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Please help date this P-bass (w/ pics)

Vinnie Boombatz

Vinnie Boombatz

Inactive
May 26, 2010
2,640
5,402
#1
I just picked up this P-bass this morning. No idea how old it is or what year it is (but I have my guesses and am keeping my fingers crossed. I'm not a bass player (banjo, guitar, ukulele) and was looking for a cheap MIM to throw a Badass bridge and Fralin pup in, and came across this one...

Obviously the Badass bridge isn't stock, and neither is the Dimarzio pup. The serial number dates it to around 1975, and has the "f" on the neck plate which was done around this time if I understand it correctly. I have attached pics of the neck but unfortunately cannot identify the stamp on it. I've also attached pics of the neck joint, since maybe someone could identify the stamps/markings in there. The pots have the numbers: 032367, 1377613, 250K-A on them.

So what's the consensus? I paid $250 for this P-bass and a Crate BX-40 amp.

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#6
Mousekillaz said:
Major score! even if it plays like a boat anchor, that thing is worth good $
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It actually plays really well. Funny thing, I took it by my buddy's on my way home and said, "check this out". He replied before I opened the case, "It smells like my birth year!" He was born in '75 (I was born in '76) which is right around where the SN# on the neck plate dates it, but who knows. It could be an old neck plate that was put on there.

Waiting for someone who could give me a better idea of when this bass was made and if it is in fact from the '70's.
 
#11
And I thought I scored with my '77 for $599. I love the sunburst finishes on the mid to late 70's Fender basses. The pots date to early '76 so that is what I'm guessing. Just before they switched to the smaller logo and S76 decal numbers on the headstock.
 
#13
The one thing I've noticed about this bass is it has no wear on the neck, the body is in great shape, no checking (I'm assuming it's a nitro finish), it's just dirty. Picked up some new D'Addario EXL170's for it, will clean it and polish it up and see how she sounds.
 
#17
Stone Soup said:
Someone got ripped off, BIG time.
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I wouldnt say that they got ripped off (at least knowingly). in all honesty I took a chance on it, had no idea what it was either, and then started dating it at home. Please don't think I went into it knowing what it was. I am not an authority on Fender basses, it says nowhere on it where it was made, and had no idea about dating the SN# until I got it home. I just don't want people to think I took the seller for a ride. Was all in good faith. I figured it was worth a chance for $250. It just happened to work out in my favor. everyone has access to the internet and the seller could have easily done a quick search to get an idea of it's worth and when it was made, etc. just like I did when I got it home. I took off the neck, dated the SN# on the neck plate, etc. Something anyone with a little motivation can do.
 
#18
Just cleaned her up, polished the bridge, tuners and frets, cleaned and polished the body and neck. I'm still blown away and how little neck wear there is on the back of the neck. The frets were REALLY dirty, almost tarnished looking, as were the knobs, but everything shined up pretty good. Now I just have to throw some strings on!

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