The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Fender Basses => Topic started by: Hornisse on March 30, 2010, 04:18:52 PM

Title: Fender bass nail holes
Post by: Hornisse on March 30, 2010, 04:18:52 PM
On back of my refinished natural Fender P bass body are 2 filled nail holes.  One is just above the neck plate towards the upper horn while the other is at the end of the body right under where the bridge would be.  Does anyone know how long they used this method for constructing the bodies?  I know it was pretty much done by the mid to late 1970's.  The bass has a 365000 range number.  Thanks for any info.
Title: Re: Fender bass nail holes
Post by: Freuds_Cat on March 30, 2010, 05:02:58 PM
My 74 Jazz has them. Dont know much more about them.
Title: Re: Fender bass nail holes
Post by: birdie on March 30, 2010, 05:16:37 PM
W/out pics, I will assume they were there to support the body while spraying/finishing?
Title: Re: Fender bass nail holes
Post by: Hornisse on March 30, 2010, 05:53:31 PM
(http://i41.tinypic.com/14o0yys.jpg)

They did use them for finishing purposes and you can see the rear one clearly in this photo.  The other one is above the neck plate just above the white speck.  I was just curious as to how long they used this system.  Looks like at least through '74.
Title: Re: Fender bass nail holes
Post by: hollowbody on March 30, 2010, 07:21:04 PM
I've always wondered about this as well.  Actually, I never noticed the one at the butt of the body.  My Precision has it and it's in the 590000's (1974/5?)
Title: Re: Fender bass nail holes
Post by: Pilgrim on March 30, 2010, 09:32:25 PM
This is news to me.  I am familiar with the nail holes in the front which were hidden by the PG.  I was not aware that Fender ever used nails on the back side of bodies.
Title: Re: Fender bass nail holes
Post by: Aussie Mark on March 31, 2010, 04:04:42 PM
My '66 P had a nail hole a couple of inches below the neck plate, you can see it clearly in this pic ...

(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a57/mdeayton/Miscellaneous%20Stuff/66pbackbody.jpg)
Title: Re: Fender bass nail holes
Post by: Bionic-Joe on August 02, 2010, 05:24:08 PM
I believe those are pin router marks.
Title: Re: Fender bass nail holes
Post by: dadagoboi on August 03, 2010, 11:54:05 AM
I believe those are pin router marks.

Yep, for use with a template for a router or shaper.  Leo was still using them on G&L's at least as late as '82, my L-1000 has them on both the body and neck.  The ones on the front of the body may have been used for the belly cut template.  Back ones are used for pup and control cavity and neck pocket.  Overall body shape could be either side, I'm sure the info is available.

Here's Leo discussing it with George Fullerton ;D
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Chrome%20Soapbar/CHROMED/Charlie/GL.jpg)
"I don't know, George.  What do you think of those newfangled CNC machines"
Title: Re: Fender bass nail holes
Post by: Freuds_Cat on August 03, 2010, 04:59:50 PM
Our guit4ri5t plays 2 pre Ernie Ball G&L's both have the nail holes. Not sure what year they were made though.
Title: Re: Fender bass nail holes
Post by: dadagoboi on August 03, 2010, 05:25:07 PM
Our guit4ri5t plays 2 pre Ernie Ball G&L's both have the nail holes. Not sure what year they were made though.

Ernie Ball bought Music Man, then  George & Leo started G&L.  G&L continues to carry on the Leo legacy, that picture is actually from their site.  I've got a Pre Ernie '77 Stingray but it's sunburst and I've never noticed if it has holes or not.
Title: Re: Fender bass nail holes
Post by: Freuds_Cat on August 03, 2010, 06:08:39 PM
Yup, my bad, I was reading all about the history of such just yesterday but with only 4 hours sleep after a late rehearsal I got things a little muddled this morning.
Title: Re: Fender bass nail holes
Post by: Psycho Bass Guy on August 03, 2010, 07:34:10 PM
Yep, for use with a template for a router or shaper.  Leo was still using them on G&L's at least as late as '82,

My L2500 had one on its original neck from 1997.
Title: Re: Fender bass nail holes
Post by: dadagoboi on August 04, 2010, 03:25:47 PM
Yup, my bad, I was reading all about the history of such just yesterday but with only 4 hours sleep after a late rehearsal I got things a little muddled this morning.

Wait till you get to be my age, muddled will be a constant state of mind.
Title: Re: Fender bass nail holes
Post by: Pilgrim on August 04, 2010, 03:49:09 PM
Wait till you get to be my age, muddled will be a constant state of mind.

I wuz gonna comment but then fergot what I wuz gonna say.

Look!  SQUIRREL!.........
Title: Re: Fender bass nail holes
Post by: Freuds_Cat on August 04, 2010, 06:06:59 PM
KkkeeeeeeeeeeennnnnnnnnyyYYYYYYYY!!!!!  :D
Title: Re: Fender bass nail holes
Post by: Dave W on August 04, 2010, 07:52:38 PM
All G&Ls are pre-Ernie Ball and are likely to stay that way.  ;)
Title: Re: Fender bass nail holes
Post by: Freuds_Cat on August 04, 2010, 07:54:15 PM
yep thx Dave, I had a too tired to think properly momment is all.
Title: Re: Fender bass nail holes
Post by: Highlander on August 05, 2010, 07:32:43 AM
Did someone call...? Ah fergot t' turn on 'earing ayd this mornin'  ;D

(Just back from dropping in a Sturnus Vulgaris we've had for a week to a local sanctuary to give it some aviary time prior to release)

Look!  SQUIRREL!.........

Al... less emphasis, more feeling...

Either that or maybe you should have added, "Dayam, ah cain't remember where ah left ma shotgun... ahm gonna hav' t' lit ol' Psycho ofum his leash an' sic-'im on the pesky varmint...!" ;D
Title: Re: Fender bass nail holes
Post by: Psycho Bass Guy on August 05, 2010, 04:19:44 PM
Me and squirrels get along pretty good.   :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Fender bass nail holes
Post by: dadagoboi on August 05, 2010, 04:26:31 PM
Me and squirrels get along pretty good.   :mrgreen:

Good eatin' in a gumbo if you don't mind picking out the odd piece of shot.  Another Coonass delicacy is squirrels in gravy, mighty fine.
Title: Re: Fender bass nail holes
Post by: Psycho Bass Guy on August 05, 2010, 06:00:40 PM
Only eat the mean ones. It makes 'em taste better.
Title: Re: Fender bass nail holes
Post by: Pilgrim on August 06, 2010, 01:54:44 PM
Did someone call...? Ah fergot t' turn on 'earing ayd this mornin'  ;D

(Just back from dropping in a Sturnus Vulgaris we've had for a week to a local sanctuary to give it some aviary time prior to release)

Al... less emphasis, more feeling...


Check out the movie "Up" and you'll understand the "squirrel" comment..... :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Fender bass nail holes
Post by: Highlander on August 14, 2010, 05:37:26 AM
Still not seen that one, Al... kept missing it... definitely PIXAR fans...

Not many places with squirrel on the menu round here... though all those visiting our garden come with a health warning (contains nuts) ;D