Decoding a 70's P-Bass

jakk9999 · Hobbyist Joined: 02 Nov 2009 Posts: 3

Can anyone tell me if Fender, during the 70's kept any records that would help verify serial #s, i.e. decode like a VIN, but state the color and options?
Just trying to find out some history on my '77 beyond year and plant manifactured

Jakk

Telebass · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:18 am Post subject:

No, there's no such decode. As for plant, well, in 77 there was only one - Fullerton!
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1996 Fender Precision '51 RI, Blond
2004 Fender Precision Std, Black-as-yer-'at
2007 Squier VM Precision TB, sunburst
Markbass CMD121H and ext cab

jakk9999 · Hobbyist Joined: 02 Nov 2009 Posts: 3

Thanks, That's what I thought, but figured I woud throw it out there. I am most curious with the stock Jazz pick up in the bridge position and what seems to be a Jazz neck profile. I see they make a P-Bass deluxe nowadays that has these similarities, could this be an early example?

BCbassman · Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:13 pm Post subject:

It took Fender a reletively long time to actually make a Precision bass with the added Jazz bass pickup. That was a favorite after market modification and if your bass is a '1977, it did not come with a Jazz bass bridge pickup from the factory.
The jazzbass neck profile was a rare but not unknown option on a Precision bass. The neck profiles were A for a jazz bass, B for standard precision and C for wide necks. I remember trying a V neck Precision around 1979 , so that was also an option.
On your bass, somebody installed the pickup and usually moved the jack to the side of the body and used the old jack hole for the tone control and added another volume for the jazz pickup.
Is that the way your bass is configured?
Pictures are always a help.
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I can only offer my opinion backed up by the facts I think I know.

jakk9999 · Hobbyist Joined: 02 Nov 2009 Posts: 3

Thanks for all your help and info, once I figure out how to add photos, I'll send them along .