1961 Fender Precision Bass headstock reshape / repair

Removal of poorly repaired section of wood

This 1961 Fender Precision bass had suffered headstock damage in the 1970's. The repairer at the time filed away and smoothed the damaged area which significantly altered the shape, as seen in picture 1, which compares it with another bass from 1961.

We cut the damaged area straight in order to add a new section of the correct type of wood: rock maple.

Fender Precision Bass headstock reshape / repair © 2025 Guitar Angel
Fender Precision Bass headstock reshape / repair © 2025 Guitar Angel

Reshaping

Next, the grain was "matched in" and the headstock could now be reshaped to the original contour.

Fender Precision Bass headstock reshape / repair © 2025 Guitar Angel
Fender Precision Bass headstock reshape / repair © 2025 Guitar Angel
Fender Precision Bass headstock reshape / repair © 2025 Guitar Angel
Fender Precision Bass headstock reshape / repair © 2025 Guitar Angel

Tinting and reassembly

The headstock front and back was refinished with tinted nitrocellulose lacquer, blended in carefully to meet the existing finish on the rest of the neck.

A period correct decal was added to complete the headstock restoration.

Fender Precision Bass headstock reshape / repair © 2025 Guitar Angel
Fender Precision Bass headstock reshape / repair © 2025 Guitar Angel
Fender Precision Bass headstock reshape / repair © 2025 Guitar Angel
Fender Precision Bass headstock reshape / repair © 2025 Guitar Angel

Fingerboard true up / refret

A few years later the customer brought the bass in again, this time for a refret and fretboard true up

Fender precision bass 1961 fretboard true up and refret © 2025 Guitar Angel
Fender precision bass 1961 fretboard true up and refret © 2025 Guitar Angel
Fender precision bass 1961 fretboard true up and refret © 2025 Guitar Angel
Fender precision bass 1961 fretboard true up and refret © 2025 Guitar Angel