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Fender Jazz Bass Special - Circa 1984-87

#1,501
Just picked up this bad boy just because it looked cool even though I had no idea what it was. Turns out it's an E series PB-455 and it's a great little bass. It really surprised me as I was thinking it would be fun to add a few mods to it. Going to instal a black Gotoh bridge but it sounds great with all the standard bits.
PJ445 01.jpg
 
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#1,504
Christophe C said:
Hello
I will be soon member of this JBS club :)
I have found an E7 white one with natural neck (and black headstock). I am happy because the three knobs are present with their "F" top. Is it safer to remove them, keep them in a drawer and use standard knobs ?
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they're not going to fall off unless you abuse the guitar. i have two with a full set of knobs, they're fine.
 
#1,507
Heads up for those who want a brand new Torino Red or Sherwood Green Jazz Bass Special (Boxer)
Fender Special Run Boxer Bass in Torino Red - one of only 141 made - Our only one - ETA Dec. 1st - The Bass Place
Fender BOXER SERIES PRECISION BASS 2020 Sherwood Green Metallic | mundt music of Longview | Reverb

Price is not bad at all for $1200 since they made 141 of each color.

First impressions: No serial (With a limited run you'd expect your serial # out of 141) I know there's no serial on the early models but still.. with a limited run they should engrave it at least on the neckplate.
No sunk stripe on the back & the headstock decal is def. not the same color as the original.
The F knobs are a nice addition just like on the HM Strat reissue.
 
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#1,508
Is it possible to date more accurately a PJ-555 ?
Following the serial number E774715, mine was made between 84 and 87... The number engraved on the the two pots is identical and is partly covered with the solder : "?04072" The "?" could be a 5 or a 3 or maybe a 9
There is a second line with "73 K"
Thank you
 
#1,509
Christophe C said:
Is it possible to date more accurately a PJ-555 ?
Following the serial number E774715, mine was made between 84 and 87... The number engraved on the the two pots is identical and is partly covered with the solder : "?04072" The "?" could be a 5 or a 3 or maybe a 9
There is a second line with "73 K"
Thank you
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Sadly with japanese serials, you can't date them precisely. Especially the E series. Do not believe the people who tell you that the first digit represents the year.
 
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#1,514
Christophe C said:
Thank you for the info. It is thus a late one as the nut width is 1.5 and the neck is natural on the back.
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r_bnks said:
There are still some clues. Natural neck with head trust rod adjustment and 1.5 nut is most likely '87, The ones with 1.5 nut, head truss rod adjustment are most likely '86/'87 (transition from black neck to natural) the chunkier P necks are probably the earliest versions '84-'85/'86.
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The chunky P-bass nut widths were the JDM ones, A-B-C serials. E serial ones always had the jazz nut width.

Check the size of the pole pieces on your pickups. If they are regular size, they're post '87. If they're large, pre '87.
 
#1,515
Shirobon said:
The chunky P-bass nut widths were the JDM ones, A-B-C serials. E serial ones always had the jazz nut width.

Check the size of the pole pieces on your pickups. If they are regular size, they're post '87. If they're large, pre '87.
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I have 2 and had 1 total 3 with 1.625" nut. All of them are E serial, large poled pups. 2 of my E serials have 1.5" nut. Someone has already posted the serial info in this thread:
- E5 to E60 + A series had 41mm Precision necks with neck heel truss rod adjustment
- E61+ has 38mm MIJ jazz necks with headstock truss rod adjustment

This seems to be accurate since all my 3 with 41mm nut are below E60
 
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#1,517
Christophe C said:
I am lost :)
Serial number E774715, PJ-555 model
Color : white pearl
Nut width : 1.5 " or 38mm
Natural color on back of neck
PJ pickups with large pole pieces

date is not important but I like to know :)
Click to expand...

PJ-555 was the model name/number. More likely 1987. The Fender Japan & Boxer catalogs shows the neck with black finish until 1986.

This is a page from the 1986 catalog.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

If you zoom in you can see the lack of the headstock truss rod adjustment hole what means these has heel truss rod adjustment holes.
All of the them with the heel truss rod adjustment were P-neck and there's no J neck version in the catalog until '87.
 
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