Fender Japan JB62SS "Smart Size"

[Shortie]

Seeing a lot of these popping up on eBay and Amazon:

Fender Japan JB62SS "Smart Size"

Anyone have any details about these basses?

Do they really sound like a J bass?

How's the neck and fretwork?

Scale length is listed as 373.5, which I suppose is millimeters. How does that come out in inches (I think they measure scale length differently in Japan than we do...).

Any details or experience about these basses is much appreciated. I moved to short scale basses a while back. Having a good time with my thumpy Hofner and 2015 SG but I played an AStandard J for quite a while and I miss hearing that J bass growl and that sexy J Bass neck. Can this bass make up for some of it?

They're not that cheap and they're shipped from Japan, so I'd like to know as much as possible before I pull the trigger on one.

 

[Dominic D]

The scale is about 30".

 

[neo 7]

There's one for sale in the classifieds right now.

 

[Gorn]

They really sound like jazz basses. They are jazz basses. The body and neck is smaller. The bridge and pickups are full size. The neck and fretwork are as good as any other Japanese Fender. Japan measures scale length in millimeters from the nut to the 12th fret. It's a 29.41" scale bass.

 

[BassHappy]

In Japan scale length is measured from the nut to the 12th fret and then doubled:

So, yeah, it's 14.7 inches times two on the scale length which makes it very close to standard 30" scale.

I have the medium scale 32" model and it's fantastic.

 

[Gorn]

I somewhat regret recently selling mine but I know I don't get along with jazz necks. But otherwise it's a fantastic bass.

 

[SirMjac28]

These basses are super cool but they are pricey.

 

[Shortie]

These basses are super cool but they are pricey.

It's not much more expensive than a good used Japanese Mustang and I don't want a Mustang, I want a J, or as close to one as possible. Not too many options out there if you want a good solid body shorty - and a JBass is a JBass.

 

[Shortie]

In Japan scale length is measured from the nut to the 12th fret and then doubled:

Thanks for that info - good to know.

Yours looks hot. But I don't see Sunburst in the short scale offering. Seems that Fender Japan messes with their prices a lot depending on the color. A black one $600, a red one is about $640, a white one is $700. Weird.

 

[Shortie]

They really sound like jazz basses. They are jazz basses. The body and neck is smaller. The bridge and pickups are full size. The neck and fretwork are as good as any other Japanese Fender. Japan measures scale length in millimeters from the nut to the 12th fret. It's a 29.41" scale bass.

OK then - everybody seems to agree here. Time for me to ante up.

 

[Gorn]

Thanks for that info - good to know.

Yours looks hot. But I don't see Sunburst in the short scale offering. Seems that Fender Japan messes with their prices a lot depending on the color. A black one $600, a red one is about $640, a white one is $700. Weird.

It came in white, red, black and sunburst. I'd say wait a while and see what you can find, but they're not being made any more so it might be wise to get what you can at this point.

 

[Gorn]

OK then - everybody seems to agree here. Time for me to ante up.

The one that I just sold was a 2012. I've owned a few Japanese Fenders but never one that new. It was truly amazing. Perfect from head to toe, and oddly enough the only bolt on I've owned where I didn't have to shim the neck to get the super low action I like. It may have been little, but it sounded huge. The more I think about it the more I regret selling it.

 

[Shortie]

I've owned a few Japanese Fenders but never one that new.

Never owned a Japanese Fender - only the USA stuff. But I keep hearing that they're very good. I guess now I'll find out for myself.

 

[Shortie]

they're not being made any more so it might be wise to get what you can at this point.

Didn't realize they stopped making them. I guess that's why I don't see any bursts out there. I guess I should grab one while I can - but hard to swallow paying $100 just for a white one.

 

[RedVee]

I'd get the black and the extra the white would cost put towards the freight.

 

[47VevetS]

They are Fender Japan, so Im sure they are fantastic....the Japanese rock at making instruments, I would say they rival MIA....not trying to start a troll-fest, just stating a fact.

 

[SirMjac28]

I checked out one dealer on ebay they talked about any warranty work has to be done in Japan? which isn't a big deal unless it's a neck issue

 

[Short-scale]

Hi Shortie and welcome to Talkbass!
For years I played long scale, after taking an 8 year break from playing, a friend suggested short scale basses. Needless to say short scales are all I play now.

For me the Squier Jaguar ss is a great little bass for not a whole lotta money. There's a Jaguar ss club dedicated to them and a short scale club also that is really cool.

 

[Shortie]

Hi Shortie and welcome to Talkbass!
For years I played long scale, after taking an 8 year break from playing, a friend suggested short scale basses. Needless to say short scales are all I play now.For me the Squier Jaguar ss is a great little bass for not a whole lotta money. There's a Jaguar ss club dedicated to them and a short scale club also that is really cool.

Hi - thanks.
I'd been playing big 5's forever but about a year ago I started having problems with arthritis and tendonitis - I'm not a kid any more. I took a break from playing for about 2 weeks until things quieted down, and I started getting very antsy to play so I started fooling around with a Hofner I have over here. No more pain. Took me a while get to used to it, but after a while it was good, so I bought a 2015 SG, which kicks butt with a new bridge Gibson put on it - no more tripod BS. Looking now for #3 to round out the collection. Hofner/Gibson/Fender - that works pretty good for me.

I've played those Squiers - they're nice. But I've got some big axes here that are worth some serious cash that I'm selling off, so I'm going to go for something higher end. This Japanese J bass sounds like just what I want - I love the J - played them a lot.

I'm new around here - not sure what these clubs are all about - will have to check it out.

Tnx

 

[Shortie]

I'd get the black and the extra the white would cost put towards the freight.

That's probably exactly what I'm going to do.