Fender forensics: ID this neck

[ulynch]

This is on my local CL. The seller has no idea what it is, and is flexible on the price. I haven't seen it in person yet, but I've gotten some answers from him. There's no serial number visible anywhere, no "made in" or "crafted in". I'm not sure if the J pickup is original or added after the fact.

Assuming the decal is correct, what can be concluded about it?

I'm thinking it looks like a Geddy neck, or maybe a 70s reissue? Then again, it might be a Squier VM Jazz neck with a new decal. What additional details should I look for to help authenticate this thing?

At the least, it's an interesting learning experience for me. Thanks for any help y'all!

[bassclef112]

I can tell you this - Geddy necks have his signature on the back of the headstock. Mine also says "Crafted in Japan" above the s/n at the neck heel.

[ulynch]

Originally Posted by bassclef112

I can tell you this - Geddy necks have his signature on the back of the headstock. Mine also says "Crafted in Japan" above the s/n at the neck heel.

Yep, and according to the seller, this has neither.

[Acoop]

J-bass neck on a P-bass body with a dimarzio J-bass pickup installed. Kind of hard to tell from the pics if it is vintage or reissue. ..... It would have to be taken apart to tell for sure...... How much he want?

[FranF]

Well it has a biflex truss rod adjuster at the nut end, def not a MIJ neck. Also has the import tuners and large ferrules. Could be stick-on black blocks?

[landau roof]

^I don't think that's a bi-flex. It could very possibly be a Squier blackhole that's been covered in gloss clear.

Def not a Geddy or '70s. Those have the walnut plug and bullet nut respectively.

[A-Step-Towards]

Looks like a VM squier due to the looks of the bushings and the truss rod adjustment hole location.

[ulynch]

You guys are awesome.

I have a CIJ Jaguar bass neck, as well as a Squier VM 77 Jazz, and now that I know what to look for, comparing things like ferrules I can see the differences. The ferrules on the Craigslist bass sure look like the larger Squier type. The truss adjusters are the same on my two necks so far as I can tell though. What's a bi-flex adjuster?

The seller's asking $300, but dropped to $250 due to the lack of serial number and doubt about the decal. I don't think it's worth even that if it's a Squier neck on some unknown body. I'm trying to talk him into taking the neck off to check for stamps and stickers.

If I figure right, a true vintage 70s neck would have the truss adjuster at the heel. A reissue would have a bullet type at the headstock. Is that right? Also, vintage could be either three or four bolt, while reissue are all three bolt?

I don't want to get ripped off, and I don't want to rip him off if it's something valuable. It's better to know. At any rate, it's fascinating learning what you can conclude just from little details like these.

Thanks!

[FranF]

There's no way it's a 70s or a Geddy or a reissue. It's a $125 neck from a $250 bass.

[the art guy]

Originally Posted by FranF

There's no way it's a 70s or a Geddy or a reissue. It's a $125 neck from a $250 bass.

This.

[landau roof]

Originally Posted by ulynch

You guys are awesome.

I have a CIJ Jaguar bass neck, as well as a Squier VM 77 Jazz, and now that I know what to look for, comparing things like ferrules I can see the differences. The ferrules on the Craigslist bass sure look like the larger Squier type. The truss adjusters are the same on my two necks so far as I can tell though. What's a bi-flex adjuster?

The seller's asking $300, but dropped to $250 due to the lack of serial number and doubt about the decal. I don't think it's worth even that if it's a Squier neck on some unknown body. I'm trying to talk him into taking the neck off to check for stamps and stickers.

If I figure right, a true vintage 70s neck would have the truss adjuster at the heel. A reissue would have a bullet type at the headstock. Is that right? Also, vintage could be either three or four bolt, while reissue are all three bolt?

I don't want to get ripped off, and I don't want to rip him off if it's something valuable. It's better to know. At any rate, it's fascinating learning what you can conclude just from little details like these.

Thanks!

The bi-flex truss rod is what's used on US Strats and Teles. I don't know if it's been used on any basses. There's a walnut plug with a small hole in the middle.



At $250 you'd be the one getting ripped off.