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Post subject: 79 original p bass or 80s refin?
Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:04 pm
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I recently bought what I was told was an all original 79 p bass. It is incredibly light (around 8-8.5 lb) and is a gold finish, which I was told was probably a custom order.

After inspecting it at home I found that the pots are dated to 82, and there is some gold paint on the wiring under the pickguard, as well as a little bit of black that shows between the gold and the wood.

I called Chicago Music Exchange, where I bought the bass, and was told that they double and triple checked the bass because of its rarity, including looking at it under a black light, and they are convinced it is all original. They said that more than likely the bass didn't have any pots put in it until 1982, but that the neck, body, and finish are all original 79.

Do you think this is true? Or do you think it's more likely that this bass was refinished around 1982, at which time gold was a more standard color and that the pots were replaced then? Or possibly even that the body is all original 82, perhaps explaining the lighter weight as well?

I appreciate any help you can give!


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Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:07 pm
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A serial number would be a great help in determining the real age of your bass. That and a couple of pictures of the body neck and headstock would also be good to see.
The challenge for you is to determine not only the age of the bass but if it was refinished. The latter will have a greater impact on the value and perhaps may lead to you having a complaint with the way the bass was represented to you when you bought it.

I think in 1982- 83 Fender started using all white pickguards and pickups of the American precision and Jazz basses. Th Jazz had an unusual one piece white pickguard that eliminated the chrome control plate.

If you bass has any of these features is would make it closer to 82- 83.

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Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2009 5:18 pm
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Well actually,do you have any active electronics in your bass ?If yes,that bass could be made only after 1979.And as I understood the tuners re gold,aren't they?This model,Fender Precision bass special was made only after 1980.


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Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 11:15 am
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I can help you if you can post some pictures of your bass.
Namely: a shot of the headstock logo that shows the serial number.
a full body and neck shot and any pictures of the body with the pickguard removed and showing the wiring harness and any over spray from the body cavity and on wiring.

There is no way a '79 bass has '82 pots. The don't wear out that fast so I think you have a '82 bass that had its neck replaced with a 79 neck.
This did not happen at the Fender factory. If they replace a neck it will be newer than the body.

That doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with the bass. It is just not what you were told that you were buying.

If its an '82- they should refund your money and accept it in return if that bothers you. Or you can keep it if it is a good bass and you feel you paid a fair price. Only you can answer that question.

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