Strange hole in my new pbass

[Rich48]

I got a new mim pbass for Christmas. I decided to change out the cap on the tone control and when I took the pick guard off I noticed a partially drilled hole above the control cavity that seems to have a small piece of red paper in it. The paper appears to have someone’s initials on it. Anyone see anything like this?

 

[lz4005]

View attachment 2886860 I got a new mim pbass for Christmas. I decided to change out the cap on the tone control and when I took the pick guard off I noticed a partially drilled hole above the control cavity that seems to have a small piece of red paper in it. The paper appears to have someone’s initials on it. Anyone see anything like this?

It's part of the manufacturing process. Most of them have it.

 

[StyleOverShow]

Probably so they can handle the body from a single point. Pretty strange ala Message in a Bottle

 

[Dean N]

Or, it's how they attach the body blank to the CNC machine to cut out the body.

 

[Rich48]

Thanks, I haven’t looked inside a p in a long time.

 

[Vinnie Boombatz]

It's part of the manufacturing process. Most of them have it.

And thread closed after the correct response.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

It's called a pontil, where the piece is held while being turned/shaped.

(maybe a "davit" in woodworking terms, can't recall )

add - This just in:

a reference point (or anchor point as we call them here)

 

[GrapeBass]

Where's ya put your emergency stash.

 

[MEKer]

Hmmm...a strange hole in your P Bass. Maybe it is so it can P? Just guessing....

 

[Watchootognbout]

Odd thing is....is that other makers also use CNC.
And don't have this hole.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

That's because Fender has the luxury of covering it with a pickguard.

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

Do not remove the paper tag!
That's where they add the mojo.
You don't want to let it escape.

 

[Watchootognbout]

That's because Fender has the luxury of covering it with a pickguard.

So Fender can never ever make a bass without a pickguard?

 

[JLY]

Fender version of chambering

 

[RedVee]

So Fender can never ever make a bass without a pickguard.

It shows a Mexican body so that it can’t be passed off as a US body.

 

[Oddly]

And thread closed after the correct response.

Oh come on. When has that ever happened here?

 

[Watchootognbout]

It shows a Mexican body so that it can’t be passed off as a US body.

Why would that matter to Fender?
Especially after they've already gotten their money?
How many other corporations who make basses in the US and overseas do this to deter "passing off"?

 

[Spidey2112]

View attachment 2886860 I got a new mim pbass for Christmas. I decided to change out the cap on the tone control and when I took the pick guard off I noticed a partially drilled hole above the control cavity that seems to have a small piece of red paper in it. The paper appears to have someone’s initials on it. Anyone see anything like this?

Yes...

 

[Hoochie Coochie Man]

It's called a pontil, where the piece is held while being turned/shaped.

(maybe a "davit" in woodworking terms, can't recall )

A pontil is the metal rod used to aid in the glass bottle blowing process.

A davit is a small crane attached to a boat.

I would call it an indexing hole.

 

[gln1955]

So Fender can never ever make a bass without a pickguard?

If they're making a P without a PG, then all of the routing would be different, so obviously they wouldn't use this indexing method.