Super clean '75 Fender P -- $$$ Reverb

tim · **Posted:** September 26th, 2017, 11:09 am

https://reverb.com/item/6727639-vintage ... s-original

It's in such good shape that I'm almost skeptical.

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

"Original pickups, pots and wiring"

I'm skeptical about the pots being original. Or at least one of them.

Based on the pic, one appears to be 500k, and I haven't been able to confirm anywhere that Fender put 500k pots in their basses in the 1970s.

Perhaps more telling is the date code. It appears to begin with an "R." Again, never seen that in a 1970s Fender. I have seen discussions about this "R" prefix for pots made in the 1990s. (or is that an "A", indicating an audio taper pot? Either way, most likely not stock).

Then I assume the next 3 digits are "137," indicating that they're made by CTS, then the next digit appears to be a "9", indicating that the pot was made in the 1990s.

"This instrument has spent nearly all of the last 30+ years in the closet"

That would be since 1987 or earlier.

AzWhoFan · **Joined:** March 14th, 2008, 10:57 am **Posts:** 2866

A skunk stripe and a T.R. bolt? Isn't that highly unusual? Wasn't there some kind of discussion a ways back that you would not find both of those on a 70's fender neck?

gravesbass · **Posted:** September 26th, 2017, 3:02 pm

T.R. bolt ?
I also agree, the harness doesn't look right.

AzWhoFan · **Joined:** March 14th, 2008, 10:57 am **Posts:** 2866

T.R. = truss rod :-)

damn my crappy shorthand!

NoXX · **Posted:** September 26th, 2017, 5:39 pm

Here's a cool link for Fender bass headstocks :

http://www.guitarchina.com/news/bg/bg04 ... 0117-2.htm

I can't vouch for the accuracy, but they sure have a lot (earlier years on page 1)

gravesbass · **Posted:** September 26th, 2017, 6:03 pm

AzWhoFan wrote:

T.R. = truss rod :-)

damn my crappy shorthand!

I think thats accurate. Thats where the truss rod was in 75/76

Am I looking at something different? The rosewood necks didn't have the skunk stripe. I thought all maple did.

paulo · **Posted:** September 26th, 2017, 6:14 pm

Besides the pot being different, everything else seems to match from what I know but I am no expert...

My 76 P neck looks exactly like this one but the serial is on the headstock instead of being engraved on the neck plate.

bobjones2260 · **Posted:** September 27th, 2017, 6:32 am

Here's it's older Sibling 72 Telecaster.

From Elderly https://www.elderly.com/fender-telecaster-1972-31u-581.htm
Lastly for the Pots, it clear that it was replaced especially with those solder joints.

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

^ That Tele.

I swear if I ever find a lefty bass or guitar with a date stamp that matches my birthday, I'll buy it.

That Tele neck is just 8 days off.

LeftyBassist.com

Super clean '75 Fender P -- $$$ Reverb

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