Fender headstock shapes over the years

[lebaron]

Hi!

I've been searching the forum for info on different headstock shapes the jazz and precision basses gone trough over the years but couldn't find much on it.



Anyone knows about this or know where to find info?

Thanks

//B

 

[Rip Topaz]

If we could get pix in this thread of all the different headstocks, that would be awesome. I'd love to see the evolution from 51 to present day.

 

[hover]

I thought their general, classic headstock has remained the same, as in keeping with their tendency to sue or licence any copiers, and only changing with the release of a new / limited run series like the old J-Deluxe series, or the like, where the basic outline was the same, only downsized....(tele style headstocks notwithstanding)

 

[lowphatbass]

The size has certainly varied a little bit. There have been some bass headstocks with the "classic" shape that were a little smaller, at least in the 80's-90's. I know that Strats have had some size variation in the past as well.

 

[Shadi]

There are some subtle differences, for example if you look at a real 1962 P bass headstock and a AV62 P bass headstock, the AV has a slightly more rounded profile on the bottom curve of the headstock. I assume the headstock profiles changed with the tooling used to cut them to shape...and likely the change was in the early CBS era, and then again slightly in the post CBS period...

 

[shrimpflea]

I've even seen differences between a 60-61' J-bass headstock and a 64' jazz...the earlier ones seem to have slightly more rounded edges...I may be imagining it.

 

[FunkRenegade]

I'm so used to modern fenders, differences in pre-cbs headstocks jump out. The curvy part on the g string side is definitely flatter and wider.

 

[Mr. Sound]

My highway one 2008 (presumably the same as am Am. Standard) definitely has a shallower cut out on the treble side than that on my Nate Mendel (presumably a seventy one ish copy)

 

[phangtonpower]

I used to own a JP-90. Made in the early 90s. The headstocks were more narrow on those.

 

[Midak]

Here is some material I found on www.12fret.com - you can see and the decals used each year (except from the '66 Jazz, obviously -the no-info Jazz is a '61):

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[BassHappy]

Yep, and the cool thing is, it's a very simple matter to turn a jazz headstock into a vintage P:

Can you tell which is which?

BassHapppy

 

[Midak]

You can cheat and look at the nut width.

 

[BassHappy]

You can cheat and look at the nut width.

But of course, but then you can do the same to a P Bass headstock and then what?

 

[Midak]

The Precision and the Jazz share the exact same headstock ball-end?

 

[TonH]

I found this on the internet;

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[JIO]

If you want to see remarkable differences in the same hs cut, check out G&L guitars and basses from the 80's into the early 90's, especially the pointed version (as currently used). It's like each was hand cut by eye.

 

[Albie Vickers]

Well guys if your still alive this subject certainly is and Im greatful to you who posted. You left e legacy for us to follow thoslinks are great!

ziggybass from Spain.

 

[jd56hawk]

My favorite.

 

[Albie Vickers]

My favorite.

Now thats a sense of humour Hawk. Big smile and a thank you!

 

[jd56hawk]

You're welcome. It's been awhile since we've had a nice headstock thread here.