FENDER ROUTER MARKS....

[gafbass02]

All these lovely old natural jazz basses are making me feel funny.  Some lovely pics on here. 

[BlueMoon]

On 21/05/2022 at 07:02, Belka said:

I think by the mid '70s pretty much all the basses were ash

.................and most from that period were boat anchors weighing more than 10 Ibs 

[Cliff Edge]

My 72 Natural finish Jazz has these marks. It also has a large red stamp NATURAL in the neck pocket. 
Natural custom colour code was 151 according to Fender price lists in 1973 and added $18 to the price. 

[bloke_zero]

My ‘74 p bass - was Olympic white.

[BlueMoon]

My '71 in sunburst has one.

 

 

[Velarian]

This video is about a strat but @ 7:02 he talks about the dowel holes for the router. There’s one in the same location as the ‘74 P bass above. 

 

 

[MungoBass]

On 20/05/2022 at 17:46, MELLOW said:

You're right, no trace of paint or varnish on neck pocket or everywhere else.

 

I agree with this and the stamps in the neck pocket look to be from the factory too.  I have seen the same discolouration around the pickup under the pickguard on other natural vintage Fenders.  The solder on the pots has clearly been ‘touched up’, which can be a sign of a refinish, but I’m fairly confident this is not the case here.  Nice bass and case!