Fender Japan is gone :(

[steelbed45]

UPDATE: My JB62-US has just arrived! Won't be able to check it out till tonight, but it is finally here.
Jon... If your bass hasn't shipped yet, you need to contact Johan and find out what the hold up is. Once you pay for it, they usually ship it out within 24 hours, unless they are brining the bass in from some remote store, but even then, I would think it should have shipped out by now.

That's where I'm at, but at least Johan told me that my bass was at another store after my card was charged.

 

[JonW]

View attachment 611381
I just traded one of my favorite but too-heavy MIJ jazzes to my instructor for lessons. He loves it! Major tone machine and a collector's item, one of only 26 sunburst versions made.

I thought I had a line on a nice JD Precision but the seller is incommunicado at the moment. Then, just as I was ready to pull the trigger on an E series P, I found this. Incoming!

Wow. What a pretty bass! If I were to pick my next bass now, it would be a P, in some lighter red color, with a maple neck, and a gold pick guard. Enjoy it!

That's where I'm at, but at least Johan told me that my bass was at another store after my card was charged.

Yup. That’s where I am at, too. I am no particular hurry to receive my bass. But the delay after charging my credit card might make me suspicious, if it were not for all the positive comments here. So I think that all is well.

Just sad...
When I think of Fender Japan vs. Fender USA, this story about the Bass VI model comes to my mind:

"Re: 2012 Japanese Bass VI Reissue VS DIY build

by Grey Garden » Wed May 30, 2012 8:51 am

Hey there!
I LOVE the XII in your Avatar!

There was a thread a while back on BassVI.Org about the scale length debacle.
The original Bass VI had an even 30" scale length, from nut to the center of the bridge pan.
It also had a 1" bridge pan with longer intonation screws.
Fender purposely went out of their way to machine these as they calculated that the Jazz/Jag or Mustang bridge did not allow enough travel of the saddles to accomidate the intonation of each string.
When the Custom Shop reissued the VI (prompted by my custom lefty order according to the Master Builder [as a result, my second one was discounted]) thanks to Fender US's poor dealings with Fender Japan (Kanda-Shokai) FJ refused to provide FUS with the tooling for the Bridge, claiming it broke. This left FUS with the option of changing the scale to reduce the tuning problems (a matter of shaping wood a bit differently) or retooling which creates a significantly larger expense.
They chose to use a standard Jazz/Jag bridge flipped around and change the scale length (nut to the center of the bridge pan) to 30.3'
I rejected this option on my CS build as I was not going to shell out money for a hack-job (a slight exaggeration, but you get my point)
I instead had them make it to the old 30" scale and used a vintage Bass VI bridge (I have 2 -one with the threaded saddles, one with the Mustang-ish saddles).
Since this was not an option for the general population, they wound up with the 30.3" option
From the Fender Discussion Forum: FDP - Forum ... ber=569913
So, extending the scale length by .3" split the difference allowing more-or-less proper intonation. I've not played one of those, but as Robert DeNiro says, "I heard things..."
My point in a nutshell is that if I played righty, and had a choice between getting a VI from FJ or FUSCS, I'd get 2 From FJ, because the entire foundation is solid, with every fundamental component in proper proportion (ok, we'll have to live without the 50/50 side dots ...). Replacing the wiring/pickups is a day at the beach.
If you're doing a build, I heard Motel Asimov makes the correct bridge, so you can always see if he'd like to swoop in and facilitate your desire for 30" of intonable bliss.
I'm not trying to steer you here, and it's never advisable to just go with what some rambling internet expert has to say; I'm just putting some info out there for you to accept or reject.
For those who own CS VIs, if you come across a vintage/Asimov bridge, it will still solve any problems with intonation, regardless of the 30.3" scale."
Source:
OffsetGuitars.com • View topic - 2012 Japanese Bass VI Reissue VS DIY build



I own two US Fenders, I love (an all original '78 Jazz and a US Vintage Series '64 Jazz), but 5 Fender Japan instruments (2 x Jazz, 2 x Precision, 1 x Strat). I love the necks on MIJ Fenders. But this story above is really embarassing for Fender USA and we are talking Custom Shop here... It's about a >3000,- instrument. And they can't manage to build it with a working bridge. It's not just about period-correct details, it's about intonation of a bass…

Thanks for the thoughts. I’ll soon get to experience it, first hand. I’m definitely looking forward to that.

 

[JonW]

Its hard to put into words the difference in sound between the USA Vintage pickups and the Japanese Alnico pickups. I like the sound of both, but they are different. I can get tone combinations on the Japanese pickups via my JB62SS basses that I can't quite get with my American Jazz Basses and vice versa, but they all fall into what I would consider Jazz Bass sounding tones.
Does that make sense?

Thanks! That does make sense. I’ll just have to see what happens when mine arrives. Here is a quite nice video comparison of US versus Mexico versus Japan Jazz basses. (I cannot play like this guy!) Would you say that the differences here are about what you are finding? The Mexico bass does not sound great to me, relatively speaking, but all of the others are very good. Maybe I’d give the edge to the Japan one, but the US and Japan ones are all excellent.

I went with the US version of the JB62 based on reviews. The pickups used on that model are basically the same ones used on my 64, and I wanted to have another bass with that palette.
As for the finish differences, my 64 has a Nitro finish, and that finish is a little more delicate than the standard Poly they use these days. For one, you are not supposed to put those on a regular guitar stand because the foam on the stand can react with the finish and cause changes. One like that is enough for me, although it is a lot more in line with the original 62.
And as far as I can tell, the US and VSP have the same 1962 appointments including the exposed grounding strip.
Here are a few photos of the JB62-US version...
View attachment 611401

My bass should look a lot like yours- 3TS, rosewood, and all that.

Yeah, I have some nitro guitars and you need to be more careful with them. It’s a different feel than poly. Not better or worse, just different. I like having the variety around. I also like nitro due to having a dream of playing one instrument so much that it wears through. Maybe some day. A lot of things will have to change in my life to get that kind of time. But, hopefully, some day.

UPDATE: My JB62-US has just arrived! Won't be able to check it out till tonight, but it is finally here.
Jon... If your bass hasn't shipped yet, you need to contact Johan and find out what the hold up is. Once you pay for it, they usually ship it out within 24 hours, unless they are brining the bass in from some remote store, but even then, I would think it should have shipped out by now.

Congrats. I'll look forward to your impressions. But I think that I already know what you'll say. _

Yeah, Johan has warned me about a delay. No problem with that on my end.

 

[JonW]

I have been keeping track of more statistics with regard to Fender Japan bass availability at Ishibashi. Here are the latest numbers. Note that they are not accurate in that some listings are for one physical bass of one serial number whereas other listings are for one model that is available at several stores and for which several physical basses are available. But it is interesting to watch the general trend of declining numbers.

April 21, 2015:
All Fender Japan basses = 202
Jazz basses = 137
Precision basses = 38

April 27, 2015:
All Fender Japan basses = 194
Jazz basses = 133
Precision basses = 36

May 1, 2015:
All Fender Japan basses = 180
Jazz basses = 123
Precision basses = 37

May 4, 2015:
All Fender Japan basses = 169
Jazz basses = 117
Precision basses = 33

May 7, 2015:
All Fender Japan basses = 159
Jazz basses = 109
Precision basses = 31

 

[Marial]

Tempted to try to sell my Hwy One to get one of the medium scale Jazzes, but I'm not sure the timing/money would work out.

 

[Bassamatic]

A Shame! I am thinking about all those trips to Japan I made without going looking at instruments. D'Oh!

It is not the quality I will miss, it is the variety, especially the Medium and Short Scale ones. I sincerely hopes someone there fills the holes that will be left. If they don't, the prices of the used ones will surely go up.

Regarding the MIJ quality - Sure, it's good, but the quality in ALL the Fender factories is increasing steadily. I just acquired a MIM 2013 Pawn Shop Mustang that is really well made and sounds great. My Tele Bass Special made in Indonesia feels as good in my hands as my new MIA P and also sounds and plays fantastic.

If new Fender basses end up being made in China, the quality can be as good or as poor as they are willing to pay for. Crap comes from China because the customer orders and is only willing to pay for crap. Meanwhile Nikon, Sony and Apply products come from China with the highest possible quality. There are quite a few very good instruments now coming from China. Those of you old enough will remember when "Made in Japan" was synonymous with "This is junk".

 

[R&B]

A Shame! I am thinking about all those trips to Japan I made without going looking at instruments. D'Oh!

It is not the quality I will miss, it is the variety, especially the Medium and Short Scale ones. I sincerely hope someone there fills the holes that will be left. If they don't, the prices of the used ones will surely go up.

Regarding the MIJ quality - Sure, it's good, but the quality in ALL the Fender factories is increasing steadily. I just acquired a MIM 2013 Pawn Shop Mustang that is really well made and sounds great. My Tele Bass Special made in Indonesia feels as good in my hands as my new MIA P and also sounds and plays fantastic.

If new Fender basses end up being made in China, the quality can be as good or as poor as they are willing to pay for. Crap comes from China because the customer orders and is only willing to pay for crap. Meanwhile Nikon, Sony and Apply products come from China with the highest possible quality. There are quite a few very good instruments now coming from China. Those of you old enough will remember when "Made in Japan" was synonymous with "This is junk".

As an aside, Bassamatic and I have a minor MIJ connection. I went over to his place a couple of years ago to buy a hardcase from him and showed him my Precision Lyte Deluxe. No longer have the case, fortunately still have the bass.

Now more than ever, every time I see a cool MIJ come up for sale, I want! (At least I play only 34" scale.) Not sure what to do about this problem, as it's impossible to own one of every bass Fender makes..or made. But the MIJs sure are nice. And they are likely to be at least a little more sought-after in the future.

I do recall when Japan was known for shoddy merchandise...far from it now! Yet regardless of perceived or actual quality, I can't see myself buying an MIC Fender under any circumstances.

 

[Bassamatic]

As an aside, Bassamatic and I have a minor MIJ connection. I went over to his place a couple of years ago to buy a hardcase from him and showed him my Precision Lyte Deluxe. No longer have the case, fortunately still have the bass.

Now more than ever, every time I see a cool MIJ some up for sale, I want! (At least I play only 34" scale.) Not sure what to do about this problem, as it's impossible to own one of every bass Fender makes..or made. But the MIJs sure are nice. And they are likely to be at least a little more sought-after in the future.

I do recall when Japan was known for shoddy merchandise...far from it now! Yet regardless of perceived or actual quality, I can't see myself buying an MIC Fender under any circumstances.

Yeah - that was some NICE bass!! Glad you still have it. You might be surprised about MIC Fenders, though. Actually, if they start shipping the good hardware to Indonesia, the good stuff might be coming from there, instead.

 

[GG7]

Here is my first impressions...

Bass looks beautiful of course! Very similar wood grain pattern to the bass in the photos I posted earlier. It was not shipped in the original Fender Japan box, but inside a heavy duty cardboard guitar shipping container. The Bass was actually packed inside the included gig bag, in its original foam bag, and covered with layers of bubble wrap. The finish is perfect with no scratches, dings or even finger prints. No sign of it ever being handled or played before. Still had the "Fender Japan" tagger tied around one of the tuners, but the clear plastic tuner covers had been removed. Rare to get a bass from Ishibashi with those still on.

Discovered that the pick guard has some extra holes drilled into it which I hadn't noticed in photos until I went back and looked closer zoomed in to a high res photo like the ones I posted earlier. That bass in the photos had the same holes in the pick guard with no screws in them. There is one on each end of the pickups you can see in that front photo, same as my bass has, one up by the USA Pickups decal and one other place. Wondering if this pick guard version is used on a different model that for some reason needs screws in those extra spots? Or perhaps these were screwed up when being drilled and they decided to use them anyway? Not a huge deal, but kind of strange. I have no other bass with extra holes including the short scale JB62SS guitars. I could always order another one from WD Music Products if it really bugged me, but they are much smaller than the ones with screws. Look almost more like guide holes. Will be curious to see if the VSP has the same pick guard with the extra holes drilled.

Unlike the PERFECT setup on all four of my JB62SS short scalers, the action on this JB62 is a little higher than I would like, but still playable. On the high range of what would be considered Fender recommended. Close enough to where I prefer, that I think all it would need is about a ¼ to ½ turn tighter on the truss rod screw to pull the strings closer on the 1st through 5th fret. The bridge saddle adjustments are fine and even.

Sound wise...

Unknown factory installed strings... I am not as happy with the sound of the factory strings on this bass as I was with the ¾ size JB62SS which all came with D'Addario EXL170s strings. I don't know what these are on here, but I don't think they are on the level of quality of a D'Addario, so I think they are not giving me the best sound this bass is capable of. It still sounds really good through my 100t, but with several other full size and the four short scales to compare it to, I know it is capable of more tonal range than this.

My 64, which has the same pickups as the JB-62-US has got DR Lo-Riders installed on it, and it has more bite than the JB62-US which is more likely the difference in string brand/quality than any other factor.

So... I think after giving it a few more days to settle in to my location (We live at 3600 feet in the Sierra Nevada), I'm going to take these strings off, take the neck off, adjust the truss rod a bit tighter and put a brand new set of Lo-Riders on and see how it all comes together. I don't usually take all four strings off at once when I restring my basses, but in this case, I think I will just to make it easier to deal with taking the neck off to adjust the truss rod. I've done it with the strings still on loose, but it is kind of a pain to handle the bass with the strings still holding the two pieces together, kind of.

My digital camera is not working properly so I am not going to be posting any photos. Mine looks very similar to the bass in the professional images I posted earlier in this thread.

I will report back on what happens with the LO-Riders installed and the truss rod adjusted a bit tighter.

Looking forward to Jon's report on the VSP for comparison's sake.

 

[JonW]

A Shame! I am thinking about all those trips to Japan I made without going looking at instruments. D’Oh!

Yes, me, too! I have been there 3 times in recent years and never went so much as near a music store. Oh well. But the exchange rate was very different. It’s now ~120 Yen per dollar. On my first trip it was ~78. So the Fender Japan gear is now more appealing to us Americans. (While it lasts.)

Regarding the MIJ quality - Sure, it's good, but the quality in ALL the Fender factories is increasing steadily. I just acquired a MIM 2013 Pawn Shop Mustang that is really well made and sounds great. My Tele Bass Special made in Indonesia feels as good in my hands as my new MIA P and also sounds and plays fantastic.

I agree completely. The Squier CV and VM gear is just great for what it costs. Really, get a good setup on a CV guitar or bass and play with your eyes closed. They are amazing. Sure, I’d usually prefer a US made instrument. But, top to bottom, the Fender gear is super these days. Even the amps, with their bringing back some of the great older guitar designs like the Princeton Reverb and making up newer designs like the Rumbles. It may be the best time for Fender gear in their history. I’ll reserve judgement on the Made in Japan stuff for after my bass arrives.

 

[JonW]

Here is my first impressions...

Bass looks beautiful of course! Very similar wood grain pattern to the bass in the photos I posted earlier. It was not shipped in the original Fender Japan box, but inside a heavy duty cardboard guitar shipping container. The Bass was actually packed inside the included gig bag, in its original foam bag, and covered with layers of bubble wrap. The finish is perfect with no scratches, dings or even finger prints. No sign of it ever being handled or played before. Still had the "Fender Japan" tagger tied around one of the tuners, but the clear plastic tuner covers had been removed. Rare to get a bass from Ishibashi with those still on.

Discovered that the pick guard has some extra holes drilled into it which I hadn't noticed in photos until I went back and looked closer zoomed in to a high res photo like the ones I posted earlier. That bass in the photos had the same holes in the pick guard with no screws in them. There is one on each end of the pickups you can see in that front photo, same as my bass has, one up by the USA Pickups decal and one other place. Wondering if this pick guard version is used on a different model that for some reason needs screws in those extra spots? Or perhaps these were screwed up when being drilled and they decided to use them anyway? Not a huge deal, but kind of strange. I have no other bass with extra holes including the short scale JB62SS guitars. I could always order another one from WD Music Products if it really bugged me, but they are much smaller than the ones with screws. Look almost more like guide holes. Will be curious to see if the VSP has the same pick guard with the extra holes drilled.

Unlike the PERFECT setup on all four of my JB62SS short scalers, the action on this JB62 is a little higher than I would like, but still playable. On the high range of what would be considered Fender recommended. Close enough to where I prefer, that I think all it would need is about a ¼ to ½ turn tighter on the truss rod screw to pull the strings closer on the 1st through 5th fret. The bridge saddle adjustments are fine and even.

Sound wise...

Unknown factory installed strings... I am not as happy with the sound of the factory strings on this bass as I was with the ¾ size JB62SS which all came with D'Addario EXL170s strings. I don't know what these are on here, but I don't think they are on the level of quality of a D'Addario, so I think they are not giving me the best sound this bass is capable of. It still sounds really good through my 100t, but with several other full size and the four short scales to compare it to, I know it is capable of more tonal range than this.

My 64, which has the same pickups as the JB-62-US has got DR Lo-Riders installed on it, and it has more bite than the JB62-US which is more likely the difference in string brand/quality than any other factor.

So... I think after giving it a few more days to settle in to my location (We live at 3600 feet in the Sierra Nevada), I'm going to take these strings off, take the neck off, adjust the truss rod a bit tighter and put a brand new set of Lo-Riders on and see how it all comes together. I don't usually take all four strings off at once when I restring my basses, but in this case, I think I will just to make it easier to deal with taking the neck off to adjust the truss rod. I've done it with the strings still on loose, but it is kind of a pain to handle the bass with the strings still holding the two pieces together, kind of.

My digital camera is not working properly so I am not going to be posting any photos. Mine looks very similar to the bass in the professional images I posted earlier in this thread.

I will report back on what happens with the LO-Riders installed and the truss rod adjusted a bit tighter.

Looking forward to Jon's report on the VSP for comparison's sake.

Hi GG7,

Sorry to hear that the bass is not up to your usual standards for what you have received in the past. But you know what it sounds like to me? You got a bass that arrived in the same shape that the US basses are usually at. More or less. Especially with regard to the setup and strings. (How did you know what strings were on the other basses?) That sounds like what I have seen in the past. (Not that I have extensive experience here at all.) Except that I don’t know what’s going on with those extra screw holes. For pickup and bridge covers, perhaps? Although the one by the sticker… I don’t know. Odd.

For turning the truss rod, one tip… With my unstable Danelectro, I have had to remove that neck a zillion times to turn the truss rod, add a shim, turn back the truss rod, remove a shim, etc. If I had to change strings each time, I’d have long exceeded the cost of the bass and be past broke by now. So here is what I have been doing…

Make the strings as loose as you can without them falling off the tuning pegs. Wrap a small towel like a face cloth around the neck, covering the back of the neck and the strings. Put it somewhere around fret 12. Then use one woodworking clamp to clamp the strings down. I use a quick clamp like this one:

Invalid Link Removed

It’s about a foot long. The rubber pad just covers all 4 strings. Too big of a clamp and things will get awkward. Too small and it will not cover all the strings. It’s easier to use one properly sized clamp rather than try to do it with two smaller clamps. Clamp down the strings not too tightly, but tightly enough that things don’t move. The cloth keeps the neck and strings from getting damaged.

Unscrew and remove the neck. Turn the truss rod, then put everything back together. Unclamp. Tune back up. Viola. It’s a pain. But free or the cost of one clamp if you don’t have one around. And that clamp is priced suspiciously close to what a set of strings costs. So, for the prince of one clamp, you can do this a zillion times. (As I have.) I hope that helps.

My VSP has not shipped yet. But I will certainly let you know how it compares when I see it. Enjoy your new bass!

 

[GG7]

Hi GG7,

Sorry to hear that the bass is not up to your usual standards for what you have received in the past. But you know what it sounds like to me? You got a bass that arrived in the same shape that the US basses are usually at. More or less. Especially with regard to the setup and strings. (How did you know what strings were on the other basses?) That sounds like what I have seen in the past. (Not that I have extensive experience here at all.) Except that I don’t know what’s going on with those extra screw holes. For pickup and bridge covers, perhaps? Although the one by the sticker… I don’t know. Odd.

For turning the truss rod, one tip… With my unstable Danelectro, I have had to remove that neck a zillion times to turn the truss rod, add a shim, turn back the truss rod, remove a shim, etc. If I had to change strings each time, I’d have long exceeded the cost of the bass and be past broke by now. So here is what I have been doing…

Make the strings as loose as you can without them falling off the tuning pegs. Wrap a small towel like a face cloth around the neck, covering the back of the neck and the strings. Put it somewhere around fret 12. Then use one woodworking clamp to clamp the strings down. I use a quick clamp like this one:

Invalid Link Removed

It’s about a foot long. The rubber pad just covers all 4 strings. Too big of a clamp and things will get awkward. Too small and it will not cover all the strings. It’s easier to use one properly sized clamp rather than try to do it with two smaller clamps. Clamp down the strings not too tightly, but tightly enough that things don’t move. The cloth keeps the neck and strings from getting damaged.

Unscrew and remove the neck. Turn the truss rod, then put everything back together. Unclamp. Tune back up. Viola. It’s a pain. But free or the cost of one clamp if you don’t have one around. And that clamp is priced suspiciously close to what a set of strings costs. So, for the prince of one clamp, you can do this a zillion times. (As I have.) I hope that helps.

My VSP has not shipped yet. But I will certainly let you know how it compares when I see it. Enjoy your new bass!

Thanks for the tips Jon. The clamp idea sounds like a good one, but I think I am going to just do this like I have previously. This bass only needs a bit more tension to get the strings closer to the fretboard at the headstock end of the neck. Bridge saddle height looks the same as my 64, my American Deluxe and the short scalers. Including my Modern Player short scale Jazz Bass which isn't a MIJ but a brief Fender USA offering.

I've done some tweaking to my 64 before so I know the drill with taking the neck off with the strings on there real loose. Since I plan to remove the strings completely on this bass before taking the neck off, it should be MUCH easier to deal with. Not sure what the tension difference is between the factory strings and LO-Riders, so I think I will go for a full ½ turn on the truss rod, and hopefully that does the trick. If the LO-Riders pull harder, I might have to hit the tension again which will mean removing the neck with the strings still attached.

The difference I see with the JB62-US and my 64 is that the bridge saddles on the 64 were not adjusted very well, so when I changed the neck tension, the bass still wasn't right. I don't think that is going to be a problem with this one, cause the saddle adjustments between the four strings is right in the pocket.

And even though this bass wasn't perfect like the four short scalers were, it was still MUCH closer to correct than any American Fender I have purchased in the last 5 years.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Really, get a good setup on a CV guitar or bass and play with your eyes closed. They are amazing.

Couldn't agree more on the Classic Vibe-front! The two I've had were respectively, "excellent" and "abso-friggin'-lutely amazing!".

 

[steelbed45]

My VSP has not shipped yet. But I will certainly let you know how it compares when I see it. Enjoy your new bass!

Hopefully it will be in the next day or so, I just received the shipment notice for mine.

I just saw the prices on the JB62SS - was looking at the CAR one. Good grief, I have no need for this thing whatsoever, but that price!

As for adjustments, I use a capo to hold the strings when adjusting at the heel. I bought this from Stew Mac years ago. Pure overkill, but hell it gets the job done. Invalid Link Removed

 

[JonW]

Couldn't agree more on the Classic Vibe-front! The two I've had were respectively, "excellent" and "abso-friggin'-lutely amazing!”.

Great to hear. Yeah, it’s amazing how high quality the cheap gear is these days. It’s not just Fender/Squier. But I think that they are doing a particularly good job in this regard.

Thanks for the tips Jon. The clamp idea sounds like a good one, but I think I am going to just do this like I have previously. This bass only needs a bit more tension to get the strings closer to the fretboard at the headstock end of the neck. Bridge saddle height looks the same as my 64, my American Deluxe and the short scalers. Including my Modern Player short scale Jazz Bass which isn't a MIJ but a brief Fender USA offering.

I've done some tweaking to my 64 before so I know the drill with taking the neck off with the strings on there real loose. Since I plan to remove the strings completely on this bass before taking the neck off, it should be MUCH easier to deal with. Not sure what the tension difference is between the factory strings and LO-Riders, so I think I will go for a full ½ turn on the truss rod, and hopefully that does the trick. If the LO-Riders pull harder, I might have to hit the tension again which will mean removing the neck with the strings still attached.

The difference I see with the JB62-US and my 64 is that the bridge saddles on the 64 were not adjusted very well, so when I changed the neck tension, the bass still wasn't right. I don't think that is going to be a problem with this one, cause the saddle adjustments between the four strings is right in the pocket.

And even though this bass wasn't perfect like the four short scalers were, it was still MUCH closer to correct than any American Fender I have purchased in the last 5 years.

Sounds like a great plan. Yeah, if you’re already expecting to change the strings, doing the rest of the setup will be easier. Setup work can be a pain, but I’ve been getting better at it, getting things done more quickly. That Danelectro has given me many fits, but it has certainly improved my setup skills.

Is your 64 vintage or a Japan reissue or something else? If I understand it correctly, you have the new JB62-US, several short scales, and a 64.

Hopefully it will be in the next day or so, I just received the shipment notice for mine.

I just saw the prices on the JB62SS - was looking at the CAR one. Good grief, I have no need for this thing whatsoever, but that price!

As for adjustments, I use a capo to hold the strings when adjusting at the heel. I bought this from Stew Mac years ago. Pure overkill, but hell it gets the job done. Truss Rod Wrench for Fender | stewmac.com

A capo! Great idea! I don’t happen to have one around. But I do have a lot of woodworking clamps. I guess a capo would be the more intelligent way to go there.

I didn’t know that there are specific truss rod, ummm, turners. Where I come from we call them “screwdrivers.” Simple people, we are.

I have a guitar with the truss rod adjuster at the neck heel (a Jazzmaster). I heard that with some guitars, you can sometimes manage to give the truss rod a turn without removing the neck. And that a paint can opener like this one would do the trick:

Invalid Link Removed

I bought one, being the big spender that I am, at 45 cents. But have not yet had a need to use it. I’m not sure that there will ever be enough room to get this thing in there. It would either be remove the pickguard or the neck. But it’s an interesting idea. I think that some people might carve out a little hole in the pickgaurd to be able to get this thing in there and give the truss rod a turn without having to remove the pickguard or the neck.


And in other news… Guess what: My bass just shipped.

 

[GG7]

My 64 is an American Fender reissue in Lake Placid Blue, 2012 vintage I think. I also have a American Deluxe Jazz Bass, a Modern Player short scale Jazz Bass with the hybrid P-Bass/Jazz Bass pickup arrangement on a full size body. Then I have the four JB62SS ¾ scale Mini Jazz Basses, and now this MIJ JB62-US. So basically (8) Jazz Basses total.

The JB62SS have really grown on me, and I find myself picking one of those up most of the time! They sound basically the same as the full size guitars do, and they have beautiful necks with a perfect/FAST action. And of course with a 30" scale, you can fly around with patterns you have to really stretch to pull off on a full size neck. Plus they are much lighter than the full size models. Everyone in my circle of friends that has played one of mine immediately wants one. Definitely my hands down favorite Jazz Bass model in my collection. If I was still gigging, I can easily see myself using the four JB62SS exclusively on stage.

I just got delivered my two custom white pearloid pickguards from WD music products for my black one and my red one. Really gives them even more POP than before with the plain white pick guards they came with.

Glad to hear that your bass has finally shipped Jon! Hope you can post some photos along with your impressions. I'm working on getting my digital camera fixed so I can post some photos of some of mine, especially the black and red JB62SS with the custom pick guards on them!

The rest of my bass collection is listed below in my signature.

 

[GG7]

P.S. Giving the JB62 another day to settle before I make the decision on whether or not to swap out the string set and attempt the neck adjustment. The action has actually gotten lower since it first arrived. In fact, if it drops a tiny bit further, I might just hold off the whole string change and break in the bass with the factory strings.

I made some tweaks to the active channel on my 100t specifically for the JB62, and that really beefed up the sound with the current string set.

 

[Malak the Mad]

And in other news… Guess what: My bass just shipped.

Mine shipped yesterday. THE RACE IS ON!!

 

[R&B]

Aaargh. I tried. Multiple rounds of middle of the night email with Kazuma at Ishibashi over 3 consecutive days (!) trying to buy a specific PB-62US. Finally, he sent a price and payment instructions and I just happened to be awake at the time. Success! I responded within 6 minutes. Managed to put in credit card info just before their closing time, only to wait another 24 hours.

"Thank you for your email. Sorry, this bass has been sold by another customer so we cannot offer it to you."

Ah well, I'm 80,000 yen richer. Enjoy your new Fender Japan toys, all! I think you got them in the nick of time.

 

[GG7]

Aaargh. I tried. Multiple rounds of middle of the night email with Kazuma at Ishibashi over 3 consecutive days (!) trying to buy a specific PB-62US. Finally, he sent a price and payment instructions and I just happened to be awake at the time. Success! I responded within 6 minutes. Managed to put in credit card info just before their closing time, only to wait another 24 hours.

"Thank you for your email. Sorry, this bass has been sold by another customer so we cannot offer it to you."

Ah well, I'm 80,000 yen richer. Enjoy your new Fender Japan toys, all! I think you got them in the nick of time.

Bummer! Sorry to hear that they took too long to get back to you, and you lost the bass. Did you ask them if they could get another one? Fender Japan might still have stock at their own warehouses.