Calling the PROs folks on this JB 73 "Geddy Lee" authentication

[RtoTex]

Hello Folks,

I'm not a bass player (actually a drummer and big Rush fan) - collector as well - and so I'd like to get more information about this bass I just bough it and if it all looks correct for the ERA: (pictures attached)
Thanks in advance!
Renato

 

[eastcoasteddie]

I’m not an expert, but that thing looks only a couple years old! nice score!

...now for the experts...

 

[EagleMoon]

I’m hoping the neck has just shifted and the bridge isn’t that badly misaligned.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I’m no George Gruhn, but it certainly looks real to me. It’s a real beauty, congrats!

 

[JimmyM]

I’m hoping the neck has just shifted and the bridge isn’t that badly misaligned.

It's almost certainly a shifted neck. Fender neck pockets weren't an exact science in the 70's like they were in the 60's. I have a 76 body that I had to shim a side of the neck pocket to hold the neck in place.

 

[EagleMoon]

It's almost certainly a shifted neck. Fender neck pockets weren't an exact science in the 70's like they were in the 60's. I have a 76 body that I had to shim a side of the neck pocket to hold the neck in place.

Oh I know. My first bass was a ‘75 Fender Precision and mine had quite a gap there as well.

 

[Wisebass]

Hi Renato

actually a drummer

You are fired!

Happy NBD!

I'd like to get more information about this bass I just bough it and if it all looks correct for the ERA

Okay let' s see what I have for you!

First impressions:

In 1973 the thump rest was moved above the E string.

Don' t panic! There are a lot of exceptions! (incl. my own '73 Jazz)

The paint job looks original. You can see the 5th hole in the neck pocket and the bare wood where the

"paint stick" was fixed. (that' s typical for vintage Fenders)

a close up pic would be fine! Are there stamps in the neck pocket?

The neckplate looks period correct (black plastic gasket underneath and big F logo)

I can' t read the serial number on the neckplate! The first number should be a 3 a 4 or a 5.

'73 numbers roughly ranged from 370 000 to 520 000 but there are many overlapping exeptions.

The neck:

The headstock logo is the big two piece "C" logo with 4 patent numbers applied under the finish => correct!

The tuners are Fender name imprinted, short neck, non reverse clovers without rivets => correct!

Black block inlays and a black plastic binding was used on early 70s => correct!

On the neck butt or on the neck heel there should be a date and or inspection stamp.

I am not surprised that there is nothing! (I' ve seen a lot of basses that didn 't have any stamp)


The guts:

The wiring is black and white plastic => looks original

In '73 Fender used two types of pots and two kind of tone caps: Stackpoles and CTS pots,

Silver tone cap with a red stripe or dark "blue drop" tone cap ( looks like you have the "blue drop")

The pots are CTS. The production code: 137 (= CTS) 73 (= year) 10 (week)

There is a metal ground shield in the control cavity = > everything looks original!

Can' t tell you anything about the pups! (can you post pics?)

They should have grey date stamped bobbins (the stamp is on the bottom)


Thats all I have for the moment. (Congrats! looks like you have the real thing )


greetings

Wise(b)ass

 

[hotrodjohn]

Let’s see the bridge, should have long G intonation screw.
I have a 72 Jazz and so far everything looks good

 

[4001]

Looks great.. let's see under that ashtray....

 

[micguy]

I’m hoping the neck has just shifted and the bridge isn’t that badly misaligned.

That bad of a misalignment isn't possible with a decently made neck pocket. That amount of slop argues it's a real 70's Fender....and yeah, it's fixable.

 

[FranF]

Real deal.

 

[Ric5]

I’m hoping the neck has just shifted and the bridge isn’t that badly misaligned.

ya the neck was put on crooked

 

[JeroB666]

Is it normal that the last "S" is partially being covered by the G tuning peg? never seen that before.

 

[moon-bass]

yup, it's the real deal. Everything that @Wisebass said! Plus, it looks pretty identical to my 72.

 

[Wisebass]

Hi JeroB666

Is it normal that the last "S" is partially being covered by the G tuning peg? never seen that before.

Yep! It is "normal"! You can see it in my avatar.

There is not a lot of "real estate" to move the waterslide decal.

The letters are BIG!

And the guys who put them on did not really have a lot of time to do it right!

Fender basses = chain production!!!!


greetings

Wise(b)ass

​

 

[bigtone23]

Looks good to me!
Nice bass!

 

[Spirit of Ox]

The bass crackles with life!

 

[eastcoasteddie]

Zoom in on the neck heel/pocket in the last photo of it in the case. You can see how crooked the neck is in the pocket...easy fix

 

[Quadzilla]

Looks legit to me. Here is my modded '73 for comparison...

 

[RtoTex]

Hi Renato



You are fired!

Happy NBD!



Okay let' s see what I have for you!

First impressions:

In 1973 the thump rest was moved above the E string.

Don' t panic! There are a lot of exceptions! (incl. my own '73 Jazz)

The paint job looks original. You can see the 5th hole in the neck pocket and the bare wood where the

"paint stick" was fixed. (that' s typical for vintage Fenders)

View attachment 3594929

a close up pic would be fine! Are there stamps in the neck pocket?

The neckplate looks period correct (black plastic gasket underneath and big F logo)

I can' t read the serial number on the neckplate! The first number should be a 3 a 4 or a 5.

'73 numbers roughly ranged from 370 000 to 520 000 but there are many overlapping exeptions.

The neck:

The headstock logo is the big two piece "C" logo with 4 patent numbers applied under the finish => correct!

The tuners are Fender name imprinted, short neck, non reverse clovers without rivets => correct!

Black block inlays and a black plastic binding was used on early 70s => correct!

On the neck butt or on the neck heel there should be a date and or inspection stamp.

I am not surprised that there is nothing! (I' ve seen a lot of basses that didn 't have any stamp)


The guts:

The wiring is black and white plastic => looks original

In '73 Fender used two types of pots and two kind of tone caps: Stackpoles and CTS pots,

Silver tone cap with a red stripe or dark "blue drop" tone cap ( looks like you have the "blue drop")

View attachment 3594934

The pots are CTS. The production code: 137 (= CTS) 73 (= year) 10 (week)

View attachment 3594948

There is a metal ground shield in the control cavity = > everything looks original!

Can' t tell you anything about the pups! (can you post pics?)

They should have grey date stamped bobbins (the stamp is on the bottom)


Thats all I have for the moment. (Congrats! looks like you have the real thing )


greetings

Wise(b)ass

Thanks Wise(b)ass for your wisdom!
Please stand by for more pictures I’ll take tonight.