Help with bass purchase

[Sunhutch]

Ive recently started playing the bass and am possibly interested in upgrading from my T-40 a 76 Fender P bass. The one Ive found is quite a bit more than was thinking of spending right now but the way I look at is if I can find a quality instrument for a good price it will be an investment or something I can pass down to my kids/grandkids. Problem is I dont know enough about basses to know if im getting what is advertised.

So...I thought I would tap the wise minds here on this site to get some feedback. The bass is advertised as a 71976 Fender Precision Bass. The seller stated its in great shape and everything works fine. He is the second owner and the case is not the original. He is asking $1200.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Ken.

 

[nitrofix]

First of all if thats the serial number you posted 71976 it's a 1960 P Bass, if thats the case shag it as fast as you can or is it a 7th month of 1976 ? which that what it seems to be seeing the thumb rest is above the E string.. The pickups don't seem to be original, or at least the covers aren't.. I'd do some research on it and if it is a 76' $1200 is a pretty good deal...btw check out the neck and make sure there are no issues with it...

 

[megadan]

Regardless of vintage, for $1200 that looks like a nice bass. I'd try it out, play it, hear it, and see what you think.

 

[Spinal Tapper]

Non original PU's - I'd offer $1000

 

[whoapower]

1K, or even 1200, for an American P bass, sounds good to me. Looks like it could have some mojo attached. Play it and if it feels... oooh so right, do it and forget what is authentic.

 

[danomite64]

Non-original pickups, non-original knobs. The burst looks correct, and the bass looks pretty clean.

 

[smcd]

First of all if thats the serial number you posted 71976 it's a 1960 P Bass, if thats the case shag it as fast as you can or is it a 7th month of 1976 ? which that what it seems to be seeing the thumb rest is above the E string.. The pickups don't seem to be original, or at least the covers aren't.. I'd do some research on it and if it is a 76' $1200 is a pretty good deal...btw check out the neck and make sure there are no issues with it...

I think the first "7" in "71976" is a typo.

 

[Sunhutch]

I went and checkd out the bass today. A couple things I noticied about it. For one the neck plate has no "F" on it and the neck and the headstock finish does not match as far as color. The headstock has a darker color to it. The seller stated this is normal for a 76. Something about getting the print/decal to adhere to the headstock. Also there are no screw holes to the area around the pick-ups, so at the least I assume the pick guard isnt original as well. As far as the SN it seems to be in order 7671976.

I really appreciate the responses. Thank you very much.

At this point Im leaning on passing on it. Any other thoughts?

 

[PJSShearer]

OK:

1. The Pickup is almost certainly DiMarzio replacement - a lot of us did this in the late 1970s (check out my 73 P, with the J PUP added)
2. According to http://www.guitardaterproject.org/fender.aspx, that Serial Number is correct for a 1976.
3. BTW - The finger rest moved above the strings in 1975, but not where I've put mine .
4. As the seller says, the headstock should be darker than the rest of the finish for a Bass that age due to the finish they put over the Decal, again check out my 1973 P!.

 

[smcd]

the headstock finish does not match as far as color. The headstock has a darker color to it. The seller stated this is normal for a 76. Something about getting the print/decal to adhere to the headstock. Also there are no screw holes to the area around the pick-ups, so at the least I assume the pick guard isnt original as well. As far as the SN it seems to be in order 7671976.

I really appreciate the responses. Thank you very much.

At this point Im leaning on passing on it. Any other thoughts?

Re. the headstock finish - seller is correct, it's totally normal. I've seen some Strats and Tele's from that vintage where the patina on the headstock was shockingly different that that on the neck.