Whats this on the rear of a Fender Precision headstock?

[coffee_king]

Ive not ever noticed it on a Precision before. Looks to me made out of metal.
Thats Andy Rourke from The Smiths by the way.

[attachment=134860:Screen Shot 2013-05-15 at 13.55.29.png]

[Cosmo Valdemar]

It's a strap button. At least, I think that's what they were... Older Fenders had them, as do the reissues of course.

[NJE]

That is a strap button. I am no fender autority but i believe they used to, or maybe still do put these on the vintage reissue basses. I seem to remember they were fitted to allow players switching from upright bass to play the electric bass in a position they were more accustomed to. So basically strap from back of the body to headstock for extreme angles.

As I said I am no Fender expert so I wouldnt be suprised if what I have just said in nonsense.

[dlloyd]

Andy Rourke's precision was a 1964 and that is a strap button, as Cosmo said.

Fender put strap buttons up there for upright players... I can't remember ever seeing one used that way. My 62RI Jazz has the strap button at the back of the headstock and I can report, having tried it, that it really doesn't work!

[dlloyd]

Apparently it's called a "hootenanny" and can be found on Fender basses made between 1960 and 1970 (and reissues)

[url="http://fenderbassplayer.com/80-article/98-precision-bass-timeline-1951-1982"]http://fenderbassplayer.com/80-article/98-precision-bass-timeline-1951-1982[/url]

[Twigman]

My JV has one

[Len_derby]

I've got one on my Japanese '57 RI. I've never seen one used for real, but I have a vague memory of seeing a picture of Brian Wilson with his bass strap hung that way. Or was it a strange dream?

[Ou7shined]

Not surprised they are hardly ever used. It's a crazy idea having all the weight of your bass suspended from the tip of the neck.

[sykilz]

My 1st ever bass was a Squier P c.1985 ( brand new no less!!! ) ( prob Japanese made??? ) and it had one. Pretty useless for me, a small gangly 15 year old!!

[jezzaboy]

[quote name='NJE' timestamp='1368623494' post='2079330']
That is a strap button. I am no fender autority but i believe they used to, or maybe still do put these on the vintage reissue basses. I seem to remember they were fitted to allow players switching from upright bass to play the electric bass in a position they were more accustomed to. So basically strap from back of the body to headstock for extreme angles.

As I said I am no Fender expert so I wouldnt be suprised if what I have just said in nonsense.
[/quote]

You are now a Fender expert as this is correct!!

I have one on the rear of my Jap re issue 57 P.

[sblueplanet]

[quote name='jezzaboy' timestamp='1368647588' post='2079822']


I have one on the rear of my Jap re issue 57 P.
[/quote]
What are the chances of two guys on here from Paisley both with 57RI P basses?

[Donnyboy]

[quote name='sblueplanet' timestamp='1368748020' post='2081163']

What are the chances of two guys on here from Paisley both with 57RI P basses?
[/quote]

I've been to Paisley, bought basses from Jezza, and got a Squier 57 JV with one of those strange strap buttons! Weird huh!
Oh I've never tried using the button, but I may now.