Fender Precision Bass Serial Number Dating

[Marion Georgi]

Hello Sal

as I explaine the different serial numbers on the same label was simple. The label had a serial number stamp applied originally, but Fenders accounting system changed a numbr of times over the years and every time the company accounting system changed the serial number style had to change to fit the new accounting system, of course guitars were changed as well. You must understand banjos were an extremely small part of the company and many executives regarded them as trouble and problems because nothing fit the way they made guitars, and while they might make maybe a dozen banjos in a good month, we were making 400 guitars a day! So things like using the old labels fit the mentality. But as you note there were other labels, orange etc, tey were all used at the same time and what ever box of labels Cathy or Laura grabbed to use was ok, so not only was the serial number random but the actual lable was random as well

I wanted to state something to be exactly clear on this. Banjo labels, just like guitar decals were stored in boxes in quantity, the labels already had a serial number on them, usually two or three over the years. When a banjo was completed usually either Cathy or Laura would go to the box of labels and grab one, RANDOMLY out of a box and apply it to the rim and send it to final inspection. There never was any attempt at dating

Years ago I read the same type of thing about the numbered neck plates for Fender guitars and basses. People so much wanted to believe that the numbers could be definitely assigned to years and early or late in any specific year. It's my understanding they're as meaningless as the banjo labels. Neck codes are supposed to more useful. But I've owned at least one P-Bass neck on which the readable part of the stamp didn't follow the supposed format.

Hello Ken yes exactly, even in the main bread and butter business the serial number isnt accurate, Ive written a number of essays about inside the Fender factory and one of them covers this in detail. Would you like me to post it here

I have a P-Bass neck with the rare combination of rosewood board and skunk stripe (which was not typically seen or needed on necks with a rosewood board since the truss rod presumably was installed from the front). It has an "S9" serial number decal. I learned long ago not to expect that to mean literally 1979. I understand the neck could possibly be from the 80s. It could also be fake. I bought it parted-out on eBay some time between 2002 and 2005. I was going to use it in a vintage parts P-Bass, but it first went on a 95 American Standard body with 60s reissue pickups and that's where it stayed.

From what I remember of the date stamp on the heel, the first two digits were consistent with what some online info said should indicate P-Bass with rosewood. The rest of the numbers were not entirely readable and I think there wasn't the right amount of them. It has a very flat back-of-neck profile. I assume it's real Fender. If not, oh well.

The bass I played the most between 2008 and the folding of my Celtic-Americana band at the start of the pandemic has a factory-authentic early 70s Jazz Bass neck with the Precision Bass "TV" logo. As I recall (again, I haven't seen it in years) its heel stamp has the letter "A" for Jazz Bass (instead of "B" for Precision) and the date portion was mostly readable. Also, the nut width is 1/16-inch less than the nominal 1-1/2 inches that a Jazz bass is supposed to be. This neck made it extremely comfortable for me to go back and forth between bass and banjo (with 1-1/4-inch nut) in the same set.

This is a lot of great information and I for one appreciate the effort and time you folks have spent to inform us.
Thanks to all involved.
For me, I am enjoying this old Fender Concert Tone I recently aquired. Now if I could only play it!!

The serial # on my Concert Tone is 01034. I acquired it, used, in 1970 or 1971 (from memory; can't put my hands on the bill of sale at the moment). I acquired it from a plectrum banjo player/trader; I know that he did not play it, and I think that he got it new from some dealer in dire straits for cash, so it was most likely made only a few months before, in 1969-1971. So the serial # has no relation to the manufacture date.

If anyone can supply me an update on this matter, I'm happy to hear it. And yes, it's as good sounding as plenty of pre-war Mastertones; not sure why Artists and Concert Tones from that period are held in such low regard, and are in such low demand. Some of the better-known pickers who played them: Bill Emerson, John Hartford, Butch Robins, and Jimmy Arnold.

Great thread and full of insights and history. Thanks to all.

I am now the proud owner of a 1970's Fender Artist. I bought it from my music teacher, who bought it new in the 70's.
Now I am in the process of selling his Concert Tone, from the same era.
Sadly, due to play for his medical expenses.

Subscribed to this thread and will post picture soon, of both banjos for reference.

This is my serial number for my white 5 string Jazz bass, consequently the result came up as an American-made and Production Year: 2009.
It has active circuitry but no passive switch mode.
The body is Olympic white with a black 3 ply scratch plate/ pick guard, rosewood neck with white inlays. It also has Fender Corona stamped/ embossed on the 4 screw neck back plate and has one 9volt battery, not 2. The serial no. is stamped on the back of headstock.
Is there any other useful information to add, like its current value as it is good working condition and sounds awesome. I purchased it for $499 New Zealand dollars second hand.
Also whether or not the production year if there are any details on its active circuitry and/or pick ups used beside the normal fender issue.
Thank you Fred

Fender is a well-known guitar manufacturer that has been producing electric and acoustic guitars for over 70 years. To look up a Fender guitar serial number, you will need to know the brand and model of the guitar, as well as the location of the serial number.

Keep in mind that dating a Fender guitar can be challenging, especially if the guitar is a vintage or antique model. In some cases, the serial number may be missing or difficult to read, and other identifying features may have changed or been modified over time.

Real-time database crawlers are software programs that continuously scan a database and index its contents in real-time, as the data is being added or updated. This allows the indexed data to be searched or accessed almost immediately after it is entered into the database.

Real-time database crawlers are used in applications where it is important to have up-to-date and accurate information available for search or access. They are often used in industries such as finance, healthcare, and e-commerce, where real-time data is critical.

Keep in mind that real-time database crawlers are different from traditional database crawlers, which scan and index a database at a specific point in time. Real-time database crawlers operate continuously and update the index as data is being added or updated.

The reliability of a guitar serial number in dating a guitar can vary depending on the manufacturer and the specific guitar. In general, the serial number is a useful tool for determining the age and model of a guitar, but it is not always the most reliable method.

Despite these limitations, the serial number is still a useful tool for dating a guitar and can provide valuable information about the age and model of the guitar. However, it is important to consider other factors, such as the type of wood used, the shape of the headstock, the type of pickups, and the type of hardware, in order to accurately determine the age and model of the guitar.

It is difficult to provide an exact number of Fender guitars that have been produced, as the company has been in business for over 70 years and has produced a wide variety of electric and acoustic guitars during that time. Fender is known for producing some of the most iconic and popular guitar models in the world, including the Stratocaster, Telecaster, and Jazzmaster, as well as a variety of other electric and acoustic guitars.

Fender has also produced limited edition and custom guitars, as well as reissues of classic models, which further complicates the task of determining an exact number of Fender guitars. It is safe to say that Fender has produced hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of guitars over the years.

Examine the overall construction and craftsmanship: Fender guitars are known for their high-quality construction and attention to detail. Look for signs of poor craftsmanship, such as rough or unfinished edges, misaligned parts, or sloppy paint jobs.

Most notably, production dates have been penciled or stamped on the butt end of the heel of the neck of most guitars and basses, although there were periods when this was not consistently done (1973 to 1981, for example) or simply omitted. Neck-dating can be useful in determining the approximate age of a guitar, but it is certainly not definitive because the neck date simply refers to the date that the individual component was produced, rather than the complete instrument.

Given the modular nature of Fender production techniques, an individual neck may have been produced in a given year, then stored for a period of time before being paired with a body to create a complete guitar, perhaps, for example, in the following year. Therefore, while helpful in determining a range of production dates, a neck date is obviously not a precisely definitive reference.

Serial numbers are also helpful in determining an instrument`s production year. For years, serial numbers have been used in various locations on Fender instruments, such as the top of the neck plate, the front or back of the headstock and the back of the neck near the junction with the body. Serial numbers were stamped on the back vibrato cover plate on early `50s Stratocaster guitars, and on the bridge plate between the pickup and the saddles on some Telecaster guitars.

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