Fender Mexico P bass black label genuine?

[Craig Williams]

Picked this guitar up at a bargain price. I think the screen printed black logo turns a lot of people off with these early Mex guitars. A few things I am a bit perplexed about and hoping someone with more experience than me has the answers.

From the serial number looks like a 96 black label. But inside the neck pocket looks like it is stamped 98? I know often the bodies are manufactured at a different time to the necks but 2 years seems like a big spread.

The string posts don't seem to be original, or at least not the same as other Mex Fender P basses I have seen.(Most have the single round stud for 2 lower strings)

How does it look? Is it possible it is a 1998 guitar fully assembled at the factory with an old stock 96 neck?

It's an awesome player by the way. Great neck, low action, no noise or hum...pick ups nicely balanced and plenty of output and punch

 

[FunkHead]

Picked this guitar up at a bargain price. I think the screen printed black logo turns a lot of people off with these early Mex guitars. A few things I am a bit perplexed about and hoping someone with more experience than me has the answers.

From the serial number looks like a 96 black label. But inside the neck pocket looks like it is stamped 98? I know often the bodies are manufactured at a different time to the necks but 2 years seems like a big spread.

The string posts don't seem to be original, or at least not the same as other Mex Fender P basses I have seen.(Most have the single round stud for 2 lower strings)

How does it look? Is it possible it is a 1998 guitar fully assembled at the factory with an old stock 96 neck?

It's an awesome player by the way. Great neck, low action, no noise or hum...pick ups nicely balanced and plenty of output and punch

This actually looks okay to me but the dates are pretty far apart for a neck and body.

I am guessing that the Head-stock says Squier Series on the part missing from the picture? I have seen them sanded off to but you can usually tell.

Looking at the Pots/Scratch Plate/wiring it looks like a Squier body.

 

[Craig Williams]

This actually looks okay to me but the dates are pretty far apart for a neck and body.

I am guessing that the Head-stock says Squier Series on the part missing from the picture? I have seen them sanded off to but you can usually tell.

Looking at the Pots/Scratch Plate/wiring it looks like a Squier body.

No I am aware of the Squier series and no decal scratched off etc. This would be one of the Traditional series. I think one of the tell tales for a Mex Squier series is the single ply pick guard.

Hmm pots and electronics on all these early Fender Mexs inc Traditional and Squier series were pretty much all the same I think ie cheap Asian imports

 

[FunkHead]

No I am aware of the Squier series and no decal scratched off etc. This would be one of the Traditional series. I think one of the tell tales for a Mex Squier series is the single ply pick guard.

Hmm pots and electronics on all these early Fender Mexs inc Traditional and Squier series were pretty much all the same I think ie cheap Asian imports

Cool. Looks pretty legit then. Other than the date mismatch but anythings possible. It also seems like a nice tight fit between neck and Pocket from the pics.

 

[Maxdusty]

send an email to Fender customer support. you can get more info on when the bass was manufactured and what finish the body was (just in case it's a mis-matched body/neck)
It's also very possible they were attaching any surplus Traditional necks to bodies at that point as Jan 1998 was when the Traditional series were discontinued, so wouldn't be surprised if they did put a 1996 neck on a 1998 body.

As an example, this is the info I got from Customer support regarding my Fender Jazz bass Squier series.
*MN510671/ 0133500506/ FENDER TRAD.J-BASS RW BLK/ 07-26-1995.

Model Name: Traditional Jazz Bass®
Model Number: 013-3500-(Color #)
Series: Traditional Series (Formerly Squier Standard Series)
Body: Poplar
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Rosewood (7.25” Radius/184 mm)
Frets: 20
Scale Length: 34” (864 mm)
Nut: 1.50” (38 mm)
Hardware: Chrome
Machine Heads: Standard
Bridge: Standard
Pickguard: 1-Ply White
Pickups: 2 Standard Jazz Bass Pickups (Neck & Bridge)
Pickup Switching: N/A
Controls: Volume (Neck Pickup),
Volume (Bridge Pickup),
Master Tone
Colors: (506) Black,
(558) Torino Red,
(580) Arctic White
(Polyester Finish)
Strings: Super 7250ML, #073-7250-005, (.045, .065, .080, .100)
Case:
Other Features: Black Fender Logo
Source: Mexico
Accessories: None
U.S. MSRP: $309.99
INTRODUCED: 1996
DISCONTINUED: 1/1998
DISCONTINUED COLORS:
WRENCH SIZES:
COMMENTS: These were sold domestically and globally
NOTICE: Product Prices, Features, Specifications and Availability Are Subject To Change Without Notice

 

[Craig Williams]

Yeah I will do that but they are usually 2 - 3 weeks to reply

 

[Maxdusty]

Yeah I will do that but they are usually 2 - 3 weeks to reply

Not in my experience (I've sent a few of these requests). 2 or 3 days more like it. However, make sure you tell them you want to try to get the original specs of it and as much information as possible or else they'll send you just a quick one-liner.

 

[Craig Williams]

Sent a request to Fender and got it back 4 days. They confirmed a 98 made Traditional series P bass in Arctic white. I asked them if they thought it strange different serial number to body stamp and they said pretty normal for this series and era.

 

[Maxdusty]

Sent a request to Fender and got it back 4 days. They confirmed a 98 made Traditional series P bass in Arctic white. I asked them if they thought it strange different serial number to body stamp and they said pretty normal for this series and era.

that's awesome! Enjoy the bass.

 

[FranF]

Looks good. String trees, nut and knobs unoriginal, otherwise, all correct.

 

[Clark W]

Yeah I will do that but they are usually 2 - 3 weeks to reply

I've emailed Fender about serials numbers twice in the last 6 months. And both times I got replies within a couple of days.