Fender P Bass 1978

Bassaria · **Posted:** December 14th, 2015, 1:12 pm

Fender Precision Bass 1978 (also known as the greatest 3 years for lefties)
Left Handed/Lefty made in USA
Maple Neck/Natural Finish w/Black Guard
no ash trays
Hardshell case - not original - looks like an older G&G Fender replica case - better than those nasty plastic ones for sure
Plays and Sounds 100% like a P should. Currently strung aggressive with round boomers.
Neck is super clean - minimal wear.
Weight is on the lower side for a late 70s - showing 9 lbs on my bathroom scale. Definitely not a super boat anchor like a few other late 70s I have played.
$1700 obo
Shipping and Paypal to be negotiated

tim · **Posted:** December 14th, 2015, 3:14 pm

Man, that is gorgeous!

Whenever I imagine getting a high-end bass someday, this is exactly what I picture: natural finish (or maybe a honeyburst), black pick guard, maple fingerboard. Alas, I am not yet worthy.

So I'm just going to sit and drool over these pictures for a while if you don't mind.....

Bassaria · **Posted:** December 14th, 2015, 7:01 pm

Tim. U are worthy. And gosh darn it you are good enough, smart enough, and people like you.

tim · **Posted:** December 15th, 2015, 7:22 am

Well, if you're not convinced, I could upload a sound clip

McFarlin · **Posted:** January 21st, 2016, 7:01 am

Yesterday I got to play a '78 jazz at Southpaw Guitars. It was the same clear gloss finish and pg color but with pearloid block inlays and both trays intact. To me the construction/quality was definitely above the several new American Ps and Js they had in-stock. And it sounded fantastic.

Bassaria · **Posted:** January 21st, 2016, 1:00 pm

I hear ya.....I've probably had 3 late 70s Js and 4 late 70s Ps....they all have been pretty bland in tone, build, and playability. This 78 P is the best I've had so far. It's so odd how the builds on these late 70s are so inconsistent, but there are a few jems. That's why I keep buying them. It'll take a magic one to equal my 73 but I'm gonna keep trying....beats collecting lard cans. (My in laws actually do) I dig this one with rounds. Ain't gonna give it away for sure.
Be safe out there east coasters. Winters coming.

Lefty4001 · **Joined:** October 2nd, 2015, 4:27 pm **Posts:** 45

McFarlin wrote:

Yesterday I got to play a '78 jazz at Southpaw Guitars. It was the same clear gloss finish and pg color but with pearloid block inlays and both trays intact. To me the construction/quality was definitely above the several new American Ps and Js they had in-stock. And it sounded fantastic.

I once owned a J, (same year), exactly like the one you described. It was one of the BEST basses I've ever had!!!!!!
MAN!!!!! Did that one feel like a boat anchor :lol:

Do Not Drink From The Toilet When Taking Lyrica

Bassaria · **Posted:** March 25th, 2016, 6:43 am

Update!
So I've been taking this out on a bunch of gigs and it is really a good bass. Not going to lower price BUT, I am gassing for a rosewood P.....should have not sold the last one.. Agh!
So if you have a rosewood P (Japan/US only) that you would like to involve in a trade of some sort, hit me up. In the mean time I'll keep this one in the gig rotation. Cheers peeps. Spring is here!

fat fret · **Posted:** March 27th, 2016, 12:36 am

I regularly look at this bass and whisper: wow.
It is really beautiful and opposite you, I'm craving for a maple board

Moses · **Joined:** January 30th, 2010, 9:46 am **Posts:** 431

Bassaria wrote:

Fender Precision Bass 1978 (also known as the greatest 3 years for lefties)

Can you extrapolate on that?

fivebass52 · **Posted:** April 20th, 2016, 11:14 pm

Moses wrote:

Bassaria wrote:

Fender Precision Bass 1978 (also known as the greatest 3 years for lefties)

Can you extrapolate on that?

Read that line, and was thinking the same thing!

Bassaria · **Posted:** April 21st, 2016, 4:57 am

Ha! Extrapolate I shall. It seems that all the lefty 78s aren't really just 78s......the serial number says 78 but in reality when you look at pot dates they could have been made in 79, 80, or even 81......just havin some fun. You guys were up late on 4/20 weren't you!
Cheers!

Moses · **Joined:** January 30th, 2010, 9:46 am **Posts:** 431

Bassaria wrote:

Ha! Extrapolate I shall. It seems that all the lefty 78s aren't really just 78s......the serial number says 78 but in reality when you look at pot dates they could have been made in 79, 80, or even 81......just havin some fun. You guys were up late on 4/20 weren't you!
Cheers!

Haha, I can neither confirm nor deny the 4/20 accusations 8-)

I'm just asking because I'm looking at picking up a 78 myself, sight unseen...seems to have all the trappings of a 78 in addition to the SN.

J-meister · **Posted:** April 21st, 2016, 8:01 am

Bassaria wrote:

Update!
So I've been taking this out on a bunch of gigs and it is really a good bass. Not going to lower price BUT, I am gassing for a rosewood P.....should have not sold the last one.. Agh!
So if you have a rosewood P (Japan/US only) that you would like to involve in a trade of some sort, hit me up. In the mean time I'll keep this one in the gig rotation. Cheers peeps. Spring is here!

Nice looking bass. But as you say this one is all about da sound: Do you have recordings of those gigs, or some other samples perhaps?

bbl · **Joined:** July 9th, 2008, 4:39 pm **Posts:** 942

I can't tell you how many lefty P necks I've seen with a serial number beginning with 846. I've also owned a few of them.

I'm guessing that Fender made a huge batch of lefty P necks at one time and stamped serial numbers on them. They then used them to assemble basses over the next 2-3 years.

Bassaria · **Posted:** April 21st, 2016, 11:46 am

Hey J-miester....
I don't have any sound bites of this one....let me see if I can get some this weekend on a gig. If not, I'll thro a solo thing together Monday .....

J-meister · **Posted:** April 21st, 2016, 12:16 pm

Ok, all cool. No worries

Just thought you would have ample soundclips from all your performing and bass collection-activities

Bassaria · **Posted:** April 21st, 2016, 12:38 pm

I play out a lot but I hardly ever record.....it means I need to sit in the studio.....rather be surfing or gigging!
Yeah. Getting lazy as I approach the 3rd quarter.

fivebass52 · **Posted:** April 21st, 2016, 10:21 pm

Bassaria wrote:

I play out a lot but I hardly ever record.....it means I need to sit in the studio.....rather be surfing or gigging!
Yeah. Getting lazy as I approach the 3rd quarter.

Surf - in Philly?! :shock:

I'm on Oahu, so its a given... and it's warm!

Bassaria · **Posted:** April 22nd, 2016, 5:48 am

Jersey shore.....only a short trip. I was in Monday. Water was 48.
I'd rather be surfing in Hawaii....been out there 3 times. Might eventually move there. Got great friends on the big and maui....
In the meantime, heavy wetsuit is the cure for the wave jones.
Mahalo!

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Fender P Bass 1978

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