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Early 70's MIJ Fender Bass

U

Usual Suspect

Sep 23, 2004
3
0
39
Perth, WA
#1
Hey guys, in an hour or so im gonna go look at a new bass, its second hand and the add says this "GUITAR & AMP bass, Fender, early 1970s, made in Japan, with amp, hard case". Now i was actually looking for an amp but this came along and i was gonna buy a new bass later in the year so yeh, could kill 2 birds with one stone. I dont know any other details as yet but will find out when i go look at it soon. I think the guy said it was a P-bass, but i was on a mobile and the reception was awful so it could be a J, which doesnt really fuss me as id be happy with either one. I was just wondering what i should be looking for in particular, predominantly in terms of making sure its genuine coz the price is making me a little suspicious. Things i know i gotta look for is the neck plate and check for a serial number and the logo, but how would i tell if it is a 70's model? I would assume that they all have a similar number but i couldnt find much on a quick search of google about it.

The drummer from my band is also coming with me as he is a guitarist as well and knows a lot about instruments, a hell of a load more than me anyway so im safe in that regards but i thought i would see if i could get some info from other bass players.

So basically any light you guys could shed on this would be much appreciated, ive been looking forward to this all day as it seems to be a once in a life time offer, but dont wanna rush in and get ripped off.

Cheers in advance guys,

Adrian.
 
#6
Here is the link to Fender's web page that lists MIJ instument serial #'s and production dates. It begins with 1982. Print it and take it with you.

Invalid Link Removed

Sorry, Doctor J, I didn't realize you posted similar info. Need to look before I leap...
 
#7
ALot of imitation fenders came out of the 70's. Alot of japanese models from ibanez, bradley, and others. aren't they called lawsuit guitars or somethign like that. careful someone didn't slap a fender logo cause they are actually easy to get on ebay and places in in europe. I've got a 1975 Bradley Jazz bass clone sitting right next to me, and untill I opened up the electronics and read the makers, I would have just passed it on as a fender. It's pretty damn easy to make a Fender, but it's hard to reproduce the quality of a vintage piece.
 
#8
Yeh sorry guys it was a misprint in the addk, after doing a bit of a hurry research i found that fenders werent made in Japan til the 80's. It turned out to be an early 80's fender squire p-bass. it was in pretty good nick as well, its white with a white 3-ply pickgaurd. I didnt end up buying it coz i would prefer to have an amp at this stage rather than a good guitar and no amp. I got him down to $475 (AUD) for the guitar, a hardcase, a tuner, a-frame stand, ****ty mic, 10w practice amp, a lead and a leather strap. It was a good deal and would be sitting here with it all, but its taken me ages to save up for an amp (im a poor student) and it would take me at least another 6 months to save up enough money for the amp again.

If anyone is in Western Australia and would like the guys number ill give it ya coz it is an aboslute steal imo.
 

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