1956 Fender Precision Bass (Second Version) – Two-Tone Sunburst – Near Mint (9.25) – All Original + Mid-’60s Fender Case

At Tom’s Guitar Shop in Greenwich Market, we’re proud to offer one of the finest early contour-body Precisions we’ve encountered — a 1956 Fender Precision Bass, second-version model, finished in a beautiful two-tone sunburst and preserved in exceptional near-mint 9.25/10 condition.

This April ’56 example (neck & body pencil-dated 4-56) retains all the transitional features of this short-lived but historically significant era: the offset asymmetrical contoured ash body, one-piece maple neck with a full ’56 fat “C” profile, original staggered-pole single-coil pickup, single-ply white guard, and domed-top knurled knobs.

Serial number 09211 sits on the four-bolt neck plate. The pots date to October 1955 (304 541), and both original bridge and pickup covers are included. The condition is outstanding — minimal playwear, no belt rash, no finish wear-through, only light lacquer checking, and the original frets show almost no signs of use.

This is one of the earliest contoured-body Precision Basses produced — and genuinely one of the cleanest surviving examples. A rare opportunity for the serious Fender collector.

Key Features

• Model: Fender Precision Bass (Second Version)
• Year: 1956 (April)
• Serial: 09211
• Finish: Two-Tone Sunburst
• Weight: 9.40 lbs
• Scale Length: 34″
• Nut Width: Just over 1 11/16″
• Body: Contoured solid ash (13″ width, 1.63″ depth)
• Neck: One-piece maple, 20 frets
• Profile: Classic 1956 “fat C”
• Markers: Black dots
• Pickup: Original black staggered-pole single-coil
• Output: 6.30k
• Pickguard: Single-ply white ABS (7 screws)
• Hardware:
• • Original Fender cloverleaf tuners
  • Combined nickel-plated bridge/tailpiece (two steel saddles)
  • Original domed-top knobs
  • Original black wooden thumb-rest
• Electronics: Stackpole pots dated 304 541 (Oct ’55)
• Markings:
• • Neck pencil-dated XA-4-56
  • Pickup cavity pencil-dated 4-56

Condition (9.25/10 – Near Mint)

• Extremely clean, minimally played
• Very light lacquer checking
• A few tiny edge marks only
• No belt buckle wear
• No scarring on the back
• Neck has only faint marks; frets show almost no wear
• 100% original throughout
• Includes original bridge and pickup covers

A museum-grade ’56 Precision with exceptional originality, tone, and historical significance.

Case

• Mid-1960s Fender black hardshell case with red plush lining
  (very clean and a perfect pairing for display or transport)

If you’re seeking one of the best and cleanest 1956 Precision Basses on the market — this is it.