LeftyBassist.com

This is that '73 P that's been up for a while. The one with the tuner crack:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1973-FENDER-PRECISI ... 2eb4a7769a

Question: When making 3-piece bodies, did Fender often use different sized pieces, like they did on this P?

I hope I'm explaining this well. See how the two outer pieces aren't aligned symetrically? Is that typical Fender 70's?

That looks like 4 pieces to me.. Am I seen an extra? Yea, Fender was sloppy on some but this one is ugly..... I wish I still had my 74 Jazz and 78 P. they put this one to shame for the wood grain. The seams should be straight, not at an angle.... Stoner Cut!

This bass may have also been a solid color at one point and someone stripped it down to the sealer coat. On basses that were destined to be finished in a solid color, Fender was'nt too concerned about the look of the natural wood. From what I understand, basses that passed a "grain test" at the factory were kept natural wood and just clear coated. Basses and guitars that did'nt, were sprayed a solid color.

Thanks, guys. I asked because after sanding down my "'74 Fender" P body, I found it was a 3-piece, but each piece is a different size. Fortunately, it's got one big piece that covers the entire bridge and above (a beautiful piece, btw). Then it's got 2 pieces below that - one of them is just a small "cap" on the bottom - the seam of this piece runs through the control cavity.

Everything reeks of Fender on this body - horrible neck pocket, heavy as hell - and now this does, too.

I should have taken another pic - just sent it to P. Wilkins.

P.S. That one above DOES look like 4!