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Neck stamp 1971 Fender P?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by peterhenrik10, Jan 2, 2015.

  1. Jan 2, 2015 #1
    peterhenrik10

    peterhenrik10

    Jan 2, 2015
    Sweden
    Hello all!

    I ´m new here :).

    I have seen a sunburst 71 P-Bass at a dealer. The price is decent (appr $3300, Europe) and it shows no heavy wear and the pots indicates 1971 according to the dealer, he says it is all original. My intention is to buy it, play it and keep it, I´m not a collector.

    However, the neck has no neck stamp on the end. The dealer claims that Fender progressively ended stamping the necks over the first years of the seventies (but later this day a saw a ´72 with a neck stamp). I have seen a few P-basses on ebay with no photo of the neck end which indicates that there has been nothing to photograph. And I have seen a few others with the stamp.
    The neck pocket is stamped Chambers and Jimenez (?).

    Is the dealers statement true? Or does the lack of stamp imply that the neck has been replaced?

    Will the lack of stamp have a significant impact on the future value? What is your opinion?

    Regards

    Peter
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Jan 2, 2015 #2
    Johnny Alien

    Johnny Alien

    Jan 24, 2003
    Harrisburg, PA, USA
    It is not unheard of for necks in that time period to not have a stamp or to have the stamp worn away. If everything else verified it wouldn't keep me away but the lack of 100% positive identification would certainly affect the value IMO.
     
  3. Jan 2, 2015 #3
    jthisdell

    jthisdell

    Jun 12, 2014
    Roanoke, VA
    Hmmm, my '71 has a neck stamp. The serial number will also give you a range of possible dates.

    Actually I was told mine was a '73 when I bought it back in '76 but the neck is stamped '71. Fender would mass produce different batches of necks and bodies and it was common for a neck dated one year to be installed in a finished bass another.
     
  4. Jan 2, 2015 #4
    marc40a

    marc40a

    Mar 20, 2002
    Boston MA
    As Johnny Alien stated, it's not unusual for necks from that era to have a faded stamp or no stamp at all. The fact is well documented so I don't consider it anything that would detract from the value or future appreciation.

    My '71 doesn't have a stamp.
     
  5. Jan 2, 2015 #5
    mikeswals

    mikeswals Supporting Member

    Nov 18, 2002
    Seattle / Tacoma
    Yup, no neck stamp is totally common.
    Those pickups are dated 15th week of 1971. So if you already verified the pots with 71 date codes as well, and you know what everything else should look like for that era, then sounds like youre golden.
     
    peterhenrik10 likes this.
  6. Jan 2, 2015 #6
    Jim Carr

    Jim Carr Dr. Jim

    Jan 21, 2006
    Denton, TX or Kailua, HI
    fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
    Every '69 through '71 P-bass I have owned had a stamp, though as Caca says, it may be missing. Can you post detailed pics or links to pics? I just sold a '69 for about that price, and think I could pretty well verify if it is all at least "period correct," meaning the parts are all genuine and from the right era.
     
  7. Jan 2, 2015 #7
    Jim Carr

    Jim Carr Dr. Jim

    Jan 21, 2006
    Denton, TX or Kailua, HI
    fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
    Welcome to Talkbass.

    If you have more pics, we can comment more, but if the neck really fits the 69-73 style build, you probably won't have to worry about it being a big deal. However, the more stamps, the better, IMHO.
     
  8. Jan 2, 2015 #8
    peterhenrik10

    peterhenrik10

    Jan 2, 2015
    Sweden
    Thanks guys, you have been so helpful and I feel much more confident after reading your comments! :)
    I´ll upload some more pics here.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Jan 2, 2015
  9. Dec 29, 2019 #9
    fishtx

    fishtx Supporting Member

    Mar 30, 2007
    Dallas, TX
    Endorsing Artist: Genzler Amplification/Spector Basses/Mojo Hand FX
    I have a 71 P Bass with no date stamp... it's got some guys name (starts with a "W" I believe) stamped on it.
     
  10. Dec 29, 2019 #10
    godofthunder59

    godofthunder59 Life is short, buy the bass.

    Feb 19, 2006
    Rochester NY USA
    Endorsing Cataldo Basses, Whirlwind products, Thunderbucker pickups
    Looks legit to me. The dot markers should be mother of pearl on a 71 neck.