What is this bass? Classic Fender or not?

Hello everyone.

I recently picked up this bass really cheap and am trying to figure out exactly what I have.

I thought I would check into it since the previous owner thought it was old and it's pretty sturdy/heavy. I've taken it to a few shops who thought it felt Fender, but I'm not sure what to make of it.

As someone else noted, it looks like it was routed to put Jazz Bass pickups into a Precision with some aftermarket pickguard (why??). I don't know about these pickups either. I didn't see anything stamped on the end of the neck, and obviously there are no visible "Fender" logos. The serial dates to the mid-50's(57 maybe?)?

Any idea about this? Thanks.

http://www.geartype.com/misc/bass/IMG_02.jpg
http://www.geartype.com/misc/bass/IMG_04.jpg
http://www.geartype.com/misc/bass/IMG_05.jpg
http://www.geartype.com/misc/bass/IMG_07.jpg

It's obviously a Precision (or copy) that's been routed for Jazz pickups. Beyond that, absent markings it's pretty hard to be definite about anything. You might check the codes on the back of the pots to see how old they are. Here's info on how to decipher the codes. (http://www.triodeel.com/eiacode.htm#pots)

Tim

Possibly an older Japanese lawsuit bass like Tokai. its got a "badass" bridge, cool find. If it were mine I would get rid of the hideous guard, and put on a black P bass guard with a GFS P bass pup and leave the J bass pup there.

The neck plate could've come from anywhere (not to be a party-pooper), so it's not even that helpful for identification purposes. I'd be afraid that whoever had replaced the p'ups had done the pots, as well, to have a more J-bass configuration to match the p'ups, but it can't hurt to check.

I am a huge fan of big honkin' maple P-bass necks, so in that regard, I'd see that as a huge score. I could take or leave the p'up situation, depending on tone, of course, but that pickguard would need some sort of re-evaluation.

Not to make fun, but maybe we could use that to start a "Biggest Pickguard Ever" thread? I think it would compete with the Everly Brothers J-200s...

and that bakelite top blackguard would win

Yeah the pickguard is "special". I can't tell if someone actually manufactured it or if it was homemade.

I got this thing for $20 in an old case. When I saw it I couldn't tell what it was at all. The pickups and that pickguard threw me off. It wasn't until I saw the original pickup holes and the serial number that I started scratching my chin.

I didn't get enough history from the guy to know anything else. The only thing I know it that it was his uncles. I just grabbed it and started doing some research.

I'll look into the pots, thanks. I think at least one of them was replaced if not all.

I just wish it hadn't been routed because i'd like to put it back to original style, but there would be a big exposed hole at the bottom.

Obviously, any vintage value has been "wrecked" by the routing modifications, but aesthetically, I wouldn't sweat it. I think the P/J pickup combination is hugely popular, so no one would look at you funny for it, and if you want just P-bass tone, just wire it up and leave an unconnected J p'up in the slot and standard P pickguard. Who'd know but you?

And all of us (though we wouldn't tell on ya)???

Maybe a bridge cover would hide the hole? You'd probably need J bass covers, at least a bridge one, to hide that hole, but it's a thought...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Genuine-Fender-Precision-Bass-Bridge-Pickup-Cover-Set_W0QQitemZ310167470955QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar _Accessories?hash=item48376c036b&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Jazz-Bass-bridge-pickup-covers-vintage-reissue_W0QQitemZ140348582893QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGu itar_Accessories?hash=item20ad6d6bed&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

I was just wonderin' what cream p'ups would look like in my cream Jazz...

You could make it into a P / J bass, just as Pooh said.

That routing around the bridge pickup might be covered by this or something similar.

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/bpickup_rings.htm

Chances are it's not a vintage Fender or any Fender product. Certainly not a 50s Fender finish. No markings, looks like the body grain is too straight to be alder and it's certainly not ash.

No way to verify it anyway. But for twenty bucks, who cares? Modify it to your liking.

Yeah, get a real P-Bass pickguard and use a concentric pot (stacked volume/tone like on the original J-Basses) for the Jazz pickup. What ever it is, it's got the makings of a cool bass!

You might be able to hide the rough bridge PU routing with a Jazz Bass chrome cover and a cover for the other PU. That would look retro cool.

reminds me of the squier venus guitar. i like it as is. although, i don't know what it is.

Thanks. I think I'll end up doing the P-Bass/J-Bridge combo. The cover is a good idea, I have to get my hands on one and see how it works.

For now, I replaced the guard and cut a new black one so that it's not so in-your-face. Also replaced the pots which were pretty worn. The tuning pegs still make me wonder....they have a very authentic old look. Everyone who has picked it up so far loves the neck, but still can't ID it. The whole thing is a bit heavier than a current P-Bass off the shelf.

Before / After

http://www.geartype.com/misc/bass/fender_refresh.jpg

It looks cool, whatever it is. Just play & enjoy

If this was a Fender, then the channel rout between control cavity and pickups would definitely date the body after the mid 70's.
Pickups Dimarizo's maybe ?
Badass bridge is 2nd generation ( Badass2 ) so that's 1978-80 when they came out (?).
I'd guess it's a parts bass, put together in the late 70's or 80's, but not earlier than that .

Cool, good info. That's the feel I am getting at this point. Whatever they are, the parts are nice. It's got a really good feel and it sounds really good too.

I'm really happy to have a bass now, I just wanted to be careful about the possibility of old parts.

The black PG is kinds ripper esque....in a VERY good way. I still think it needs a P PU tho