LHBASSIST wrote:
As some of you know, am a luthier and bass repairman...worked full time at Sam Ash Brooklyn as repair tech, then in Queens- a high volume Fender dealer, from 1979- 1982. I saw hundreds of headstock serial number Fenders in the 3 years working there. That, I can assure you IS INDEED Factory... a 1978, NOT a '77 Fender decal. I have never seen a fake 'serial number' era decal or reproduction in my 40 years repairing. SOME of these were large logo, and this logo might have just been what they did in '78.
tallboybass wrote:
Yeah, that is definitely not a '77 Fender neck on the P-Bass.
Not sure which bass you're referring to Dave. The pic that I posted of my 78 P bass or the one that's for sale on craigslist? The one on CL has 21 frets and from what I understand, all Fender basses from that era, had 20 fret necks (again, I could be wrong and would take your advice and expertise on that). As for 70's era decal reproductions, there's quite a few guys that do them and do them pretty much dead on with serial numbers and they design them for left handed orientation as well. Only difference is, the real 70's decals had a raised feel to them (if you run your finger across the word "Fender" you can actually feel the letters of the word "Fender") and on the new or repro ones, you can't. So do you think the CL one is a real 77?
MY APOLOGIES TO ALL! WOW, MY BAD! I was looking at YOUR BASS! Which, is, of course a genuine '78. I went back and looked at that CL ad, and the decal is indeed 'owner' or other- not factory applied. It looks like it was applied by someone that is unfamiliar with left handed Fender basses!
I have been back to Chicago a few times, but have not been able to get back there. I would give them a call if you want a white MIJ bass.