Finally Found a Surf Green P-Bass

[A-Step-Towards]

Great classic color. The 'Precision Bass' typeface under the logo is a bit bolder than usual. Other than that, the shape(s) of the body & neck look proper.

Be interesting to hear what the people here with real Fender knowledge would say.

Would love that in a 5'er and Daphne or Sonic Blue.

I said what it was, apparently I dont have real knowledge? News to me....anyone that knows early Corona Reissues knows that's exactly what that is. The logo is correct, they were applied by hand and moved forward and back depending on who or when they were applied. They also came in colors like Surf or Fiesta red. I had the exact same bass that was fiesta, underneath it was surf green but was sprayed over.

Examples of mine, same logo, surf green underneath. I rest my case.

 

[P. Aaron]

Was not knocking you, I was knocking myself. I love Fenders & know very little about them.

 

[CatSquare]

That's the nicest looking Precision I've ever seen. Love the color!

 

[Funky-Wunky]

What's the neck plate look like? Letters, numbers? Is that poly or nitro? Need to pull the neck and guard to look for clues.

The neck plate has the serial number, V043131. It also has reverse tuners. Now poly or nitro, I wouldn't know the difference.

 

[Funky-Wunky]

Here is a picture I found on the web of a similar bas with gold pickguard.

 

[A-Step-Towards]

Nice bass! If it was MIJ it would probably have something saying that on the back of the neck, up near where it joins the body. Should be a serial number on it somewhere too?

Something like this - this was an '89 MIJ I owned a while back. And it was a '57 RI.

The neck plate has the serial number, V043131. It also has reverse tuners. Now poly or nitro, I wouldn't know the difference.

Nitro but if anything like mine its going to be super thick, mine was painted burst, surf and then fiesta all at the factory.

 

[Funky-Wunky]

Nitro but if anything like mine its going to be super thick, mine was painted burst, surf and then fiesta all at the factory.

Does your bass have reverse tuners?

 

[grrg63]

I think a white or mint pg looks best with surf green.

 

[Arizona Jones]

Does your bass have reverse tuners?

Reverse tuners would be correct for a '57 AVRI bass such as yours. Rare bird, congrats.

 

[Funky-Wunky]

Reverse tuners would be correct for a '57 AVRI bass such as yours. Rare bird, congrats.

Thanks, the tuners did throw me off for a second, lol. Was the first time I ever had a bass with those.

 

[A-Step-Towards]

Does your bass have reverse tuners?

Yes as your's should as well, there easy to spot on a bass as the keys are taller and the clovers smaller than normal ones. The first time I got one I knew about that but I could not figure out how to open the case as it had the slide to unlock latches, I had to ask on a fender forum boy did I feel dumb lol.

 

[greengoblin]

I think a white or mint pg looks best with surf green.

Also, Black looks good on surf green! And some torts depending on their shades..

 

[EagleMoon]

The gold guard on that above pic really takes away from the awesomeness of the color.

 

[Funky-Wunky]

I was curious as to how many years this color was offered? I know it is hard to find.

 

[Glazenn]

I was curious as to how many years this color was offered? I know it is hard to find.

I have a 1991 Fender catalogue and color #(8)57 (Surf Green) was still there for all 5 Vintage Series models: Stratocaster '57 and '62, Precision Bass '57 and '62, and Jazz Bass '62.
From a Frontline magazine (Summer 1992 issue), this Fender model number is 019-0115-#color and was then named the (USA) Vintage (or U.S. Vintage Series) '57 Precision Bass. The name was later changed (by 1998) to American Vintage '57 Reissue Precision Bass (with the same model number continuing onward to 2012).
Serial number V043xxx says: year 1989, that spans numbers from V040000 to V050000, approximately. This should be confirmed by the pots dates, the neck date and the body date.
The original gold anodised aluminum pickguard has been swapped for a plastic one by a previous owner (and I would please restore the correct one, and with the tug bar).

See the description of the model showing the Surf Green color dates here:
The Official Fender Precision Bass Club (Part 8) | Page 140 | TalkBass.com

This website says the following colors were offered on the US Vintage Series models (all but the Telecaster '52 that was only in Butterscotch Blonde) for that same short period from late '80s to early '90s: Candy Apple Red, Daphne Blue, Fiesta Red, Ocean Turquoise, and Surf Green, in addition to more standard colors like 2- or 3-TSB, black, and OL white.
Actually, this short period is not limitative as I have an AVRI '62 Precision Bass in Fiesta Red that is dated 12/2000 (this color was discontinued again 01/2001).

Please note your bass has the P pickup with the flat pole pieces from the pre-1998 era (not the 57/62 Original Vintage PU with the beveled pole pieces that is found on 1998-2012 P's), and it is extremely difficult to find it separately.

That's a nice and rare find that you have made. Congratulations.

Are you a Club member yet?
The Official Fender Precision Bass Club (Part 8) | Page 140 | TalkBass.com

PS - It should look like this:

 

[RED J]

Yes, mint pickguard. Just like picking colors from a chip to cpliment each other in a scheme.

 

[The Chuck]

I really like that bass man!

I had one of these P/Js for a little while- I think it was Seafoam Green.

 

[bolophonic]

Not to overdo it, but man.... that would look SWEET with tort.

 

[Glazenn]

My (now sold) Sea Foam Green Jazz, tort guard, block maple neck:

So, Mint Green or Tort?

 

[Funky-Wunky]

Thanks Glazenn, what year was that jazz bass?