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Fly Guitars Interview: Bob Daisley - part 3: Fender basses

Introduction | Gibson basses | Fender basses | Other vintage basses


Fender basses

FlyGuitars Your collections obviously dominated by a large number of Fender basses and Fender appear to be your chosen workhorse. Is that because you find those most practical for live work and recording?

Bob Daisley Yeah they've always been very versatile you can get lots of different sounds out of especially a Precision bass. Very versatile, very reliable, very robust for travelling. I love Gibsons for some stuff but sometimes you only have to look at them the wrong way and the head falls off, they're notorious for that though. If they fall or they get transported the wrong way or they are not packed properly the head can break off, it's always the head that goes first. I've had that happen to a couple of mine but the Fenders are very robust and you could probably throw it across the room and it'd be still in one piece you know. You've got to really mean to break one, somebody like Ritchie (Blackmore) or Pete Townsend to break a Fender, they're very robust. You know I've always found them very versatile.

FlyGuitars What was your first Fender

Bob Daisley I actually got a Telecaster bass at first which was ok but when I joined Chicken Shack with Stan Webb I ended up getting the 61 Precision bass and I remember Stan saying to me "Oh you won't be sorry, you'll have that for the rest of your life". That's one I've really hung on to and it's been great, it's been really good, a real workhorse, it's been on so many records and albums and done so many tours.

1964 Candy Apple Red Precision bass
Chicken Shack in 1972 - Bob plays an early Fender Telecaster bass
Chicken Shack in 1972 - Bob plays an early Fender Telecaster bass, and below, the 1961 blond Precision, bought shortly afterwards
1961 blonde Fender Precision

FlyGuitars In '72 Fender edged into Gibson territory by putting a large humbucker right up by the neck of the Telecaster bass. Your original Tele didn't have this, but have you now got a humbucker equipped Tele in your collection?

Bob Daisley No, mine's the '68 Paisley which is another pretty rare one but that hasn't got the humbucker it's the one with the early Precision straight pole pickup.

FlyGuitars What's it like in terms of tone compared to the other Fenders that you've got?

Bob Daisley It's nice, you know it's got nice playability and it sounds good. Very similar to the early 50's ones, I have got a couple of early 50's ones, a 53 Precision, the butterscotch with the black pickguard, that's really nice, I like that one and the other one I've got is the '55. Same sort of thing but with the contoured body.

1968 Fender Telecaster - paisley finish
1968 Fender Telecaster - paisley finish

The pictures below show a selection of Bob's Precision and Jazz basses. Six Fender Precision basses: 1953 blond, 1954 Sunburst, 1957 Sunburst, 1959 Sunburst, 1962/3 Olympic white, 1964 Sunburst

1953 Fender Precision
1953 blond
1954 Fender Precision
1954 Sunburst
1957 Fender Precision
1957 Sunburst
1959 Fender Precision
1959 Sunburst
1963 Fender Precision
1962/3 Olympic white
1964 Fender Precision
1964 Sunburst
1962 Fender Jazz Bass - fiesta red finish 1964 candy apple red Fender Jazz bass
Two Fender Jazz basses: a 1962 in Fiesta Red, and a 1964 in Candy Apple Red




Thanks to Graham Fieldhouse and Bob Daisley for making this interview possible. Images courtesy of bobdaisley.com

Links: Bob Daisley's homepage | Kahvas Jute homepage | More FlyGuitars interviews

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Vintage 1974 Fender Musicmaster Natural Bass Guitar

Vintage 1974 Fender Musicmaster Natural Bass Guitar

Benicia, California, 945**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1200

This bass guitar is super fun to play. It plays great up and down the neck. The frets are in great shape with about 80% fret life left. It's super punchy with the single pickup. The pickup is aftermarket along with the pots are non-original. The pickguard is a replacement. Overall, this is a solid, funky fender bass that you can enjoy! If you are in the market for a bass that packs a punch, this is the one you want!
The neck is straight and the truss rod turns in both directions.
... more
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1964 Fender Precision Bass guitar Pre CBS Vintage Tobacco Burst refinish

1964 Fender Precision Bass guitar Pre CBS Vintage Tobacco Burst refinish

Evergreen, Colorado, 804**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$7995

1964 Fender Precision Bass
All original except for Refinished body (Tobacco Burst), Tone potentiometer and Hard case. The refinish was done many years ago and has a lot of nice age and wear.
The original tortoise shell pickguard has some missing bits and is wavy but hey, it's original (as is the metal shielding plate beneath. )
Rosewood fretboard is beautiful and frets are in good shape. Truss works as it should. No issues.
The bass plays great and sounds as you would expect for a... more
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Fender Precision Bass 1972 - Natural

Fender Precision Bass 1972 - Natural

Rochester, New York, 146**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4499

Weight: 9 75lbsThis 1973 Fender Precision bass has it all! The natural body is in excellent condition. The neck and maple fretboard have little playwear despite the age of the instrument. It truly makes you remember that old line: "age is just a number "
This bass has it all, it is in immaculate shape and would look good in any collection, but it is also a great guitar to pickup and play. This bass plays like butter
Almost everything on this bass is original, the one exception is the ... more
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1969 Fender Precision Bass Ocean Turquoise Vintage Bass w /  Case

1969 Fender Precision Bass Ocean Turquoise Vintage Bass w / Case

Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5000

Up for sale, a 1969 Fender Precision Bass in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with a hardshell case. Professionally refinished by Copasetic Customs in Ocean Turquoise Metallic nitro lacquer, this P Bass retains largey original hardware, outfitted with new electronics
Resonant and acoustically balanced at 8lbs 14oz, this Precision bass is strung with fresh 45-100 roundwound strings, loaded with a Fender Pure Vintage '62 black bobbin pickup. The instrument delivers a ... more
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1966 Fender Precision Bass

1966 Fender Precision Bass

Encinitas, California, 920**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$12000



1966 Fender P-Bass in factory custom color Candy Apple Red !

Beautiful golden age P-bass that plays and sounds incredible

All original save for a repro pickup cover and the original owner had diamonds inlaid on the fingerboard but has since been replaced with factory dot inlays

This is a FANTASTIC Fender bass and you will not be disappointed

Thank you for looking!
... more
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1966 Fender Mustang Bass Daphne Blue

1966 Fender Mustang Bass Daphne Blue

Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$4861

Up for sale is a super cool and wonderful sounding 1966 Fender Mustang Bass in its original Daphne Blue finish. Short scale 4 string bliss! Neck is stamped 17DEC66B, visible pots are coded 3046631 dating to the 31st week of 1966. Pickup is replaced and is from a 1980s Fender Bullet Bass and one pot has been worked on and has a partially open back. Overall in very good condition and comes with a vintage non original case. Weight: 7lbs. 9oz
... more
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1971 Vintage Fender Precision Bass

1971 Vintage Fender Precision Bass

Nashville, Tennessee, 372**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$64895

1971 Fender Precision Bass

A true vintage finish from years and years of use
... more
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1985 Fender Boxer Series Jazz Bass Special PJ-535 Vintage PJ Medium Scale, Japan

1985 Fender Boxer Series Jazz Bass Special PJ-535 Vintage PJ Medium Scale, Japan

Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1550

Up for sale, a 1985 Fender Jazz Bass Special medium scale PJ bass model PJ-535 in excellent, 100% original condition and in perfect working order. An evolution of the bass known simply as the "P-J" in Fender Japan's earliest catalogs, the Jazz Bass Special is part of the Boxer line, produced at the venerable Fujigen factory in Japan
Finished in an aged Snow White, this is the fairly rare Fender Japan bass model, similar in features and tone to the one that Duff McKagan would make famous with... more
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Fender American Standard Precision Bass Guitar 1983 E3 Vintage USA P-Bass & Case

Fender American Standard Precision Bass Guitar 1983 E3 Vintage USA P-Bass & Case

Hamtramck, Michigan, 482**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2000

Vintage Fender 1983 4 String American Standard Precision Bass Guitar
Genuine Made in USA American Right Handed Fender Precision Bass Guitar; Serial Number: E316441 (E3 denotes 1983 Model Year)
Right handed bass guitar with "BadAss Bass II" bridge, Brown Sunburst body with Maple Fretboard.
Used in great condition with normal surface wear for age, no chips or cracks on body. No damage to frets, plays perfectly with excellent tone
Fender brand hard cover soft lined flight case ... more
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1978 Fender Musicmaster Bass Guitar Shortscale Short Scale Bass

1978 Fender Musicmaster Bass Guitar Shortscale Short Scale Bass

Austin, Texas, 787**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3400

Great condition, purchased at Main Drag Music in 2011 or 12. Wonderful sound, no issues of any kind... more
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Vintage 1975 Fender Precision Bass Natural

Vintage 1975 Fender Precision Bass Natural

New York, 100**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2799

Vintage original 1975 Fender Precision Bass in original Natural finish
A real great playing example that is light and resonant with excellent playability and classic vintage P-Bass tone
Neck has a real nice feel to it, more of a '60s profile that's nice and easy to play.
Original P-Bass pickups are warm and punchy and strong.
The truss rod has been replaced on the neck so it's playing great and the logo has been replaced on the headstock. The neck is original as are all the ... more
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1983 Fender USA Precision Bass, Ivory Finish With Maple Neck & Fretboard. OHC

1983 Fender USA Precision Bass, Ivory Finish With Maple Neck & Fretboard. OHC

Highland Park, Illinois, 600**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1875

1983 Fender USA (Fullerton CA) Standard Series Precision Bass w / OHC. Everyone thinks this color is a faded white but it was Ivory right from the factory. In '83 the standard P-Bass was only available in Black, Ivory or 2 different bursts (see pic in gallery from 1983 catalog for reference). This one plays and sounds fantastic and it's 40 years old now so it's got vintage appeal and will appreciate over the coming years. Neck date stamp is first week of April 1983. There is some heavy ring-wear... more
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Fender Standard Jazz Electric Bass Guitar 1982

Fender Standard Jazz Electric Bass Guitar 1982

Saint Joseph, Michigan, 490**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1880

Fender Jazz Bass Electric Guitar with drop D tuning. This Bass was Kimberly Dame. She was the former bassist for the band Boston. She autographed the bass before giving it to me. Everything works as it should and there are no cracks in the body or neck. Comes with a Hard Shell Fender Case. This is a 1982 model
... more
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1953 Fender Precision Bass

1953 Fender Precision Bass

Loveland, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$31500

1953 Fender Precision Bass, Attractive Butterscotch Blondefinish, Beautifully grained Ash body, Black Guard, Stunning example, Signed byTadeo Gomez TAD 2-6-53 in the neck pocket, Fantastic feeling neck, Fabulousinstrument, Both Covers, EC, Original Brown gig bag.
... more
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Fender Jazz Bass 1964 - White - Refin

Fender Jazz Bass 1964 - White - Refin

Brooklyn, New York, 112**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$9250


This Fender Jazz Bass was made in the USA in 1964. Neck date is January '64. The parts are completely original although the neck pickup has been rewound. The body has been refinished a long time ago in sonic blue that has faded to almost white. It is an old refin that was well done and has aged nicely giving the bass a great look. The neck has the original finish. This bass has been pro-setup in our store and plays great. It weighs 9 lbs 6 oz and comes with the original case in the pictures... more
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Vintage 1979 Fender Precision Bass  See thru Blonde! 9lb Ash Body! All Original!

Vintage 1979 Fender Precision Bass See thru Blonde! 9lb Ash Body! All Original!

Berkeley, California, 947**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3800

Late 70s Fender basses sometimes get a bad rap due to their weight and lack of quality control towards the end of the CBS era.
This bass is the exception that proves the rule! Somehow, this lightweight (9 lbs), resonant, lovely instrument slipped past the QC inspectors.
It is everything a vintage Fender bass should be
It is finished in the extremely rare see-through blonde finish. It is not solid like Olympic white, which often fades to a cream color and it is not the natural wood ... more
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1964 Fender Jazz Bass Fiesta Red the rarest form Greengard & Clay Dot Madness !

1964 Fender Jazz Bass Fiesta Red the rarest form Green'gard & Clay Dot Madness !

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$39995

This is the ultimate & most desirable custom color Jazz Bass in 100% untouched original condition. I sold this exact Bass to a good friend in Key West back in 1989 & just got it back. I planned on keeping it now for life, BUT another toy is in the works w / 4 wheels & now she??s up for the 1st time being uncirculated for the last 35 years . It has its original Fiesta Red finish w / its white undercoat is over a very lightweight Alder body w / a Matching Fiesta Red Headstock. Its ... more
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FENDER 1969 PRECISION OR JAZZ BASS BRIDGE VERY CLEAN WITH MOUNTING SCREWS

FENDER 1969 PRECISION OR JAZZ BASS BRIDGE VERY CLEAN WITH MOUNTING SCREWS

Berlin, New Hampshire, 035**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$239

FREE USA SHIPPING!
This was taken off a 1969 Jazz Bass many years ago. As you can see it really is in superb condition, not quite mint but that makes it a great choice for just about any quality restoration. Or just throw it in your parts bin; it will never go down in value! The plate, saddles, springe and all the screws are in primo condition and there's no annoying stuck screws or rust spots. Three of the mounting screws are original and the underside of the plate is exceptionally clean ... more
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Vintage Fender Precision Bass Sunburst 1983

Vintage Fender Precision Bass Sunburst 1983

Brookfield, Wisconsin, 530**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2499


Vintage Fender Precision Bass Sunburst 1983
PLEASE CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR FOR AN IN-HAND DESCRIPTION
An excellent player's grade P-Bass due to the EMG's which actually sound terrific in this bass! Gorgeous sunburst finish & a silky smooth neck that plays great anywhere on the fretboard. Fully inspected & set up ready to play straight out of the case
Cosmetic Condition: Great shape for being 40 years old with some signs of mild play wear - various little nicks, ... more
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Fender Musicmaster Bass 1970s Refinished Silver with OHSC and Case Candy.

Fender Musicmaster Bass 1970s Refinished Silver with OHSC and Case Candy.

Las Vegas, Nevada, 891**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1200

Here we have an early 70s Fender Musicmaster bass that has been professionally refinished in silver
It plays great and includes all of the original parts. The pickguard, volume pot and pickup have been replaced. The original pickup works great but I preferred the Seymour duncan that has replaced it. The volume pot unfortunately was accidentally broken and has a disconnected shaft. The original owner replaced the pickguard with a reproduction because of damage as shown to the original ... more
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