1980 FENDER PRECISION BASS
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In 1980 Fender began to paint some instruments in the "International Custom Colors" series of Arctic White, Morocco Red, Monaco Yellow, Maui Blue, Capri Orange, Sahara Taupe, Cathay Ebony and Sienna Burst. Fret markers on Rosewood necks changed from pearloid dots to white plastic dots.
Other 1980 Precision bass characteristics: Smaller headstock decal logo including serial number beginning with an "E0", "S9" or "S8" and applied under the finish. For more precise dating cross reference the serial number with the instrument's neck butt stamp, pickup codes and pot codes. Schaller "open back" Fender name imprinted clover tuners with an ® mark and no rivet, curved rosewood fretboard or one piece maple neck with skunk stripe, white or black plastic dot fret markers, medium jumbo fret wire, neck butt date etc. ink stamps, extra hole on neck butt for hanging while painting, black plastic gasket under F Series neck plate with no serial number, neck pocket paint stick etc., extra body holes in neck pocket for hanging while painting, neck pocket date sticker, white/black/white or black/white/black/white vinyl pickguard, metal foil ground shielding on pickguard underside, pickguard date sticker, Switchcraft input jack, thumb rest above E string, date ink stamped grey bobbin pickups, occasionally a pickup cavity date sticker, ground shield under pickups, chrome pickup cover and bridge cover, flat top knobs, CTS potentiometers, round yellow or orange tone capacitor, plastic wiring, body routes, single groove bridge saddles, black tolex case with silver plastic logo and orange or rust interior or rectangular plastic case with rust or black interior, hang tag, warranty.