Fender Custom Shop Jazz Bass 1963 Master Built

Sly_NY · #1 07-16-2011, 12:38 PM

Hi Guys!

I just bought a Fender Jazz Bass and I need some lights on a few question :

Someone know what the MG stand for on the serial#, MasterGrade ? and then N8 would be 98... It this make sense ?

The stamp on the neck "Yamano Mastergrade" is it related to the Japan Music seller ?

Did someone ever see such a mark ?

Can someone recognize the signature ?

Here some pics :

Many Thanks

Sly_NY · #2 07-16-2011, 02:47 PM

Anyone know where I can find some information about it ?

johnk_10 · #3 07-16-2011, 02:57 PM

nice bass. congrats.
what more info do you need? it looks like an american made 1998 CS masterbuilt jazz bass. the only thing i'm wondering is if the neck has a 'veneer' fingerboard (which would be correct for a '63) since it kinda looks like a slab board in the pics (judging by the rosewood behind the nut).

i know that the newer '63's have the curved veneer boards (period correct) now, but i'm not sure if they were doing that yet in '98.

Sly_NY · #4 07-16-2011, 04:19 PM

I wanted a confirmation that it is really a Masterbuilt and I hope some one will recognize the "Master" by his signature...

I not sure I have understand the "veneer" stuff

but here's some more pictures maybe it will help ?:

The rosewood looks much better now with some lemon oil

Another question, about the lacquer, seems to me that is poly and not nitro ... how can the difference be done?

selowitch · #5 07-16-2011, 04:29 PM

Can't help with the info you want, but it sure is a nice bass!

Stick_Player · #6 07-16-2011, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sly_NY

I not sure I have understand the "veneer" stuff

but here's some more pictures maybe it will help ?:

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that the floor is definitely a veneer.

johnk_10 · #7 07-16-2011, 05:11 PM

if you could, please post a pic of the heel of the neck's end. that way we can tell for sure. on the headstock pic, it does look radiused (aka veneer).

johnk_10 · #8 07-16-2011, 05:15 PM

with all of those signatures, it appears that it's a 'mastergrade' neck, but not necessarily a masterbuilt bass, since masterbuilts are made by one builder from start to finish, and the documentation sheet would also state if it were a masterbuilt.

Caca de Kick · #9 07-16-2011, 05:37 PM

The tough part about Custom Shop instruments is there's no serial number information posted anywhere, especially on Fenders' own website. You'll simply need to call Fender and ask them what it is.

Sly_NY · #10 07-16-2011, 07:20 PM

@johnk, I think it is radius, but unfortunately I not at home for the weekend. I will post a pic Sunday night or Monday.

@Caca de Kick, I have ask the customer service of Fender. The file in the previous year is not complete and the only information they have is that it’s a custom order (and by the way they also confirm that is a Custom Shop.

Is it a Masterbuilt ? My understanding it during the 90’ they was only two grades, Teamgrade and Mastergrade. Mastergarde was done by the same builder and at this time it was not systematically written down on the COA.

Now can we say that Mastergrade = Masterbuilt ?

About the signatures on the neck, there is two, the first one done with a pencil with the date (9 30 98) and on top YFMS 63 TRV (or TRU) 286 look somehow similar to the ink one on the top. The way to draw the 6 is also the same.

The other question is about the Yamano stamp.

I have found this …

And also this

fender stratocaster 1998 yamano mastergrade 61

with the same signature ….

sps500 · #11 07-16-2011, 09:05 PM

If it plays well sounds great and it definitely looks great I really wouldn't care if its master built or not. From this side of the computer it looks like you've got yourself a real sweet bass!

johnk_10 · #12 07-16-2011, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sps500

If it plays well sounds great and it definitely looks great I really wouldn't care if its master built or not. From this side of the computer it looks like you've got yourself a real sweet bass!

+1!

Sly_NY · #13 07-16-2011, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnk_10

Quote:

Originally Posted by sps500

If it plays well sounds great and it definitely looks great I really wouldn't care if its master built or not. From this side of the computer it looks like you've got yourself a real sweet bass!

+1!

+1

Agree, most important is the sond ...
and this babe got the mojo

I have a fee others (a 4003, Road Worn JB, Aerodyne, a Frettless JB, ...) and I'm very happy to complete my collection with this CS. I'm just curious about it's history ..,.

A pic of the rest of the family...

martinmcfly · #14 07-16-2011, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sly_NY

The rosewood looks much better now with some lemon oil

Somewhere I heard lemon oil was bad for basses because it dries out the wood.

Sly_NY · #15 07-18-2011, 05:27 PM

@johnk_10

You were right ....

same view on my RoadWorn to see the difference ...

johnk_10 · #16 07-18-2011, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sly_NY

@johnk_10

You were right ....

that is one awesome bass you have there!

Sly_NY · #17 07-18-2011, 05:47 PM

Tanks, johnk_10 at leat, I have learned something today !

Caca de Kick · #18 07-18-2011, 05:49 PM

I like the coloring of that tort guard...one of the best ones of anything they've been using on reissues.

carlos840 · #19 07-19-2011, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnk_10

that is one awesome bass you have there!

John, do you know what the story behind the radiused fretboard is?

It looks like a lot of extra work and trouble for a similar result!
Why did they start radiusing the fretboards in the first place?

tdizzle · #20 07-19-2011, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

I like the coloring of that tort guard...one of the best ones of anything they've been using on reissues.

I noticed that too. It's a pity that no one can replicate the look of the old school guards. They were just so beautiful.