73 Jazz Bass authentication help?

[January-13]

Hello all - I recently purchased a Fender Jazz bass online that was advertised as "all original". I finally got a chance to disassemble it today and take some pictures. I did a bit of research first, so I'd like to get your opinions on what I found and my interpretation of my findings. I'm also interested in any other info you care to share.

1) Serial number 376231 on four-bolt neck plate with F stamp = 1973? (There was also a plastic plate between the neck plate and the body, not sure if that is considered "stock" or was added by a previous owner. Had "011100" on first line, "1" on second line. Haven't attached pic since I'm not as concerned about that).
2) Stamp at end of neck is 0203 2913. 0203 = Jazz Bass with Maple Fingerboard, 2913 = 29th week of 1971, 3rd day? Or 29th week, day 1 of 1973? (I think I've seen both depending on the source). Back of neck has name stamp and initials as pictured.
3) Neck pickup stamped either 192573 or 102573= 1973? (originally I had the final number written as a "9", though in looking at the pic I took it looks more like a 3 to me now - or maybe I just want it to be a 3?). I did not see a stamp on the (not entirely functioning) bridge pickup.
4) Neck Pickup pot is stamped 1376804 055015-004 25(then solder covers rest). I think the 1376804 part breaks down to: 137= CTS pot, 68= 1968, 04= fourth week? The 055015-004 = Fender part #? Guessing the 25(solder covers rest) would be 250K.
5) Bridge Pickup pot is stamped 1377314 032367 250K-A. 1377314 breaks down to 137=CTS pot, 73= 1973, 14= fourteenth week? 032367 = Fender part number?
6) Tone pot is stamped 1377310 032367 250K-A. Another CTS pot from 1973, tenth week? (And I think it is the capacitor that is soldered on this pot).
7) The body had been refinished so nothing I could decipher from the neck pocket. So a wildcard question here re: the body: any way to determine what the body wood is (alder, ash, etc.) without it being stripped and inspected by someone who knows guitar woods? (Note that since the finish has already been altered, I am planning on getting it refinished in a color I like).
8) And in general, seeing a 73 serial neck plate with a 71 neck (if it is a 71 instead of a 73) with pots from 68 and 73 is not unusual, as the assembly workers grabbed whatever parts were provided them at the factory on that day?

Thanks in advance for any info you can provide, pics attached.

 

[The Bass Clef]

Hello!
1) The black plastic spacer under the neck plate is stock.
2) The neck could be either 71 or 73 (there is documented inconsistency in the last or 2nd to last digit indicating the year in this era). Normally, what makes sense with the rest of the bass is what you go with - in this case 1973. There was at least one Fender employee in the early-mid ‘70s still stamping necks with the last digit indicating the year, while most necks are the 2nd to last.
3) The pickup is 1973. Only the last digit really matters and it’s a 3.
4, 5 & 6) Neck volume pot was replaced with a ‘68 pot. The other 2 pots are original. The capacitor is not original.
7) Can’t say for sure if it is alder or ash without seeing the grain (and both were used in this era). If it’s a heavy bass (about 10 lbs. or over) it fair to assume it’s heavy Northern ash. If it’s light it could be alder or swamp ash.
8) A 73 Fender would never have a ‘68 pot stock. Ifact almost no Fenders have ‘68 pots at all becasue Fender bought a huge batch of pots in ‘66 and used them up into 1970 on almost everyting made in those years. After 1970, the pots will be the same year as (or no more than 1 year earlier than) the rest of the parts. And as mentioned earlier, the neck is safe to assume it’s a ‘73.

 

[January-13]

Thank you so much for your insight!

 

[80jazz]

So you are the one that bought that bass!

How is it?

 

[January-13]

I’m trying to get it into my preferred local luthier to get his opinion on a couple of things, chiefly the state of the frets which seem to be flat & low below the 12th fret. He refretted a guitar for me last year and did beautiful work, so I’ll be in good hands there. Also the bridge pickup is unusually quiet, and when I had it apart it looked like the windings may be damaged. So getting those issues sorted and getting the body refinished to something I want to look at, I think the price fit the condition. Overall I think I did the right thing picking it up.