HELP Dating "Fender" P-Bass Body!

OK - run across an oddity at the pawn shop and I really need to figure out what's going on with it. The guy that works there said that he "put it together from some leftovers the owner had lying around." Neck is from a standard 2007 MIM - but there's a really weird grain pattern in the Maple I love - like the span of 3 frets look like a totally different color, but the finish is pristine so I know it hasn't been mucked with. There is a set of 1990's EMG pickups - passive but without exposed polepieces. All of the wiring came out of the 2007 bass, so no way to trace that. And the pickguard is one they had laying around.

Now - here's the curious bit that I can't figure out but maybe you can. The body is black with a well-worn poly finish. I know it's an older finish because it looks "thin" - like you can see the waves of the wood grain under it if you get the glare right, and judging from the wear and damage to it you can tell it's been around the block a few times. Looking at the bridge, there are 2 screw holes on either side from the cover that was on there at one time. The bridge on there has the threaded saddles, with the slotted screw heads to adjust them instead of the standard grub screws from today. It is obviously older judging from corrosion - BUT the dude did a COMPLETE HACK JOB of making it a "string through" just drilling through the bridge and body - the ferrules on the back are a joke. Just as a footnote...

I am on great terms with the guys that work there and I am certain they would take it apart for me to check out. But what am I looking for to date it? Stamping, tool marks, wood grain patterns? What about under the pickguard? IF we assume the bridge IS original to the body, the cover holes are original and the finish taken into account - is there an estimation of the body age?

I genuinely appreciate your time and assistance with this. I will go by there today and try to grab some photos.

 

Yeah, I know that - but I am just curious is all. Plus it's an opportunity to learn something about dating instruments.

 

OK - so by this logic if the wood in the neck pocket appears unmolested then there should be a date stamp of some form if it is a FENDER? I ask that because on my Squier I cannot recollect a date stamp in that neck pocket.

Thank you again.

 

OK - here's some info and this leaves me more in the dark!

There's a fifth hole in the center of the neck bolt pattern. It also looks like someone sanded/filed the back of the neck for easier truss rod access - from a truss rod at the base of the neck. So that makes me think this is an older Fender, or NOT a Fender? The only stamp I see is "CMA" ( or C MAY?) and it looks like this may of been refinished at some point? Does anyone have insight to this? Does anyone know anyone that knows!! Seriously - thank you again.

 

Well, I don't want to pick on the guy that did this - but I mean at least drill straight or something. You can still see the red sharpie on the front of the bridge in the other photo posted already.

 

It's hard to beat $125 for something to play with. I just want to know when the body is from. So yeah, it's worth the effort for me.