Used Vintage 1965 Fender Precision Bass

Sonic Evaluation

In Wildwood's Bass Department, there's always dissension about which year is best for Fender basses. Bass Marketing thinks it's '62, Bass Sales think it's '64, and Bass Analytics thinks it's '55. However, all parties were forced to at least reconsider after hearing this magnificent '65 P Bass with an Olympic White finish that has aged unbelievably well (all that checking, and the patina...mmmmm). Apart from looking cooler than a polar bear's toenail, it sounds jaw-dropping.

First off, it's amazing the range of sounds you can get just by altering your velocity and technique. The attack is round and springy with some delicious musical compression that really makes the percussive quality of the attack come through. When you play with a light touch, this P Bass sounds warm and piano-like. When you dig in, it snarls more, but it mostly becomes more present. The notes stay round and punchy with an open-throated quality even when you play aggressively. However, you can significantly increase the volume based on the power of your attack, and that gives this bass a huge dynamic range, which makes for a delightfully expressive playing experience.

Frequency-response wise, the low-end is monstrous, the midrange packs a wide punch, and the highs are unbelievably fat and sweet. Across the spectrum, this serial has a dry, woody tonality, but it feels cavernous and huge, too. It does the classic Precision sound as well or better than just about any thud staff that has graced Wildwood's shelves, and its iconic tone works in just about any genre or context (who needs a Swiss Amry knife when you can cut through with a broadsword?).

We're proud to showcase this beastly bass, and we have no doubt its pugnacious Precision tone will inspire you to bring the thump!

Condition Report

Wildwoodians, it is our privilege to showcase this incredible 1965 Fender Precision Bass. The neck dates to November of 1965, it's an absolutely titanic low-end beast, and it looks cool as all-git-out thanks to its really cool vintage wear. It has lots of awesome checking and other battle scars that tell the story of a bass that has been a workhorse for much of its life. All parts appear to be original and function well (although the E string tuner is a little sloppy, it's not bad by any means). The frets show some moderate wear--always a sign that a vintage piece is hard to put down! By the look of it, it has undergone one repair to the finish on the bass-side lower bout, which occurred prior to when the previous owner acquired it in 1972. Overall, it's in fantastic shape, and it is sure to bring any Fender fanatic seeking low-end thunder a ton of musical joy.