1974 P-Bass - does this look all original?

[cloudburst]

When I looked at this, the headstock didn't look quite right. I realised it was the fact that it has the shorter stem chrome tuners rather than the longer nickel plated tuners I'd expect in this era.

Am I mistaken? Wouldn't be surprising as I'm no expert.

CB

https://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/f-s-fender-precision-1974-natural-bass-guitar/1140913810

[discreet]

From what I can see they are correct. 70s P Basses don't have the very long 'Kluson'-type tuners.
This is my 76P headstock, it's totally original.

Edited November 8, 2015 by discreet

[Mykesbass]

The seller looks like an established business, but seems to be based in Poland with a UK mobile number. Has some nice looking basses and guitars on his site.

[cloudburst]

Hi Discreet - yes exactly - what you've posted is exactly what I would expect on a 70s P bass. The bass in the advert, however, has shorter (and chromed) tuners like I'd expect on a later model.

CB

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1446985037' post='2903886']
From what I can see they are correct. 70s P Basses don't have the very long 'Kluson'-type tuners.
This is my 76P headstock, it's totally original.




[/quote]

[discreet]

[quote name='cloudburst' timestamp='1446996533' post='2903972']
...what you've posted is exactly what I would expect on a 70s P bass. The bass in the advert, however, has shorter (and chromed) tuners like I'd expect on a later model.
[/quote]

Have you seen this bass in the flesh, then? I wouldn't like to comment further about the tuners without seeing better pics.

[cloudburst]

Here's a better pic. I think the bass is fine, however, I just don't think the tuners are original, that's all.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/39013950@N08/shares/7Z3PTJ

CB

[discreet]

[quote name='cloudburst' timestamp='1447004554' post='2904077']
Here's a better pic. I think the bass is fine, however, I just don't think the tuners are original, that's all.
[/quote]

I'm not sure! If you could inspect the bass it would be handy - and if they're really not original, negotiate a price-drop. As far as I know around this time Fender started using Schallers as alternatives for the P Bass which are a bit shorter and don't have the taper to the shaft like the ones in my pic, so it could be those. The Schallers also have a different backplate shape. They are OEM, though.

Edited November 8, 2015 by discreet

[cloudburst]

Ah no worries - they just looked unfamiliar to me, since my 74 J-bass is kitted out like yours. Thx.

CB

Edited November 8, 2015 by cloudburst

[discreet]

The rest of the bass looks OK to me from what I can see of it. If the tuners become an issue I'm sure there are ways round it.

[Matt P]

The tuners look identical to the set on my 1977 precision.

Matt

[Tweedledum]

[quote name='cloudburst' timestamp='1447004554' post='2904077']
Here's a better pic. I think the bass is fine, however, I just don't think the tuners are original, that's all.

[url="https://www.flickr.com/photos/39013950@N08/shares/7Z3PTJ"]https://www.flickr.c...8/shares/7Z3PTJ[/url]

CB
[/quote]

These tuners look like the Schallers Fender used in the mid/late 70's, not like the tuners made in-house from late 60's to mid 70's. However, to be 100% sure, a picture of the rear of the headstock would be helpful.
That doesn't mean the tuners on this particular bass are not original. There is no certain date when Fender started to use Schaller tuners. For every change in hardware there is a transition period where both the "old" and the "new" type were used.

[discreet]

[quote name='Tweedledum' timestamp='1447150343' post='2905213']
These tuners look like the Schallers Fender used in the mid/late 70's, not like the tuners made in-house from late 60's to mid 70's. However, to be 100% sure, a picture of the rear of the headstock would be helpful. That doesn't mean the tuners on this particular bass are not original. There is no certain date when Fender started to use Schaller tuners. For every change in hardware there is a transition period where both the "old" and the "new" type were used.
[/quote]

As I pointed out in post #7, so we may even be right!

[Tweedledum]

Duh, I should've read the thread before posting...

[discreet]

[quote name='Tweedledum' timestamp='1447151866' post='2905236']
Duh, I should've read the thread before posting...
[/quote]

No worries, it's good to have my ramblings confirmed now and then.

[Sammers]

There's a pic of the rear of the headstock on their wesbite, not sure if it helps but i'm putting it out there!

http://angeldust-guitars.com/fender-precision-1974-natural/

[Tweedledum]

[quote name='Sammers' timestamp='1447162688' post='2905385']
There's a pic of the rear of the headstock on their wesbite, not sure if it helps but i'm putting it out there!

[url="http://angeldust-guitars.com/fender-precision-1974-natural/"]http://angeldust-gui...n-1974-natural/[/url]
[/quote]
Looks totally legit to me, including the Schaller tuners.