Fender Japan hardware and appointments v Fender USA

[Gunga Din]

I have a Fender Japan non-export Jazz. I swapped out the VVT for a stacker circuit, but because Fender Japan 'plates are different sizes to US ones, I'm left with this gap, which bugs me now and again

But is it the 'plate size, or the location of the control cavity rout causing the gap?

 

[Eric Wombat]

Strange, I did the same to mine and I don't have any gap.

 

[shirojiro]

I had to opposite problem with a replacement Jazz bass control plate where it overlapped the pick guard.

I had chalked it up to poor manufacturing tolerances, but maybe there is a size difference with MIJ and MIA basses?

 

[smtp4me]

Do you happen to have another jazz bass pickguard "laying around"? If not you can get them relatively cheap online. If you cannot or do not want to fuss with replacing the metal control cover, try a different pickguard.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I have a Fender Japan non-export Jazz. I swapped out the VVT for a stacker circuit, but because Fender Japan 'plates are different sizes to US ones, I'm left with this gap, which bugs me now and again

But is it the 'plate size, or the location of the control cavity rout causing the gap?

Maybe the issue is the pick guard…lol..

 

[Lo-E]

There have been many, many slight variations in manufacturing both at Fender Japan and Fender US. Not all that uncommon for product models that remain in production for decades.

 

[Gunga Din]

Strange, I did the same to mine and I don't have any gap.

Fender Japan bass, US stacker plate, and Fender Japan scratchplate? No additional holes drilled?

The mint green 'plate on mine is a replacement, and it's the same size, same holes as its predecessor.

 

[MVE]

Can you just switch the new pots onto the original control plate???
That should swiftly solve the problem, right?

 

[Lo-E]

Can you just switch the new pots onto the original control plate???
That should swiftly solve the problem, right?

Except for the extra hole.

 

[J Wilson]

There have been many, many slight variations in manufacturing both at Fender Japan and Fender US. Not all that uncommon for product models that remain in production for decades.

I'd agree with Lo-E: Over many years and owners and production locations, Fender parts dimensions vary slightly, enough to where what seems like a no-brainer parts swap . . . sometimes isn't

You always measure and compare what you currently have vs. what you want to install in its place, because just often enough to be aggravating, there can be differences.

At least this is easily fixable via a corrected new part or putting the new electronics back on the old plate. Sometimes this lesson can be a lot messier!

 

[Fender_Bender]

Easiest solution is to fill the old holes with dowels and redrill new holes.

 

[Gunga Din]

Do you happen to have another jazz bass pickguard "laying around"? If not you can get them relatively cheap online. If you cannot or do not want to fuss with replacing the metal control cover, try a different pickguard.

I've got a few kicking around that fit, but their holes don't line up, and I don't want to drill any other holes so close together.

 

[Gunga Din]

Maybe the issue is the pick guard…lol..

Well, yes, I did state differences in 'plate size, but I wondered, as another poster said, there could be manufacturing tolerances at play.

 

[Gunga Din]

Can you just switch the new pots onto the original control plate???
That should swiftly solve the problem, right?

Nope

 

[Gunga Din]

I'd agree with Lo-E: Over many years and owners and production locations, Fender parts dimensions vary slightly, enough to where what seems like a no-brainer parts swap . . . sometimes isn't

You always measure and compare what you currently have vs. what you want to install in its place, because just often enough to be aggravating, there can be differences.

At least this is easily fixable via a corrected new part or putting the new electronics back on the old plate. Sometimes this lesson can be a lot messier!

The stacked circuit only works on a 2-hole plate.

 

[Gunga Din]

Strange, I did the same to mine and I don't have any gap.

That's a MIJ Jazz with a US 2-hole plate? Where did get the scratchplate? And did the holes all match up without drilling new ones?

 

[FunkHead]

Loosen the 3 screws and push the control plate against the Scratch plate. Then, While holding pressure on the control plate, Tighten the screws. Should eliminate most if not all of the gap.

If that doesn't work to your liking, fill the holes and re-drill. USE Painters tape before drilling new holes to keep the paint from cracking. Go extremely slow with the drill speed.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Well, yes, I did state differences in 'plate size, but I wondered, as another poster said, there could be manufacturing tolerances at play.

metric vs our standard of measurement. Good point.

 

[Eric Wombat]

Fender Japan bass, US stacker plate, and Fender Japan scratchplate? No additional holes drilled?

The mint green 'plate on mine is a replacement, and it's the same size, same holes as its predecessor.

Fender Japan bass, US plate from Fender, new pickguard was from Ebay for a MIJ jazz, no drilling required.

 

[Gunga Din]

Fender Japan bass, US plate from Fender, new pickguard was from Ebay for a MIJ jazz, no drilling required.

Wow. Same. Perhaps there are indeed routing differences at work.

I forgot to dig out the 'plates I have lying around. I still want to have Mint Green 'plate on it, but anyone get other colour recommendations?