Fender Precision experts, is this a 1978 "P"

[5bassman]

Talking to the guy that owns this one, has owned it since 1981. He states it is a 1978, serial # says it is but I know how they varied in that time. Missing thumb rest but looks like the hole is there. Do the tuners look right, etc? Doe it appear correct for a 1978? Thanks for any help.

[b_carville]

Looks OK to me.
I had a couple of '78 P's & they both had that type of sunburst with a black pickguard.

[audiomitch]

The "S8" serial numbers covered a lot of years. You can't tell for sure by the decal. Ask him for a photo of the neck (at the bottom where the date stamp is). I had a '78 P that also had a sticker with the date under the pickup.

Good luck!

[Caca de Kick]

You won't know until you take it apart and date code the pickups, pots, and neck stamp (if there is one). Can't really go by those pics alone.
But looks-wise, seems to be a 78-80 era.

[Johnny Alien]

If the pickguard is original than I would guess it's closer to a 1980. Wasn't Fender still using a thumbrest in 78?

[coreyfyfe]

Originally Posted by Johnny Alien

If the pickguard is original than I would guess it's closer to a 1980. Wasn't Fender still using a thumbrest in 78?

Yes.

[johnk_10]

that bass looks 100% legit.
i recently sold a '78 p bass and it's neck stamp and pot date code (late '77) was what i went by since they used S8 serial numbers for several years. the back of the pickguard also had a sticker on it that matched the serial number on the headstock.



mine was surprisingly pretty lightweight for a late 70's one at 9 1/2 lbs, since some of them can be up 13lbs with the hard ash bodies and thick poly finish.

[Caca de Kick]

Originally Posted by Johnny Alien

If the pickguard is original than I would guess it's closer to a 1980. Wasn't Fender still using a thumbrest in 78?

I can't tell from the pic if the 2nd thumbrest hole is there or not...the black guard and lighting and camera angle isn't very good on my screen. But yeah, a 78, 79, and alot of 80 would still have a thumbrest.

*EDIT* the OP states the 2nd thumbrest hole is there.

[DeliriumTremens]

Those late '70s Fender basses in sunburst *tend* to have that real washed out looking middle part to the 'burst, where it almost looks like natural ash.

[5bassman]

Originally Posted by Johnny Alien

If the pickguard is original than I would guess it's closer to a 1980. Wasn't Fender still using a thumbrest in 78?

If you look closely at this photo(which is not good) it appears there is a hole where the second thumb rest screw should be.

[TomB]

Looks '78-ish to me. How's the neck pocket? Right around then their neck routing got kinda inconsistent, from what I remember. ...not that it's a show-stopper.

[johnk_10]

the neck pocket should look something like this. they opened up the corners at the heel back then.

[5bassman]

I'm going to meet him tomorrow afternoon at his church. He has a bass amp there and said I could bring a screwdriver to remove the p/g. He said there is a hole for the thumb rest and he was wondering what the hole was there for. He's a guitar player but bought it in 1981 from a friend that was in the military with him. He didn't know the value of it so he took it to Guitar Center, Sam Ash, and another store. Guitar Center took the pickguard off to help date it for him. They told him value was $1,500 - $1,800, but he's asking $1000, which sounded inline with what I've seen. Does have some wear, dings and such but looks good overall. Do y'all think $1000 is a good price? I figured if I put $900-$950 in front of him that would buy it.

BTW, does not come with original case, which isn't a big deal to me. I'll be buying it to play at church in our Praise Band and that's it. Don't believe I'll wear it out that way.

[spellcaster]

Looks good to me and since he's already cutting you a deal I think it's only fair to give him the $1,000.

[MrRobert]

Yeah I'd pay the full $1k for that bass as that is what I'd consider a pretty great deal for that bass.

[johnk_10]

I agree. $1K is more than fair.

[Johnny Alien]

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

I can't tell from the pic if the 2nd thumbrest hole is there or not...the black guard and lighting and camera angle isn't very good on my screen. But yeah, a 78, 79, and alot of 80 would still have a thumbrest.

*EDIT* the OP states the 2nd thumbrest hole is there.

Apparently I have issues with both seeing and reading.

[johnk_10]

Originally Posted by Johnny Alien

Apparently I have issues with both seeing and reading.

that's okay, sometimes i have issues with understanding and comprehending.

[markob]

I too agree 1 k is a pretty good deal if it doesn't have major issues. As stated earlier the late 70's weren't a consistent time in overall quality. I had a 12 lb. Maple board 78 that an engineer took out of my hands and handed me a house MM Stingray. Mine had a sloppy pocket and a neck hump at the 12 fret. Intonation was almost impossible. Mine was a lemon. Not saying all were. I've and played good ones from that era. I tend to think that the early 70's P's were better and a safer bet. A fellow player that I know has a fugly '74 that is by far the best sounding and playing P I've had the pleasure of playing.

[5bassman]

Glad to hear that on the 1k, I don't mind paying that if it's worth it. Couple of more pics of wear.
It's funny, people pay alot of money for this kind of honest mojo.