P Bass Original or Partsacaster?

[Jazz Bass Girl]

Went to see this bass today. But after inspection I walked away.


I had some doubts over its authenticity so would welcome some thoughts on what everyone else thinks here.

It was owned by a guy who was known in his day to build up guitars. He also had a jazz of the same period but had been badly refinished (pictures next to each other).
This P bass body did have some age-related discolouring, but it just didn't feel like it all add up to me.

Am I wrong here? Have I walked away from a good buy?

 

[alembicbones]

Looks like a legit late 70's / early 80's Fender P Bass to me. Interesting that the same serial number is in the neck pocket and the headstock.

I don't think that was in production color at that time so I would guess the blue is a refin. Also, note the shim in the neck pocket. If it plays well, sounds good and is priced competitively, might be a cool bass.

Bones

 

[Johnny Alien]

The body was refinished at some point. During that period they would put SN stickers in the body but usually in the pickup cavity. Probably someone pulled it when refinishing and put it back on. I don't think the covers would be original either. But the neck looks correct for the period. S8 numbers went all the way into the early 80's so you will have to check the pots to see what year they date to (if they are original)

 

[Johnny Alien]

Its been awhile since I tried to read those 70's neck codes. I think its 01 - Precision, 02 - maple fretboard, 33 - 33rd week of the year, 0 - most likely means 1980....and I don't know what the last digit is.

 

[P. Aaron]

The blue color is the only unusual thing about the bass. Otherwise, the lines seem right.

 

[SulzerType2]

I'm guessing somebody sold them the Jazz bass at the same time. They must have liked that flat shade of blue, or it was a requirement to join a show band or something.

 

[FenderOli]

I had some doubts over its authenticity so would welcome some thoughts on what everyone else thinks here.

Looks like Maui Blue (583) from the International Color Series.

They also came with black anodised pickguard screws - look like it is 100% original.

 

[Jazz Bass Girl]

Looks like Maui Blue (583) from the International Color Series.
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They also came with black anodised pickguard screws - look like it is 100% original.

Super useful!! Could it be '81 rather than '77 then? Potentially using older parts as it seems Fender did around that time?

 

[OnTheDownLow]

It looks like a Maui Blue Fender to me. That's cool that they had a matching Jazz Bass as well.

 

[Admiral Akbar]

It's definitely from 1981. International Colors series, as shown above.

'Maui blue is gorgeous - I love that look on the jazz bass with the pearl blocks!

 

[chris_b]

It would have been worse if you'd bought it and then started worrying.

Don't question your gut. You walked away. That was the right decision for you.

 

[Jazz Bass Girl]

It would have been worse if you'd bought it and then started worrying.

Don't question your gut. You walked away. That was the right decision for you.

Thanks, Chris!

Looks like maybe the P was original (albeit later than advertised). But I still believe the J was definitely a repaint. Like you say, it was just a gut feeling based on the two coming from the same place!

 

[Johnny Alien]

I guess it's possible. As I mentioned that serial number went into the 80's and it's not at all unheard of for a neck dated 80 to end up on an 81 but it seems unusual for a fender neck pocket to be completely painted solid with no markings. That is what screams refinish to me. But maybe thats what they did with the international colors. Maybe the international colors were resprayed stock bodies.

 

[God's Favorite Bass]

I would stop walking away from and start running towards, but that's me.

 

[bcbassman]

I think that its legit. Fender was trying a lot of new manufacturing techniques in the 80's.
That is why the finish in the neck pocket could be that way they did it then. I am not 100% sure but it could be.
CNC was starting to be used and those rounded P-bass pickup covers were the new style starting in the late 70's.
You don't show the neck plate or the pickup or under the pickguard. There are a lot more clues with those pictures, but if you like the bass and the price, I would say go for it.

 

[Jazz Bass Girl]

I think that its legit. Fender was trying a lot of new manufacturing techniques in the 80's.
That is why the finish in the neck pocket could be that way they did it then. I am not 100% sure but it could be.
CNC was starting to be used and those rounded P-bass pickup covers were the new style starting in the late 70's.
You don't show the neck plate or the pickup or under the pickguard. There are a lot more clues with those pictures, but if you like the bass and the price, I would say go for it.

I've got these photos but non of pickup/pot codes:


I was just conscious because it felt pretty pricey for late 70s (roughly $3600/£3'000/€3600).

 

[Johnny Alien]

That's aggressively high even if its the original color. International colors do bring a premium over other 80's basses but not that much of a premium.

 

[FenderOli]

Can't be a refin - or how do someone put the FRR stamp (from pic above) later on?

 

[Johnny Alien]

I guess I missed that part. And I also saw that most instruments from that era had the serial number in the neck pocket. I think that probably nails it down as an original 81 Precision in Maui Blue. Minus confirming the electronics it all looks legit. Still seems like a really high price to me. For that money I would go for a fullerton era reissue.

 

[Bikeguy57]

WAY overpriced. 3,200 will get you a pre-owned Custom Shop that's light-years ahead of any late 70's or 80's Fender.