Fender Branded Korean "E" Series Jazz Bass

[jsutton1988]

So I have this MIK jazz bass I purchased last year. It is part of the "E" series of serial numbers (E104707) which to my knowledge are typically associated with the 80's Squier brand. Mine however is fender branded. It's olympic white in body color and has a silver pearloid pickguard. The clover part of the tuners are slightly different than typical squier or standard MIM series tuners. They are a bit more rounded, but are not totally round. There is some sort of copper grounding type ribbon coming from the bridge pickup to the bridge.

Does anyone here have experience with these or any more information on them? I don't think I have ever seen another p or jazz bass like it. I think it's a 1984 model from the serial number. I can try to post some pictures if it would help.

Thanks!

 

[spaz21387]

could it be one of those early squiers with fender on the headstock larger than squier?

 

[jsutton1988]

No, no sign of squier anywhere on the bass. I've seen those headstocks and this is different. Also, no signs of tampering, watermarks etc.

 

[travese311]

I too picked up one of these late 80s gems. Any info to be had?

 

[Vinnie S]

So I have this MIK jazz bass I purchased last year. It is part of the "E" series of serial numbers (E104707) which to my knowledge are typically associated with the 80's Squier brand. Mine however is fender branded. It's olympic white in body color and has a silver pearloid pickguard. The clover part of the tuners are slightly different than typical squier or standard MIM series tuners. They are a bit more rounded, but are not totally round. There is some sort of copper grounding type ribbon coming from the bridge pickup to the bridge.

Does anyone here have experience with these or any more information on them? I don't think I have ever seen another p or jazz bass like it. I think it's a 1984 model from the serial number. I can try to post some pictures if it would help.

Thanks!

I have one similar to yours. SN E1047234. Same tuners. White body with white pick guard. Also has the grounding strip (pretty strange way to ground the bridge/strings). I don't have any more information on the bass but would certainly appreciate it if anyone could help.

 

[Ghastly]

I have no info, but pics would be interesting to see.

 

[AlexanderB]

Regarding the grounding strip; I have it on my E series Jazz, too, even if it happens to be a Japanese Squier, it still has it. Originally the exposed strip harkens back to the time when Fender Jazz was delivered with the chrome "ashtray" bridge cover. Always looking for cheap production, Leo left the wire strip exposed, as it was probably quicker to build it that way. With the ashtray on, it hid the strip.

 

[tpaul]

There were MIK "Squier series" Fenders that said Fender in big type and "Squier series" in small type on the ball end of the headstock. The latter often got sanded off. There is some controversy over whether they are Squiers or Fenders. I would look for evidence of sanding at the ball end of the headstock.

 

[rufus.K]

Never heard of a Korean E series. All the ones I've seen are Japanese and say Fender. The serial number on those have been higher than that too.

 

[Ned Bergerstein]

I have one similar to yours. SN E1047234. Same tuners. White body with white pick guard. Also has the grounding strip (pretty strange way to ground the bridge/strings). I don't have any more information on the bass but would certainly appreciate it if anyone could help.

Hi Vinnie, I am in the same situation as you. Just wondering if you or anyone ever got more information on the bass. Thanks

 

[M.R. Ogle]

Just had one of those in for repair... this is how the headstock logos are presented.

 

[LittleMarch]

I have of of these too! Actually bought it today for $500 or something from a woman who didn't know anythings about basses, she inherited it from her father.
The color is olympic white with a white pickguard. The pickguard had a black decal over it, but I removed it. The serial number is E1047131 and it says made in Korea. That's the only thing on the bass that actually proves that it's from Fender.. I haven't looked behind the neck yet though, I'll have to check that later. The original pickup cover seemed to be replaced, unfortunately.
I'd really like to know more about this line of basses, I can't seem to find anything else about it on the internet..

(Sorry for the snapchat filter..)

 

[FantasticFour]

How about the frets? Are they not the thicker-than-jumbo type?