Fender Precision Bass w/o Serial Number

[Doc_G]

Hello "Low Enders". I'm trying to identify this "Fender Precision Bass" but I cannot find a serial number anywhere. I was told it was a mid-90s Mexican-manufactured P-Bass and I know that the bridge has been replaced with a BadAss Bass II bridge. I'm not sure if the tuners have been replaced as well. Here are some pics. I appreciate any assistance y'all can afford. Thanks.

 

[JakobT]

I'm no expert in these matters, but I'd be a little suspicious of this one.

Going by the decal, it would be late 60's to mid-70s, but in that case the serial number would be between the top screws on the neck plate, which would have a stamped F on it. Also the decal seems lightly on the large side. The tuners are definitely not original, and it looks like a decal has been removed from the rear of the headstock, just where the "Designed and backed by Fender" decal would be on some Squiers. In fact, from the pics it looks like the finish has been taken off the back of the headstock entirely. Is the decal under the finish on the front?

I think it's possible that you have a rebadged Squier on your hands, but I'm sure other knowledgeable members will chime in presently with more and better information.

 

[subdude67]

Are you thinking about buying it?

 

[Doc_G]

Are you thinking about buying it?

No. I own and play it. Just trying to identify it. I definitely had/have suspicions that it is not a MIM P-Bass.

 

[subdude67]

If it sounds good it is good! I have doubts about the authenticity but it's a cool bass with decent bridge and tuners. Did you get it for a good price?

 

[JakobT]

No. I own and play it. Just trying to identify it. I definitely had/have suspicions that it is not a MIM P-Bass.

As I mentioned, I think it might not be. On the other hand it might still be a good bass - the parts are decent, and if you play it and like it, it's provenance is of little importance.

 

[klejst]

Perhaps a Japanese model? To me it seems like there is a little light reminisce of text on the back of the neck by the screw plate that would generally say "Made/Crafted in Japan" and serial number below it. It could be a parts bass/replacement neck, and a Fender decal glued on. If it works for you however I'd just keep rocking it.

 

[Johnny Alien]

I am not remembering a MIM Fender with that logo and the tuners aren't anything Fender would have used. A 90's MIM Fender would have the SN on the back of the headstock. My guess based on photos is that its a MIC neck that someone threw a Fender logo on. Something like a Mighty Mite neck.

 

[DWBass]

I don't think it's a Fender. Tuners and bridge are wrong. Decal doesn't seem right to me. Just my opinion. As mentioned above, possibly a re-badged Squier.

 

[FugaziBomb]

Looks like a DIY logo job to me, too.

 

[BassAgent]

Yep, that's not a Fender. The size of the dot inlays is also wrong. My guess is the neck is a Mighty Mite neck.

 

[Doc_G]

If it sounds good it is good! I have doubts about the authenticity but it's a cool bass with decent bridge and tuners. Did you get it for a good price?

Yeah. I Paid $300 for it in 2018. I'm thinking of selling it though since I picked up a Sterling Stingray and I love it.

 

[KenD]

Will it sound worse if it's not authentic?

 

[Doc_G]

Will it sound worse if it's not authentic?

No, not at all.

 

[Tcheras]

Nothing in the neck suggests that it's really a Fender, you could check if the the body is, and also the neck, by detaching it. Fender basses have printed/written in the attachment pocket and on the bottom part of the neck informations like manufacturing date and other stuff.

 

[BobKos]

If it is MIM, it should have a nickel sized indexing hole bored into the front under the pickguard. It may also have one in the neck pocket. Additionally there may be a neck builders mark with a presumably name of Mexican heritage.

 

[JakobT]

Will it sound worse if it's not authentic?

Not necessarily, it can still be a great bass. But if it’s not authentic, it will affect the value if the OP wants to sell it. Also, in that case I would certainly want to remove the Fender decal before attempting to do so.

 

[AK Bass Guy]

That’s a Squier P bass in Olympic white, the give was the truss rod access painted black. The tuners, bridge and decal were probably bought off of Amazon. Probably the bass as well.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

The tuners are a bit crooked...

BBB

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Skunk stripe on back of neck with truss rod adjustment at headstock would indicate MIM Fender. Maybe it’s a special edition or something or, maybe someone removed the original decal and serial number and slapped a 70s decal in it’s place. Any evidence on the headstock front or back of this? Cool looking bass for sure. And for $300 you’re doing just fine. But as others have said, you could remove the neck and see what’s going on inside there. MIM P bass bodies have a CNC ‘hole’ under the pickguard, as well as some quirky routing different from their American made counterparts.