Fender Precision Bass, Blonde (1952)

From the listing

Seller's description

If you look through the photos or even have the chance to handle this bass in person, you'd be shocked at how it originally came into the shop. This 1952 Fender Precision Bass began life like any other early P Bass from this period. A non-contoured Ash body (just like a Telecaster), single center-positioned pickup, and chunky Maple neck made legend of the utilitarian nature of Leo's storied electric bass design. But somewhere along the way, this particular instrument morphed into something entirely different before finding its way back to what you see before you. We acquired this '52 from a gentleman who'd purchased it from the original owner(s), a husband and wife duo, back c. 1970. As the story goes, the wife played the bass in country bands for years and developed a bit of fatigue from its natural heft and size. Her husband took on the task of giving the bass a bit of a makevoer - relieving it of some of its weight and reshaping the body. The reduction in body size came with an aesthetic upgrade - a silver sparkle countertop-like material was cut and bent to conform to the body's new shape, and the original components were reinstalled.  Where many folks would've seen a complete travesty, abomination, or act of heresy, we saw potential. For one, we found that almost every original part stayed with the bass through its surgery. The pickup, wiring harness, control plate and knobs, bridge, saddles, even the pickup and bridge covers all remained. The neck had seen better days as well, but it was still structurally solid and had its original tuners and neck plate. In dissecting the instrument, we discovered original pencil dates in the neck pocket and on the neck heel, respectively. We had definitive evidence that this was indeed a Summer of '52 Precision Bass.  With the help of some of the most talented builders, luthiers, and restoration specialists on the planet - Laurent Brondel, Joe Riggio, and Glenn Nichols - we carefully reconstructed the body back to its o