Dating old P Bass pickups

[surfguy13]

Hi Guys

I wonder if anyone can help.....I have a pair of old P Bass pickups and I'm a little confused as to their age. Both pickups are stamped 6466 on the base and although the last two digits are a little smudged it's fairly clear that they are 66.

I was told that the early P Bass pickups in the 70s had a 4 digit code but this stopped in '73/'74. I have no idea if this is correct. All the later 70s P Bass pickups I've seen with a stamped code have 6 digits and that inlcudes my own '76 and '78 P basses.

Not sure if it helps but they are 10.3 ohms.

The wires have been replaced as can be seen in the photos. Anyway, here's some images and thanks in advance for any advice!

[URL=http://s956.photobucket.com/user/guymerchant/media/P%20Bass%20pickups/P%20bass%20pickups%20and%20boost%20008_zpsmldrvxpo.jpg.html][IMG]http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae45/guymerchant/P%20Bass%20pickups/P%20bass%20pickups%20and%20boost%20008_zpsmldrvxpo.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s956.photobucket.com/user/guymerchant/media/P%20Bass%20pickups/P%20bass%20pickups%20and%20boost%20010_zpsxvljllvu.jpg.html][IMG]http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae45/guymerchant/P%20Bass%20pickups/P%20bass%20pickups%20and%20boost%20010_zpsxvljllvu.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s956.photobucket.com/user/guymerchant/media/P%20Bass%20pickups/P%20bass%20pickups%20and%20boost%20011_zpsrnaeqzon.jpg.html][IMG]http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae45/guymerchant/P%20Bass%20pickups/P%20bass%20pickups%20and%20boost%20011_zpsrnaeqzon.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[Chiliwailer]

The stamps came in use in the late 60's and the pole piece tops are not rounded, so I'm pretty sure these aren't from 66. I've had a fair few 1966 P Basses and all had hand written dates.

The early 4 digit never did seem to have a way of dating that appeared clear to me. But early 70's seems fair.

I'm not great with colours, but the pickup winding is usually burgundy. Can't tell if yours is burgundy or black? (The wires have been changed so it made me have a look).

Edited June 4, 2016 by Chiliwailer

[chrisanthony1211]

I think in 66 they were hand writing the dates, in the 70s the last three of the four digits were usually week and year, being 46th week of 1976......but I'm not sure when they went to the six digit codes......

[surfguy13]

[quote name='Chiliwailer' timestamp='1465052977' post='3064983']
The stamps came in use in the late 60's and the pole piece tops are not rounded, so I'm pretty sure these aren't from 66. I've had a fair few 1966 P Basses and all had hand written dates.

The early 4 digit never did seem to have a way of dating that appeared clear to me. But early 70's seems fair.

I'm not great with colours, but the pickup winding is usually burgundy. Can't tell if yours is burgundy or black? (The wires have been changed so it made me have a look).
[/quote]

That makes perfect sense and to be honest I didn't thiunk they were '66 as both my teles, which are from '66, have handwritten date codes as you say. Also, from what little I could find out the 4 digit codes had no consistent references to year, week etc. Maybe they were just factory references and not used for anything other than identification purposes?

Yes, I wondered about the windings as well given that the hookup wires have been replaced. You're right, the winding is burgundy, not black.

Very much appreciate the input!

[quote name='chrisanthony1211' timestamp='1465055527' post='3065002']
I think in 66 they were hand writing the dates, in the 70s the last three of the four digits were usually week and year, being 46th week of 1976......but I'm not sure when they went to the six digit codes......
[/quote]

Well, from what I can gather the 4 digit codes stopped in '74 and were replaced by 6 digit but I'm guessing that wasdn'r set in stone! However, I did assume they were '76 pickups and your suggestion that they're week 46 in '76 sounds like it could be spot on. Again, thanks for the input!