80s Dan Smith era jazz bass?

[michele]

Got this new baby, plays wonderful and I'm trying to discover a date of birth...
Serial read E3xxxx, so E plus 5 digits... databases return nothing but if I put a 0 just after E it says Fullerton 79-81 and Fujigen 1984-87 ???? Headstock says its Made in USA.. Neck heel has H.Gastelum stamp and date May 3 1984
Body I can't read
Pots are blank at least on the bottom
Wiring seems original
Here are some pics.
Can someone help?

 

[michele]

Ah... picture of the whole...

 

[tim gueguen]

It's an '84 if that's what the neck stamp says. Fender made Jazz Basses with that pickguard in '83 and '84, and possibly a few from leftover parts in '85 after the sale by CBS and the Fullerton plant closing.

 

[JW56789]

As an aside, an interview with the late Dan Smith on Fender when he came in with the new ownership post CBS sale. A long read, but eye-opening in spots.

Interview: Fender Visionary Dan Smith on How to Turn | Reverb News

 

[michele]

Yeah, I've read that interview... very interesting.
The bass is really well made, can't find a single flaw..
The neck is really to die for, very fast, thin front to back and perfectly fit into the neck pocket.
Body contour are "sweet" for the lack of better term, rounder... make sense with those statement Dan made about making new templates out of late 50s early 60s vintage pieces to correct that garbage coming out from Fullerton in the late 70s.
One thing I noticed is that each pickup soloed doesn't have the typical hum, both are dead silent. This makes me wonder about them being original... time for pickup inspection, but I couldn't care less as they sound great!
Bass is really a joy to play...

 

[BritBass 2]

Definitely a 2nd issue 1983-84 Dan Smith model , always liked the white pickups, guard and controls. I’ve a 1st issue version from 1982 which is my all time favourite.