- Bill Nash Guitars Serial Numbers Number
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- Bill Nash Guitars Serial Numbers
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Dating Nash guitars is a bit tricky, but there are a few markers that help place this Nash T-63. First, there’s a serial number, KA0531, written on the end of the headstock, a practice that began in 2006. The serial number indicates the dealer it was built for, and the production sequence. Nash is the largest independent builder of aged electric guitars and bass guitars. Nash Guitars recreate the look and feel of vintage guitars with updates that appeal to the modern player. All Nash electric guitars are a unique work of art handcrafted by Bill Nash right here in the USA.
Aloha!
Today we are looking at a very nice Precision Bass copy: a Bill Nash built PB-63. I was recently looking for a back-up P Bass, and this one definitely fit the bill and there is certainly not much to dislike about it.
Bill Nash has been assembling vintage-style guitars since 2001, and has gained a lot of respect and a faithful following because he builds guitars that play very well and sound incredible. All of his instruments received the relic treatment, so you will never have to worry about scratching one.
By the way, Bill Nash initials and dates the headstock on each guitar they build, and writes the serial number on the tip of the headstock. And the serial number convention is something I have not seen before. The first two letters of the serial number denote which dealer the guitar was shipped to. In this case the writing is sloppy, so I have no idea what dealer it was originally shipped to.
From its specifications, this PB-63 is a fairly faithful reproduction of a 1963 Fender Precision Bass. It has a three-tone sunburst nitrocellulose lacquer finish and a dead-on accurate tortoise shell pickguard (since changed to black). The maple neck has a C shape and a 10-inch radius rosewood fretboard with a 1 5/8-inch width Graphtech Tusq nut. They installed tall Dunlop 6105 frets on this one, which is a departure from the early 1960s standard.
The hardware is also true to the theme, with Kluson-style reverse tuners and a serrated-saddle bridge. Nash went with Jason Lollar pickups, which I think are the best choice for a P-bass these days. There is no pre-amplifier, just the expected volume/volume/tone pots. By the way, the pots are 250K CTS, and they included a Sprague Orange Drop capacitor in the circuit. Yay!
And all of these fabulous things were put together very well by the folks over at Nash Guitars. The craftsmanship is very good, with a comfortable neck and great fretwork. For those that complains that these are parts guitars, I say go buy a bag full of parts and see if you can do this good of a job. I have not found any dead spots, and the Lollar pickups sound very rich. It does not hurt that it is relatively light, coming in at 8 pounds, 13 ounces.
This is one of the best Precision Basses I have ever owned, and it should be for a street price of around $1900.
As with all Nash guitars, I am a little hung up on the way this one looks. Even though this one is described as having light aging, I think the relic process goes a little too far -- I guess I do not have to worry about scratching it. Also, there are no bridge cover or pickup cover holes drilled in the bass, which is an oversight for a 1960s Fender replica. If that is all I have to complain about, they must have done a good job!
If you have not had the opportunity to play a Bill Nash guitar or bass, I recommend you give one a shot. It may be the closest you will get to ever owning a pre-CBS Fender.
Mahalo!
These are the Fender copy guitars that players both love and hate at the same time.
Nash guitars are all made in the USA, all made with premium woods, all have premium hardware installed, all are finished using nothing but nitro.
Guitarists love Nash because you get premium grade guitars at around 40% less (sometimes even less than that) of what you would otherwise pay to get the same from the Fender Custom Shop.
Guitarists hate Nash because as far as I can tell, every one of them is a 'relic' (meaning distressed-on-purpose when built,) and the vast majority of the models they have are Fender copies..
..and if you're wondering how Nash is able to get away with such a close match of Fender guitars (especially the headstock) without being sued off the face of the planet by Fender, that I can't say. Maybe they have an agreement with Fender and are licensed to use their headstock designs. Maybe something else. I honestly don't know.
Primary models of Nash are T (Telecaster), E (Esquire), S (Stratocaster) and JM (Jazzmaster). Nash's own model is the Wayfarer. They also have 'non-traditional' where they'll take a design and do something special with it. One example is they made a 12-string T model.
Are Nash guitars passé since so many people hate 'relic' guitars?
Here's my take on that.
I do wish Nash would produce at least one guitar that is not distressed at all. They currently don't do this. The closest you can get to a not-distressed guitar is one with 'light aging.' I went through a bunch of their T models on their web site, and they all have that aging crapola going on.
And if you think you can contact them and request a custom order for a non-distressed model, think again, because they don't do that. Nash states outright that you cannot buy direct from them, so no custom orders. Not possible. The fact they even mention this means some buyers - possibly many - have asked this question before. Is it possible to request a custom order through an authorized Nash dealer? That's also an unknown. Maybe it's possible, but I doubt it.
What this means is that with all Nash guitars, what you see out there is what you get.
There is also something I take into consideration however. There is a niche market for distressed electric guitars. There are players who really like the distressed look but hate the high price of the Fender Custom Shop.
I'll put this in perspective for you. When you buy a relic model from Fender Custom Shop, you're spending at least $3,000. You want that FCS relic, you're gonna pay for it and pay big. But then there's Nash who has pretty much the same thing and it's almost half the price. In this respect, Nash guitars are a bargain. Remember, these aren't Asian guitars. These are American.
Bill Nash Guitars Serial Numbers Number
So in other words, a Nash is the closest you can get to a Fender Custom Shop relic model with a much nicer price.
There is something else about Nash guitars that cannot be denied. They are good guitars. Really good, actually. So good that Nash warranties all their instruments for two years (which exceeds the standard Fender 1-year warranty, by the way.) Nash is confident enough in their builds to take care of any issues that may happen for an entire 24 months. In this day and age, that's darned impressive.
Am I saying you can buy a Nash with confidence? Yes.
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Whether you agree with the idea of distressed guitars or not, Nash does stand by their work. They do have a specific niche they cater to (guys who like distressed guitars without the FCS price tag,) do it well, and what you get is truly good. Fantastical 2 calendar and reminders 2 2 4. There's just no arguing that point.
My only real complaint is what I said above. I really wish Nash would offer at least one non-distressed model. If they did a Mary Kay S-57 model with no distressing, that for some guitarists would be the perfect Strat look. (And yes I am saying the distressing ruins that guitar, take a look and see for yourself.)
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Bill Nash Guitars Serial Numbers
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