Please Look This '72 P Bass Over

[The Bass Clef]

OK, I stand corrected. Mine is not exactly like either one as mine is a lefty and has the Fender amp logo with three rivets! A tad difficult to see, but here it is!

That logo was put on cases from 1967-72. And the stockpile lasted a couple years beyond that.

Here's just a question for all... my '72 Jazz (mid 300K's) does not have a skunk stripe. Were P-necks made differently? My board is rosewood w/blocks.

Rosewood boards have no skunk stripes in the '60s up until the mid '70s. The reason for the stripe on 1-piece (maple) necks is because they had to make the channel for, and insert the truss rod from the back, and then covered with the walnut stripe. But on the rosewood necks, the channel was routed and the truss rod installed from the top, before the rosewood board was glued on. So no need for a skunk stripe. But in the mid '70s they started doing skunk stripes on rosewood boards for looks only. All of this goes for vintage Jazzes and Ps.

 

[The Bass Clef]

Another little nugget of info.. the first maple necks in the '50s had skunk stripes like the '70s, then it was all rosewood for Ps and Js from 1960 until about '68 when they started offering maple necks custom. The maple necks from '68 and '69 used the same blanks as the rosewood necks and just had maple fretboards glued on them (and no skunk stripes) instead of rosewood boards. The "maple cap" necks are very rare and command more $$ than the maple necks of the '70s that were 1-piece/skunk necks.

 

[Venomouscontrol]

Honestly, I think that the "wear stripe" makes the neck look beautiful.

 

[brokencode]

So, is this logo correct for 1972?

Linnin is your 76 case logo like this:

or like this (note the second rivet next to the r):

Top pic is a '66-'68 case. Bottom pic is a '72-'76 case

 

[brokencode]

Drum Roll Please................ Well, I did it. I came home with her! He came down a little, not what I offered though. But no regrets at all. A long 2 hr ride back home and now my car smells like 1972... I'm not kidding! The bass and case smells 42 yrs old. Very musty. I don't know if that's good or bad either. I noodled around a good bit, the neck is... well like a neck should feel on a 42 y/o bass. Electronics are nice and quite, setup was way lower than I'm used to. But it's setup perfectly, not gonna change a thing. Funny thing, he brought all of his family and I was just going nuts the whole time about his bass. They thought I was crazy until I hand over C notes. lol So... I bought her. He said it was a refin... but look at the checking. It's awesome. I played it for hours last night. The wife finally shut me down at midnight. This may sound crazy, but I swear it was playing itself at times... That's the Mojo huh?

Just a few more.... I'm Punped!

 

[A-Step-Towards]

It does look like a sweet bass dude.

I would reallllly like to see it with the guard off so the pickup and control route can be seen and also maybe the route under the bridge as I would like to see it or the pot codes as well, because I truly think its newer then '72 and I also think that finish is OG but I get not wanting to tear apart a new bass so if you are happy not being totally positive dont bother for some internet folks haha.

 

[TomB]

Another little nugget of info.. the first maple necks in the '50s had skunk stripes like the '70s, then it was all rosewood for Ps and Js from 1960 until about '68 when they started offering maple necks custom. The maple necks from '68 and '69 used the same blanks as the rosewood necks and just had maple fretboards glued on them (and no skunk stripes) instead of rosewood boards. The "maple cap" necks are very rare and command more $$ than the maple necks of the '70s that were 1-piece/skunk necks.

Cool detail - thanks!

 

[JIO]

Looks like a second string-tree installed at one time. Pretty common really. I know what you mean about the bass playing itself. I recently bought a '66 P and I continually feel like this is going on. Old, much played instruments have a memory and are at their best when that continues. A good cleaning, fresh air/sunlight and a bit of Lysol spray will help w/the musty-ness, especially the case lining. Enjoy!

 

[Pimmsley]

Congrats ! Great find and happy days ahead

My Birth year... I am hoping to find a 72' P of my own next year...

 

[brokencode]

It does look like a sweet bass dude.

I would reallllly like to see it with the guard off so the pickup and control route can be seen and also maybe the route under the bridge as I would like to see it or the pot codes as well, because I truly think its newer then '72 and I also think that finish is OG but I get not wanting to tear apart a new bass so if you are happy not being totally positive dont bother for some internet folks haha.

Hey hey, you and I go way back.... on the internet. lol I plan on removing the PG and neck, I just need to play it a bit. I already know the pickguard and the vol pot are not original. What cha mean "finish is OG"?

 

[bassrich]

Looks great glad you like it, does it have holes in the pick guard for the pup cover?

 

[msb]

Two little things , usually the bridge screw on the G string is longer than the others on a 72 bridge , and they usually have a plastic piece under the neck plate .

 

[brokencode]

Two little things , usually the bridge screw on the G string is longer than the others on a 72 bridge , and they usually have a plastic piece under the neck plate .

Do you happen to have a photo of the '72 bridge?

 

[ukulelelab]

So, is this logo correct for 1972?

No, I maintain logo on your case is correct for '66 to '68, not '72. With a '72 pbass I would have expected a 'tail' logo like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Fen...453?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item3f37972aed

 

[6jase5]

I have nothing to add other than congrats on the new to you bass. I've often thought about pulling the trigger on a 72 pbass myself. That makes at least two amazing things that came out of 1972, well, one came out of my mother if we're getting all technical.

 

[veebass]

Congrats- my main gigging bass for the last five years has been a maple board 73 with a B width neck. It has very similar wear on the side of the neck from my rings.
It has a similar pickguard to yours, but I have an original white one put away. mine is about 8.5 lbs, what does your one weigh?
Here she is.

 

[zacmac]

Congrats on a great bass! I think you did fine for a refin 72' price wise. I sold a 72' 2 weeks ago that had a jazz pickup route but original paint on here for $1600. The shift in alignment of your strings may be a loose neck pocket that you can fix by loostening your strings, loostening the 4 screws on the back and shifting the neck until it lines up correctly. They were notorious for oversized neck pockets back then

 

[msb]

 

[brokencode]

Congrats- my main gigging bass for the last five years has been a maple board 73 with a B width neck. It has very similar wear on the side of the neck from my rings.
It has a similar pickguard to yours, but I have an original white one put away. mine is about 8.5 lbs, what does your one weigh?
Here she is.

Love that Black and Maple! I like that, learned a new word today.... Ringwear. Mine is right at 9.0.

 

[brokencode]

Congrats on a great bass! I think you did fine for a refin 72' price wise. I sold a 72' 2 weeks ago that had a jazz pickup route but original paint on here for $1600. The shift in alignment of your strings may be a loose neck pocket that you can fix by loostening your strings, loostening the 4 screws on the back and shifting the neck until it lines up correctly. They were notorious for oversized neck pockets back then

Thanks man. The camera angle was the only thing off. The alignment is dead on.