Real deal or fake Fender?

[GiantSteps]

This is on a precision body, wonderful playing bass, but the decals look sloppy. Is this the real deal? And if real, what series? There is no serial number or country of origin.

Oh, and the tuners seem to have a reverse direction worm gear. Looking down on tuners, turning clockwise increases pitch. Backwards from every Fender I have played before.

 

[FenderOli]

Looks like an Reissue headstock from an American Original 60s Jazz Bass.

 

[GiantSteps]

Looks like an Reissue headstock from an American Original 60s Jazz Bass.

Thank you. What do you think about the decals? They almost look applied over the finish? And contoured body is not well aligned?

 

[Warpeg]

It would help quite a bit if you could post pictures of the rest of the bass.

 

[Beej]

Those had the headstock decal applied over the finish, just like the originals did. That in itself is not enough to determine if it's fake.

 

[ScottfromCalgary]

And yes, they are vintage (reissue) reverse gear tuners. Everything about that headstock looks correct as one of the vintage reissue (made in America) series basses.

 

[Mike Vee]

Vintage and most accurate reissues have the deal over the finish. it's how it was back in the day.

 

[MIMike]

From the very limited evidence and description you provided, it could be an American Vintage Re-issue bass. The serial number on these starts with a “V” and is located on the 4 bolt neck plate. As others have said, the decal is applied on top of the nitro lacquer on this series…and more photos would be helpful in identifying the bass in question.

 

[Killing Floor]

Not much to go on.

I have a Fender MiA P bass that has those cutesy reverse tuners. Dumbest thing Leo ever did. Fight me, I’m right. Those backwards turning tuners are stupid AF and that’s why they were only used on a couple basses. He knew full well it was a stupid idea. That’s why he didn’t risk it on Teles or Strats.

 

[shadven]

My blink is that it is the real deal.

 

[ashtray]

The fact that this is on a P bass, I’d say you have a parts bass with an American neck. If you can get pics of the body with the pickguard off, we might be able to tell if it is also an American series, or Made in Mexico, or a body from another company.

 

[Bassamatic]

In the early days, many basses had the reverse tuners. Like my Hagstrom and some early P basses. We only think it is "reverse" because someone reversed the early style and it became a standard.

I often see basses with the reverse tuners strung up wrong with the strings going off at an angle from the nut because the users doesn't realize they turn the other way to tune.

 

[Matt O]

Hard to say with only a front of headstock shot. Looks like American Vintage ‘64 reissue from where I’m sitting, but if you could pop the neck off and get pics of the butt and back of the heel there should be markings. Also, is it a slab board? Looks like a curved board. Hootenanny button? Dot color?

 

[GiantSteps]

From the info you've shared I think it is the real deal. It is a mutt with the P body.

So what's the ball park going rate for something like this in excellent shape? i know you want to see the rest and body, but keeping this close to the chest for now.

 

[Matt O]

Those backwards turning tuners are Kluson double bass tuners, the only affordable large all metal tuners available in the early days of bass guitar, and that’s why they were used on a couple million basses.

FIFY ​

 

[Dave Leighton]

Without seeing all of the bass, knowing origin of the body, pickups...

I have 2 parts P basses. If I were to sell them, I would ask $700.00 for one and $1600.00 for the other.

Need more info.

Dave

 

[Matt O]

From the info you've shared I think it is the real deal. It is a mutt with the P body.

So what's the ball park going rate for something like this in excellent shape? i know you want to see the rest and body, but keeping this close to the chest for now.

I think you need to be a supporting member to ask about value. Also, it seems you’re only interested in how the decal looks? Just a heads up, that may raise some suspicion among long time members here.

 

[GiantSteps]

I think you need to be a supporting member to ask about value. Also, it seems you’re only interested in how the decal looks? Just a heads up, that may raise some suspicion among long time members here.

I really don't follow you. It has nothing to do with any business on this forum. I am potentially looking to buy this bass, just not going to point anyone to it just yet. If I buy it, I'll post more, if I don't buy it I'll post where it is.

 

[Dave Leighton]

I really don't follow you. It has nothing to do with any business on this forum. I am potentially looking to buy this bass, just not going to point anyone to it just yet. If I buy it, I'll post more, if I don't buy it I'll post where it is.

As you may not be sure of this bass, and are, in the appearance of honesty, trying to get more info and not make a bad purchase. Some will try to get info to try and hook someone like you to buy a fake...

The reason for wanting more pics and info is to not buy it out from under you, but not have you buy it and then get to tell you FAKE!!!

 

[Matt O]

I really don't follow you. It has nothing to do with any business on this forum. I am potentially looking to buy this bass, just not going to point anyone to it just yet. If I buy it, I'll post more, if I don't buy it I'll post where it is.

You should have led with that info. If whoever is selling this bass can’t tell you exactly what parts were used in the build, I’d pass or at least proceed with extreme caution. Unless, of course, it’s super dirt cheap and it plays well.

No one here can tell you for certain if that’s a real Fender neck without a lot of detailed photos.

Also, the “does this logo look legit” question from a new member may appear as though you applied the decal on an all parts neck and are seeing if you can fool “the experts” on TB before putting it on eBay. Not saying that’s what you did, but it has happened in the past.