1953 FENDER PRECISION BASS
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During February the truss rod adjustment screw changed from a slot head to a Phillips head. The neck plate, chrome pickup/bridge covers and pickguard had either slot head or Phillips head fastening screws in 1953.
Other 1953 Precision characteristics: Telecaster shaped headstock, spaghetti logo with no patent numbers applied on top of the finish, Kluson no-name riveted clover reverse tuners with slot head screws, one piece maple neck with skunk stripe, black bakelite dot fret markers, usually a neck butt pencil date, fifth hole on neck butt for hanging while painting, no neck pocket paint stick, non contoured ash body in Blonde finish, body pencil date, body nail holes (for painting/drying), clear lacquered black Bakelite one ply pickguard, large string grommets on body back, single coil black bobbin pickup wrapped in string, one screw black painted wooden thumb rest under G string, chrome pickup cover and bridge cover with foam rubber string mute, dome top shaped knobs, pots assembly control plate, Stackpole or Clarostat potentiometers, white rectangular tone capacitor with blue stripe, 15K ohm resistor, cloth wiring, Bakelite fiber dual saddle bridge, ground wire route under bridge, four digit serial number stamped into bridgeplate, input jack ferrule on side of body, strapholder, brown tweed case with red interior or brown vinyl gigbag, literature.
Serial numbers ranged from roughly 0450 to 1400, although there are overlapping exceptions. For more precise dating cross reference the serial number with the instrument's neck butt, body date and pot codes.