#1958967 - 06/17/08 01:03 PM
P-Bass Info
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LeeTron
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Registered: 06/10/08
Posts: 4
Loc: Sherman, TX
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How can I learn more about the history/geneology of a Fender P-bass if the serial numbers on the instrument are no longer legible?
This bass was stolen from me 25 years ago. It was recovered shortly thereafter, but the thief did a pretty good job of eradicating the serial numbers.
Is there any other way anyone can think of to learn more about this bass (location of manufacture, year manufactured, value, etc) based on aspects of its original construction, finish color, pickguard composition/color, thumb rest placement, etc? I have pictures of the instrument before it was stolen, but none clear enough to read the original SN off the headstock.
It says made in U.S.A. on the headstock, so I got that going for me... and for some reason, 1978 sticks in my head as a manufacturing date. Other then that, I got nothing...
Any ideas?
LeeTron
Edited by LeeTron (06/17/08 01:04 PM)
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#1958971 - 06/17/08 01:10 PM
Re: P-Bass Info
[Re: LeeTron]
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jeremy c
10k Club
Registered: 02/01/01
Posts: 10829
Loc: Berkeley,CA,UNITED STATES
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LeeTron, there have been slight changes in the design of the bass over the years.
Sometimes you can tell the age of the bass by the bridge design, if there are holes for the pickup cover, if there are holes for the thumb rest (and where they are).
There are also serial numbers on the pots which can help identification of the year of manufacture.
There is also a Fender forum where there are people who know these kinds of things.
Good luck at tracking down the history of your bass!
(And welcome to the Lowdown!)
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#1958985 - 06/17/08 01:32 PM
Re: P-Bass Info
[Re: jeremy c]
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jcdlc72
Senior Member
Registered: 12/11/07
Posts: 371
Loc: Caracas, DF. Venezuela.
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Try also checking the neck.. that is.. when you unscrew the neck from the body, at the bottom of the neck joint (the ""other" extreme, where the neck joins the body) there are usually certain numbers and letters printed, which state the date of manufacture of the instrument. I am not sure if/when Fender has stopped doing this, but in most 60s/70s Fender instruments I've had on my hands, seen, owned or played, this has been a rule...
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#1959007 - 06/17/08 02:00 PM
Re: P-Bass Info
[Re: jcdlc72]
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The Pot
Senior Member
Registered: 06/13/08
Posts: 58
Loc: PA
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Yea check the neck under where it bolts on. Usually some info there.
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"Music is the space between the notes." -Claude Debussy
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#1959043 - 06/17/08 02:50 PM
Re: P-Bass Info
[Re: The Pot]
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Davo-London
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Registered: 03/07/05
Posts: 1949
Loc: London, England
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Also supply a picture of the bass and that will give us a clue.
Davo
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#1959083 - 06/17/08 04:28 PM
Re: P-Bass Info
[Re: Davo-London]
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Rocky MacDougall
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 04/08/06
Posts: 3121
Loc: San Antonio, Texas
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My favorite Go-to reference book is, "The Fender Bass, an Illistraed History" by J.W. Black and Albert Molinaro, published by Hal-Leonard. It has great reference photography. There are several other good books. All are available on line.
Welcome to the Forum,
Rocky
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When you reach a point in life where you realize you don't know anything, then you are getting smart !
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#1959106 - 06/17/08 05:27 PM
Re: P-Bass Info
[Re: jcdlc72]
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Bumpcity
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 08/13/01
Posts: 5786
Loc: Seattle, WA
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Try also checking the neck.. that is.. when you unscrew the neck from the body, at the bottom of the neck joint (the ""other" extreme, where the neck joins the body) there are usually certain numbers and letters printed, which state the date of manufacture of the instrument. I am not sure if/when Fender has stopped doing this, but in most 60s/70s Fender instruments I've had on my hands, seen, owned or played, this has been a rule...
Indeed. I was going to suggest the same.
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#1959142 - 06/17/08 06:53 PM
Re: P-Bass Info
[Re: LeeTron]
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LeeTron
Member
Registered: 06/10/08
Posts: 4
Loc: Sherman, TX
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Thanks everybody. I will try to scan in an old picture (pre-thievery) and a more recent one. I have just now gotten the bass dialed-in and am loathe to disassemble it again now that it is playing so sweetly.
The next time the truss rod needs adjustment (you have to loosen the neck to get to it) I will take the neck completely off and record whatever info is present there. I also plan on replacing the original black pickguard (it's cracked near the cord plug) with a lighter color so when I do that, I'll see if there is any info printed on the volume and tone pots and collect that as well.
Thanks also for making me feel welcome. Rawk on!
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#1959154 - 06/17/08 07:14 PM
Re: P-Bass Info
[Re: LeeTron]
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Frank M
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Registered: 11/21/03
Posts: 1737
Loc: Benton City, WA
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Inspected by 42.
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Respectfully, Frank M They have to keep me. I own the domain name. The Columbia Jazz Trio
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#1959337 - 06/18/08 06:39 AM
Re: P-Bass Info
[Re: Frank M]
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jcadmus
Platinum Member
Registered: 11/22/05
Posts: 1147
Loc: Connecticut
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Also, check under the pickguard, if it's original.
My '76 J-Bass had a serial # sticker on the underside of the pickguard -- no kidding.
Good luck.
Edited by jcadmus (06/18/08 06:40 AM)
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