Are these authentic American P Bass Pickups?

[zephead975]

Hi everyone,

I recently bought these pickups on Ebay and the seller said they came out of a 2008 Fender American P Bass? Can anyone here tell me if these are authentic? They are stamped with the number 04864 on the bottom. I have attached pictures.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[GlennW]

Yes. Fender has been using that bobbin for at least 6 years. They call it the "US Vintage" pickup, but as typical for Fender there's nothing "vintage" about it.

[zephead975]

I noticed that Fender sells original P Bass pickups - Fender Part #0992046000, but they also sell one that is referred to as the '08 American Standard Precision Bass® Pickup (Set) - Fender Part #0075593049. My pickup supposedly came out of a 2008 American P Bass, so is there any way to tell for sure which one it is? One thing.....I noticed my wiring does not have braided covering, just vinyl/plastic with black, white, and yellow wires. The seller also did not include the shield if it had one.

Can you elaborate a little on what you said....."as typical for Fender there's nothing "vintage" about it?"?

Thanks

[GlennW]

Yours aren't the Originals. They have different bobbins, enamel coated wire (dark auburn color), cloth covered leads, etc. Fender makes a bunch of different P bass pickups in a bunch of different countries. Most non-USA pickups use 5mm (.196") alnico magnets (unless they have ceramic bar magnets on the bottom); the MIA's use 3/16" (.188"). Sometimes the MIA pickups are used in MIM and CIJ basses.

As far as nothing being "vintage"...wrong wire, wrong bobbins, wrong leads; I wouldn't bet on the coils and magnets being the same height either.