Anyone recognize this P-Bass year?

[DJ Bebop]

Hey TB! Local Craigslist has a crazy price on what they believe is a 60’s/70’s p bass. Need some better more knowledgeable eyes on this. Here are some photos.

Looks like an early Japanese Squier. Not a US made Fender.

 

[mikewalker]

i.m.o. N.A.F. (Not A Fender)

 

[MtManiac]

I got taken once buying my first ever “Fender American Precision” bass on eBay back in 2007. It was supposedly a 1996, black with black pickguard and had the loveliest matching black headstock face with rosewood fretboard. It played like a turd, so I made one of my first posts on Talkbass asking about it and got some education. Then I started reading books about Fender’s history and paying attention to model years every year after that. I was only out $600 but that was 2007 dollars, and I had three mouths to feed - I will not get fooled again.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

Obvious relic’d Squier.

Anyone insecure enough to feel the need to put a more expensive brand name name on their gear is also the type to try to pass off the fake. Flame me, but this is my observation.

Not a flame but an observation - I have a SUB Ray 4 that I stripped the finish off of to do some cosmetic touch-up on the headstock, ding-filling and the like. Still one of my favorite basses. Played it for a while with no logo but that's an awful lot of naked real estate. Looked online for SUB replacement logos but found none (obviously not much demand). Finally put a Stingray waterslide decal on and oversprayed it to protect it. I'm happy with the result and whenever I'm asked I explain that's it's not a real MM but a Ray 4. I guess I'd better clarify that in my will! My beneficiaries won't have a clue!

The Bar Band Bassman

 

[DJ Bebop]

Then I started reading books about Fender’s history and paying attention to model years every year after that. I was only out $600 but that was 2007 dollars, and I had three mouths to feed - I will not get fooled again.

"I'll move myself and my family aside
If we happen to be left half-alive
I'll get all my papers and smile at the sky
For I know that the hypnotized never lie
Do you?"

 

[HardNHeavy]

 

[Joshua Gerry]

Thanks all that’s why this place is awesome! I would have definitely done a fair amount of research before even going to look at it and likely would of discovered these things but I also knew there was a wellspring of knowledge here that might also give me more knowledge than just google search. Definitely a hard pass for me, not what I’m looking for. Appreciate everyone’s input! Anyone know if a nice table book covering all the years and models of zip basses? Seems like that should exist and would be super cool to have!

 

[Joshua Gerry]

Anyone recognize this P-Bass year?
2020s Parts (of unknown origin) Bass w/fake logo.

Fake Logo - the scale of the font is wrong, and I am unaware of any US Fender that would have the "TV" Logo with the truss rod adj at the headstock.
Based on the placement of the bridge cover - the bridge position is off - too close to the edge.


"only" and "score" are not the correct terms here.

Buy a nice new Squier Classic Vibe Precision for less $.
You'll know what you're getting and they're nice basses.

I have an Am Pro I love was just looking for something that wasn’t in mint condition to take out to less than desirable situations. I have a Mustang that should fill that roll anyhow I’m just a Craigslist junkie always looking for something cool that pops up.

 

[Joshua Gerry]

What ya got there is a run of the mill standard grade piece of s**t, polished with extra buffing to make it look pretty. All that’s missing is a tonewood description of how bad it smells and the all important orange drop flushing tonal capacitor.

Wrong logo no matter what decade, and wrong placement.

Plastic truss rod channel, and at the headstock. Unless it’s a bullet truss rod on a Jazz, it’s not an American Fender anything.

The headstock wood grain looks suspiciously not maple. Maybe it is, but it’s ugly as sin.

The tuner backs look like maybe they’re regular MIM tuners that have been bathed in a corrosive to age them.

The knobs have dome tops, not flat tops. Do they have a set screw holding them in place, or do they just pull off?

The finish is an obvious home relic job with sandpaper on a poly finish, that ain’t nitro, and it ain’t natural wear. Hopefully nobody would put artificial wear on any American Fender made before 1983, but at best that’s what happened. I’m certain that isn’t what happened though.

If you’re lucky, it’s a sadly abused Squier, but I’m sure it’s not even that. Only way I’d buy it at all is for the pickguard and the chrome bridge cover, at used aftermarket parts pricing. So like $20?

This might be my favorite reply other than the Trading Places meme I can’t answer most of those questions, I’m not going to see it. I kind of knew posting here I’d likely find out it was garbage so I’m glad my gut was validated. I think ultimately you’ve all inspired me to do a deep dive into P-Bass history

 

[MtManiac]

Thanks all that’s why this place is awesome! I would have definitely done a fair amount of research before even going to look at it and likely would of discovered these things but I also knew there was a wellspring of knowledge here that might also give me more knowledge than just google search. Definitely a hard pass for me, not what I’m looking for. Appreciate everyone’s input! Anyone know if a nice table book covering all the years and models of zip basses? Seems like that should exist and would be super cool to have!

This is the hitchhiker’s guide:

The Fender Bass

 

[_Obra_]

Looks like it was Squier Affinity in a previous life.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

Looks like the seller has a decent sander if it’s for sale….

 

[buldog5151bass]

Did anyone mention the lack of screw holes for the pickup cover and thumb rest.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Did anyone mention the lack of screw holes for the pickup cover and thumb rest.

No, we didn't need to go that far.
The rest of it was blatantly obviously that is was a fake.

That is another thing to condemn it though.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Certainly a @#"%/$#@y piece of maple for the neck.

 

[devnulljp]

 

[Bassman822]

Looks like a CPBSO (Chines Precision Bass Shaped Object)

 

[MrAB4003]

 

[Acoop]

I hate repeating what everyone else says, ... "It's real and a great find if you don't buy it I will." ... Or, "It's not real, don't buy it."

 

[LHbassist]

I looked at the headstock, and the "DANGER WILL ROBINSON" alarm went off. Whatever it is, it is not a real Fender. Maybe some cheap import Fender parts, but I'd pass.