NBD! 1977 (maybe 78?) P!

[MoeTown1986]

New old bass day, I should say!

I posted my 2008 American Deluxe Jazz 5 up for trade in here and had no real interests. I decided to try Facebook Market last Wednesday and was overwhelmed with trade offers. I ended up settling on this one. Best I can tell by comparing the serial number with other 77's and 78's, it's a 1977 P. The neck and frets are in great shape and the truss rod was in good working order. The original pickup and pickguard had been replaced. The pickup seems to be a Fender Original 62. The pickguard is an actual celluloid tort guard. All in all, I feel as if I made out great in the trade! My P collection has now expanded to 10.

 

[lug]

The oddity is that the thumb rest holes are on the wrong side. That's either an older pickguard or there's more to this intrepid story!

 

[MoeTown1986]

The oddity is that the thumb rest holes are on the wrong side. That's either an older pickguard or there's more to this intrepid story!

I noticed that as well. It has the “tug bar” holes. I’m looking for a period correct pickguard and a thumb rest. It seems as though tort died out in the early 70’s and then went all black for the late 70’s pickguards. I may have to cheat a little because I’m a sucker for tort.

 

[Pet Sounds]

I'd say it's a more modern aftermarket pickguard, and a previous owner put a tugbar on it. I'm not seeing holes in the guard for the chrome pickup cover, which would be present on a vintage guard.

 

[Shawn Luckman]

Very nice indeed.

 

[MoeTown1986]

I'd say it's a more modern aftermarket pickguard, and a previous owner put a tugbar on it. I'm not seeing holes in the guard for the chrome pickup cover, which would be present on a vintage guard.

Yeah, I don’t think it’s a vintage guard by any means. It’s also too clean.

 

[MoeTown1986]

I'd say it's a more modern aftermarket pickguard, and a previous owner put a tugbar on it. I'm not seeing holes in the guard for the chrome pickup cover, which would be present on a vintage guard.

So there are no tugbar holes in the body. Just the upper thumb rest holes. I did order a 70’s style celluloid tort guard for it with the proper top side thumb rest holes, though.

 

[FirewalZ]

I have a 77 Jazz....I believe the original PG would have likely been black and had a sticker underneath with the same serial number as the headstock....at least mine does anyway.

 

[MoeTown1986]

I have a 77 Jazz....I believe the original PG would have likely been black and had a sticker underneath with the same serial number as the headstock....at least mine does anyway.

Yeah, I agree. All the 77-78 P’s I see on reverb that are original have black pickguards. Unfortunately, I got it as is.

 

[dalkowski]

Nice! I have a cousin P, same vintage (one of these days when I'm feeling brave I'll disassemble it), with skunk stripe on the neck which should signify something but I don't know what....

 

[DirkP]

Nice. Weight? I have a 78 Jazz that is a boat anchor - and a 74 ash Precision that is under 9 lbd.

 

[MoeTown1986]

Nice. Weight?

I haven’t officially weighed it yet. But, I have an American Original 60’s that’s weighs exactly 9lbs and the 77 is a tad lighter. I’d guess a hair over 8.5lbs.

 

[MoeTown1986]

Nice! I have a cousin P, same vintage (one of these days when I'm feeling brave I'll disassemble it), with skunk stripe on the neck which should signify something but I don't know what....

Does yours have a maple board?

 

[dalkowski]

Does yours have a maple board?

Yessir! Is that why the stripe?

Also I see your decal sez "Made in USA" under the "IO." Mine doesn't.

*** Mind you, I'm not calling any of this out to dispute your P! There's just so much Fender arcana to fall into.

 

[J_Bass]

Uau, that's a Deaky bass, I love those basses!

Congratulations on your purchase.

 

[DirkP]

I haven’t officially weighed it yet. But, I have an American Original 60’s that’s weighs exactly 9lbs and the 77 is a tad lighter. I’d guess a hair over 8.5lbs.

That's great! I like those 70s Fender basses, the only issue I have are the many boat anchors. My P has a replacement pickguard and pick-ups (Häussel), too. Love it.

 

[Lownote38]

The oddity is that the thumb rest holes are on the wrong side. That's either an older pickguard or there's more to this intrepid story!

That's some type of aftermarket pickguard because it has the holes for the finger rest, but not the pickup cover. It's not a Fender guard. The tort is all wrong.

 

[MoeTown1986]

Yessir! Is that why the stripe?

Also I see your decal sez "Made in USA" under the "IO." Mine doesn't.

*** Mind you, I'm not calling any of this out to dispute your P! There's just so much Fender arcana to fall into.

Yeah, since yours is is all maple, the cut the back of the neck to put the truss rod in. The skunk stripe fills that cut. With a rosewood board, the truss rod goes in from the front before the board is glued on.

 

[MoeTown1986]

Uau, that's a Deaky bass, I love those basses!

Congratulations on your purchase.


View attachment 4073955

Thanks!!!

 

[dalkowski]

Yeah, since yours is is all maple, the cut the back of the neck to put the truss rod in. The skunk stripe fills that cut. With a rosewood board, the truss rod goes in from the front before the board is glued on.

I learned something today, making today a grand day. Thanks @MoeTown1986 !