Is this P-bass fake?

[Ali Jabakhanji]

I have received a good deal on this bass but the seller provided me with these pictures only,I asked the seller to show me the headstock from the back to see if it has any serial written on it. So right now I am just waiting for him to reply but in the meantime I thought I could use some help from someone who knows how to spot originals vs fakes.

and in case no serial key was written on the headstock is there a chance it still might be original? what can I do to make sure?

Thank you for your time and help in advance!

 

[ispunk]

Looking at the headstock it looks like a Fender "black label" P bass but those had the serial number on the front of the headstock so...I'd say at least the neck is not a Fender

 

[petrus61]

Nope. Headstock adjust has no black tubing, the string tree is cheaper than you'd find on a Squier and the pics are blurry AF. Stay away.

 

[Linnin]

Lousy images. Impossible to tell. If there is no serial number, then do not buy. There is a reason the serial number was removed and almost all of them not good, and also illegal.

 

[Mechayoshi]

You are getting a "good deal" for a reason probably....:/

 

[JJR58]

Is there a serial number on the back of the headstock?

Although a USA made most likely wouldn't.

edit: or would certain US models have that?.

 

[prowla]

Nope. Headstock adjust has no black tubing, the string tree is cheaper than you'd find on a Squier and the pics are blurry AF. Stay away.

Agreed - truss rod adjust should have a darker sleeve around the opening.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

It's a fake and a poor one at that.

 

[bobcruz]

Is it an illusion or is that headstock REALLY thin? Neck radius looks flatter than it should too but the pix are horrible so can't be sure.

 

[eccles77]

Go in the direction of away. That head stock does not look right at all.

There are plenty of used US P basses about.

 

[Bodeanly]

Fake af.

 

[Lownote38]

Truss rod is all wrong. So is the string tree. No U.S. Fender has the truss rod adjustment at the head stock. There are also too many frets for it to be a standard Precision bass. It should have 20. The body might be Fender, but that neck isn't. It's not even a Squier. It's aftermarket, and a pretty lousy looking one at that.

 

[tjh]

... No U.S. Fender has the truss rod adjustment at the head stock. ...

... The very early American Standard 'Longhorns' adjusted at the headstock as well as the early Hwy 1's ... There were also some 'Black Label' American Traditionals, but I don't believe they were ever offered with a maple board ... So, this would be none of these

 

[Rabidhamster]

Nope that is really fake, it isn't even a Squier. I hope you can get your money back! However much the price is its a bad deal. Well....I'd pay $20 for it for a stage prop to throw around or to give to a poor kid.

No U.S. Fender has the truss rod adjustment at the head stock.

Some do. But you're correct about the truss rod being wrong anyway, the adjustments sure don't look like that lol

 

[TjMetalhead]

What price was the seller gonna give you? I've put waterslide decals before on necks and I can assure you this is fake. The body is from an actual fender, but that neck is probably a cheap $50 made in china one. I've sold basses with Mighty Mite necks with fender decals and I always made sure to specify that the neck was a different brand. Shady seller, do not trust, find a better deal somewhere else.

 

[Wfrance3]

A long tile ago my 1st grade teacher told me about the tiny island of USA, Japan. It was specifically named so that things could made there and bear the label "Made in USA", as opposed to made in U.S.A. I think we have something similar happening here.

 

[design]

A long tile ago my 1st grade teacher told me about the tiny island of USA, Japan. It was specifically named so that things could made there and bear the label "Made in USA", as opposed to made in U.S.A. I think we have something similar happening here.

Snopes says that claim is false (link is below). Funny story though!
Made in USA

 

[PortlandBass77]

Fake. That sunburst finish looks way off and the headstock is wrong.

 

[bolophonic]

How cheap are we talking here?

 

[Wfrance3]

Snopes says that claim is false (link is below). Funny story though!
Made in USA

Seriously???? The longer you carry dis- information with you the worse it feels when you find out you were wrong...