing one latch

Shipping policy:

There are multiple shipping cost options for purchases made on our site.  Select Ground, 3 Day, 2 Day, or Next Day Air Saver.  For Reverb purchases, there is one cost option for Eastern states - customers from any state that is more than a 3 day UPS ground shipment from our shop will get their shipment via UPS 3 day air.  Otherwise, ground shipping will be used.  Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions.  If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com.  Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.