• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Fender Jazz Bass Special - Circa 1984-87

#1,081
IMG_1661.JPG
IMG_1663.JPG
IMG_1664.JPG
IMG_1665.JPG
This was $500 last summer with a amp I sold for $60, it was posted in a small town my dad lives in and he went and got it for me, despite the small size of the town the guys phone was ringing off the hook. Near mint condition with original hang tags. While it is a jazz special the logo doesn't read it so I guess it isnt, it's more of I guess the prototype model only made a year and not seen much. I actually had a red one like this to, with no switch. But it was a bright hot non metallic red and with the black hardware and neck I personally wasn't into the look. This wont be sold, I have wanted a super clean white one since 2004/5, and I had player shape ones but this was always the "one" bass I wanted in as clean as shape as I could get and I found one.
 
  • Like
Reactions: zbigniew, winterburn69 and johnnyplaysbass
#1,082
Man, that thing looks brand new! I like the white, too, better looking bass than the black in my opinion. I can't get behind the painted neck, though that's sheerly because of feel and only applies to me personally, I think it looks really sharp.

I've always preferred a Jazz to a P in terms of body style, I think I'll eventually put the guts of mine in a Warmoth Jazz body. I'll keep the original, of course, fill those stupid thumbrest holes, buff it out to a high shine, and stash it in my gun safe for posterity. Maybe when they're worth a bunch (if they ever are) I'll put it back together and refret it and sell it, who knows? Meanwhile, I'm glad I stumbled upon it. It plays and sounds a lot better than their price would indicate (especially in my case).
 
#1,083
Thegrandwazoo said:
Man, that thing looks brand new! I like the white, too, better looking bass than the black in my opinion. I can't get behind the painted neck, though that's sheerly because of feel and only applies to me personally, I think it looks really sharp.

I've always preferred a Jazz to a P in terms of body style, I think I'll eventually put the guts of mine in a Warmoth Jazz body. I'll keep the original, of course, fill those stupid thumbrest holes, buff it out to a high shine, and stash it in my gun safe for posterity. Maybe when they're worth a bunch (if they ever are) I'll put it back together and refret it and sell it, who knows? Meanwhile, I'm glad I stumbled upon it. It plays and sounds a lot better than their price would indicate (especially in my case).
Click to expand...



Defiantly cool basses, I have always wanted to put a neck from one on a Jazz body to. Personally always figured id do it if I found a neck separated from a body. I to prefer white to black on these but I mainly play my black one. Its very beat up, much more then yours and it just feels a tad better to me and no worrying about denting it.
 
#1,084
I'm impressed by the neck, but equally (maybe more so) by the electronics. I don't know that I've played another factory Fender that sounded as good. That's why Warmoth, if I do it, because I can get a Jazz body with P/J pickup routs AND a side jack opening, that way all three pots and the switch will fit in the control plate, spaced evenly. I could probably lay hold of a MIM Jazz body cheaper, but then I'd have to rout the body and pickguard. I don't really have the tools aside from a Dremel to do it, plus swamp ash, haha! I don't mind finishing it, just would rather not have to modify it dramatically. Regardless, I think I'll hold onto this thing.
 
#1,085
nothing_special said:
Hi all,

I've got a black japan jb special from the 80's with unpainted neck in very good condition.
I'm about to trade it to a white one.

The other guy's white is some japan reissue, he showed me this website.
Rex and the Bass: Fender Jazz Bass Special Re-issue

Does one of you heard of this kinda bass?

"Today's subject is a very rare bass - a 2008 limited-edition Jazz Bass Special.
This IS NOT the Mexican Duff McKagan model, this is a real-live Japanese-made bass."

The white's serial on the back of the neck (not on the head) is Sxxxxxx

This site says:
Japanese Fender Serial Numbers | Your Complete Guide | Guitar Repair Bench
S + 6 Digits Crafted in Japan 2005 - 2006
S + 6 Digits 1994 - 1995

I think the 2005-2006 is the bass.

What do you think?
Can I trade it 1:1?
I think mine worths more, but I prefer the white one and these basses are rare in my country.

I meet the guy today, we'll compare and try the basses.
If I'll like the white too, I'll ask for a week's time to think about the trade.

Thanks
Click to expand...

In 1994, to celebrate ten years anniversary from the first introduction of the japanese Boxer line, Fender Japan decided to make a re-issue of the original 80's PJ-555/Jazz Bass Special (the Top of the Boxer line and the only one exported all over the world in the 80's). This model is not the mexican Duff Re-Issue from the 2000s. It was made in Japan in 1994, it was available in olimpicwhite (not pearlwhite or snowwhite), pewter and maybe also in black and it had S+6digits serial number (almost always S08xxxx) printed on the base of the rear-neck (not on the headstock and not on the neckplate).
 
  • Like
Reactions: A-Step-Towards
#1,086
Vic Firth said:
In 1994, to celebrate ten years anniversary from the first introduction of the japanese Boxer line, Fender Japan decided to make a re-issue of the original 80's PJ-555/Jazz Bass Special (the Top of the Boxer line and the only one exported all over the world in the 80's). This model is not the mexican Duff Re-Issue from the 2000s. It was made in Japan in 1994, it was available in olimpicwhite (not pearlwhite or snowwhite), pewter and maybe also in black and it had S+6digits serial number (almost always S08xxxx) printed on the base of the rear-neck (not on the headstock and not on the neckplate).
Click to expand...


Thats the 90s one! I saw one of those in black years ago and didnt know what it was.
 
#1,088
Thegrandwazoo said:
Mine has a normal bridge and larger than normal (I don't know if they're the biggest of them, but much larger than regular Fender) pole pieces. I understand that Japanese Fender serial numbers are less than perfect with regard to dating, but mine showed as an '88 on some serial database or another.

I was under the impression that all Jazz Bass Specials had the volume, volume, TBX tone, selector switch control scheme (which I REALLY like, and honestly think all Fender-style basses ought to have), and that those that didn't were called something else. I'm not arguing, I was probably misinformed, that's just what I thought. Pretty cool basses, and I never even knew about them until 4 or 5 years ago.

I know one thing: I've played a few of the newer Duff signatures in shops, some of which were even set up halfway worth a damn, mine (and from what I hear, most of the '80s Japanese ones) blows them away in terms of quality and playability. Mine's the only one I've played, I suppose I could've gotten lucky and wound up with a standout, but I'm pretty sure they're all pretty good. I briefly had an American Pro (maybe American special, I can't remember. It was passive and had noiseless pickups) Jazz, aside from the Jazz balancing a little better on a strap (a function of the body shape), it wasn't discernibly any better than my Jazz Bass Special.
Click to expand...

I'm hoping to eventually find a white JBS with an unpainted neck. I've played a Duff signature and didn't care for the painted neck. Hopefully I can find one at a decent price before they skyrocket, though compared to prices a few years ago they've already sorta skyrocketed.
 
#1,095
wolfkeller said:
I stumbled across this. Not a JBS obviously. It's really cool, same deal ass JBS but jazz neck and pups. Notice both large pole piece pickups.
Reduced - Fender Boxer Jazz Bass 1985 Black Reduced - Fender Boxer Jazz Bass 1985 Black
Click to expand...


Ive seen a few of those in my life, not in person. Same with the contemporary squiers above, the cool thing about those is the red and black ones have painted back of the necks are red and white.
 
  • Like
Reactions: wolfkeller

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back