• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

1976 Fender P Bass Value?

Don41_2

Don41_2

Supporting Member
Mar 25, 2012
295
273
AZ
#1
I've come across a 1976 Fender P that sounds fantastic. Feels and plays beautifully too. Weight is around 9 lbs or so.

Here's what's original:
  • neck (no truss rod issues, adjustment is perfect, 4 bolt)
  • body
  • pickup
  • pickguard
  • electronics & knobs

Here's what's not:
  • tuners
  • bridge
  • paint (black)
  • strap locks
  • brass nut

Unsure about:
  • jack
  • neck plate

Missing:
  • bridge cover
  • pickup cover
  • thumb rest
Note: I'm making the assumption that a Fender '76 P actually came with those - there are holes in the body where they would be installed.


Condition:
  • neck has some wear through spots in the finish
  • what looks to be a few cigarette burns in the back of the neck - if I remember correctly there are 4 of these - these are noticeable, but not a distraction during play - pretty deep into the neck though, definitely into the wood
  • plenty of nicks, bumps, and dings in the body & headstock & one or two minor gouges in the body (covered by the paint) - but it appears to be authentic players wear
  • frets appear to have a fair amount of life in them, frets have not been replaced

For the sound check I played it through an Aguilar TH 500 and a DB410 cab. Awesome.

I have the serial number from the headstock and will be verifying dating.

From what I've seen monitoring the classifieds, I'm thinking somewhere between $1100 to $1300 but I may be off.

Assuming its a true '76, any other thoughts on its value TB?

Thanks in advance!
 
#6
Linnin said:
Headstocks did not have serial numbers then. They are on the neckplate. So if your headstock has a serial number it is not a '76, it is a parts bass.
Click to expand...

76 was the transition year and you will see both. Check the heel stamp of the neck if you want to be sure. For a 76 it should have an 8 digit stamp in the format MM NN WW Y D (model, neck, week, year, day) starting with 01 (p bass), either 00, 01, or 03 depending on the neck, and a 6 for the year.
 
#8
The serial number follows the "76" + 5 digits format and is on the headstock. I took a high rez pick, looks very authentic to me. But I'm at work, so I will have to post that picture from home tonight.
 
#10
Don41_2 said:
The serial number follows the 76 + 5 digits and is on the headstock. I took a high rez pick, looks very authentic to me. But I'm at work, so I will have to post that picture from home tonight.
Click to expand...

I've seen that on a few 76 instruments, usually a darker 76 followed by the serial. For numbers after that they switched to the Letter/Digit format (ie S7 = 77, S8 = 78, etc).
 
#15
Don41_2 said:
Here's what's not:
  • tuners
  • bridge
  • paint (black)




Note: I'm making the assumption that a Fender '76 P actually came with those - there are holes in the body where they would be installed.





From what I've seen monitoring the classifieds, I'm thinking somewhere between $1100 to $1300 but I may be off.
Click to expand...

The non-original tuners and bridge are a big deal. The refin is a HUGE deal. This bass, if it were all-original, is a $1,500-$1,700 instrument, dependin on the condition and color. A refinish cuts the value by half. Wtih the tuners and bridge gone, the value is *definitely* half. This bass is worth no more than $850.
 
  • Like
Reactions: StayLow
#16
Don41_2 said:
For those of you with the '76, what are your thoughts about that particular version of the Fender P?

If you kept 'em, you must like 'em! This one sounded especially nice.
Click to expand...

I really like mine - it is as nice as any P Bass I've ever played, including some high $$$ vintage ones... My '76 plays great, and weighs in just under 9lbs... IMO, the original pups didn't sound that great - but the SPB-1s I now have in there sound really good... This is how it looks currently, with a parchment PG and pup covers to match:

IMAG0720.jpg



- georgestrings
 
#17
smcd said:
The non-original tuners and bridge are a big deal. The refin is a HUGE deal. This bass, if it were all-original, is a $1,500-$1,700 instrument, dependin on the condition and color. A refinish cuts the value by half. Wtih the tuners and bridge gone, the value is *definitely* half. This bass is worth no more than $850.
Click to expand...

I half agree. The refin and replacement parts are going to kill the collectability, same as they did for my '63 (which made it affordable), but if it weighs 9 pounds, plays great, sounds great, and the finish looks good, it should be worth 1000-1200 pretty easily, possibly a little more to the right buyer. At $850 I'd expect a brick.
 
#18
I'll just throw in another case for verification. I bought my 76-P brand-new in 1976 from the local music store, got the full factory warranty. It has the 76+5 serial number on the headstock.

What's interesting about mine is that it's also one of the 76 P that came with the narrow/jazz neck.

What kind of neck is on that bass you're looking at? P or J?
 
#19
Webtroll said:
I half agree. The refin and replacement parts are going to kill the collectability, same as they did for my '63 (which made it affordable), but if it weighs 9 pounds, plays great, sounds great, and the finish looks good, it should be worth 1000-1200 pretty easily, possibly a little more to the right buyer. At $850 I'd expect a brick.
Click to expand...

9lbs is light for a bass of that era, and that counts for something, that sure is true. But I just can't see someone paying 75% of retail value for a bass that has no collectability. You can buy period correct tuners and bridges, but you can't buy the original finish.

The main reason to pay big dollars for vintage basses is collectability. When that aspect is removed from the equation, it makes much more sense to buy a brand new Fender. But, if this refinned bass speaks to you that strongly, then money really isn't the issue, I suppose.
 
#20
georgestrings said:
I really like mine - it is as nice as any P Bass I've ever played, including some high $$$ vintage ones... My '76 plays great, and weighs in just under 9lbs... IMO, the original pups didn't sound that great - but the SPB-1s I now have in there sound really good... This is how it looks currently, with a parchment PG and pup covers to match:

IMAG0720.jpg



- georgestrings
Click to expand...

Georgestrings - Looks great! & thanks for your perspective on the 76 model year.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back