1973 FENDER PRECISION BASS
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During 1973 the thumb rest began to move above the E string. However, many 1973 basses still had the thumb rest located under the G string. Black/white/black vinyl pickguards began to be introduced, along with tortoise shell/white/black/white, and white/black/white on custom colors.
Other 1973 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 an ® mark and no rivet, curved rosewood fretboard or one piece maple neck with skunk stripe, both necks available with fretless option, 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, black plastic gasket under F Series neck plate, neck pocket paint stick etc., extra body hole in neck pocket for hanging while painting, metal foil ground shielding on pickguard horn underside, body nail holes (for paint drying), date ink stamped grey bobbin pickups, ground shield under pickups, chrome pickup cover and bridge cover, CTS potentiometers, round yellow or orange tone capacitor, plastic wiring, Switchcraft input jack, oval ground wire route underneath bridge, single groove bridge saddles (occasionally with longer G string intonation screw), black tolex case with silver plastic logo and orange interior.
Serial numbers ranged from roughly 370000 to 520000 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.