Fender precision bass 1975?

[Friskydingo]

This bass has come from my wife's step dad, who brought it in 75 or 77. Just having a play on it now and wow its so smooth and set up well. Only needs a clean up. 

I found the patent numbers on the head stock 2,573,254 and a number 699813 on the plate connecting the neck and body. Can't find model number. Can you guys help me? 

[Reggaebass]

I’m no expert, I’m sure someone more qualified will be along soon, It’s looking like a 75 to me, I think they changed the serial number layout on the headstock in 76, there’s some info here 

[Reggaebass]

Forgot to say, that’s a great looking precision, love it 👍

[bigthumb]

Looks good to me. The serial number suggests a late 'TV' logo Precision bass. My first Precision was a '75 s/n 616482 IIRC. Pickups have been replaced and it may be active so there might be a 9v battery in there somewhere. 

[Eldon Tyrell]

Nice one. I have a 74 which looks pretty much the same, including this strange extra screw on the pickguard (above the G string, between pickup and neck).

According to Fender Guitars Serial Number Decoder - GuitarInsite

yours is a 75 or 76:

 

Production year: 1975 or 1976

Made in Fullerton, USA

 

You can also check the pots to see if they are from around that time

[Friskydingo]

I thought the same about the Pickups but theres no battery slot unless it's behind the pick guard, which I swear he didn't say he did. 

[Friskydingo]

Found a receipt! He brought it in 1976 for £130. Good investment 

[Reggaebass]

Have you had a look under the pickguard yet 🙂

[Eldon Tyrell]

1 hour ago, Friskydingo said:

Found a receipt! He brought it in 1976 for £130. Good investment 

Wow, I would call that a bargain. According to Inflation calculator | Bank of England

that's only £956.92. Compare that to how much a Pro II costs nowadays. 

[Happy Jack]

Of course the real way to check whether a Precision is genuine mid-70s isn't to find the receipt, it's to discover that it weighs 11 lbs.

 

🤨

[Cairobill]

That bass looks like a thumpatron. V nice!

[Eldon Tyrell]

14 minutes ago, Happy Jack said:

Of course the real way to check whether a Precision is genuine mid-70s isn't to find the receipt, it's to discover that it weighs 11 lbs.

 

🤨

Mine is from 74 and is pretty light: 3.8kg/8lb 7oz. Maybe things got heavier from 75 onwards? 

[Reggaebass]

It would be worth getting it authenticated by a reputable person/shop , they can check the neck stamp, pot dates and wiring,  pickups, bridge, etc, and take lots of pictures for you and provide you with the paperwork, which would help you value and sell it, or if your going to keep it it’s nice to know what you’ve got .  I nearly bought a 66 jazz a few weeks ago and the guy sent me about 50 pics which was fantastic 

[Friskydingo]

2 hours ago, Reggaebass said:

Have you had a look under the pickguard yet 🙂

I've left the area and didn't have time to pull it apart, wish I did, as they look like active pups and would be interesting to see the guts of it

[2020Jazz]

I'd put a thumbrest back on it. Nice bass.

[Cliff Edge]

On 09/08/2021 at 11:02, Eldon Tyrell said:

Mine is from 74 and is pretty light: 3.8kg/8lb 7oz. Maybe things got heavier from 75 onwards? 

My 72 Jazz is 10lbs. A P bass body is larger. 

[Eldon Tyrell]

6 minutes ago, Cliff Edge said:

My 72 Jazz is 10lbs. A P bass body is larger. 

Guess, I am then very lucky with mine!

[Geek99]

Does the top horn sunburst look a bit sharp ? not seen one like that though maybe a bit variable 
 

Obviously not OE pickups 

[Raslee]

On 11/08/2021 at 13:26, Eldon Tyrell said:

Guess, I am then very lucky with mine!

Same here, my 74 P is 8.7lbs, so comfortable. 

[Old Horse Murphy]

On 11/08/2021 at 13:18, Cliff Edge said:

My 72 Jazz is 10lbs. A P bass body is larger. 

I always thought the Jazz body was larger 🤔

[Cliff Edge]

17 hours ago, Old Horse Murphy said:

I always thought the Jazz body was larger 🤔

You might be right. I don’t have a Precision to compare and don’t know anyone who has one. 

[Old Horse Murphy]

3 minutes ago, Cliff Edge said:

You might be right. I don’t have a Precision to compare and don’t know anyone who has one. 

There's a first for everything! 
 

I always find Jazz bodies a bit bigger and as a result, often heavier too. That's just my opinion but looking s photos they do seem to be a bit larger.