I thought it was a 52 for a long time, the receipt is hard to read since it was a 194_ I interpreted the 1 as a 2 for some reason...the flag on the 5 written over the 4 and the 1 with a serif kinda looked like a 2 to me... closer inspection shows 51
Dad bought it brand new in 1951 (dedember of 51) he was a working musician at the time
Original purchase price is $200 or close to it. on par with a similar new Bass today.
I almost lost it in a fire a few years back and discovered that it would not have been covered on the insurance policy.
I want to get a policy on the instrument and add it to my homeowners policy since it now lives at my home.
The Heel Date
TG-11-20-51
Pocket Date
EM-11-6-51
Bridge Plate SN 0213
Fretboard
Full Front and Full Back
Controls (no markings in cavity)
Pickup (not removing the pickup to see any markings there)