Any way to guess the original color of this '70's P?

[9mmMike]

Guessing that this bass body was not originally "natural".



Opinions?

[A-Step-Towards]

Mocha? Looks like a '74-'76 body.

[EagleMoon]

That doesn't look like a Fender body to me, and if it's not, it could very well be the original finish.

[9mmMike]

Originally Posted by A-Step-Towards

Mocha? Looks like a '74-'76 body.

I think it is a '74 but the finish is basically a stain.

[A-Step-Towards]

Originally Posted by EagleMoon

That doesn't look like a Fender body to me, and if it's not, it could very well be the original finish.

Its for sure a fender body.

The thumbrest is above the E string not below the G thus its a '74 or newer. The bridge route where the grounding wire is has a hole that is pre '77 so its a '74-'76.

All the routes show me its indeed legit fender made one of those 3 years.

Its to dark for a natural finish and to light for a real mocha, if its really mocha then its the lightest one I have seen.

That said the body is worth a minimum of $300 even with a refin, so if your debating buying it just stick to around there price wise.

[JoeWPgh]

There seems to be residue of the stripping in the various cavities. Any clues to the original color will be found there.

[king_biscuit]

It looks like alder, and Fender didn't do natural alder basses; the original finish was something else.

[9mmMike]

Originally Posted by A-Step-Towards

Its for sure a fender body.

The thumbrest is above the E string not below the G thus its a '74 or newer. The bridge route where the grounding wire is has a hole that is pre '77 so its a '74-'76.

All the routes show me its indeed legit fender made one of those 3 years.

Its to dark for a natural finish and to light for a real mocha, if its really mocha then its the lightest one I have seen.

That said the body is worth a minimum of $300 even with a refin, so if your debating buying it just stick to around there price wise.

Thanks. I agree with your observations completely. I just wish there was a way to tell what color it should be (or was). I think it was stripped and stained. I know so little about the middle seventies Fenders and their colors. Thanks again.

[king_biscuit]

It looks white in the screw holes and neck pocket.

[9mmMike]

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

It looks white in the screw holes and neck pocket.

Yes. I was not sure if that might be the Fender primer. What color white was available in the '74 - '76 vintage?

[king_biscuit]

Originally Posted by 9mmMike

Yes. I was not sure if that might be the Fender primer. What color white was available in the '74 - '76 vintage?

Olympic white definitely was; have a look over here:

http://home.provide.net/~cfh/fenderc.html

[two fingers]

Here's a quote from a well-respected member of another forum.

"The matching headstock was only available with a natural finish. Kidding aside ,most of the "custom colors were deleted in 70 with the remainder pulled in 72. 1974 - 79 had limited choices; Natural, Walnut, Sunburst, White, black, blond. Walnut was switched out for a red toned translucent in 1976 affectionately referred to as root beer."



The two white-ish choices in '74 would have been Olympic White and Blonde (which was kind of off white that let the grain show through). I don't think they would have done a clear-ish finish (blonde) on an alder body so for my money Oly White would be a safe bet for that bass.

[9mmMike]

Great info. Thanks everyone.

[9mmMike]

A little mock-up with an E-series Japan neck. I have a vintage-correct pickguard and bridge on the way. Grey-bottom pups too.

[9mmMike]