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Late 60s Fender Precision Questions

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by andrewrench, Jul 20, 2009.

  1. Jul 20, 2009 #1
    andrewrench

    andrewrench

    Jan 4, 2008
    Glen Ellyn, IL
    I've been chatting with a guy who is selling his late-sixties Fender Precision. He's apparently selling it for $300... BUT it seems as though it doesn't have the original pickups. From the picture the pickups look the same, but he described some modified feature where you pull the volume knob up and it initiates some kind of active, battery-powered boost.

    My questions...

    Is it possible that these could be the original pickups, just modified?

    If they are NOT the original pickups, how badly would it devalue the bass?
     
  2. Jul 20, 2009 #2
    Fresh Eddie

    Fresh Eddie

    Nov 13, 2008
    New England
    If the rest of the bass is definitely late '60s Fender and $300, buy now, worry about the pickup later.
     
  3. Jul 20, 2009 #3
    Dark Horse

    Dark Horse Supporting Member

    Jul 31, 2008
    Austin, TX
    If it were a true "late 60's" P bass for $300 I would be skeptical of a lot more than just the pickups.

    Got pictures ?

    Possible that it's just an active preamp, but I have serious doubts about the legitimacy of the claim that its a late 60's Fender.
     
  4. Jul 20, 2009 #4
    andrewrench

    andrewrench

    Jan 4, 2008
    Glen Ellyn, IL
    Here's the only picture I have to go off: http://www.andrewrench.com/fenderbass.jpg

    I'm SUPER skeptical as well. I've looked at plenty of pictures of the real deal online so I think I'm pretty prepared to spot a real one, however if anyone has any tips on quickly verifying the bass, please let me know.

    thanks!
     
  5. Jul 20, 2009 #5
    Dark Horse

    Dark Horse Supporting Member

    Jul 31, 2008
    Austin, TX
    I give it about a .0000001111100004320% chance of being a real 60's bass. The picture, which of course is suitably crappy, seems to show a badass (or similar) bridge, truss adjustment at the headstock, logo "issues" (is there even a logo ???), etc.

    Bring lots of photos with you, but it looks like an inexpensive parts bass.
     
  6. Jul 20, 2009 #6
    Dark Horse

    Dark Horse Supporting Member

    Jul 31, 2008
    Austin, TX
    Depends on the year. Check to make sure that the truss adjustment is at the body, bass should have a F plate with serial number, real PG would likely show shrinkage (but that guard probably isn't real), etc. Logo could be a couple different variations depending on the year. If you take off the neck, there should be a date stamp on the end of the heel. Pot codes...1st 3 numbers are the manufacture, last 4 are year and week of manufacture.

    Trust your gut. If it seems to good to be true, it probably is. I know someone who got a $300 1963 Jazz that was 100% straight, so it does happen....but judging by the crappy photo, I doubt it in this case.
     
  7. Jul 20, 2009 #7
    andrewrench

    andrewrench

    Jan 4, 2008
    Glen Ellyn, IL
    Thanks for quick feedback Dark Horse! I had a hunch it was probably too good to be true, but still worth checking out on some off-shoot chance the guy doesn't really know what he has. Or the possibility that a Fender P Bass without original or modified pickups would totally kill the value.
     
  8. Jul 20, 2009 #8
    Dark Horse

    Dark Horse Supporting Member

    Jul 31, 2008
    Austin, TX

    Yeah, if it's not too far away, why not ? At least that way you won't kick yourself and wonder "what if" ! :D

    Even if the body wood was original, it would be worth the $300 BTW. Download pics of real ones and compare as closely as possible.

    Have fun.
     
  9. Jul 20, 2009 #9
    Spinal Tapper

    Spinal Tapper

    Nov 15, 2007
    Chicago
    Hmm, yeah, I doubt it's real...
     
  10. Jul 20, 2009 #10
    David Jayne

    David Jayne

    Jan 16, 2006
    Brookfield, CT
    Yes, not real. But if it's a nice sounding/playing bass, it might be worth 300, maybe more, no matter what it is.
     
  11. Jul 20, 2009 #11
    mikeswals

    mikeswals Supporting Member

    Nov 18, 2002
    Seattle / Tacoma
    Well from here I can see a truss rod hole or plug at the headstock. So the neck it not legit. I doubt anything alse is too.
     
  12. Jul 20, 2009 #12
    Dark Horse

    Dark Horse Supporting Member

    Jul 31, 2008
    Austin, TX




    Yep, I agree -



    :D:D:D:D
     
  13. Jul 20, 2009 #13
    andrewrench

    andrewrench

    Jan 4, 2008
    Glen Ellyn, IL
    You guys have a good eyes! Yes, the bass was a total Frankenstein. I'm not sure there was anything about this bass that was even Fender, but I could be wrong. Some of the hardware seemed like it possibly could be Fender and who knows about the body. The neck was a complete replacement, the bridge was a Badass Bass II and the pickups were DiMarzio. So, just for kicks I took a bunch of pictures with my phone so you all could get a closer look at the mystery bass.

    http://www.andrewrench.com/basspics/
     
  14. Jul 20, 2009 #14
    elgranluis

    elgranluis

    Feb 14, 2003
    Vail, CO
    well.. it does have a squier neckplate. Dunno if that would quialify as fender
     
  15. Jul 21, 2009 #15
    Fresh Eddie

    Fresh Eddie

    Nov 13, 2008
    New England
    Probably not worth $300, but that pickguard is kinda sweet looking.
     
  16. Jul 21, 2009 #16
    bstringrandy

    bstringrandy Supporting Member

    Aug 18, 2004
    Jacksonville, FL
    Just the fact that he was claiming this was a late 60s Precision would have me running the other direction after seeing what you saw!

    If you're still GAS'ing for a P-Bass, I would take the $300 and find a sweet used MIM... :)