ID a P Bass

[Matt O]

Thanks, can you point out the details that make you think it's a 82-84 reissue vs being vintage or one of the newer reissues?

There are several, but mostly the markings.

Looks like a screw hole on the back of the headstock. This was from a strap button or “hootenanny” button. These weren’t ever on maple 50s basses, they first appeared in 1960 on rosewood necks. Fender added these by mistake on the reissue. In a way Fender did us a favor so we can easily spot a reissue.

 

[gfnk357]

There are several, but mostly the markings.

Looks like a screw hole on the back of the headstock. This was from a strap button or “hootenanny” button. These weren’t ever on maple 50s basses, they first appeared in 1960 on rosewood necks. Fender added these by mistake on the reissue. In a way Fender did us a favor so we can easily spot a reissue.

Thanks, that's really helpful. I had seen that the strap button was on the reissues but didn't know they weren't on the original 50's basses.

By markings do you mean the markings in the pickup area and neck pocket? What is it about the markings?

Sorry to keep asking questions but I'm interested, and I think it would also help others to see how to distinguish a reissue from a vintage bass in cases where al bass has been heavily modified and serial numbers/dates are missing. I'm sure there's alot of this information floating out there on the web but I'm having trouble sorting through all the information to find what's relevant.

 

[Dark Horse]

Honestly, looks like it was a late 58 or early 59 p from the logo, bridge, body routes, pickup (formvar, though some seem to have enamel… flat pole pieces ) etc…. Tuners, can’t tell from the pics.

Tough to tell details from some of the pics though. Better detail photos would help, but your best bet is to take it to a shop that deals in vintage guitars and have them check it out.

 

[rockinrayduke]

Hell, looks great like it is! Why does anyone need a shiny pristine P bass? Get it playing thee way you like it and rock it within an inch of its life!

 

[kevinpmajka]

Fender Japan made a line of guitars that were sold in the early/mid nineties that were black or cream colored bodies, pearloid pickguards, and gold hardware. Modern, designer, contemporary - not sure of the trendy name they used. They had matching headstocks even on the telecaster. My buddy had the tele. Never saw the bass but I saw the cream and black strat and tele. Tele had black pearloid binding too. It could be a Japanese Fender of some sort - especially with undersized routes and a hootenany strap button.

Edited - found a couple pics - not sure on the bass though......