Is this Fender Precision a '75 or earlier?

[Smooth_bass88]

Thanks all. I got to look at the bass today. It needs to be cleaned up but looks in really great shape. The story is it’s been in a case for several decades. The finish looks like nitro. The screw for the G string intonation is longer. And the material for the tug bar doesn’t look like modern plastic. View attachment 5405490 So I would say ‘73. Here are some more photos. View attachment 5405490 View attachment 5405491 View attachment 5405492 View attachment 5405493 View attachment 5405494 View attachment 5405496 View attachment 5405497

So, are you gonna buy it or what..?

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

So, are you gonna buy it or what..?

. No, his brother won’t sell it. He’s a bit of a hoarder and my drummer was helping him clean his house a bit and came across it and brought it to our recording session to show me. Unfortunately all I can do is gaze at it.

 

[stevensivak]

That thing needs to go through a car wash.... No love there...

 

[Matt O]

That’s sassy hot. Looks like he stuffed a White Castle burger under the bridge cover but that’s easy to clean.

Sweet find.

That’s the factory string mute! A rare sight. Probably completely desiccated and hard as a rock though.

 

[Killing Floor]

That’s the factory string mute! A rare sight. Probably completely desiccated and hard as a rock though.

I know. Just looked rough.

 

[mcrawfordmusic]

I reckon you're right, looks like a '73.

 

[Gluvhand]

This all assumes the pickguard and thumb rest are original.
Is it a 4-bolt neck?
Either way, it looks like a nice bass.

It's a Precision. It wouldn't have a 3-bolt neck.

 

[ebo]

As a Fender expert, I think you need to send me the bass for some field testing.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

Wow, thats a cool find.
How hard do you go at cleaning a bass in that shape.
Disassembly?.... take it to a pro?.. just go at home?
Its probably never even had a screw turned.

 

[Iridescentone]

I'd hit that. Contrary to some popular guitar lore, CBS didn't screw up the P basses like they did to the Jazz. Still pretty good well into the 70's. Too bad it's not for sale.

 

[dbmike]

That tort is gorgeous. Gorgeous.

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

Wow, thats a cool find.
How hard do you go at cleaning a bass in that shape.
Disassembly?.... take it to a pro?.. just go at home?
Its probably never even had a screw turned.

I was wondering the same thing. If I did get it, part of me would love to clean it and set it up myself. I did plug it in, as my band was recording and the pots were scratchy and in major need or a set up. I think it would be better off getting a once over by a professional. But it was cool to hold it.

 

[Fender_Bender]

Sweet axe. Bummer you can’t talk him out of it.

 

[Chickenwheels]

General knowledge: Precision basses never had three bolt necks or bullet truss rod adjustment…ever. I guess they weren’t important enough for those upgrades…

 

[devnulljp]

Is it a 4-bolt neck?

They were all 4-bolt -- only the Jazz Bass moved to the 3 bolt neck 1975-1981.

 

[BobKos]

If he's not selling it then enjoy it for a minute and hand it back. Looks nice.

 

[J-Bass RMR]

Looks very "73".

That G saddle looks pretty extended to me... (and upside down)

Not a nitro finish but a really cool bass!!

Lacquer was still used on sunburst into the '70s.

Would it be celluloid?

yes - one of the last.

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

Looks very "73".

That G saddle looks pretty extended to me... (and upside down)


Lacquer was still used on sunburst into the '70s.


yes - one of the last.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Gluvhand]

They were all 4-bolt -- only the Jazz Bass moved to the 3 bolt neck 1975-1981.

The Telecaster Bass was also 3 bolt.

 

[lug]

Hello,

69-73 precisions are “my jam”. That bass is 100% mid 1973 or earlier. The tug bar was moved in the later part of 73, where some had black guards some had tort. If you take the bridge cover off, the g string intonation saddle should be longer than the rest. This was introduced around 1970-1971 or so.


It’s not impossible that he bought it new in 75, could have been sitting for a while in the store.

This happened to me. I thought I had a 77 for years because my friend bought it new in 77 and sold it to me. Turned out it was a 75 once I researched it.