Fender Precision PJ 1974

[jonildo]

Hi,

I have a possibility to buy a Fender Precision. The bass has been modified with a J-pickup and a pre-amp by a danish company called Morch (http://www.morch-guitars.dk/).

I want to know when this instrument was manufactured, but I can't find any serial number. The neck plate is blank. (The seller claims that it is made 1974 and I have no reason for not believing him but I want to be 100% sure)

The only information I can find is the following digits on the head: Pat. 2,573,254 2,968,204 3,143,028 2,976,755

I would be most grateful if anybody could help me out.

Pictures:
http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad56/jonildo_2009/DSC00088.jpg

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad56/jonildo_2009/DSC00091.jpg

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad56/jonildo_2009/DSC00093.jpg

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad56/jonildo_2009/DSC00094.jpg

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad56/jonildo_2009/DSC00095.jpg

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad56/jonildo_2009/DSC00102.jpg

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad56/jonildo_2009/DSC00099.jpg

http://i921.photobucket.com/albums/ad56/jonildo_2009/DSC00064.jpg

Best regards,
Jonas

 

[J. Crawford]

IF you pop the neck out of the body socket there should be a serial number.

IIRC, that is.

 

[Groover]

Pics would help a lot. The neckplate would have numbers on it if it's a '74.

 

[Musky]

Given the number fakes out there you really need more than this guy's word for it - it could be the case that even he doesn't know he's holding a fake. Replica decals are for sale all over ebay.

Detailed pictures would be good, preferably with the neck and pickguard off.

 

[jonildo]

Thank you. I have added some links to pictures. Further comments appreciated!

 

[GregBass1979]

Wow that is the exact mod I wanted to do to my 79' Lawsuit P..stunning bass! Good Luck

 

[Musky]

Looks good to me. Obviously the pickguard, knobs and strap buttons have been changed, but what I can see of it is all what I'd expect on a '74.

 

[jonildo]

Thanks for your effort, Musky!

 

[jonildo]

Another question to those of you who are familiar with vintage Fender basses.

The pickups are "elastic" when I press them inwards (especially the J-pickup). I am used to more firm pickups (eg on my Fender J-Bass '72).

Is that elasticity "OK"?

Your opinion would be highly appreciated!

 

[JaydeePlayer]

The pickups are mounted on spionge rubber, this doesn't last forever and, I'm sure, has not the same consistancy over the years. No big deal, I packed mine out with tissue(!) to make it straight.

The only way to really find the date if the neck plat has been lost (and its pre-76ish) is, as already mentioned, to pop the neck off and look at the code stamping. It should hone it down to the actual day of manufacture.

Greg

 

[Musky]

It's probably just got new foam under the pickups - older stuff tends to loose it's elasticity and becomes compressed over time.