Fender P bass experts

[digi]

Hey guys, I've had this bass for a few years but I'm not 100% sure if it's a Fender.







I believe it's an '89 from the serial number. There's no "MIJ" stamp on the back of the neck so I'm guessing it's not a Japanese Fender. I took the neck off a long time ago and the last few digits of the serial was written on both the neck pocket of the body and on the heel of the neck.

So can anyone tell me if it's a real Fender or anything more about it? It sounds pretty good, but it could use a fret job (some of them are buzzy).

Also, I know the bass is backwards

[digi]

Also, the bridge is a top loader rather than string through

[Dub56]

It COULD be one of those Corona, California made models from the late '80s.

That's my guess from the serial number, but I'm not sure.

[johnk_10]

from the pics, it looks like an 1989 fender p bass to me.

[digi]

It threw me off since there's no "MIJ" or "USA" stamp anywhere and the neck plate doesn't seem to be original to me...

[steveinohio]

Looks like my MIJ P from around the same time. Mine says MIJ on the headstock though.

[Gord_oh]

did they ever use stickers in the late 80s instead of stamps?
i know some manufacturers did that...

[Jim Dep]

Being a lefty and owner/observer of several lefty Fender basses over the years, I haven't seen the same consistency with the headstock logo as you see on right handed basses.

I don't believe all the MIM basses or guitars had the F on the neck plate.

Time to open it up for a more detailed exam.

[fourstringburn]

Why does the logo say Fender and not Fender Precision Bass? Where is the F logo on the neck plate? Sure does look like a fake. I hope you didn't pay more than 200 bucks for it...

[fourstringburn]

Also the serial numbers were originally black not gold. Here is a headstock pic of a 1990 Fender Bass.

[Rigel42]

I had a Stratocaster with a similar serial number and Silver\black logo. My research showed it as a early 90's Korean made Fender.

My guess is somebody removed the "Precision Bass - Made in Korea" sticker and a small "Squire Series" sticker on the ball of the headstock.

*not mine, but an example


Its a nice lefty . If it is one of the Korean made Fenders, I loved mine and played it for about 12 years.

[fourstringburn]

Silver and black yes, but look at the op's picture, The logo is gold and the serial number appears to be the same color.

Unfortunately, Fender waterslide logos are available on the internet from authentic looking ones to cheap copies. That could be the case here is all I'm saying.

[digi]

Originally Posted by fourstringburn

Why does the logo say Fender and not Fender Precision Bass? Where is the F logo on the neck plate? Sure does look like a fake. I hope you didn't pay more than 200 bucks for it...

Actually I payed exactly $200 for it!
It's a got a great neck so I wouldn't be disappointed to know it's a fake, but I've wondered if it was legit.

[steveinohio]

That headstock stamp looks like my two MIJ basses. The tint of the neck looks similar as well. Most likely someone removed the MIJ and precision bass part of the decal from the headstock. They scratched off the Made in Japan on my P. You can still see part of it though. The neckplate is fine. Neither of mine have anything on them. I think you got a steal!

[johnk_10]

many of the lefties that i've seen do not say 'precision bass' because they used right handed decals and just cut them for the left handed headstocks. plus, there's no room to write out 'precision bass' anyway.

[Jim Dep]

Yup,
This is how Fender navigated this decal on my lefty Mustang.