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Any experience with Fender MIJ Heritage series?

H K

H K

Jun 18, 2021
1,804
2,927
Norway
#1
So, I'm looking for a new jazz, and I came across the Fender MIJ Heritage series, and was wondering if anyone had any experience with em?

From what I've gathered thus far it's basically a japanese version of AVRI, with US specs and even nitro laquer. Theyre slightly cheaper tho, and different models.
I'm specifically looking at the 2023 sonic blue or CAR "late 60s jazz bass".

Anyone tried these or any of the other models?
 
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#2
Hi I have the 60s Sunburst Jazz version, it’s really good well made and sounds great once I had it set up properly, I don’t know which year it’s based on or if it’s a composite of different years, maybe someone could shed some light on that , weighs around 9 lbs
 
#3
H K said:
So, I'm looking for a new jazz, and I came across the Fender MIJ Heritage series, and was wondering if anyone had any experience with em?

From what I've gathered thus far it's basically a japanese version of AVRI, with US specs and even nitro laquer. Theyre slightly cheaper tho, and different models.
I'm specifically looking at the 2023 sonic blue or CAR "late 60s jazz bass".

Anyone tried these or any of the other models?
Click to expand...

Made in Japan Heritage Late 60s Jazz Bass

Made in Japan Heritage is a series of vintage guitars designed to give players the ultimate playing experience.
The Heritage series features specifications that will appeal to vintage fans, and was developed under the supervision of Mark Kendrick, a master builder at the Fender Custom Shop who has a deep knowledge of vintage instruments.
All models in the Heritage Series are designed based on profiling data of USA products, and the body and neck shapes are also adapted to the age of the instrument.
Every detail, from the crosswire pickups and pickup settings and tone to the reproduction of body color, is in the authentic Fender lineage.

The Made in Japan Heritage Late 60s Jazz Bass is a reissue of the product used from the late 60s, with binding on the neck and block position inlays.
The alder body has a lacquer finish that will deepen with age. The guitar features vintage-style 20 frets, a 7.25" radius ?60s "C" shape maple neck, a vintage-style bridge with four threaded steel saddles, and specially selected pickups for the Heritage series. Every specification that makes up this product, including the specially selected pickups for the Heritage Series, has been carefully selected to deliver classic playability and sweet vintage tones.
With the Heritage Series, you can experience the one-of-a-kind playability and rich tone that has made Fender a favorite of so many great musicians.

Includes: soft case

The image is a sample.

Product Specifications
Body Material Alder
Body Finish Gloss Lacquer
Neck Maple, '60s "C
Neck Finish Gloss Lacquer
Fingerboard Rosewood, 7.25" (184.1 mm)
Frets 20, Vintage
Position Inlays Pearloid Block (Rosewood)
Nut (Material/Width) Bone, 1.5" (38.1 mm)
Tuning Machines Vintage-Style "Lollipop
Scale Length 34" (86.36 cm)
Bridge 4-Saddle Vintage-Style
Pickguard 3-Ply Eggshell
Pickups Premium Vintage-Style 60s Single-Coil Jazz Bass (Bridge), Premium Vintage-Style 60s
Pickup Switching None
Controls Volume 1.(Middle Pickup), Volume 2.(Bridge Pickup), Master Tone
Control Knobs Black Plastic
Hardware Finish Nickel/Chrome
Strings Nickel Plated Steel (.045-.105 Gauges)
Case/Gig Bag Included
Click to expand...

Sounds very promising to me. We know that MIJ qc etc. is most of the times better than US qc. And if the materials are top notch even better. The models don’t seem to relate to a specific year.
 
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#4
H K said:
So, I'm looking for a new jazz, and I came across the Fender MIJ Heritage series, and was wondering if anyone had any experience with em?

From what I've gathered thus far it's basically a japanese version of AVRI, with US specs and even nitro laquer. Theyre slightly cheaper tho, and different models.
I'm specifically looking at the 2023 sonic blue or CAR "late 60s jazz bass".

Anyone tried these or any of the other models?
Click to expand...
Fender of Japan's Heritage series is absolutely amazing as well as being reasonably priced, especially compared to U.S. counterparts. I own several US Fender Jazz and Precision basses as well as some Mexican models. I'd absolutely rate the Japan models above them all. Sorry. My first foray into the Heritage series was the '57 Precision (2-tone sunburst, gold anodized aluminum pickguard, etc.) to get my Pino on. Every time I pick this bass up, I'm torn between crying and giggling as the bass is such a joy to play even though I'm definitely a Jazz bass person. The U.S. equivalent of this bass has the 1.75" nut which is too much for my short fingers while the Japanese model has a 1.65" nut which is my limit. I, too, had my eye on the Late 60's Jazz in Sonic Blue and planned on buying one. When I was ready to purchase it, my mother was diagnosed as Stage IV so I'd been travelling back and forth from coast to coast and put it off until I was going to be here long enough to be home when it arrived. Unfortunately, they were no longer available at that point. I did go crazy and bought 3 others from the Late 60's lineup. First, the Candy Apple Red from the Heritage series, then the Lake Placid Blue from the Traditional series and finally the Vintage White from the Traditional series. Red, white and blue. The Traditional series is also excellent though most models are Basswood and not to original vintage specs. However, the Vintage White is an FSR model made for Ishibashi and is Alder with a bound neck with dots instead of inlays and has US Vintage pickups. Of the dozen or so Fender basses I've bought from Japan in the last few years, this is one of my favorites along with the Fender Tomomi Jazz (transparent Fiesta Red, satin urethane neck, '64 US pickups, sculpted neck heel, stacked knobs, cream pickup covers, etc.). Both are sublime. The Tomomi might be my desert island bass. Also from the Heritage series, I picked up a '62 Jazz in Olympic White and a '62 Precision in Candy Apple Red with mint pickguard. The Heritage series basses come in a grey cotton or flannel sock like a huge pillowcase the length of the bass inside a Fender Deluxe gigbag. Further, the sock is inside out so there's no seam to touch the lacquer finish. It's a shame Fender stopped Japanese dealers from selling to the U.S. forcing one to buy from a broker on eBay where prices vary wildly for the same instrument. You'll see several brokers all listing the identical instrument (same serial number). That instrument is sitting in a store and as soon as you buy it, all of the other brokers are notified that it's no longer available. Only once have I bought a bass to be told minutes later that it's no longer available.
 
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#5
Late response, but I love my 70’s Heritage Jazz Bass. The quality is just as good as any of my made in USA basses. I would recommend taking the plunge on it if you are still looking! :)
IMG_5227.jpeg
 
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#6
I been playing the heritage P bass . For who don't want to spend on Fender AV ll, heritage P are great option. They available in 50s and 60s P, but I recall only sunburst colour available....
 
#9
H K said:
I was too late on pulling the trigger when they were new, but there is one availible here. Dude is asking as much as an AVRI 2 tho, so idk.
Click to expand...
I definitely didn't pay that much for my mine. It was between the AVRI 2 and the Vintera, and when you open the hood and look at things like the wiring and pickup in the Heritage, that's what I see. Cloth wiring and dime sized tone cap, but the pickup isn't really vintage spec. It has a brass plate under the pickup, but it isn't as thick as a vintage one, the foam is stuck to the pickups instead of that plate, and the pickup bobbins are plastic oval shapes like the MIM pickups in a Vintera. The AVRI 2 uses the fiber bobbins and vintage correct ground wire layout on the brass plate.
 
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#11
Lownote38 said:
I definitely didn't pay that much for my mine. It was between the AVRI 2 and the Vintera, and when you open the hood and look at things like the wiring and pickup in the Heritage, that's what I see. Cloth wiring and dime sized tone cap, but the pickup isn't really vintage spec. It has a brass plate under the pickup, but it isn't as thick as a vintage one, the foam is stuck to the pickups instead of that plate, and the pickup bobbins are plastic oval shapes like the MIM pickups in a Vintera. The AVRI 2 uses the fiber bobbins and vintage correct ground wire layout on the brass plate.
Click to expand...
Yah.. The dude also put some weird no name pickups in it. Idk. I have an excuse to get another bass, so RN I'm torn between a decent deal on a used Gibson midtown standard, a brand new AVRI 2 jazz, great deal on a new AVRI 2 P, or the heritage jazz. I already have an AVRI I jazz, so I KNOW I should go for either the P or the Midtown, but, meh. Choices...

I guess I'll pit em against each other and see who offers me the better deal:p
 
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#12
I have been wanting to get a P Bass again for a while now. I had an American Original 50s and American Ultra about 5 years ago but at the time it just wasn't the tone I was wanting.

Lately I have dialled back the trash punk stuff and am playing a lot more garage rock style and feel a P Bass may be where it's at (current basses are a Mosrite RI and a Ric 4003).

Just snagged one of the MIJ Heritage 50s in White Blonde. Considering how well they seem to be regarded as well as a good $1k cheaper (Australian) than the AVII, I am hoping it scratches this itch.

5373102301_fen_ins_frt_1_rr.png
 
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#14
SJLee said:
I have a black Heritage Late 60’s Jazz Bass 2021. It is sublime. The pickups are a bit generic sounding and may change out to something else at some point, but everything else is top notch.

Not sure why my photos are being rotated but here’s a shot.

View attachment 7302030
Click to expand...
I regret not buying one of these on my last trip to Japan. It looks excellent!!
 
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#16
Plastalmonus said:
I have been wanting to get a P Bass again for a while now. I had an American Original 50s and American Ultra about 5 years ago but at the time it just wasn't the tone I was wanting.

Lately I have dialled back the trash punk stuff and am playing a lot more garage rock style and feel a P Bass may be where it's at (current basses are a Mosrite RI and a Ric 4003).

Just snagged one of the MIJ Heritage 50s in White Blonde. Considering how well they seem to be regarded as well as a good $1k cheaper (Australian) than the AVII, I am hoping it scratches this itch.

View attachment 7295840
Click to expand...
Looks great!
Is the body ash or alder?
 
#20
Plastalmonus said:
I have been wanting to get a P Bass again for a while now. I had an American Original 50s and American Ultra about 5 years ago but at the time it just wasn't the tone I was wanting.

Lately I have dialled back the trash punk stuff and am playing a lot more garage rock style and feel a P Bass may be where it's at (current basses are a Mosrite RI and a Ric 4003).

Just snagged one of the MIJ Heritage 50s in White Blonde. Considering how well they seem to be regarded as well as a good $1k cheaper (Australian) than the AVII, I am hoping it scratches this itch.

View attachment 7295840
Click to expand...
Anodize gold pickguard with rosewood fretboard's P bass look more to 59's P .
 
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