Help identify what is original on this 70's P-bass

[P. Aaron]

Looks more like an ash body than alder. (That's neither bad or good. Just an observation) Almost like it was originally finished natural.

 

[Hectobar]

Clean it up and play. Probably a darn. (but I didn't say darn) nice bass.

 

[elillywv]

it's the prototypical 70's Fender, showing all the typical things people did to their basses in that era.

I resemble that comment!

'76 natural factory finish with all the mods mentioned before: Badass I bridge (countersunk), DiM Model P, brass nut (since removed), ETA: Jazz pup added back in the day, too ('79)!

Was my only bass from '76 until 2019… it was even held hostage for 2 years in an acrimonious divorce. Will never part with it!

 

[MIMike]

I agree that this is not a refinished body, it looks completely original to me. Now the neck, that's been stripped. Other than refinishing the neck (if that's what you want) it appears to be a pretty easy restoration project.

 

[Rabidhamster]

Cool bass. The neck is fine as is unless its stinky or grimy and you need to fix something. That is 100% certainly an ash body, and a very nice one at that with no visible seams! Great score!

 

[Grin and Tonic]

Does it have a brass nut?

No brass nuts here

I agree that this is not a refinished body, it looks completely original to me.

The body does not look like it's been refinished to me either.

That is 100% certainly an ash body, and a very nice one at that with no visible seams!

I agree!

 

[buteo]

This is the most original shimming solution I've ever seen! It must be lower on the treble side. I wonder what the is the string action?
Congratulations, it seems to be a bass with character!

 

[Levent]

I can tell from the looks, It's solid af and going to sound so

it was even held hostage for 2 years in an acrimonious divorce.
View attachment 4896553

Fck thats evilest thing you can do to a bassist. Whats next? Break my fingers?

 

[elillywv]

I can tell from the looks, It's solid af and going to sound so


Fck thats evilest thing you can do to a bassist. Whats next? Break my fingers?

When she returned the P (along with my Acoustic 450/406), she also sent along a broken lawn mower with a bent crankshaft, knowing that I lived in an apartment. Exes… (sigh)

 

[Glazenn]

It has the plastic gasket under the neck plate.
Black pickguard?
Is the serial number, the 4 pat. numbers and Fender decal on the peghead, the thumbrest location, and/or any other feature, indicative of a production year? My guess :1975

 

[Grin and Tonic]

Yes, black pickguard.

1975 serial, indeed.

 

[Grin and Tonic]

So, I am definitely digging this bass! I have stripped it down to parts and am cleaning up bits and reassembling. I am going to change out the pots for some solid shaft CTS pots. The neck has been wiped with Naptha and steel wool, and will be oiled in a day or so. Otherwise, I am going to keep all mostly as-is, and let it rip!

I am this crossroad, however: Should I try to get that epoxy/hot glue/whatever it is off the pickups and replace with foam so that I have pickup adjustability? I don't want to ruin the pickups, and I do run that risk, as that goop does NOT want to seem to want to come off. As you can see, the white wire is embedded in it, so that adds to the difficulty, as I don't want to rip that wire out of the coil with an inadvertent ham-fisted yank. It sounded good, as is. Could it sound better? Hmmmm?