The 1965 Fender Precision Bass in Candy Apple Red (CAR) is one of the most iconic, desirable vintage basses from the early CBS transition era. Candy Apple Red was introduced by Fender in 1963 as a custom color, applied as a metallic undercoat (usually gold or silver) with a translucent red topcoat.
Key Features & Specifications
1. Finish & Construction
Body Wood: Select Alder (or Ash on rare translucent finishes).  
Finish Process: True metallic Candy Apple Red sprayed over a silver base coat (earlier) or gold base coat (later 1965 process).
Pickguard: 4-ply tortoise shell (standard) or white three-ply.
2. Neck & Fingerboard
Neck Wood: Maple with a slim-to-medium "C" shape profile.  
Fingerboard: Brazilian Rosewood ("veneer" board style standard for 1965).  
Inlays: Pearloid dots (1965 marked the transition from "clay dots" to pearloid).  

Scale Length: 34 inches (864 mm).  

Nut Width: 1.75 inches (44.45 mm).

3. Hardware & Electronics
Pickup: Split-coil humbucking pickup with black bobbins and Alnico V magnets.  
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone with standard CTS pots and ceramic disc capacitor.
Headstock: Transitional Fender logo (larger font, smaller "Precision Bass" text).
Tuners: Reverse-action nickel tuners.
Bridge: Threaded steel saddles with dynamic string spacing.
Covers: Chrome pickup and bridge covers ("ash tray") with mute foam under the bridge cover.  

Why 1965 is Significant

The CBS Transition Era: Early 1965 instruments still used pre-CBS stock parts (L-series serial numbers, pre-CBS neck profiles, Brazilian rosewood boards), giving them the desirable "Pre-CBS tone and feel" despite being produced right around the CBS acquisition.

Pearl Dot Inlays: 1965 saw the switch from clay dot markers to mother-of-pearl (pearloid) dot markers.

Custom Color Premium: Factory custom finishes like Candy Apple Red are far rarer than standard Sunburst or Olympic White models and command a significant premium on the vintage market.  
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