1961 Fender Jazz Bass

This is the rarest all original & perhaps 1 of the the very 1st production Pre-CBS “3 knob” Jazz Bass w/all the 1st issue features in untouched original condition, it was owned by its original family from new & inherited by a Mr. Walt Cunningham, better known as 1 of Nashville’s most prominent & busy piano players whom toured w/the likes of Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, George Jones & Buddy Epson to name a few, Walt’s father was a local Nashville bassist who ordered this exact Jazz Bass new & Walt was there in 1962 when his dad took delivery of it, it has its 1-off original see-thru Red finish over a lightweight grainy Alder body that you can see the grain thru the finish like on a Blonde bass, it exhibits a bit of fade w/a sort of bursted outer edge over the past 63 years in what appears to be a Mahogany color (better known as a “Red Mahogany” finish by 1963), these 1st 3 issue knob Jazz Basses started to replace the infamous Stack Knob by July 1961 & are ridiculously rare, its “Unbound” Slab Rosewood Clay Dot neck is super slim has an all in one logo w/the “counter body” portion inclusive, she has a penciled neck date of 12/61 making it 1 of the very earliest 3 knobs produced & perhaps the 1st & only Jazz Bass ever produced in this see-thru Red over Alder that’s usually done over a mahogany body during 1963-4, its original White Nitro pickgard has that luscious green hue used only in 1960-4 on Fenders Custom Colors, its 2 pickups are super smooth w/that quintessential “Jaco” sound !, its pot date codes are from the 20th & 23rd weeks of 1961, its original control cavity has the earliest type copper solder plates, what makes this a true 1 of a kind is that its original owner special ordered this in 1961 & was adamant it had all gold hardware including its original 3 metal dome knobs c.1953, that were done to match the gold parts instead of its std. black plastic knobs, its so cool from its gold tuners to its threaded saddle bridge w/outside ground wire in place, its all original in all respects & still retains its gold plated bridge & pickup covers along with every single screw from new, it even has a set of original “String Mutes” that are in its case, it plays & feels incredible, other than having a perfect refret & new nut (the original frets & nut are in its case pocket), a few dings, some worming & checking, she’s still far betta than Excellent, it was discovered 3 years ago by Walt’s brother after Walt’s passing away on a shelf in his garage & was a tease for 35 years by Walt’s bass playing friend, Mr. Kevin “Swine” Grant, whom was able to acquire it in 2021, its 1 of the best & most desirable examples on Earth, comes complete in her original Brown Tolex/Orange lined Hard Case.