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70s Fender P-basses

Pink_Floydfan91

Pink_Floydfan91

Guest
Jul 7, 2014
17
1
35
Burlington, NC
#1
I'll be finishing IT school next spring and I was think after I land a well paying job, I may pickup a vintage P-bass. I really like 70s headstock logo on the P-bass. So I was wondering which years are the most desirable? I'm wanting either a sunburst with rosewood fretboard, white with rosewood fretboard or a black with a maple fretboard.
 
#3
The '70s P Basses had 2 different headstock logos.. the larger "TV" logo was used from 1968 till 1976, and the smaller logo (with the serial # added) was used from mid 1976 up thru 1982. The pre '76 P basses are more desirable for most people, mainly because they started to get very heavy in the mid '70s and later. And all of the color/wood choices that you want are available for all years of the '70s.
 
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#4
Fender quality during the 70s was very inconsistent. In general, the early 70s models (1970-1975) are the best. After 1975, the quality began to suffer as production increased. The lowest point in quality was probably between 1978-1979. Early solid color bodies tend to be alder, which are lighter in weight. The later ash bodies are very heavy. Of course, these are only generalizations. When you are dealing with vintage instruments, each one is different.
 
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#5
Thanks guys. I sort of figured that the earlier 70s basses would be more consistent. The entire CBS era of Fender was a bit sketchy when it comes to quality control.

The biggest thing for me is being unable to play one locally. Which is the case for most things I GAS for. :roflmao:
 
#6
If weight is an issue, ask how heavy the bass is before buying it! Many early '70s Precisions were still made of alder and are not as heavy as many later ash Precisions. Have a '78 Jazz that is 10 lbs and love it, but if it would be my only bass the weight might become a problem.
Love those T.V. logos too.
 
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#7
I had a 78... Sunburst finish, black pick guard, Maple board. It sounded amazing, but it ended my career as a professional musician. It was so heavy, it destroyed my back. Pinched nerve, that lead to issues with my hands, and thus left me unable to play for extended periods of time without intense pins and needles in my arms hands and fingers.
If you're gigging on a very regular basis, don't get a 70's P. If you're a hobbyist, go for it.
 
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#9
The vintage basses from the '70s are still in many cases cheaper than the replicas Fender USA is offering. But I agree: the American Vintage Series basses are of a very high quality. My US Vintage Reissue '64 gets a lot more playing time than my all original '78. On the other hand: if an instrument did last for roughly 4 decades and doesn't have neck issues and if the weight is o.k. or isn't a concern for you, there is no reason to not go for it.
 
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#10
As far as popularity goes, large writing logo is better. 73 and earlier better still.
Play before you buy if possible. There are good ones out there- one of the best P Basses I have played is the 73 black, maple with B nut width I have had and gigged for years.
There were a couple of nut widths available. You could get them in some years with an A width (Jazz Bass), B width is more common as far as I know. Bs are a little narrower than the usual C width associated with P Basses.

Hope that helps.
 
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#12
My 78 weights 9.5lbs and sounds great. Still a little heavy but not 11lbs like some. There are good ones out there. Play before you buy.
image.jpg
 
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#13
I think it's a matter of trying out the basses to find one that plays well if you want a '70's Fender. I've heard a lot of bad stuff about them but at the same time have played a few nice ones in stores. Probably the ones with more wear are the better ones, as they've been played. If you want an investment however don't go with a bass guitar.
 
#17
Pink_Floydfan91 said:
I'll be finishing IT school next spring and I was think after I land a well paying job, I may pickup a vintage P-bass. I really like 70s headstock logo on the P-bass. So I was wondering which years are the most desirable? I'm wanting either a sunburst with rosewood fretboard, white with rosewood fretboard or a black with a maple fretboard.
Click to expand...

If you just have to have a '70s fender, get one from before '75. Or one of those re-issues. I'll get flamed, but all fenders from '75 to about '82 had... issues. Very very inconsistent quality control, to say the least.
 
#20
Burwabit said:
My 78 weights 9.5lbs and sounds great. Still a little heavy but not 11lbs like some. There are good ones out there. Play before you buy.
View attachment 684688
Click to expand...

I have a 78 P as well, comes in somewhere around 8.5/9 pounds. Not bad. My 83 AVRI Jazz is about 9.5, my 85 Rick 4003 (in Ruby too) is about 9.

All manageable, no flyweights though. My 83 Elite II was over 10, could be why I don't have it anymore.
 

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