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Post subject: Info needed on active P Bass - Fake?
Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 4:17 pm
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Hi!

Looking for info on this bass. According to the previous owner it was purchased in the 70s. Some switches were added and EMG pickups installed.

There are no standard serial numbers. The back plate and underneath the back battery cover indicate "Ser Num M2000" which doesn't really help at all. There is some writing on the neck heel but nothing no stamp like I would expect to see.

The "Precision Bass" logo looks like nothing I've ever seen either.

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. On interesting note is that the one volume knob is an "R137 6611"

http://imgur.com/a/42L39#0 <-- all pictures here!


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Post subject: Re: Info needed on active P Bass - Fake?
Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 2:48 am
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Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:34 pm
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Location: Athens, Greece
Sounds like a frankenbass with a post-2009 MIM Standard neck attached.


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Post subject: Re: Info needed on active P Bass - Fake?
Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 4:58 am
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I think my Dad's had the guitar for longer than 3 years, can't be a 2009 or newer neck.


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Post subject: Re: Info needed on active P Bass - Fake?
Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 9:20 am
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Then someone put a fake headstock decal on it!


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Post subject: Re: Info needed on active P Bass - Fake?
Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 8:31 am
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Very interesting photos. This bass has been highly customized. But nothing done in the customization should have disturbed serials. All Fender USA instruments have a serialized bridge (early 50's) serialized neckplate or have a serialized decal on the headstock. Why the serial was removed on this one is anyone's guess. The fact it was removed makes this a player class parts bass. It may be a very nice player but it is a player and not a collector class instrument. The pot code given dates to March 13th through 20th of 1966. A 66 collector class P-Bass is worth about 6 times as much as any player class no matter how nice the player is. If it was born in 1966 it would have a serialized neckplate and a different decal. Can't authenticate this as anything but a collection of parts that have been put together to make an instrument. The battery cover is exceptionally interesting.


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Post subject: Re: Info needed on active P Bass - Fake?
Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 1:22 pm
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Thanks for the information. Unfortunately, that single pot is the only thing I can positively say is from 1966.

Have you ever seen that particular headstock logo, all black with that PRECISION BASS font? The fact that the word "BASS" is curved a bit makes me think that decal was added by someone who wasn't too skilled.

The paint/stain continues into the battery compartment, so I think either it was an original job by Fender or (more likely) that a refinish was done at the same time that the battery compartment was added.

Has anyone ever seen that battery cover? The decal was applied well on the battery cover.. I'd say it appears to be a factory item.


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Post subject: Re: Info needed on active P Bass - Fake?
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 12:47 pm
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That is the first time I've ever seen such a cover or even that particular battery orientation and placement. It is very slick work and whoever re-worked this instrument was experienced and innovative. I would never have used that battery placement as it would have the potential to negatively impact the resonance around the bridge. I doubt Fender R&D would have even tried that position either as they usually go further away from the bridge.

My conclusion is that this is a customized parts bass and a very unique and interesting one at that. But still it is a parts bass consisting of non-Fender and some Fender parts.

The neck paddle markings are not Fender either. There are 8 screw holes on the neck meaning that the neck has been used on at least two different instruments.

There would have been no battery compartment on any Fender bass with that '66 pot in it. If it is a re-routed 66/67 Fender body, which is possible, the neck is not original to it. I can't explain why the black magic marker code is written on the neck over another code but can say the magic marker code it is not like any Fender neck code I've ever seen. I also do not see any other Fender inspection markings on the neck either. The pickguard was setup for a truss rod adjustment on the butt end of the neck, but this neck has headstock truss rod adjustment access. The neck and body were obviously not born together.


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