LeftyBassist.com

That's an original natural finish?

I'm skeptical.

I'm not very knowledgeable about these old basses, but it looks like the wings and centerpiece were joined at an angle relative to the neck. I haven't seen that before.

The angled 3 piece is normal in some instances. I have seen that but usually on painted bodies where you don't see the seams.

The body appears to have been stripped at some point. the naturals were mostly cleaner seams.

The 74 Necks have a date stamp. I would definitely ask for that but do believe its a 73/74. 75 they went to 3 bolt but there are some 75 early transition basses that still had 4 bolt. Also check the pots and pickups stamp under the grey bottoms.

Ah, that makes sense.

This bass is close to me and I almost went and checked it out but the angled wood turned me off. I also have never seen this on a natural bass but it makes sense on a painted body. There also looks like some strange angles and curves on the lower bout, as if it was sanded a little hard and was misshaped. Also the neck heel looks to have a strange curve on it. But it is a 70s fender. Seen some strange stuff before. If anybody is seriously thinking about this bass, let me know. It's in south philly. I've got a gig in Philly Saturday night. Might be able to head in early. It's also up on the local Philly Craigslist. It's been there for at least 4 months. I found it also in the sold sections of eBay about 9 months ago so this seller has not had it long.

Definitely looks like the original finish was stripped to me. I'm pretty sure that Fender only offered ash bodies in a natural finish, and given the disjointed marriage of woods and grain on this one it looks like alder to me. Fender's QC sucked miserably in the 70's, but I would find it hard to believe that this bass left the plant looking like that.

Definitely looks stripped, and definitely looks like alder.