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Is this a fake...(Fender P)

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by pil, Dec 1, 2005.

  1. Dec 1, 2005 #1
    pil

    pil

    Feb 17, 2005
    Pimlico, UK
    I'm pretty sure it is - ive owned a fender before - but can people who are in the know about these things have a look and confirm?

    All set up with the Fender USA decals and hardware, for the price i took a chance...the bass on the outside looked good, and played even better - but when you buy a fender is it wrong in this day and age to expect to get one?

    The neck...

    The body...

    Thanks guys.
     
  2. Dec 1, 2005 #2
    Trevorus

    Trevorus

    Oct 18, 2002
    Urbana, IL
    I don't think we can make a true assesment without seeing the whole picture.
     
  3. Dec 1, 2005 #3
    pil

    pil

    Feb 17, 2005
    Pimlico, UK
  4. Dec 1, 2005 #4
    6-3-2

    6-3-2

    Sep 20, 2003
    Well the "P/J BASS" stamp is a little weird.
     
  5. Dec 1, 2005 #5
    Andy Brown

    Andy Brown Commercial User

    Jul 23, 2004
    Rhode Island
    Founder/Owner: Wing Instruments
    The following is just mere speculation, as I'm the farthest thing from a Fender officianado. However, you can deduce the following from the pics:

    1) Whoever manufacturered this bass has one or more quality control or inspection points as inferred by the mutliple date stamps in the neck pocket. I'm figuring one for rough finish, and one for final finish.

    2) It looks like someone named "A. Murillo" inspected the neck sometime. Find someone at fender first initial "A", last name "Murillo" and you may have solved this one. If this is indeed a USA model call the factory and ask for the person (longshot).

    3) As far as the P/J BASS stamp, that could have been for the rough cut neck stock or something where they have an additional step to shape and cut the neck into a P or a J.

    Like I said, these are merely observations. The bottom line is, if the bass plays well, and it sounds good, that's what counts...call it a Fender if you want.
     
  6. Dec 1, 2005 #6
    pil

    pil

    Feb 17, 2005
    Pimlico, UK
    Thanks for the observations AJ Brown. From google ive come across an S. Murillo who worked in the Fender custom shop with a bit of luck maybe it's the guy's brother or something :meh:

    As you said the point is that it plays, and looks good - i'll probably keep it, but it would be nice to know...

    Thanks again.
     
  7. Dec 1, 2005 #7
    BurningSkies

    BurningSkies CRAZY BALDHEAD

    Feb 20, 2005
    Syracuse NY
    Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
    It looks like a fender to me...I've had a few with that multi-line sign-off sticker, and the neck stamps/marks look pretty on too. Its got an old style logo and a two color burst...so is it one of the 're-issues' or such?
     
  8. Dec 1, 2005 #8
    Wayner

    Wayner

    May 7, 2004
    Maryland, USA
    For all intents and purposes, that is a fender.. maple board, sunburst body and tort guard..IMO the best kind! Congrats on your find!
     
  9. Dec 1, 2005 #9
    lonote

    lonote

    May 1, 2002
    Cottage Grove, St. Paul suburb
    Out of curiosity, what makes you think it isn't a Fender? It looks like a Fender to me.
     
  10. Dec 1, 2005 #10
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    I think I have to call shenanigans. It looks like a Am. Std neck of recent vintage, but the body looks like a reissue body. Note the location of the thumbrest. I have never seen an Am. Std. with the thumbrest in that location. Of course, it could be that the guy added the thumbrest after the fact. Are the strings strung through the body? I don't know, dude...it may actually be a Fender. But at worst it looks like two separate Fender spliced together.
     
  11. Dec 1, 2005 #11
    pil

    pil

    Feb 17, 2005
    Pimlico, UK
    Thanks for these replies chaps,

    To answer the question, the reason i suspected it wasn't a fender was that there was a few odd screws and the bridge definatley isn't a fender - both things of course that get changed in the life of an instrument - the real sticking point was the sticker on the back of the neck, i'd never seen one before or a name stamp either.

    But ive only dealt with MIJ and MIM's in the past.

    But it does have the Am. F tuners, and string through body...

    It really is a quality instrument, does exactly what i wanted it too, so i thought it might be a look-a-like made by a luthier. I reckon JimmyM might be right about it being two different fenders...

    These things second hand go for upwards of £500 in the UK and i got it for £360 - so either way, it looks like i might have gotta good deal!

    So thanks for the comments and help guy's, youve put my mind at rest - it's not that im a label whore, it's just nice to know what you've got, you know :bassist:

    Cheers...now to change my "GAS" list :D
     
  12. Dec 1, 2005 #12
    Stox

    Stox

    Mar 18, 2005
    London UK
    If it plays well and sounds good with no neck issues, at 360 quid you've got a reasonable deal. Go play the stuffing out of it and enjoy!
     
  13. Dec 2, 2005 #13
    bannedwit

    bannedwit

    May 9, 2005
    Buffalo, NY
    My MIM P-bass has the same sort of "oil pen" scribbles on it like someone signed it or gave it a seal of approval or something.
    However, the P/J Bass stamp is a little fishy, i have never seen that before.
    Usually it is the scribble, then the date it was made and a serial nubmer or something like that.
     
  14. Dec 2, 2005 #14
    LowEndLobster

    LowEndLobster Bass reviewer and youtube dude guy.

    Oct 29, 2003
    Northern MA
    That's an American P bass with a J style neck from the mid-late 90's.
     
  15. Dec 5, 2005 #15
    pil

    pil

    Feb 17, 2005
    Pimlico, UK
    Yeah the neck is a little thin for a P...anyway ive decided to call it a fender now anyway, and im really getting on well with it...

    My drummer keeps making suspicious phone calls making sure i dont bring the rick to practice anymore - which is kinda funny because i always thought he was done deaf :meh:

    Thanks again for your time lads.