Crafted in Japan Jazz Bass identification

[f4llens]

Hello there folks!

Can I ask for some help with the identification of the exact model and year of production of this great CIJ Jazz Bass? I'm attaching the hi-res photos of the main features. Thanks so much!

 

[pfschim]

hey, I'm no expert at id'ing basses, but with Fenders, the serial number should be the first step. I see that the serial number is clearly visible on the front of the headstock.

Also, is it odd that the headstock says Made In Japan, while on the neck heel it says Crafted In Japan ?

Someone who really knows what they're talking about will be along soon

good luck

 

[f4llens]

Also, is it odd that the headstock says Made In Japan, while on the neck heel it says Crafted In Japan?

Yeah, that's what puzzles me too. Also, according to the articles (reverb, fender), if there's a "Made in Japan" decal present on the headstock and the serial begins with O (as in my case), that means the bass dates back to 1993-1994. But the "Crafted in Japan" decal on the back of the neck is what causes some uncertainty.

 

[f4llens]

Regarding the model: I guess I can positively exclude '62 RI as all of them have that distinctive grounding wire that connects the bridge and the pickup (as per photos from google).

 

[Gluvhand]

Regarding the model: I guess I can positively exclude '62 RI as all of them have that distinctive grounding wire that connects the bridge and the pickup (as per photos from google).

The three bolt neck makes it a 70's reissue of some sort so no ground strap anyway.

 

[Oren Hudson]

No matter what it is, I love it.

 

[bassnyc1]

I have the exact bass (with the original w/b/w pick guard)

It's a JB-75 which was/is only sold in the Japanese domestic market. Mine was born in 2003

I've heavily modified it. Now, the body, neck, pickguard, control plate and neck plate are the only things original.

 

[f4llens]

It's a JB-75 which was/is only sold in the Japanese domestic market. Mine was born in 2003

Well, thank you sir, though I've already came up with the same conclusion with the help of some in-depth googling. But I'm still uncertain about the date of production. You say yours dates back to 2003, the serial starts with P: the Reverb article states it is either from "P + 6 digits 1993 - 1994" (Made in Japan decal) or "P + 6 digits 1999 - 2002" (Crafted in Japan decal). What do you think?

Also, what is written on the back of the neck of your bass? Is there also a serial below it? Or maybe the serial is on the lowest part of the neck and is visible only when unscrewed from the body? Thank you.

 

[bassnyc1]

Well, I bought it new in an Ishibashi store in a Tokyo suburb in July, 2004 and it was there on the rack for a while because I used to also have band rehearsals in that store and I would notice it and admire it and eventually want it. That's why I guesstimate that it's a 2003. The headstock decal says Made In Japan and the back of the neck says Crafted In Japan.

 

[DirkP]

I have the exact bass (with the original w/b/w pick guard)

It's a JB-75 which was/is only sold in the Japanese domestic market. Mine was born in 2003

I've heavily modified it. Now, the body, neck, pickguard, control plate and neck plate are the only things original.

View attachment 1081863 View attachment 1081864

It wasn't only sold in the Japanese domestic market. It was one of the most popular Fender Japan basses since the early 90's or maybe earlier. I've seen plenty of them in german music stores since the early 90s. The pickguard isn't original. Most had a white or black pickguard.
I guess due to the popularity of Marcus Miller, most were natural. I had a hard time finding a sunburst one. Their popularity is even the reason that the American Vintage '75 Jazz Basses had the period incorrect smaller logo on the headstock. This was corrected when the '74 Jazz of the new American Vintage Series was introduced a few years ago. The MIJ '70s of the 90's and early 2000's have the "wrong" 60's bridge pickup position.
(Funny somehow: they were replaced with the mexican models and while the japanese models have the wrong bridge pickup position, the mexican made classic '70s have the "wrong" wood (alder instead of ash).

 

[bassnyc1]

This model was not sold in the US.

We may be referring to different models because mine came new with w/b/w pickguard. Several others on the rack and in other music stores I've seen in Japan have the white pickguard. I've also seen new ones with a black pickguard.

...and yes, mine also has the "incorrect" '60's pickup placement.

 

[DirkP]

I guess they were sold elsewhere besides Japan but definitely not in the States.

...and yes, mine also has the "incorrect" '60's pickup placement.

Why "definitely" not in the States?
It was as popular as the CIJ/MIJ '50s and '60s Precision and Jazz Basses. And they were as available as the MIJ Geddy Lee '70s Jazz Bass and the Marcus Miller signature Jazz Bass all over Europe and - I guess - in the States, too. Both were kind of "offsprings" of the classic '70s MIJ Jazz Bass.

There was a kind of transition period. Official Fender Japan instruments became kind of rare in Europe and the US even before similar models were produced in Mexico.
I've seen so many CIJ/MIJ '70s Jazz Basses offered second hand in the US that I hardly doubt all these instruments were privately imported into the US.
Here is a page of the Fender Japan 1989 catalog and the instruments in these catalogs were all export models:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[bassnyc1]

Living in Japan for many years, I've learned that there were similar but not the same CIJ models that were exported and kept for the domestic market. For example, the Geddy Lee Jazz bass was never for sale in Japan. I've got one and every time I bring it to a gig, someone asks about it. (Always a guitarist or bassist who knows a bit about guitars)

I'm not touting myself as an expert. I'm just trying to explain what I've experienced and learned over the years.

 

[f4llens]

mine also has the "incorrect" '60's pickup placement.

Can you please elaborate on this?

 

[bassnyc1]

It's a 70's style jazz bass. It's ash/maple. It has all the characteristics of jazz basses made in the 1970's except the pickup placement. The rear pickup is in the 60's position.