so I picked up this Fender Bullet at a pawn shop....
 

...and after researching for a few hours, I thought I'd post to the more knowledgeable people of TalkBass. I'm not saavy on gear and wanted some opinions.

Had my Schecter go out day before a gig, so I cruised by the local pawn shops to find this. Played it for an hour into 3 different amps, loved it. Talked them down to $550 w/out hard case (with option to get it later at $50).

New Babicz bridge installed (see photo). Original bridge/screws/wrench included.

New Nordstrand NM4 PUPs from Bass Club Chicago installed (work order included). Original PUPs NOT included.

The neck and body appear in fantastic shape, almost too good to be true. Don't really care if its fake neck, as it feels great, but would kinda like to know how authentic this is.

Thanks for any input/knowledge in advance!

the head says 'made in USA' btw. here's another pic of the whole thing, thinking about picking up black pickguard.

Why black? Looks great with the tort!

never a fan of tort, but maybe you're right:

Dont see those very often. Nice find. I have no idea what it is worth, but any MIA always holds its value. Any guess on the year built?

I tried looking up the serial but didnt really see anything...they guy at the shop used a program that put it in the80-83' range if I'm not mistaken...

I am a fan of tort, but that black looks perfect on that bass!

It looks 34" scale? Very cool.

(ps: put that stock bridge back on there)

It should be an 1980.

Here's a link to an e-bay auction.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-FEND...item2a284a01aa

There are a LOT of varieties of this .. I had a mid 80's that was not the Deluxe ... it was a long time ago, but I had researched what I had pretty well ... sorry to say I don't remember much about them, other than it was a pretty punchy little bugger ... like most things though, I did not keep it long ...

From what I remember, this looks legit all the way around except for the 'modifications' mentioned ... if I remember correct, the 1 in the star had significance as to model as well as the 'Deluxe' ... Ebay will be your friend here, both determining legitimacy and value ... there are usually several on there of all the varieties, and you can compare and learn from what you see there ..

... my gut feeling, is that you did just fine .. this is in as good of shape as any I have seen, and that tort really sets it off .. mine had a white guard, and I priced a tort replacement and they wanted up towards $60-75 to make ...

... BTW, if that is an '80's style Fender case, with the raised outer edge, and recessed center/raised Fender logo and it is in good shape, it is well worth the extra $50 .. most of these the tops get very 'wavey' on, and it is not uncommon to see at least one or two of the chrome feet to be knocked off ... it will also help date the bass as in early- mid 80's range if original to the bass ...

... If I remember right, there is a lot of info out there on these once you start hunting ... you should be able to narrow it down pretty well as to what you have .. but it sounds like the most important thing is there .. you like it ... :)

it definitely measured 34" nut-to-bridge. dont know if I could change the bridge, the new one looks so nice !

im gonna research ebay more, and find out if its an original case.

thanks so much for the help, im liking this thing more and more.

E series Fenders are some of the best.