1971 FENDER PRECISION BASS
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1971 Precision bass characteristics: Large "C" logo including four individual patent numbers and an ® mark applied under the finish, Fender name imprinted non-reverse clover tuners with no rivet and sometimes with an ® mark, no strapholder on headstock back, curved rosewood fretboard (with fretless option) or one piece maple neck with skunk stripe, pearloid or black plastic dot fret markers, medium jumbo fret wire, neck butt date ink stamps etc., fifth hole on neck butt for hanging while painting, F Series neck plate, neck pocket paint stick etc., extra body hole in neck pocket for hanging while painting, tortoise shell/white/black/white vinyl pickguard or white/black/white vinyl pickguard on custom colors, metal foil ground shielding on pickguard horn underside, thumb rest under G string, date ink stamped grey bobbin pickups, ground shield under pickups, chrome pickup cover and bridge cover, flat top knobs, Stackpole potentiometers, round yellow tone capacitor, plastic wiring, Switchcraft input jack, oval ground wire route underneath bridge, single groove bridge saddles (often with longer G string intonation screw), black tolex case with plastic "fishtail" logo and orange interior.
Serial numbers ranged from roughly 300000 to 334800 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.