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.
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.
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
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
Gibson bass guitars for sale
Vintage 1974 Fender Musicmaster Natural Bass Guitar
Benicia, California, 945**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1200
The neck is straight and the truss rod turns in both directions.
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1964 Fender Precision Bass guitar Pre CBS Vintage Tobacco Burst refinish
Evergreen, Colorado, 804**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$7995
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
Fender Precision Bass 1972 - Natural
Rochester, New York, 146**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$4499
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
1969 Fender Precision Bass Ocean Turquoise Vintage Bass w / Case
Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$5000
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
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!
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1966 Fender Mustang Bass Daphne Blue
Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$4861
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1985 Fender Boxer Series Jazz Bass Special PJ-535 Vintage PJ Medium Scale, Japan
Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1550
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
Fender American Standard Precision Bass Guitar 1983 E3 Vintage USA P-Bass & Case
Hamtramck, Michigan, 482**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2000
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
1978 Fender Musicmaster Bass Guitar Shortscale Short Scale Bass
Austin, Texas, 787**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3400
Vintage 1975 Fender Precision Bass Natural
New York, 100**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$2799
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
1983 Fender USA Precision Bass, Ivory Finish With Maple Neck & Fretboard. OHC
Highland Park, Illinois, 600**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1875
Fender Standard Jazz Electric Bass Guitar 1982
Saint Joseph, Michigan, 490**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1880
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1953 Fender Precision Bass
Loveland, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$31500
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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
Vintage 1979 Fender Precision Bass See thru Blonde! 9lb Ash Body! All Original!
Berkeley, California, 947**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$3800
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
1964 Fender Jazz Bass Fiesta Red the rarest form Green'gard & Clay Dot Madness !
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$39995
FENDER 1969 PRECISION OR JAZZ BASS BRIDGE VERY CLEAN WITH MOUNTING SCREWS
Berlin, New Hampshire, 035**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$239
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
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
Fender Musicmaster Bass 1970s Refinished Silver with OHSC and Case Candy.
Las Vegas, Nevada, 891**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$1200
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