1963 FENDER PRECISION BASS
For photos, click on the links below:
Thinner curved radius rosewood fretboards had replaced the rosewood slab fretboards. 1963 basses with slab fretboards were probably started in 1962 and completed in 1963. 1963 was the first year of production with the new L Series neckplate. The white tolex case with orange interior started to appear, along with the previous light brown tolex case with orange interior. During 1963, some basses used the neck pocket paint stick method and some didn't.
Other 1963 Precision bass characteristics: spaghetti logo including four individual patent numbers applied on top of the finish, Kluson no-name riveted clover reverse tuners, strapholder on headstock back, clay dot fret markers, neck butt date etc. ink stamps, fifth hole on neck butt for hanging while painting, body nail holes (for paint drying), tortoise shell/white/black/white pickguard or white/black/white nitrocellulose pickguard on custom colors, ground shield under pickguard, thumb rest under G string, black bobbin pickups, ground shield under pickups, pickup cavity pencil date, chrome pickup cover and bridge cover with foam rubber string mute, Stackpole potentiometers, round orange tone capacitor, cloth wiring, Switchcraft input jack, ground wire route underneath bridge, coarse threaded bridge saddles.
Serial numbers ranged from roughly 93700 up or L0001 to L20000, although there are many overlapping exceptions. For more precise dating cross reference the serial number with the instrument's neck butt, body date and pot codes.