Duff McKagan Signature Bass knock off?

[N00benville]

Hey all, long time lurker, first time poster. I was wondering if anyone could confirm or deny that my bass is a knock. Some background: picked up this bass from a pawn shop for ~$500 CAD. The guy behind the counter let me know after I paid (kinda scummy) that it was a knock off, explaining that "no Fender bass comes stock without a pick guard". I recently did some digging and found out that that's incorrect. Comparing it to other basses of the theoretical same model, what's throwing me now is the thin Fender logo on the headstock. I then moved over to the Duff McKagan model, and sure enough I had the signature neckplate. Only problem now is the electronics cover is a different shape than all the ones I've seen. Any ideas? I'm not too worried if it is or not, she plays well anyway, and I wasn't exactly ripped off on the price for such a playable instrument. Would just like someone with more experience to confirm it or not. Thanks!

 

[Gorn]

As far as I can tell it's a legit jazz bass special with that neck plate and different knobs. The pawn shop guy is a jack ass.

 

[Fresh Eddie]

The Duff bass is actually a knock off of that bass.

In addition to the Contemporary Series, the P-Bass Lyte, Jaco tributes, and a couple other come to mind as far as pickguardless Fenders.

 

[FunkHead]

Edit: Neck does not look right. Somethings not quite right with the body. Fake.

 

[Slater]

It’s looks like a legit Jazz Bass Special with new neck plate and a janky control cover.

What did Duff play before he had a sig. bass?

(Edit - Thanks to all that have answered the question above, but I should state that the question is rhetorical. I actually know the answer. )

 

[Rabidhamster]

pop that cavity cover lets see whats under it.

That skull pattern could have been done at a mall kiosk.

Looks like a Jazz bass special to me, they came in a number of colors besides the "Duff bass". Could be just a weird electronics mod in back, or they lost the original, people do weird stuff. Im curious.

doesnt look duff to me

 

[N00benville]

pop that cavity cover lets see whats under it.

That skull pattern could have been done at a mall kiosk.

Looks like a Jazz bass special to me, they came in a number of colors besides the "Duff bass". Could be just a weird electronics mod in back, or they lost the original, people do weird stuff. Im curious.

doesnt look duff to me

Here ya go!

 

[Rabidhamster]

Thats weird the controls are kind of in the wrong spot, electronics are not what would be OEM from memory. Does it seem like the guitar is a refinish? Its clearly partially painted from that cavity 'work', but its hard to tell on the front

What does it look like under the pickups? I'd also want to check the neck pocket for more info.

If there is not a waterslide decal witness outline around the Fender on the headstock I cant see, still seems like you did ok so far.

 

[wolfkeller]

That is flat out not Fender control cavity, tuners are wrong, knobs, copy backplate, ect. Is the finish white or a bit grayish pearl? Should be pearl

 

[wolfkeller]

Pots would be full sized cts, tone would be tbx. Chinese knock off

 

[Rabidhamster]

Pots would be full sized cts, tone would be tbx. Chinese knock off

Neh MIJ would've been crappy little mini pots, like all the MIJ guitars for so long, although a real Duff would probably have full size now.

 

[FunkHead]

Neck looks good. Somethings not quite right with the body.

Also, I have never seen the switch in that location on one of these.

 

[bassstrangler]

The bridge and tuning posts don't look correct. Could have been replaced. The control cavity cover is wrong, switch is wrong. I'm going with knockoff.

 

[Dean N]

There's no recess on the control cavity cover. It doesn't sit flush. I've never seen that before.

 

[FunkHead]

The bridge and tuning posts don't look correct. Could have been replaced. The control cavity cover is wrong, switch is wrong. I'm going with knockoff.

Edited: Good catch on the tuners(Definitely not original MIJ).

 

[chandman1004]

He told you after you purchased it? I would have asked for money back immediately. Or if I like it that much, a partial refund

 

[bassstrangler]

Edited: Good catch on the tuners(Definitely not original MIJ).

Headstock truss adjustment.

I used this as reference:

Vintage 1984 Fender Jazz Bass Special White Pearl Finish Made in Japan | Cream City Music | Reverb

 

[non]

the control cavity looks like a hack job. the control cavity cover would be recessed into the wood not just some random shaped cover mounted over the cavity with big protruding mounting screws.

 

[chandman1004]

Head stock is wrong. Look how sharp corners are next to the nut

 

[N00benville]

So if I ever need to sell it, I know not to go too high on it. Thanks y'all!