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Fender Japan serial numbers complete

Hey, while we're at it, are you in a position to confirm the contractors of current Japanese Fender builds?

The last I read, the exports to FMIC are still done by Dyna Gakki and the domestic-market stuff mainly by Kasuga.

Thanks.
 
NeckPlate.gif
 
I took the neck off my MIJ PB-551. I did not see anything on the neck. But the neck is painted completely black, so maybe there is something under the paint. In the pocket, on the body, there is a small piece of (what looks to be) a paper sticker that has the Fender logo printed in silver. It may be the back of a sticker that was on the neck. I did not want to peel it to find out.
Nothing on the back of the headstock.
Here's the neck plate and front of headstock.
headstock.jpg

neckplate.jpg
 
@kenjikun:

Thanx for the info!

I found out more myself. The code in the neck pocket appears to be "JBD62L-DMC/VSP". Having this code directly means it's a 2nd generation MIJ, I guess?

So it's Alder bodied, equipped with DiMarzio Collection pickups.

I have two more questions. Do you have info regarding the DiMarzio pickups? And what means the D in JBD62L?
 
Its hard to judge based on the photo. The polepieces look the same for me. The pickup on your bass was photographed more angled while the reference pickup was more of a top view. Anyway, as long as you're happy, it doesn't really matter. Moreover, I'm not sure if the finish was nitro lacquer. Standard finish on all FJ is polyurethane. If you're willing to test, you can try to put some lacquer thinner or acetone on the pickup cavity, if the paint melts down , its lacquer, if not its poly for sure.
 
The new MIJ's have Made In Japan UNDER the serial nr. while the old MIJ's had the serial nr. UNDER the line Made In Japan.

Just found out. :)

Sorry but I have to disagree. Old MIJ can have the serial number above or below the MADE IN JAPAN stamp. The only way to differentiate old and new MIJ is by looking at the fonts. Old MIJ used all CAPS (MADE IN JAPAN) while new MIJ use big and small letters (Made In Japan).

Moreover, old MIJ sometime used MADE IN JAPAN in Italics especially the "N" serial, BUT when written in italics, the letters were mixed uppercase and lower case like this Made in Japan

This also applies to CIJ.Some CIJ can have the serial below or above the Crafted in Japan stamp and some were also written in Italics. All CIJ use upper and lower case letters.

Also the new MIJ can only have serial prefix starting with S and T.

here are sample photos: Notice the fonts used.
OLD MIJ
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NEW MIJ
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Sorry but I have to disagree. Old MIJ can have the serial number above or below the MADE IN JAPAN stamp. The only way to differentiate old and new MIJ is by looking at the fonts. Old MIJ used all CAPS (MADE IN JAPAN) while new MIJ use big and small letters (Made In Japan).

Moreover, old MIJ sometime used MADE IN JAPAN in Italics especially the "N" serial, BUT when written in italics, the letters were mixed uppercase and lower case like this Made in Japan

This also applies to CIJ.Some CIJ can have the serial below or above the Crafted in Japan stamp and some were also written in Italics. All CIJ use upper and lower case letters.

Also the new MIJ can only have serial prefix starting with S and T.

This means my MIJ is an "old" one.

What do you know about Ex-Trad models? I heard they were a kind of Japanese Custom Shop models?