Stu Hamm Urge I MIA basses: years made?

[Lauralena]

Hi! Question: Anyone know what year Fender produced the American-made Urge I Signature bass (the one with three pickups, NOT to be confused with the Stu Hamm Standard MIM bass with two pickups)?

Reason I'm asking is that every reference book/Web page I look at, it says this bass was produced 1993–1999. But over the past few months, every time I entered the serial numbers of one I saw for sale on eBay or elsewhere into the Fender serial number decoder, EVERY number came up as 1989! (Every serial number begin SE91____.) In fact, there was an Urge I that sold on Elderly sometime ago that was advertised as 1989:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]


Can anyone solve this mystery? Thank you!

 

[Larry Hartke]

Hey Lauralena,

Stu Hamm was the first artist to have a Fender signature bass. In late 1992 they made four Urge 1 prototypes at the Fender Custom Shop before putting them into production in 1993. I have Stu's Prototype 001 on loan and they gave me prototype 004 in 1992. They painted mine in bright yellow which was not an available color and I believe it's the only bright yellow one ever made. Here they are the first and forth ever Fender signature basses together again and now on display at "Hartke's 48th Street Bass Lounge" in Times Square.

 

[Lauralena]

Thanks! This is interesting, and I work in the Times Square area, so I'll go check them out! But I'm still wondering why serial numbers on these are dating them as 1989.

 

[Duplo42]

Nothing to add or reply here, eh? Cause you can take the first reply to the bank, thats why

 

[Lauralena]

I'm not doubting Larry's reply. But I wish there was a way to effectively date this particular-model bass by its serial number alone. Obviously, there isn't.

 

[spade2you]

The serial number seems a bit odd, but who cares how old it is. Somewhere in the 90's and they're good basses. I used to have one in the same color.

 

[Midinut]

I think I have the answer! I have just picked up one of these basses in excellent condition and yes, according to the dating "tool" it is a 1989. Yet after taking the neck off, the neck was dated 21 Sep 1993 and the body 08-1993. So there you have it!

 

[ygdartis]

Hey,

My comment is not gonna bring a lot, but i got the same model, number SE913243 identified as a 1989 as well,.. Bought in Thailand ; those things seem to travel more than we do !

Pretty sweet instrument, versatile and lightweighted which almost allows a fretless feeling on some of it's settings, but although all it's advantages i miss something. I was actually checking out the price i could sell it.

The ad you saw was asking for $850, but if some of you happen to know a bit more regarding guitar quotations..

I can also try to unscrew the neck to check whether it's dated 93, like Mr Midnut's bass. Gonna try that.

Thanks, and a nice day or night to everyone.

 

[affprod]

November of 2012 and I am trying to by an Urge bass, had the same question about dating the instrument. Found the answer in this year and a half old string. Thanks!!!

 

[More or Les]

1989 seems to be the answer.