1977/78 P Bass?

[ROOTSnFIFTHS]

To add my vote that its a fake. Badly done? I guess,but they tried to get the positioning of the lettering close.
BTW, I played a real '77 for about 5 years. Really didn't like that bass and can't believe these are considered vintage or desirable. I wouldn't pay $100 for a real one Just my opinion and no offense meant to anyone who has one.

 

[Clark W]

I'm no expert, not even close. And that last S on Bass on the headstock would be enough to make me say no.

 

[I-play-bass]

Yuck.

 

[coronado3]

I'm no expert, not even close. And that last S on Bass on the headstock would be enough to make me say no.

Looks to be written on by hand!

 

[Clark W]

Looks to be written on by hand!

Almost scribbled with a sharpie.
It's bad for sure.

 

[Chickenwheels]

That’s a bad fake.
Worryingly, I’ve seen some pretty good/accurate fakes. A guitarist I work with has an incredibly convincing Telecaster, right down to the serial on the neck plate.
Buyer beware.

 

[tpaul]

I always check the truss rod adjustment access area first thing. Any time you see a headstock access with no rosewood surround like that, you can bet it's recently made in Asia.

 

[JMacBass65]

I will more or less second what everyone here said. The headstock shape is enough to tell me wha I need to know.

That said, I don't rule out the body as potentially legit. I'd need to see it in person. If I were you,I'd pass, as you don't have the knowledge to determine if the body is legit. No offense intended.

 

[JMacBass65]

I will more or less second what everyone here said. The headstock shape is enough to tell me wha I need to know.

That said, I don't rule out the body as potentially legit. I'd need to see it in person. If I were you,I'd pass, as you don't have the knowledge to determine if the body is legit. No offense intended.

Actually, I take that back. A closer look at the body pic (the knobs and pickups specifically) tells me it's not a mid 70s P.

For reference, I own a '78.

 

[bassliner50]

My '78 (see avatar to the left). has its truss adjustment near the heel.

 

[dalkowski]

As a 77/78 P owner, the "TV logo," faux or no, was my first tip-off.

 

[FenderP]

I own two 78s. Heck to the no. The hand written logo is the best there

 

[EatS1stBassist]

i have this P Bass and I’m trying to figure out if the decal is fake or if this is a legit 77 /78 p bass. I figured I’d let pros decide for me.

Measure the nut width! The S designation was a “ Slimline” Neck same as a Jazz neck. That’s a 78 I’m holding in my Avatar! I would look at it very closely it may be real!

 

[P. Aaron]

Consider this; actually faking 70’s era Fenders is a thing.

 

[arbiterusa]

Holy hell, that is one of the worst fakes I've seen.

 

[arbiterusa]

Consider this; actually faking 70’s era Fenders is a thing.

I know, right? If you'd told me this would happen even five years ago I would have laughed in your face. Nobody wanted those three-bolt, side fretted, skijumping, half-inch action, twelve pound pieces of garbage in the first place, so why would anyone bother to fake one?

But here we are.

 

[ardgedee]

I know, right? If you'd told me this would happen even five years ago I would have laughed in your face. Nobody wanted those three-bolt, side fretted, skijumping, half-inch action, twelve pound pieces of garbage in the first place, so why would anyone bother to fake one?

But here we are.

For a long time my practice amp was an old Univox that wasn't too great (big, underpowered, farted out on E string notes) but it was paid for and I didn't have to move it around much. Last fall I found out that people were willing to spend a surprising amount of money for them. It had become a thing valued for being old rather than for being good. So I happily traded it away for a late-model little Fender amp plus cash.

Anyway, that P bass sticker looks like somebody's first attempt at applying a waterslide decal.

 

[Drucifer]

Here's my listing for a '78 Precision for comparison.
For Sale - 1978 Fender Precision Fretless

 

[lavmonga]

Serial number is flagrant imitation.

 

[devnulljp]

I know, right? If you'd told me this would happen even five years ago I would have laughed in your face. Nobody wanted those three-bolt, side fretted, skijumping, half-inch action, twelve pound pieces of garbage in the first place, so why would anyone bother to fake one?

But here we are.

Only the Jazz had the 3-bolt neck. P always had 4 bolts, even in the 70s