S/N 61236

timmus · #1 09-01-2010, 04:33 PM

Is it possible this was built in 1959? All I can find says it was built in 60-61...I'm working on a possible deal

johnk_10 · #2 09-01-2010, 05:15 PM

serial number for what?

Dark Horse · #3 09-01-2010, 05:36 PM

I'm just gonna say this -

If that's a Fender serial number and you have to ask about the year, then you need to inform yourself a LOT more before buying. There are a TON of fake vintage Fenders out there, and the serial number is one of the simplest things to fake.

If you have pictures - good detailed ones - we can help you possibly avoid losing LOTS of money.

mongo2 · #4 09-01-2010, 06:32 PM

I have no idea about this bass but I've seen a few new neckplates with numbers on ebay and they were all in the 6XXXX range.

GM60466 · #5 09-01-2010, 06:41 PM

I wouldn't purchase any instrument just because of the serial number. What are the codes on the pots? What date is on the neck. How many teeth on the tuning machine gears. What is the output of the neck pickup. I have a list with about 10 or 15 other things to check, including screw sizes.

timmus · #6 09-01-2010, 07:03 PM

It was a curiousity question more than anything.

I know a guy that has a P-Bass that he was thinking about selling and when I asked him a bit about it, he said that he bought it years ago (didn't say how many) and so when I asked him what the SerNo was, he emailed me back with that number.

I saw the bass briefly a few months back. The only reason I thought it might be a 59 is because it had a ano guard on it, rosewood fretboard. The neck appeared to be well aged and there were some wear marks on the body. He didn't even know how much he was going to sell it for but before I was even going to talk turkey, I was going to dismantle the neck and see if there were any dates on it or the pots/etc...

It's wishful thinking most likely...before I put any money down on an instrument I do check it out thoroughly. I'll be seeing him in a few weeks and I'll be carrying a phillips head screwdriver when I do.

I passed up on a mid 60's P a few years back at a decent price because it played horribly...neck had a nasty twist in it and honestly, my 90's MIM P played better than that bass...WAY better. Even after the guy let me take it home and try to do a setup on it, I realized the neck was toast...two luthier's opinions also confirmed what I already knew...not worth it.

timmus · #7 09-07-2010, 01:21 PM

Well, I took a look at this bass this past weekend and it was essentially a very well put together (and very nicely done BTW) made from scratch P-Bass as near as I can figure out...in talking with the owner, he bought it in the mid 80's and the guy he bought it from was a luthier and he built it from scratch as a project. Not sure about the plate, I forgot to ask him about it, but it's all a moot point cause he decided to keep the bass, at least for now...He doesn't want to shell out a kilobuck (or more) for another bass that looks as nice and plays as well as this one.

mongo2 · #8 09-07-2010, 01:31 PM

Not for nuttin' but here's an auction where you can dictate your own serial number...

Make up Your Own Serial Number

Jim C · #9 09-07-2010, 04:03 PM

Just as an BTW, when the price of instruments get very high, a true, aged high quality bootleg can and will be made.
I've seen some engine blocks that could only be verified by an x-ray; even magnafluxing was not a guarantee.

M.R. Ogle · #10 09-07-2010, 04:07 PM

Make up your own serial number?

That guys goin' to H---E---Doublehockeysticks!!!