Fender Jazz Bass FSR/Special Edition

[pyrohr]

This is not a Fender FSR - here's the info I have read and heard about FSR, if somebody can correct me, you're more than welcome:

The FSR basses were made in 4 colors; CAR, LPB, Olympic White, and Sonic Blue, about 250 basses in each of the two first colors and 200 in each of the two last colors. That's about 900 total. Serial number was on the neck plate and consisted of "00xxx" - there was no mention of RI or "special edition" anywhere on the bass.
They all had matching headstocks and came with vintage cases + 70's candy (old "spring"-style cable, ashtrays, etc). The CAR and LPB ones were '75 RI models, while I believe the Olympic White and Sonic Blue ones were 70's RI.

I spoke with Fender about the CAR bass when I first got it home and was told only 200 were made and that it was an export bass. As for the CAR bass mine has a FENDER SPECIAL EDITION sticker on the headstock! As for case candy mine came with ash tray's vintage strap, polishing cloth, two finger or thumb rest and a straight cord with metal ends. Btw I took my bass out the box Fender shipped it in

 

[Basdyret]

I spoke with Fender about the CAR bass when I first got it home and was told only 200 were made and that it was an export bass. As for the CAR bass mine has a FENDER SPECIAL EDITION sticker on the headstock! As for case candy mine came with ash tray's vintage strap, polishing cloth, two finger or thumb rest and a straight cord with metal ends. Btw I took my bass out the box Fender shipped it in

I may have swapped the figures, so it should be 200->250 and the other way around, as this is all from memory - and I guess the sticker was removed from the bass I had.
Thanks for the corrections, although you almost sound like I attacked you

Killer basses, though - the CAR is by far my favorite of the four, probably wouldn't have sold the bass if mine had been that color

 

[Craig_S]

I own three Fenders and a Music Man. They're all PARTS BASSES. Do you think they hand selected specifically matched parts to create your bass? Nope. They pulled the parts off the assembly line, just like the rest of 'em.

 

[pyrohr]

I own three Fenders and a Music Man. They're all PARTS BASSES. Do you think they hand selected specifically matched parts to create your bass? Nope. They pulled the parts off the assembly line, just like the rest of 'em.

So indeed if that's the case you probably drive a parts car!

 

[Craig_S]

So indeed if that's the case you probably drive a parts car!

Indeed. A Ford.

 

[mikeswals]

I love the CAR basses, but by far my favorite of the colors is the Sonic Blue. I spoke with a couple overseas dealers when these still existed, and as far as I can figure, just about all the Sonics went overseas.

 

[hamertek98]

^that bass kills on SO many levels!

 

[Zuhzuhzombie!!]

Yeah, that's the MIM FSR, which as you say is currently being sold by MF - the OP is talking about the MIA FSR, which was only produced in a very small number, as I described a few posts above.

A little confusing, I can see that...

If my MIM is pretty sweet, I can only imagine that the MIA is awesome.

 

[savit260]

re-sail ... I like that.

I bet the re-sail blows! Sorry couldn't resist.


FSR's are Factory Special Run from the way I understand it, and not a particular model.

I've seen different FSR's from different model lines. Just means it's a special run of features/colors that aren't part of the standard offerings of that particular line, usually in limited numbers.

The most recent one that I can recal was a white Jazz FSR w/ matching headstock.

Regarding ReSALE I would expect to only get slightly more than a standard version in most cases. Maybe in 25 years, they'll comand more of a premium, but for right now, I wouldn't expect much more, unless you found someone who was desperatly looking for one.

 

[basspro]

I have a Fender Jazz Bass FSR/Special Edition in candy apple red right now, but I don't know anything about it and I can't seem to find anything about it. So if somebody could tell me anything about it from wood, to electronics, to original price, to re-sale value, that would be great. The serial # on the neck plate is 00310. Sorry no pics at the moment.

Well the guy that has the CA bass is pretty close.
These basses are 70's RI MIA special edition (decaled on the back of the headstock) Not the 75 RI'S.that you see on MF and such in a natural finish. These are FSR basses unlike the 75's.This is why they have matching headstocks and correct fender decal for the period.
They were produced in 2002-2003 for overseas sales at 500 for each flavor.Candy apple red, Sonic blue, and Olympic white.These basses list for $2300 and retailed for about $1800with the G&G vintage RI case with all the goodies, 2 extra pickguards,f logo ashtray,pickup cover,cord,polishing cloth,allen wrench,and all the paperwork.
My Oly serial # is XX3XX, i've seen another sonic blue at XX4XX.
You don't see to many around and the fender market is still on fire, so these basses will easily fetch 2k.
Hope this helps.

Link Removed

Link Removed

 

[mikeswals]

I've got one in Lake Placid Blue. Very classy Jazz Bass, they look great with the matching headstock.

 

[pyrohr]

Well the guy that has the CA bass is pretty close.
These basses are 70's RI MIA special edition (decaled on the back of the headstock) Not the 75 RI'S.that you see on MF and such in a natural finish. These are FSR basses unlike the 75's.This is why they have matching headstocks and correct fender decal for the period.
They were produced in 2002-2003 for overseas sales at 500 for each flavor.Candy apple red, Sonic blue, and Olympic white.These basses list for $2300 and retailed for about $1800with the G&G vintage RI case with all the goodies, 2 extra pickguards,f logo ashtray,pickup cover,cord,polishing cloth,allen wrench,and all the paperwork.
My Oly serial # is XX3XX, i've seen another sonic blue at XX4XX.
You don't see to many around and the fender market is still on fire, so these basses will easily fetch 2k.
Hope this helps.

Link Removed

Link Removed

Only 200 Candy apple red basses were made. Theses basses were made for the European market, 60 went over sea's and 140 stayed stateside. The CAR bass IS a 75RI bass and not a 70's RI bass! Btw my serial is close to an above poster XX3XX

 

[The Birdman]

I love the CAR basses, but by far my favorite of the colors is the Sonic Blue. I spoke with a couple overseas dealers when these still existed, and as far as I can figure, just about all the Sonics went overseas.

They didn't ALL go overseas. I saw one at a vintage guitar show in the Detroit area last November. New, ready to sell. The vendor wanted $1800 for it. I wished I had it to spend.....

Roger

 

[mikeswals]

Right, I know not all of them did, but so far only one american over on the fender board has one.

Can you possibly PM me which dealer in Detroit had it? I'm flat broke, but would still like to talk to him.

 

[mikeswals]

The CAR bass IS a 75RI bass and not a 70's RI bass!

I've personally seen the CAR LPB and OLY (I have a LPB one), and while I have seen them referred online to as 75 RI or 70's RI, the details are all exactly the same.

 

[pyrohr]

I've personally seen the CAR LPB and OLY (I have a LPB one), and while I have seen them referred online to as 75 RI or 70's RI, the details are all exactly the same.

I remember reading those basses identified as 70RI's had different neck profiles, pups from the 70's and not 75 vintage like the red bass as well as different parts to reflect basses made in the 70's. The CAR bass is replica of a ash bodied 75 jazz with the exception of color (available from 63-73), that's what make that bass special. You have a LPB bass, can you tell me for sure what pups are in that bass? I have spoke with Fender many time with questions I had about basses I own, They have answered every question clearly about any inquiry I've had. it would be nice if someone would contact them and ask them the difference to clear the air, i'm sure there is one.

 

[pyrohr]

Update on the CAR 75RI bass. I just emailed Fender and they got back to me in 5 minutes! Here's the answer to my email.


Date: 8/22/2002
Model Name: Fender FSR '75 Jazz Bass(r)
Model Number: 017-4300-(809)
Series: American Vintage Series
Body: Alder
Neck: Maple,
(Poly-Urethane Finish)
Fingerboard: Rosewood, (7.25" Radius/184 mm)
No. of Frets: 20 Vintage Size
Scale Length: 34" (864 mm)
Width @ Nut: 1.500" (38 mm)
Hardware: Chrome
Machine Heads: Standard
Bridge: Vintage '70s with Single Groove Saddles
Pickguard: 3-Ply White Pearloid
Pickups: 2 Vintage Jazz Bass Single-Coil Pickups
Pickup Switching: N/A
Controls: Volume 1. (Neck Pickup), Volume 2. (Bridge Pickup), Master
Tone
Colors: (809) Candy Apple Red,
(Polyurethane Finish)
Strings: Fender Super Bass 7250ML, #073-7250-005, (.045, .065, .080,
..100)
Unique Features: Matching Painted Headstock,
White Binding with Pearloid Block Position Inlays,
"Bullet" Truss Rod Adjustment,
3-Bolt Neck Plate with Tilt Adjustment Feature
Source: CORONA (US)
Accessories: Black Tolex Case
U.S. MSRP: $2,199.99
Specs: Product Prices, Features, Specifications and Availability Are
Subject To Change Without Notice
INTRODUCED: 2/2002
DISCONTINUED:
DISCONTINUED COLORS:
COMMENTS: Limited run for the European Market in 2002
WRENCH SIZES: Truss rod and tilt adjust wrenches:
3/32" 0018622000

I was wrong about the body!

 

[The Birdman]

Right, I know not all of them did, but so far only one american over on the fender board has one.

Can you possibly PM me which dealer in Detroit had it? I'm flat broke, but would still like to talk to him.

Don't know which dealer. There were many out-of-town dealers at the show, and it was probably one of them. It wasn't a shop that had a brick-and-mortar location.

Roger

 

[sean.1986]

I have a blue one. I doesn't say FSR on it anywhere. On the back of the headstock it says Special edition. It matches the specs of the blond one from Musicians Friend.

Al

That bass looks stunning. I'm a big fan of the translucent colour schemes.

 

[pyrohr]

^ bass is a MIM bass.