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Fender Japan serial numbers complete

But it is marked "Made in Japan"

RIGHT. But as an exemption, ALL '75 RI Jazz basses have MADE IN JAPAN decal on the headstock even if those were made during the CIJ period. This also goes to all STANDARD models (not re-issues), MADE IN JAPAN appears on the headstock.

One thing that gives me headache though is why the serial number starts with A? :confused::confused::confused::confused:

See this Standard model (Crafted in Japan but has Made in Japan on the headstock)

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hey i have had some trouble identifying my bass. it is supposedly a japanese fender jazz bass. it looks very vintage, although i know fender japan production started in 82 this looks older (to me). but this bass doesnt have a serial number anywhere. in the neck pocket there are two japanese symbols hand written with green ink or fine marker (which may be the serial number). unfortunately i didnt take pictures of the neck pocket symbols... it has sustained some damage from multiple neck removals by other people and i'd rather not take it off again to photograph it. it has what i think is a 70's style logo, black fender with silver outline and bold JAZZ BASS. oh yes, and it is fretless. the only clues are "Made In Japan" on neckplate.

anyone have any ideas? do you think its a fake? anyone seen this before?
 
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there we go. as we can see someone replaced bridge to badass. i have no idea what the pickups are or if they are original, but have never seen them on standard jazz. i think the construction of the neck is peculiar, most fender jazz necks are one solid piece of wood, but this is a couple pieces. any ideas about what this bass is? authentic? year? as stated before no serial #, except 2 green japanese symbols in neckplate.
 
This looks suspiciously like one of the, not necessarily "law suit" copies, but in that vein, models. Lincoln was one of them. Very close to the real thing. I "converted" one to an FJ by changing the tuners and decal. Most folks, including some "guitar folks" who see it, think that it's a mid to late 60s Fender. As stated by jimbodapunkbass, the truss rod access looks a little funny. Add that to the pickups and the neck plate, I'd say it's a convert, IMO. :cool:
 
any ideas about what this bass is? authentic? year? as stated before no serial #, except 2 green japanese symbols in neckplate.

These bass was made during the early '70s when Japanese copies were mediocre, ugly, undesirable, very low quality:help: Hardwares were cheap, body often made from plywood (the wood layers often hidden by paint).
But from 1976, quality became very good often equal to US made instruments reaching the glorious era from 1978-1985.
 
mmm, i just noticed someone definitely has replaced the machineheads, there is one visible screwhole that doesnt add up. i think you might be right about plywood body because of how badly the wood has stripped from neck removal. thanks for your help people.
 
I bought this bass one day kinda on a whim. Which means my guitard showed up with it in my driveway saying he had picked it up in a trade for some other equipment and wondered if I wanted it. I gave him $150 or something ( maybe 200) for it. Anyhow after owning it I did some research...mind you ths was about four years ago, and am pretty sure it said that these Jazz Bass Specials were only issued in 1987. Also I am equally sure it was a page from fender itself that I found the this info on. In fact it said that they were only made that one year.
Recently I found the Duff Mckagen Sig Model thread and everyone there said thiers were made in 85-86. I guess the OP of that thread has given up on it as it has pretty much died.
So I guess it was lucky I found this one!
My serial number is C 000474.
Can you elaborate as to what info this gives about the bass?
 

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