Serial Number Help....Is this a lacquer 50's P Bass?

[StudioGC]

Just purchased this slightly abused 50's P Bass on ebay (UK). The seller states it's a lacquer P bass. When I questioned how he could tell this was lacquer instead of the lower end urethane model....he said he didn't know.

I took a chance on it anyway as even if it's urethane I got it for a nice price.

Question is, is there a way to tell via the serial number more details on the bass other then year and which plant it was made?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Ienjoybass]

Fender Classic Series '50s Precision Bass Lacquer - Black

 

[MrMoonlight]

Well, the serial number dates the bass as a 2008 model. The nitro-finish version of the MIM Classic '50s P wasn't introduced until several years later.

Currently, new Classic '50s P's with a black finish are all nitro. The poly finishes are Sunburst, Fiesta Red and Honey Blonde (Black is no longer available in poly, AFAIK). The Road Worn versions of this model are, however, all nitro finished as this finish is better suited as a basis for the relic-ing process.

But based on the serial, I'm fairly certain your bass has a polyurethane finish.

 

[hypercarrots]

I agree with mrmoonlight

classic series 50s p was introduced in 05/06 and came in black then. the lacquer version was introduced in 2012/13. Fender Introduces Classic Series Precision and Jazz Basses with Lacquer Finishes

Another way to tell is the lacquer versions have yellow tinted necks

 

[ChrisBersbach]

I hope this thread isn't too old to revive, but I'm wrestling with a similar question on a 2017 sunburst P bass that I'm offering for sale and trying to advertise correctly. The serial number lookup describes the body finish as "gloss urethane," which seems to conflict with all the product descriptions of the Classic Series during this era as having the nitrocellulose finish. Am I misunderstanding the finish descriptions (not a chemist here)?

If it helps, the serial number of my bass is MX17827809. Thanks for any assistance y'all can provide!