Fender "A" neck P bass history question

[jakka1]

I am looking to buy a 70s Precision bass with an "A" neck. In my searching, I have only seen basses from '72-'75. Does anyone happen to know when Fender began offering "A" necks as an option on Precisions? I'm curious if they did prior to the 70s and when/why they stopped?

Bonus points for any knowledge of any special or limited runs that they put out that had a jazz neck? I know there has been some in recent years, but not sure about basses that would be classified as vintage.

 

[mikeswals]

I've personally seen 1969 A neck Precisions. Should have gone well into 78/79.

The only P's with blocked Jazz necks I've seen were the MIJ ones that were called a "70's P", but of course were only a made-up bass of nothing that really existed in the 70's.

 

[jakka1]

Cool! At least I now know that they even go back to '69. I imagine they are pretty rare, and even more so the older they are.

 

[Luckydog]

Dont know when they started. I had a black/rosewood factory A-width 1976 P.

 

[Linnin]

I know they could be special ordered, but not sure when that started. Ask @affprod . He's a Fender bass collector with much knowledge.

 

[jazz Bass 74]

We know there was at least one A code Precision Bass in 1969 -- the legendary Charcoal Frost P Bass with black binding and blocks, although it was almost certainly a custom order.

 

[affprod]

I know they could be special ordered, but not sure when that started. Ask @affprod . He's a Fender bass collector with much knowledge.

I am researching this as I don't know the complete answer. I know bassists started swapping necks from the beginning. I have a 63P with a 63J neck on it. It is an interesting question, let's see what pops up.

 

[affprod]

Someday I will remember to post the pic the first time...

This is the 63P/J. The neck is original, the body (wood) is original, the rest is pretty much refin/repro, but a great gigging bass. Lindy Fralin vintage pup. As parts become available, this will become more period correct. It is #3 on my restore list. For now, it's just a great player.

 

[Linnin]

We know there was at least one A code Precision Bass in 1969 -- the legendary Charcoal Frost P Bass with black binding and blocks, although it was almost certainly a custom order.

View attachment 768965

Yeah, absolutely a special order, but quite early too.

 

[Linnin]

I am researching this as I don't know the complete answer. I know bassists started swapping necks from the beginning. I have a 63P with a 63J neck on it. It is an interesting question, let's see what pops up.

Do you know when special orders were 'normal' or 'regular'?
We both know Leo Fender would customize just about any product. But what about post Leo Fender C.B.S. era Fender basses?

 

[Luckydog]

Bill Bolton from Australia is one of the most knowledgeable Fender history buffs I recall. He used to frequent the Fender Forum. I believe he can be found on "The Bottom Line", which is now a google group.

 

[mikeswals]

I havent seen a Bill Bolton post in years on the Fender forum.

 

[One Drop]

Necks on all Fender basses were available from A to C width from when they started using the neck stamp code with the model number, year, and neck width letter, in the early '60s.

But it was extremely rare to see special ordered necks until later.

I have a 66 B neck on a P which is apparently quite rare, for example.

 

[chris_b]

My 68 Fender P bass, bought new at the start of 1969, has an A neck. It wasn't a special order.

 

[Kirk Bryant]

I have an A neck 71' P and had heard about special order necks in about 65' when I worked in a music store that was a fender dealer. I had an A neck P in 70' before I graduated from high school.

 

[One Drop]

I've even heard of someone who ordered a D neck in the '60s but have never seen proof.

 

[mihayloff]

My 68 Fender P bass, bought new at the start of 1969, has an A neck. It wasn't a special order.

Yes it was offered as an option but the addition of a blocked and bound board was special order.

 

[barrybass33]

The A neck precision are very rare....

I have a very good friend that has one a 72 p bass with a neck ash and maple plays amazing.....

 

[faulknersj]

Old thread but I have a 77’ w/ and A neck…

 

[Jim C]

What's the difference between an "A" P bass neck and a standard Jazz neck?
I've owned, borrowed, or played a zillion P bass and only 1 came from the factory with an A neck. 1972 CAR and I bought it in the 80's.