I sent an email to Fender about this and this is what I just got back:
.......
lol... Nice one FF. Guess everyone will now be drilling holes in their non-Fender instruments thanks to you.
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I sent an email to Fender about this and this is what I just got back:
.......
Here are a couple similar threads from around the internets:
Fender CNC ID Holes - Basschat
Fender Crop Circles ( CNC holes ) explain please - Fender ...
Wait what?Hey, it's all about learning. If you asked me about Santy Claus some years ago, I'd have swore he existed!![]()

lol... Nice one FF. Guess everyone will now be drilling holes in their non-Fender instruments thanks to you.

These threads contain nothing but pure speculation.

That hole is on most MIM bodies, but not on MIA bodies. Any MIA bass that has that hole, which are only a few in the model line, probably had the bodies made in Mexico and shipped up here for painting and assembly.
It's unlikely that hole is associated with the CNC process. The subject has come up many times, and not one shred of proof has arisen. Almost all companies use CNC machines to manufacture guitar bodies. None but MIM Fenders seem to have that odd hole.

I wager Fender put it in there to denote MIM bodies. If you buy an American Special bass they will put an "American Special" decal under the finish on the back of the neck. I would imagine they loath the idea of their parts being upsold as something they aren't. Imagine if you couldn't discern between a MIM and MIA body... at least we all know the MIM bodies have the wee circular route under the pickguard! It is easier to identify a body this way; especially when Strat bodies, for example, all look much the same regardless of model.
I sent an email to Fender about this and this is what I just got back:
Dear FF,
Thank you for your enquiry. The holes in the bodies of Fender instruments address an issue that until now Fender could not confirm nor deny that of so-called inconsistencies, or "dead spots", on the neck of certain Fender instruments. Most notably: the slightly muted or fast-decaying C# on the G string of Fender's bass instruments.
The exact resonant frequency of each body is now determined via a new proprietary method exclusive to Fender. This process involves an electro-mechanical spectogram, with a testing head that simulates the human knuckle. The body is tapped by the knuckle-like testing head and measured to determine where the inconsistency is, once found it is then cut out, this subsequently balances out the inconsistency in the neck.
In less technical terms, to come to the point, any inconsistency is eliminated and the notes ring true from every fret position.
Now that testing is complete on certain models from the Made-In-Mexico line, the Fender Tempering Divot® will be implemented throughout the rest of Fender's production lines in Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Japan and of course right here in the USA.
Thank you for your enquiry, hope this helps.
Best regards,
Miss Innphoarmashun
Artist Relations Advisor
Product Support
Fendar Muscial Instrumints Carporation
19760 S. Perlnutter Dive, Suite 001

Scattsdale, AZ 85205
USA
Phony: 480.596.4110

Flux: 480.596.1234
Emale: [email protected]
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It's a nostril, so the wood can "breathe"...

Awful lot of wise guys on this forum...

I heard through the dealer gravebind that Miss Innphoarmashun is HawT!