Fender neck heel numbers to date bass?

**sleepy_monkey** · #1 02-16-2011, 07:43 PM

Looking at a bass maybe to buy....the heel numbers are: 0103 131

The guy said the last number might be 4...he couldnt tell.

He said it was a '74. And it is a P bass.

Any help would be appreciated.

**sleepy_monkey** · #2 02-17-2011, 06:59 AM

Anyone?

thisSNsucks · #3 02-17-2011, 07:07 AM

Hmm somethings off with the 7th digit.

If the number is 01 03 13 1 ?

01 = P-Bass
03 = fretted maple neck OR skunk stripe neck with rosewood board
13 = 13th week
1 = 1971
? = Day of the week

Only issue is that I believe that system of number started in 72. It's possible there was an overlap but its not a 74 according to that.

More info here, just scroll down:
http://home.provide.net/~cfh/fender.html

The Caterer · #4 02-17-2011, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepy_monkey

the heel numbers are: 0103 131

The guy said the last number might be 4...he couldnt tell.

My understanding is that the stamp codes the following information:

01 - Precision bass
03 - Maple
13 - 13th week of...
1 - 1971...
4? - Thursday

What's the serial number?

msb · #5 02-17-2011, 07:12 AM

I have two 72 Pbasses , they have six digit numbers . Not that system .

Belar2001 · #6 02-17-2011, 07:16 AM

My '76 has a 6 digit number as well, there is a website to check with.

http://www.guitarattic.com/Fender%20...%20Numbers.htm

thisSNsucks · #7 02-17-2011, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belar2001

My '76 has a 6 digit number as well, there is a website to check with.

http://www.guitarattic.com/Fender%20...%20Numbers.htm

He's not talking serial numbers he's talking neck stamp codes.

**sleepy_monkey** · #8 02-17-2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Caterer

My understanding is that the stamp codes the following information:

01 - Precision bass
03 - Maple
13 - 13th week of...
1 - 1971...
4? - Thursday

What's the serial number?

No, he was saying that 01 03 13 1 and that the last "1" could be a 4...which would explain why the guy selling it to him said it was a '74 I guess?

Is the serial in those on the headstock? I didnt think it was....also, what should be on the body to confirm it is legit and a '74?

He said I could take the neck off when we meet.

The Caterer · #9 02-17-2011, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepy_monkey

No, he was saying that 01 03 13 1 and that the last "1" could be a 4...which would explain why the guy selling it to him said it was a '74 I guess?

Is the serial in those on the headstock? I didnt think it was....also, what should be on the body to confirm it is legit and a '74?

He said I could take the neck off when we meet.

If the last 1 is a 4, then it's missing a digit, most likely the last (and least important) one. And if that 1 is a 4, that would be consistent with a '74.

A '71 or a '74 would have the serial number stamped on the neck plate.

To confirm the date, you should check the neck stamp, serial number, codes on the bottoms of the pickups, and pot codes.

elgranluis · #10 02-17-2011, 09:46 PM

a pic of the headstock might tell us if its' a 72-76. A pick of the neck plate will say if it's a 74-75 A pic of the front of the body (tugbar)might tel us it s a 72-73.

Really, it/s up to which/how many pic you post.

**sleepy_monkey** · #11 02-18-2011, 06:37 AM

I have been asking the guy for pics but he said his camera sucks. I will see what i can do.

**sleepy_monkey** · #12 02-18-2011, 07:37 AM

Some horrible CL pics

**sleepy_monkey** · #13 02-18-2011, 07:37 AM

2 more

**Btone** · #14 02-18-2011, 08:58 AM

I wouldn't buy a 70s Fender based on those pix..

thisSNsucks · #15 02-18-2011, 09:07 AM

Well its definitely pre 76 based on the pics. I can't really read the serial number, but thats usually a rough way to gauge a Fender's age anyway.

My guess is it's a 71 based on the info you provided. Looks legit, go play it and see if its worth the asking price.

**sleepy_monkey** · #16 02-18-2011, 09:45 AM

So under $1,000 should be a great deal, right?

Also, it doesn't have the original pups...it has some EMGs in it...and the bridge is a BAII.

FretlessMainly · #17 02-18-2011, 11:30 AM

Assuming it's a good tight player (check the neck pocket for play), under $1K's not bad. It's lost most of its collectibility value from the addition of the J PU and other mods, and it looks like there's plenty of playwear on the fingerboard, so it may need a refret if it hasn't been done already.

Assuming that the PG is original, then it's most likely a '74 not a '71. They started switching over to black PGs around '73 or so on the Strats and in '74 with the P. Hard to say for sure if that's an original natural finish or if the finish was stripped (original natural also argues for '74 over '71). A large number of these were stripped to wood over the years.

I'm diggin' the interior of that case too.

**sleepy_monkey** · #18 02-18-2011, 12:04 PM

The neckplate number is 551825

FretlessMainly · #19 02-18-2011, 12:51 PM

Which puts it in the '74 timeframe. There was a great deal of variability in how necks, bodies and hardware were grabbed off of the shelf in those days (parts could sit for quite a while). Also, neckplates are interchangeable, but this is probably the original.

stingray56funk · #20 02-18-2011, 12:54 PM

Go play that sucker and pay the dude some $$$ if she sounds and feels right. Never took you for a P Bass man myself.