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Please date my neck!

L

lazzer

May 20, 2006
40
0
#1
Dear all,
I have in my posession, what appears to be an old Fender Jazz bass. It's in a bit of a state and has been stained dark brown.....

The neck looks pretty old to me and has the following features; maple board with pearl block markers which are cracked! Black Fender decal without serial number on the headstock. Truss rod adjusts at the body end. White edge binding (looks like it might have been painted on possibly) 4 screws to fasten to the body and the neck plate has a large "F" and the number 537931 stamped above. The name "J Torres" and a symbol with what looks like "INSP 31" within a circle are stamped on the heel of the neck.

Everything else looks pretty old and worn and I am wondering if the body could be stripped of it's refinished dark brown. The bass seems quite light, so I am wondering if it is made of ash?

Sorry if a bit long winded guys, but could anyone give me some clues as to the authenticity/age of this instrument....

Thanks in advance
 
#2
Judging by your details; 4 bolt neck with heel-end truss adjustment, and with a 537xxx serial. Puts it about an early 1974.

Yeah you can strip the stain and finish it whatever you like.
If it's lightweight then it's alder, Ash they used then was Norther Ash, and it was not light.
 
#8
My resources show that the 500,000's range of serial numbers were used in late 73,74, 75, and the begining of 76. Looks like Fender serial numbers were all over the place in that era. I'd say call it a '74 and you'll be in the ball park. All the other info is consistant with this era as well. If it's an original finish, DO NOT strip and refinish it. You will seriously devalue the instrument if you do.
 
#12
savit260 said:
My resources show that the 500,000's range of serial numbers were used in late 73,74, 75, and the begining of 76. Looks like Fender serial numbers were all over the place in that era. I'd say call it a '74 and you'll be in the ball park. All the other info is consistant with this era as well. If it's an original finish, DO NOT strip and refinish it. You will seriously devalue the instrument if you do.
Click to expand...

Thanks Savit for your comments. Unfortunately it's NOT an original body finish, it's had a dark brown translucent stain applied, otherwise I would certainly be following your advice and leaving it the hell alone!

Lazzer
 
#14
resources show that the 500,000's range of serial numbers were used in late 73,74, 75, and the begining of 76.
Click to expand...

Yes, serials were always all over the place, but it's the parts details that help me narrow it down to the year than just going by a serial; In 73 the black blocks and binding were still in full effect for their last year. And in very-late '74, and '75 and '76 the necks used bullet truss adjustments and were 3-bolt neck plates. So this neck has pearl blocks and 4-bolt attachment brings me to a early-mid 1974 conclusion.

-Mike
 
#15
jetpackbassist said:
now let's try mine!

-4 bolt neck with heel-end truss adj.
-neck stamp (on heel) 0203 4641
-pot code 137 6642
-neckplate serial #282848

the bass may be a frankenbass.... any info is appreciated!
Click to expand...

Jetpack, The handy dandy neck decoder breaks it down like this. 0203 4641:
02 = jazz bass
03 = maple fretboard
46 = 46th week of the year
4 = 1974
1 = monday

Your pots are dated the 42nd week of 1966 and the serial covers very-late '68, to very early '70 (but mostly '69).
Do your pickups have date stamps on the bottoms?

Yeah it seems like a frankenbass to me. The '66 pots with a '69-ish plate is right for that timeframe. But the idea of those parts being factory for 1974 is too far fetched.
 
#17
Correct! it's a '74.
137 = means it's manufactured by CTS
74 = 1974
05 = 5th week

If you want to dig around anymore, the bottoms of the pickups should have date stamps too. If they're original, then should be four digits. The two middle digits are the week, and the last digit the year.

Are you sure the finish isn't original? Because they did make the translucent brown stain finish called mocha, and it was clear coated.
 
#18
Caca de Kick said:
Correct! it's a '74.
137 = means it's manufactured by CTS
74 = 1974
05 = 5th week

If you want to dig around anymore, the bottoms of the pickups should have date stamps too. If they're original, then should be four digits. The two middle digits are the week, and the last digit the year.

Are you sure the finish isn't original? Because they did make the translucent brown stain finish called mocha, and it was clear coated.
Click to expand...
Thanks mate, I will look at the pups tomorrow! As for the finish, I will double check that with the last owner, and if he doesn't know, he could ask the original owner! I intend to get to the bottom of this.......

Lazzer:)
 
#19
Caca de Kick said:
Jetpack, The handy dandy neck decoder breaks it down like this. 0203 4641:
02 = jazz bass
03 = maple fretboard
46 = 46th week of the year
4 = 1974
1 = monday

Your pots are dated the 42nd week of 1966 and the serial covers very-late '68, to very early '70 (but mostly '69).
Do your pickups have date stamps on the bottoms?

Yeah it seems like a frankenbass to me. The '66 pots with a '69-ish plate is right for that timeframe. But the idea of those parts being factory for 1974 is too far fetched.
Click to expand...


thanks for the info! i'll try to look under the pickups... see what's up.
 

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