1981 P Bass, opinions needed.

[MtManiac]

Wow thats some good info to know! I gather my 'Haggard P' was right at the tail end of 'quality' before this meltdown?

I think as with all 70s Fenders, the term is "your mileage may vary," but definitely early 1980s were even more so hit and miss. Parts were not a major investment target for Fender in those years, and some instruments had parts from earlier eras - I believe I saw one picture of a late 70s - early 80s P bass that even had a stock three bolt neck plate, like the earlier 70s Jazz basses.

I agree, to the OP, with Dr. Jim - for the money, get an '08. It may be "worth" 60% of the new price when you get it home, but that's better than having an unplayable bass for the same price, and the 08 will hold its value over future years just like the 81 has. Or buy an 08 used if you can find one. Mine is black and maple too, and I slapped a black pickguard on it, so it looks just as cool, except I can play the crap out of it for decades to come.

 

[narud]

if you like the sound of a heavy ash/maple bass, by all means get the old fender. the chances of getting an unplayable late 70's fender are greatly exaggerated imo.

 

[jimella]

Thanks for the replies.
The neck pocket i'm told is a snug fit.
I do like the sound of these basses, i was not aware that the body was ash, thanks for the info.
I still don't know the weight yet, that could be the deciding factor.
Here's some more pic's...

 

[jimella]

1981 was just before CBS ran the ship into the ground and sold the company to Don Randall (former employee of Leo). Randall took the company and between 1983 and 1985 put put all the great "Fullerton" reissues, but in 1981-82, there were several "boner" models released. This doesn't count as one of the boner models, but it does explain the recycled S8 and S9 serial numbers found on Fenders at the time. This bass could be great, or it could be utter crap.

Is there a return policy?

There is a return policy, the bass can be returned if the condition is not as described, the guy is really helpful &
says i could also return it if i'm not totally happy with it.

 

[MtManiac]

There is a return policy, the bass can be returned if the condition is not as described, the guy is really helpful &
says i could also return it if i'm not totally happy with it.

Ok then, by all means go for it.

 

[Ezbass]

There is a return policy, the bass can be returned if the condition is not as described, the guy is really helpful &
says i could also return it if i'm not totally happy with it.

Ha ha you're good to go then, worst case scenario it costs you some return carriage. Let's hope it's a good one and we can get to read a rave review with some banging photos