1966 FENDER PRECISION BASS
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In 1966, a new Fender Precision Bass cost around $310. 1966 was the first full year of production with the new F Series neckplate. This plate featured the large backward F logo which generally indicated it was a CBS manufactured instrument. The serial number was still at the top of the plate, but the L prefix was gone. As 1966 started, Fender were still using Kluson no-name riveted clover reverse tuners. CBS then introduced Fender name imprinted non-reverse tuners with no ® mark and no rivet. Their first design had oval pegs, then quickly returned back to clover shape keeping the Fender name imprint and no rivet. There were far less oval tuners installed on Precision basses than on Jazz basses. Headstock backs had eight shallow divets routed in the wood, to accommodate the tuner protrusions. These divets were hidden underneath the tuning machines. When the tuner design changed to non reverse, the divets were no longer needed and discontinued. The silver plastic Fender logo was first riveted onto the black Tolex case in 1966.
Other 1966 Precision bass characteristics: transition logo including five individual patent numbers applied on top of the finish, strapholder on headstock back, curved rosewood fretboard, pearloid dot fret markers, neck butt date ink stamp etc., fifth hole on neck butt for hanging while painting, neck pocket paint stick etc., body nail holes (for paint drying), tortoise shell/white/black/white vinyl pickguard or white/black/white vinyl pickguard on custom colors, ground shield under pickguard, thumb rest under G string, grey bobbin pickups (often hand dated), ground shield under pickups, chrome pickup cover and bridge cover with foam rubber string mute, flat top knobs, CTS or Stackpole potentiometers, round yellow tone capacitor, cloth wiring, ground wire route underneath bridge, threaded bridge saddles, hang tag etc, Parker body guard.
Serial numbers ranged from roughly 110000 to 193000 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.