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Post subject: Need help with early '70 P Bass authenticity.
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 1:31 pm
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Hi guys. I have a chance to bay this vintage Fender Precision Bass and looking for the way to verify its authenticity. As far as it's possible on internet. I know it was brought down to Poland from Chicago couple of years before. Can you please look at pictures and give me some opinions. Bridge has been replaced, but there is genuine one available. Haven't played on it yet, but I just want to make some research. I would be grateful for any support.

http://s34.photobucket.com/user/Pawel_B ... w/P%20Bass


Last edited by chakmiro on Mon Aug 11, 2014 11:34 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Need help with early 70' P Bass authenticity.
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 3:01 pm
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You Photobucket album is tagged as "private".

You'll need to adjust your settings before we can view the pics.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Need help with early 70' P Bass authenticity.
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 3:15 pm
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Quote:
You Photobucket album is tagged as "private".

You'll need to adjust your settings before we can view the pics.


Thank you Retroverbial. Change it right away! It's ok now.


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Post subject: Re: Need help with early 70' P Bass authenticity.
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 10:21 pm
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Aside from the non-standard re-finish, it looks authentic to me.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Need help with early 70' P Bass authenticity.
Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2014 11:18 am
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Quote:
Aside from the non-standard re-finish, it looks authentic to me.


Thanks for your reply Retroverbial. What do you mean by "non-standard re-finish"? Original paintwork was removed?

And there is one more thing. Marking on fretboard indicates OCT 71, but serial number on the back plate says 336084. What would you date this bass?

I know is not easy to estimate the value of the instrument looking at the pictures. Asking price is 2600$ and I wonder if it's fair price?


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Post subject: Re: Need help with early '70 P Bass authenticity.
Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2014 12:34 pm
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I am on the road and do not have access to my references, but I think they made a Walnut Precision in 72, so I would not say the body is definitely refinished. I am not liking the construction though, with that one two inch wide piece of wood that has nothing to do with the rest of the bass, grain wise. At best it was a poor selection for build up.

I think the neck is probably original Fender, but I am curious as to what that black triangle is on the back of the headstock.

There should be a grip bar on the G side. I do not see holes in the pickguard to allow for this, so I would guess the pickguard has been replaced. The thumbrest on the E side is not a Fender part and was likely placed there by the owner in a position convenient to his playing style.

I do not know your market, but in SW Florida, USA, with the changes we know have been made, $2200 would be too much for this bass. As for me personally, I would not buy this bass as there are better examples available.

Sorry I cannot be of more help at this time.

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Post subject: Re: Need help with early '70 P Bass authenticity.
Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2014 1:48 pm
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Hi affprod.

Thanks for help. You are being more then helpful.

Quote:
I am not liking the construction though, with that one two inch wide piece of wood that has nothing to do with the rest of the bass, grain wise.


In fact wide piece of wood looks like "out of the blue". Caught my attention earlier, but forgot to mention that, though. Don't like it neither.

Quote:
I am curious as to what that black triangle is on the back of the headstock.


The black triangle on the back of the headstock is probably a... pick holder!

Unfortunately there are not many vintage Fender Precision Basses over here.
Thank you very much affprod.


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Post subject: Re: Need help with early '70 P Bass authenticity.
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2014 12:18 pm
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I don't know where you are on this sale but I can say that the body is probably not a Fender body and the finish is definitely not an original finish for an early 70's Precision Bass.

The neck appears legitimate as well as the tuners and the small bridge pictured.

Good luck with your decision. I hope you get a fair price and enjoy the bass if you decide to buy it.

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Post subject: Re: Need help with early '70 P Bass authenticity.
Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2014 8:21 am
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Agree with most of what Affprod said. Serial number comes back to 1971-73, so looks legit. Logo, tuners and lam rosewood board all suggest early 70s Fender.

Re the tugbar, as Affprod says this looks aftermarket. But fwiw the date that this changed to the E string side is often quoted as 74; however I have a 73 bass which has the tugbar on the E side, and have seen other late 73s with this, so if this bass was a late 73 it mght be in its original position, and the guard may therefore be original. Either way, the bar itself looks aftermarket.

I don't see anything on the body to suggest it's not an original Fender. My guess is its a refin, and the ugly wood (mis)matching used to be hidden with a solid colour, so not the best candidate for a trans finish.

Also the neck plate is missing the black plastic washer-type thing that fits betweeen it and the body.

You could ask for pics of the pots & pickups, which will either further support or cast doubt on my late 73 hunch...


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Post subject: Re: Need help with early '70 P Bass authenticity.
Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2014 10:31 pm
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Even if it does end up being completely authentic (which I don't think it is), I agree that their asking price may be a little high for what it is.


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