Help identifying my Fender P Bass

[itsshortforleo]

I have had a bass I bought from a friend for $150, and it sounds and plays nicely. I have recently become curious as to what the dating of the guitar is, and I have taken it apart to check for serial numbers. I have checked with the Fender site about dating instruments, but none of their serial number formats apply for this bass.

Knowledgeable fenderists, could you please check the pictures and give me some input?

[Fontaine]

dude, im lost i cant find ANYTHING.

[Jo6Pak]

Seriously, never seen anything like it before. Good luck with that...

[Aussie Mark]

What are the pot codes (ie. the numbers on the underside of the pots)?

The serial number on the neck plate is a 1976 serial. If the pots match, that will help confirm.

[sb69coupe]

From http://www.provide.net/~cfh/fender.html

neck code 0103-1461 is

01 - p-bass
03 - fretted maple neck
14 - 14th week of
6 - 1976
1 - Monday

The serial number on the neck plate 706595 falls into the range for 1976 as well.

The tuners look original, as does the pickup. Can you take a picture of the underside of the volume and tone pot, as well as the back and sides of the pickup?

Either way, it looks like you scored a helluva deal on a mostly original 1976 Precision. I'll give you $300 for it right now, you can double your money

[P_bass]

The number on the neck plate is 706595, this according to Fenders site is mid to late 1976.

Very nice looking Precision, congratz!

[Jo6Pak]

I'm guessing its either VERY old, or not authentic. Although I've owned many Fender basses since the early 70s, please be advised I am NO expert on vintage Fender instruments, especially since they go WAY back beyong that decade. I only mention the authenticity as a possibility you may not have considered. I hope its what you think it is and that turns out to be the Fender score of a lifetime...

[Fender32]

Originally Posted by itsshortforleo

I have had a bass I bought from a friend for $150, and it sounds and plays nicely. I have recently become curious as to what the dating of the guitar is, and I have taken it apart to check for serial numbers. I have checked with the Fender site about dating instruments, but none of their serial number formats apply for this bass.

Knowledgeable fenderists, could you please check the pictures and give me some input?

$150 ?????

Can you get me one (make that 10).

Now the good news. ....

Congratulations itsshortforleo! That is a 100% authentic 1976 Fender USA Precision Bass that you have there.

"F" plate serial numbers between 690000 and 750000 = 1976. Yours is 706595.

Here's the decode for the green neck stamp:

0103-1461

01 = Precision Bass
03 = Fretted maple neck
14 = 14th week of year
6 = 1976
1 = 1st day of week (i.e. Monday)

Also, the markings around the base of the neck pocket where the body was screwed to a rod for lacquering, look exactly like those on my (black) 1975 P Bass.

You can check the above details here:

http://www.provide.net/~cfh/fender.html#serial

That bass is worth at least 5 times what you paid for it, so be nice to your friend, eh?

[Aussie Mark]

This thread might assist. Seems like a '76.

http://www.vintagebass.com/thedudepi...hp?t-4736.html

[Fender32]

Originally Posted by sb69coupe

From http://www.provide.net/~cfh/fender.html

neck code 0103-1461 is

01 - p-bass
03 - fretted maple neck
14 - 14th week of
6 - 1976
1 - Monday

The serial number on the neck plate 706595 falls into the range for 1976 as well.

The tuners look original, as does the pickup. Can you take a picture of the underside of the volume and tone pot, as well as the back and sides of the pickup?

Either way, it looks like you scored a helluva deal on a mostly original 1976 Precision. I'll give you $300 for it right now, you can double your money

Sorry sb69coupe, I was busy writing my reply whilst you posted this. I agree with you 100% though (apart from the $300 part ).

[Jo6Pak]

You guyz were doing some homework as I was typing. So far it looks legit, kewl...

[Fender32]

Guys, have you noticed that the OP has gone offline now?

I bet he's driving to the nearest pawn shop, as we speak !

[Jo6Pak]

Originally Posted by Fender32

Guys, have you noticed that the OP has gone offline now?

I bet he's driving to the nearest pawn shop, as we speak !

This guy is one lucky SOB...

[Fender32]

Originally Posted by Jo6Pak

This guy is one lucky SOB...

In some ways, yes.

Still, he's the one that has to have that 15lb ash monster strapped over his shoulder, so it's all "wine and roses" !

[Bone]

Looks like a 76 to me except the tone pot is a split steel shaft while the volume pot is a plastic shaft CTS. The cap looks to be newer also it should be a ceramic yellow disk .47mf. Look at the corrosion on the volume pot then how the tone pot looks cleaner in comparison. But for $150.00 !!!! SCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORE!!!!

[Bone]

Originally Posted by Fender32

In some ways, yes.

Still, he's the one that has to have that 15lb ash monster strapped over his shoulder, so it's all "wine and roses" !

FWIW I owned a 74 natural ash P-Bass that was under 9 lbs.

[Jo6Pak]

Originally Posted by Fender32

In some ways, yes.

Still, he's the one that has to have that 15lb ash monster strapped over his shoulder, so it's all "wine and roses" !

Good point, but in my particular case, I'm of an older generation and to me, vintage Fenders are still 'the bomb'. For that matter, I still like new Fenders, when I can cherry pick a good one...

[Jo6Pak]

Actually, now that I think about it, I don't recall ANY of my 70s P-Basses being all that heavy... ???

[Fender32]

Originally Posted by Jo6Pak

Good point, but in my particular case, I'm of an older generation and to me, vintage Fenders are still 'the bomb'. For that matter, I still like new Fenders, when I can cherry pick a good one...

Oh, I'm with you 1000% on that one Jo6Pak.

I have a couple of '70s ash Fenders myself and the "pain is worth the gain".

[sb69coupe]

My recently purchased '73 Precision (natural/maple) is a lightweight, around 8 pounds.