Is this a real Fender or a fishy Fender?

[Lorenzop]

The owner says he got it second hand, the tuners already swapped out for these Aria ones (see Foto). He says the switch is a 3 way selector for pickup blend.
He reckons its about 20 years old.

What do you guys think? I've never seen such a configuration on a fender. A switch?? Also the bridge pu seems awfully close to bridge, not sure what to make of it.
The owner hasn't posted any serial Nr also. Do all Fenders have one printed somewhere?


Thanks for advice! I don't wanna end up fishing stinky fish! :d

[BassSurfer]

Fälschung....

[Handyman]

Originally Posted by Lorenzop

The owner says he got it second hand, the tuners already swapped out for these Aria ones (see Foto). He says the switch is a 3 way selector for pickup blend.
He reckons its about 20 years old.

I'm not sure about that particular bass, but there were some fancy versions of P basses from that era with a P/J configuration and Gibson style pickups selector switch.

EDIT: The actual Fender models I remember seeing had a very different bridge than the one on this instrument.

[DeliriumTremens]

fake

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by DeliriumTremens

fake

Not necessarily on account of the tuners. My '94 American Jazz Deluxe Plus has the Gotoh tuners on it. I bought it new in '94 at GC. I seem to recall that there were some P-bass Specials or something like that that look like the one in the picture.

[rocmonster]

*That headstock decal is widely available online so there is a chance it's a copy with a new decal.
*The string retainer is in the wrong place for an 80 or 90's era P.
*It looks as if the truss rod adjusts from the heel? If so, you want to see the heel and under the neck for the usual Fender markings.
*The Serial number would be nice to see (location) and look up for authenticity.
*The bridge p/u is too close to the bridge so it's most likely a mod along with the toggle switch (if it were a Fender P-Bass at birth).
*Country of origin?

I would prefer to have satisfactory answers to the above questions if I were you. BTW, how much is he asking?

[tjh]

Is this a real Fender or a fishy Fender?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
yup, either a small mouth bass or a big mouth bass ... but probably not likely a Fender bass (at least in its entirety)


Edit to add: ... you want full pics on anything like this ... fronts, backs, any and all writing/numbers, etc ... there appears to have been a number of modifications and swaps, but nothing done or its origin are important if it plays well, you like it, and you feel it is a good value ... if you want certainty for its origin, and seller is not willing (or unable) to furnish, simply move on unless this is a Craigslist type deal where you can drive over and put your hands on it .. JMHO

[ShowLow]

Originally Posted by tjh

Is this a real Fender or a fishy Fender?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
yup, either a small mouth bass or a big mouth bass ... but not likely a Fender bass

LOL

[wvbass]

The bridge mounting screws say "import" to me. Very non-Fender. And while Fender has done different machine heads from time to time, those aren't anything Fender has done on a P bass...

This bass was made in China.

[Evil Undead]

The headstock isn't the same shape as my fender... Don't know whether that means anything

[FrednBass]

That's totally original, you should but it before anyone does. It's a very rare road-worn bass.




not.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by wvbass

The bridge mounting screws say "import" to me. Very non-Fender. And while Fender has done different machine heads from time to time, those aren't anything Fender has done on a P bass...

This bass was made in China.

All these conclusions remind me of the archaeologists who come out into a plowed field, find a broken rock, proclaim the area to be a midden, and can tell you everything about the culture and their diet from one broken rock (which was most likely broken when the field was disced).

[johnson79]

Looks like the J was added with the switch after the fact. Logo looks fake, seems to say Made in USA in bold beneath. Doesn't look right.

[millsbass5]

It looks to be a modded P-Bass to me. It should have some good bite with both pups on full though, with that J-pup pushed back towards the bridge.

[Evil Undead]

Here's my headstock. The curves are completely different. I'd bet on the bass in the OP not being a fender.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

The headstock isn't the same shape as my fender... Don't know whether that means anything

It doesn't. Look at the headstock on this Jazz Deluxe Plus. Much different from most Fenders. Also look at the tuners.

[Evil Undead]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

It doesn't. Look at the headstock on this Jazz Deluxe Plus. Much different from most Fenders. Also look at the tuners.

Point taken thanks

[Evil Undead]

Something about the neck heel isn't sitting right with me either...

[DeliriumTremens]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Not necessarily on account of the tuners. My '94 American Jazz Deluxe Plus has the Gotoh tuners on it. I bought it new in '94 at GC. I seem to recall that there were some P-bass Specials or something like that that look like the one in the picture.

I was going by the bridge and 21 frets as well as the tuners

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by DeliriumTremens

I was going by the bridge and 21 frets as well as the tuners

I really don't have a clue. I'm just sayin' ...