Why is it easier to find 1983 vs. 1984 Precisions. the latter always seems to be listed as 84-87.

[jimerson]

I'm also a 1984 baby and finally acquired a new bass from a fellow TBer in exchange for some soldering lessons and work on one of his guitars. Before acquiring this one though I searched around a lot, half-seriously, for other options made in the 80s and found the same issue with Fenders.

If you're set on a Fender I'm sure you can find something, but the mid 80s was a fantastic time for other brands - check out Yamaha, their BB basses were killer in the 80s. Ibanez, Aria, Tokai also should have some good options.

There is a listing on Reverb for an 84 P Bass, but the pickups on this look weird, and the knobs and bridge certainly aren't stock either... I'm skeptical about this one

That's a pretty sweet exchange!

I am more interested in a P-style bass than sticking to Fender for the label. I've played a modern Yamaha BB and was blown away at how good it felt. As long as it can get me in the range of Cake, Elvis Costello, and The Smiths I'll be happy.

 

[jimerson]

If it's about getting a 1984 birth year P bass, an Ibanez RB630 is a "P" that is not only well built, sounds & plays great, but is fairly easy to find and is affordable. The RB650 is the same, just a P/J version.
The year is easy to confirm, as the serial number will be the letter A-L followed by 84. Mine is E84XXXX=May 84. You can use this to possibly nail down a birth month, too.
I have had mine for a loooong time and it's been through a few facelifts. Got it back when they were $100 basses, but the word got out on the early 80s Ibanez about 10 years ago and now they are selling for lofty, mid 3 digit prices. haha
This one looks nearly the same as when I got mine. Cut down pickguard and all...
https://reverb.com/item/82648879-ibanez-rb630-roadstar-ii-precision-p-bass-japan-1984

No pic with the stock bridge and P4 pickup, but here's with the EMG and Schaller bridge...

Then the replacement pickgaurd and BTS system...

And how it's gonna stay for the indefinite future, as a Peavey T45 hybrid...

This is awesome, thank you for the ideas! I'd love a PJ to round out my options. On the hunt for a J84, I go

 

[Isaac_James]

That's a pretty sweet exchange!

I am more interested in a P-style bass than sticking to Fender for the label. I've played a modern Yamaha BB and was blown away at how good it felt. As long as it can get me in the range of Cake, Elvis Costello, and The Smiths I'll be happy.

If I had the money lying around I'd scoop up an 84 BB2000 - it won't sound exactly like a P bass as it has a reverse P (treble side closer to the neck) and a blade pickup at the bridge, but it's different in a good way.

If you want something closer to the traditional P bass sound, there are lots of other great options though! Good luck finding the right one for you!

 

[tim gueguen]

I have an 84-87 Stratocaster. It is an 84 USA neck with an 87 body. I was told that when production was moved to Japan in 84, a certain number of already produced parts went into storage. In 87 when US production resumed, those stored parts were not allowed to go to waste, but paired up with the new manufacturing and sold. Hence, 84-87. I don't know this for a fact, but with penny pinching corporations, it kind of make sense.

If your neck has 22 frets the whole guitar is post CBS. As noted in another post Fender used E3 and E4 serial number stickers into 1988. All American made Stratocasters made before 1985 had 21 fret necks. Any parts left over from the CBS era, other than those serial number decals, were reportedly assembled into instruments in early 1985 by former CBS Fender personnel hired as temps.

1985 AVRI's

Just interested to know if the transition period AVRI's made in 1985 when Fender closed the Fullerton factory and then opened the Corona factory in 1986? Are the 85' dated guitars considered to be rare? Would be very interested to hear some thoughts and opinions. Cheers.

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