1964 FENDER PRECISION BASS
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During 1964 Fender introduced the transition logo. There were either four or five individual patent numbers on 1964 transition logo decals. Earlier year basses still had the spaghetti logo with four patent numbers. The decals were still applied on top of the finish. In late 1964, headstock backs added eight shallow divets routed in the wood, to accommodate the tuner protrusions. These divets were hidden underneath the tuning machines. Grey bobbin pickups (sometimes hand dated) were introduced along with existing black bobbin pickups. By late 1964 Fender introduced pearloid dot fret markers (on both fretboard front and side). Earlier year basses still had clay dot fret markers. In late 1964 the vinyl pickguard replaced the nitrocellulose pickguard. The black Tolex case with no logo and orange interior was introduced in 1964. The white tolex case with orange interior was also still used.
Other 1964 Precision bass characteristics: Kluson no-name riveted clover reverse tuners, strapholder on headstock back, curved rosewood fretboard, neck butt date etc. ink stamps, fifth hole on neck butt for hanging while painting, L Series neckplate, neck pocket paint stick etc., body nail holes (for paint drying), ground shield under pickguard, thumb rest under G string, ground shield under pickups, occasionally a pickup cavity date, chrome pickup cover and bridge cover with foam rubber string mute, flat top knobs, Stackpole potentiometers, round orange tone capacitor, cloth wiring, Switchcraft input jack, ground wire route underneath bridge, threaded bridge saddles, hang tag.
Serial numbers ranged from roughly L20000 to L55000, although there are many overlapping exceptions. For more precise dating cross reference the serial number with the instrument's neck butt, pickup and pot codes.