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Trying to date and authenticate my Fender Custom Shop P Bass


RobTheBass
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Hi there, can anyone help - I'm trying to date and authenticate my Custom Shop P Bass. I bought this about 10 years ago from Gary Day who was, until recently, Morrisey's bass player. He bought it whilst touring in LA, returned to the UK and I bought it from him - apparently he only used it for a couple of gigs in LA and it became a spare guitar when he got home. It's an awesome bass - Hot-rod pick ups, 1952 'tele' styling. I've since fitted it with a BadAss 3 bridge and the tone is awesome. I've still got the original bridge and cover. The number on the bridge is 0293 and when you dial this into the various sites it shows it as a 1950's bass - which it clearly isn't. It's got the appropriate Custom Shop truss rod cover and headstock decal. Can anyone help?

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I've e-mailed the Custom Shop and am awaiting their reply. I've since found out that a number of special edition Tele's were released between 1982 and 1988 that had the 4 digit number stamped on the bridge plate so I'm wondering if it was part of these - although a bass but it has been known as the Tele bass based on the 52 P with the Tele headstock...this dating would suit the bass.

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[quote name='RobTheBass' timestamp='1357743712' post='1927641']
I've since found out that a number of special edition Tele's were released between 1982 and 1988 that had the 4 digit number stamped on the bridge plate so I'm wondering if it was part of these - although a bass but it has been known as the Tele bass based on the 52 P with the Tele headstock...this dating would suit the bass.
[/quote]

I can't think of a bass meeting this description that was built between 1982 and 1988.

Does yours have a P and a J pickup?

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[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1357743859' post='1927644']
I can't think of a bass meeting this description that was built between 1982 and 1988.

Does yours have a P and a J pickup?
[/quote]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]That's correct - I've just heard back from Fender and sent them more picks. Apparently records between 81 and 90 are quite poor but as it's a Custom Shop the earliest it could be is 1987. I've dm'd you a pic[/font][/color]

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[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1357744916' post='1927674']
2001 limited edition. Happy to help...
[/quote]
Was it a Custom Shop limited edition - do you know any more about it? 2001 seems a bit late...I'm trying to recall the date I got it but this bass 'feels' older if you know what I mean...

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[quote name='RobTheBass' timestamp='1357745770' post='1927704']
Was it a Custom Shop limited edition - do you know any more about it? 2001 seems a bit late...I'm trying to recall the date I got it but this bass 'feels' older if you know what I mean...
[/quote]

Yep - it's a CS limited edition. I lusted after one for years. Also available in Sunburst apparently, but I've never seen one.

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[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1357756601' post='1927964']
This will only rise in value IMO. The Talkbass guys/gals are discussing the imminent price rises (by $500.00 or so) on the American RI guitars, which is also expected on the basses.

No doubt CS will rise even more.
[/quote] suddenly Warwick looks so much better value for money!

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[quote name='bh2' timestamp='1357752134' post='1927873']
You put a badass on it?.. hope you kept the orig.
[/quote]
Yes, I've still got the original but I've gotta say that the BadAss gave it great sustain and it plays beautifully and stays in tune well - I'm quite a hard player. Whilst the old vintage bridge looks nice it doesn't play as well as the badass - IMO

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[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1357745923' post='1927710']
Yep - it's a CS limited edition. I lusted after one for years. Also available in Sunburst apparently, but I've never seen one.
[/quote]
Chatting with the guy at Fender he thinks it may not be the 2001 Limited Edition - I think it's older than that and this one doesn't have stacked pots like the one in the pic. He thinks it might be a one off made specifically for an artist so he's asked me take the neck off for the id number and take off the scratch plate and send him a pic of any markings/numbers on the wiring. This bass is a beauty but I may have to, very reluctantly, sell it, so I want to make sure I'm getting a fair price for it.

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Latest News: This bass seems to be a Custom Shop one off from 1994. Fender Custom Shop are looking at it right now and trying to determine who it was originally built for. As soon as I know the full history this beauty is, reluctantly, up for sale. I don't expect it to hang around for long.

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