How old is my Fender P-Bass?

[Berryhauler]

Hi guys (and girls!): I just bought an Indonesian made P-Bass as a back up, and was wondering if I could find out the year of manufacture. There's a site for finding out just that, but my serial number wasn't listed. It starts with IC, then 9 numbers. Not the end of the world if I can't find it, but just curious. Is this a decent bass, or a POS? It plays and sounds pretty nice (needs a little work, the intonation is off), and is in great shape, so any info I can get would be greatly appreciated. thanks.....

 

[A-Step-Towards]

Well that should be a squier not a fender if it has a IC serial number, that means it was made in Indonesia, C = Cor-Tek (Cort) which is the factory-the next numbers are year.

 

[Co0O]

Is this a decent bass, or a POS? It plays and sounds pretty nice (needs a little work, the intonation is off), and is in great shape, so any info I can get would be greatly appreciated. thanks.....

I've got an Indonesian Squier Precision Special, which I bought new 4 or 5 years ago. I would say it's just OK. The pots were really bad, and needed changing after a short while. I've also replaced the bridge with a Gotoh. Neck and body is very nice though. If you do the necessary adjustments and replacements, you could have yourself a very decent bass for the cost.

 

[Berryhauler]

You're right, it is a Squier. By Fender, in small print beneath it, that's what got me confused. Only had Gibson and now Ibanez, not familiar with Fender, only by reputation. Thanks for your replies. I'll start using it and see what happens. Funny you should say the pots give out, when I first plugged it in, it worked for about 30 seconds, then quit. I thought it was one of the cables or my tuner. I twisted and reconnected everything, one at a time, and still nothing. All of a sudden, it started working, and played for about 1/2 hour, no problems. The pots weren't making any noise, but do they just cut out, or just start making noise? Got to start somewhere.... Thanks again.

 

[MakoMan]

when I first plugged it in, it worked for about 30 seconds, then quit. I thought it was one of the cables or my tuner. I twisted and reconnected everything, one at a time, and still nothing. All of a sudden, it started working, and played for about 1/2 hour, no problems. The pots weren't making any noise, but do they just cut out, or just start making noise? Got to start somewhere.... Thanks again.

Check your input jack. It may be loose and shorting out at times. Careful when you tighten the nut to not spin the jack itself.

 

[Berryhauler]

Thanks, MakoMan. The jack was hand tight, but I couldn't tell if that is the problem because now it's working. I'm going to re-string it, and while I have them off, I'll take a look at the electronics and see what kind of shape they're in. Don't know how long this has been sitting around, or where. Appreciate your reply.