Are these 70's P bass pickups original?

[rakirksey]

I am looking to possible refinish and upgrade the pickups on this bass that I bought late last year. Here is the thread.

The question I am wondering though is are the pickups for this bass original.

The headstock SN is S891548 and this number is on the back of the pickguard as well.

One other point, as I was removing the pickups from the body I "accidently" broke a wire. I will need to have the wire stripped and resolder it back together.

Either way, I am including pictures below, but for each individual pickup I measured 5.65 k and 5.68 k on my DMM. The 5.65 was on the pickup that looks to have the SN on it. If everything is additive, it would be about 11.33 k for the pair.

[Jim Carr]

Wow. Just Wow.

I don't envy you having to clean that mess up. FWIW, the bottoms look original to me. Let's see if Caca or some of the other Fender experts will comment on the meter readings.

[depalm]

My 78 PUs Looks exactly like this…

[rakirksey]

Originally Posted by GlennW

What color is the coil wire? Copper looking or dark purple/auburn?

I'll have to look and check the coils. Do you just pop the box open and check the wires? I've already broken a wire ... trying to avoid anything additional that I can't to undo.

[rakirksey]

Originally Posted by GlennW

The DCR sounds a little high, unless the coils were unusually warm, like measured just after taken from a mailbox on a hot sunny day.

I like my apt. warm, but it isn't excessively hot. I keep my thermostat at around 68. I'll recheck the DCR when I pop open to check the coil color.

[rakirksey]

Actually I think they are just in the high end between 10.5 - 11.5K since they are about 5.65 K each for a total around 11.3 K.

I think they could definitely use some fresh foam though and a little cleanup.

[SGD Lutherie]

There should be a date code on the bottom. Hard to see in that mess though. Is that plasticized foam rubber?

It looks real though.

Here's a '74.

[Jim Carr]

kinda looks like 79 on one of 'em. I'm no expert, but IMHO, they are as "original" as can be verified.

To me, this bass really merits a restoration, given that the major components are all original and reasonably functional. Besides a refin and a bit of clean up, you'll need some screws and knobs.

Pickups don't seem to be an issue, except for repairing the lead, cleanup, and mounting. Doesn't seem you need a rewind or replacement of the Pups.

[rakirksey]

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

kinda looks like 79 on one of 'em. I'm no expert, but IMHO, they are as "original" as can be verified.

To me, this bass really merits a restoration, given that the major components are all original and reasonable functional. Besides a refin and a bit of clean up, you'll need some screws and knobs.

Pickups don't seem to be an issue, except for repairing the lead, cleanup, and mounting. Doesn't seem you need a rewind or replacement of the Pups.

Agreed. I'll start investigating the restoration options and take a look through your post on the '55 P.

Thanks.