Fender ID please help

[sunomac]

Please help me know what I have here.

I have been fiddlin around trying to learn electric bass, DB still gets used, but thought I might try to surprise my son and be ready to play with him next time he comes home from college. He play’s guitar and has been hintin that I should learn electric bass.

Here is what sorta fell on my head.

Neck= Hipshot tuners with a throw lever on the E. Say’s Fender Precision Bass on head.
“Sting” signature on the 12th fret.
“Crafted in Japan” Ser # “P plus 6 digits” on the neck block, adds up to ’99-2000 on Fender’s site.

But??

The body, flame w/ white guard doesn’t seem like a P bass.
Two Duncan Pickups, two knobs, lower one has an internal knob for three knob controls.
Bridge has 4 independent adjusters, but looks a bit lightweight, strings do not go through the body.
Body is not arched, but the top is sanded in for rib relief.

So, does it sound like a mix match, or something somebody modded??? Maybe a CIJ neck with a MIM body?? Or is this something Fender did on a custom basis???
Any input as to pros and cons, values etc etc, it play’s nice, hardly any wear, not new in box, but looks more like shelf wear than anything else.
Shop wants’ $650.00, think I can get it for lots less.
I just want to know what I am getting into, any known problems or should it be a decent axe for someone making a transition????
Sorry no pictures at this point, maybe later this week if really needed. I was hoping someone might recognize the situation, and say run or jump.
Thanks for any input or help.
Mac

[DeliriumTremens]

parts bass, I'd pass for $650

[Markpotato]

Have you played it? Hipshot makes excellent tuners. Check out the action, make sure the neck isn't twisted and that it's either flat or quarter sawn (grain should go 9 o clock to 3 o clock or 12 and 6.) If it plays good and you like it, go for it. If something doesn't feel right about it, leave it be.

[two fingers]

Seems like somebody put a Sting Sig neck on a non-Fender body. But pics would help. $650 is pretty steep for a frankenbass. But if it plays/sounds great, try to talk them down and buy it anyway.

[sunomac]

Ok, Here’s an update, thanks for info so far, I will try to get a camera this weekend but:

I borrowed “The Bass Book” from a fellow and indeed the body looks like a P Bass the way the knob plate fits the pick guard..
The book list a MIM Precision Special with two pickups, which seems like a clue, and it also list a US Plus Delux with the Knobs similar. So it seems there were similar options?????

Is there any way to determine where the body was made if it is a Fender?? There are two decal / stickers on the metal plate for the neck bolts easily changed out, but nothing on the body. The stickers are an X over a trash can and a CE. Are there any internal markings that I should look for??

I have weaseled the price down to $400.00, desperate seller???? The neck seems straight, no twist or warps or swallows, no real usage shown on the frets. Nice Laney R4H with a 4X10 cab there too for $300, geez, can only do one or the other now..

Not sure how to “see” the grain but will try some more and get a pic as soon as I can.

Thanks again for any pointers,
Mac

[sunomac]

OK, Figured the grain out, 12 to six it is.