80's Fernandes Japanese J bass?

[SryNoFenderHere]

Hey all,

I can't say i'm a regular poster on here or anything, nor am I a gear guru, but I like to think I know a bit about a bit.

anyway, I recently purchased a Fernandes Jazz bass from a customer (I work at a music store) for myself.. it's a fernandes "special edition" jazz bass, no serial number, but the neck plate indicates that it was made in Japan. It seems to resemble a '62 J bass with a few modifications....

It has Lace Sensor Jazz pickups in it, which based on some research i've done (and listening to them) are really great pickups. Also, it has a bridge that is obviously aftermarket, i'm thinking either schaller or Leo Quann (totally not an expert though). It also has what I believe to be a mahogany toneblock intalled underneath the bridge

I can't find any reliable information on the internet about it, so my question is... for $130, I think I at least broke even on it, but did I get a rarity here?

thanks!

[cetera]

You got a bargain!
Fernandes made/make great instruments... and with the Lace Sensors as well you're laughing all the way to the bank

[MysticMichael]

Don't know if it's any kind of rarity, but you probably got a very nice player...

I once played a Fernandes J-bass copy in a music store that was very similar to the instrument you describe - around 1988 or so - and was duly impressed, especially for the price. It sounded great, and had a cool early J-bass vibe...

MM

[Vincent P]

Some pic if you can post them would be great.

[Aspidites]

Originally Posted by SryNoFenderHere

Hey all,

I can't say i'm a regular poster on here or anything, nor am I a gear guru, but I like to think I know a bit about a bit.

anyway, I recently purchased a Fernandes Jazz bass from a customer (I work at a music store) for myself.. it's a fernandes "special edition" jazz bass, no serial number, but the neck plate indicates that it was made in Japan. It seems to resemble a '62 J bass with a few modifications....

It has Lace Sensor Jazz pickups in it, which based on some research i've done (and listening to them) are really great pickups. Also, it has a bridge that is obviously aftermarket, i'm thinking either schaller or Leo Quann (totally not an expert though). It also has what I believe to be a mahogany toneblock intalled underneath the bridge

I can't find any reliable information on the internet about it, so my question is... for $130, I think I at least broke even on it, but did I get a rarity here?

thanks!

It was common practice for Japanese manufacturers to purchase defunct Spanish instrument companies and use their names. The two most common are Ibañez (correct pronunciation E-bahn-yez) and Fernandes. Both are very well made brands.

[Yakob]

Originally Posted by SryNoFenderHere

for $130, I think I at least broke even on it, but did I get a rarity here?

thanks!

A rarity? No.

A great deal? Yes.

Fernandes Japan basses easily rival Fender Japan in terms of quality, and were actually favored over actual Fenders by many during the late 80s and early 90s. Sweet buy.

Pics, please?

[SryNoFenderHere]

Thanks for the info guys! I feel a lot better now, i'll post some pictures ASAP!