1954 FENDER PRECISION BASS
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Contours were added onto the body. As a result the pickguard became slightly smaller. In late 1954 the white single ply pickguard was introduced. During the year the dual black fiber bridge saddles were discontinued and now became metal. Serial numbers were moving to the top edge of the neckplate but were often still located on the bridgeplate. In late year the two-tone Sunburst finish was introduced.
Other 1954 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 and phillips head screw truss rod adjustment, black bakelite dot fret markers, neck butt pencil date, fifth hole on neck butt for hanging while painting, no neck pocket paint stick, body pencil date, ash body in Blonde or two-tone Sunburst finishes, body nail holes (for painting/drying), black or white 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, phillips head fastening screws for chrome covers, dome top shaped knobs, pots assembly control plate, Stackpole potentiometers, white rectangular tone capacitor with blue stripe, cloth wiring, ground wire route underneath bridge, input jack ferrule on side of body, brown tweed case or brown vinyl gigbag.
Serial numbers ranged from roughly 0600 to 1500, 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.