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Fender JP 90 club?

#141
Picton said:
Just ordered one of these today.

I played one in a GC some months ago; stripped truss rod nut, bowed neck, sky-high action, but I loved it anyway. I've been looking for a reasonably priced one in decent shape ever since, an early body-adjust one with fewer neck issues (sub-1200 serial number) and now I'm chomping at the bit.

Pics when it arrives!
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Funny you should mention this. I've been wondering if any four-string, 20-fret Fender neck could be fitted to a JP90's body. Does anyone have any good/bad/other experience doing this? I've been thinking of fitting a bound/blocked maple neck to a black JP90 body…cuz I think that'd look pretty damn sweet. :cool:

Also, is it me or has there been a sudden spike in the number of JP90's hitting Guitar Center's used database? There has been at least four or five in various color-finishes over the past couple of months. o_O
 
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#142
Malak the Mad said:
Funny you should mention this. I've been wondering if any four-string, 20-fret Fender neck could be fitted to a JP90's body. Does anyone have any good/bad/other experience doing this? I've been thinking of fitting a bound/blocked maple neck to a black JP90 body…cuz I think that'd look pretty damn sweet. :cool:

Also, is it me or has there been a sudden spike in the number of JP90's hitting Guitar Center's used database? There has been at least four or five in various color-finishes over the past couple of months. o_O
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There have, and one of the $500 ones was the one I've been playing at the GC the last two months or so, just up the road from my MIL's house. It was not worth 500 IMO: bowed neck, stripped truss rod nut. Weird action. The saddles were set as high as they could go on the E side, as low as they could go on the G. Pups sounded amazing, though. Thing still gave me GAS, despite the wonky setup.

I see now that it sold. Must have been in the last couple days.

I called on one of the other ones, but the GC guy on the phone told me the neck was badly bowed with a rattly truss rod, exactly what I wasn't looking for.

The one I'm buying is one of the GC ones, but they did let me haggle them down on the price. It's exactly what I've been looking for.
 
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#143
Picton said:
There have, and one of the $500 ones was the one I've been playing at the GC the last two months or so, just up the road from my MIL's house. It was not worth 500 IMO: bowed neck, stripped truss rod nut. Weird action. The saddles were set as high as they could go on the E side, as low as they could go on the G. Pups sounded amazing, though. Thing still gave me GAS, despite the wonky setup.

I see now that it sold. Must have been in the last couple days.

I called on one of the other ones, but the GC guy on the phone told me the neck was badly bowed with a rattly truss rod, exactly what I wasn't looking for.

The one I'm buying is one of the GC ones, but they did let me haggle them down on the price. It's exactly what I've been looking for.
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'Tis a shame the necks are all goofed up, especially given their kinda-unique headstocks. Please, let me know how it goes should you decide to replace the neck.
 
#144
Malak the Mad said:
'Tis a shame the necks are all goofed up, especially given their kinda-unique headstocks. Please, let me know how it goes should you decide to replace the neck.
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I surely will, but despite the fact I make guitar necks, I'm not a big replacer of factory stuff. If this neck is totally screwy, I'll just take it back. I'm in no rush; I'll wait for a good one.

But from what I've been able to find out, this one is fine. Heel adjust, no skunk stripe, GC guy checked out the rod for me and there's plenty of life left in it.

I'm stoked to go pick it up on Monday.
 
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#145
Picton said:
I surely will, but despite the fact I make guitar necks, I'm not a big replacer of factory stuff. If this neck is totally screwy, I'll just take it back. I'm in no rush; I'll wait for a good one.

But from what I've been able to find out, this one is fine. Heel adjust, no skunk stripe, GC guy checked out the rod for me and there's plenty of life left in it.

I'm stoked to go pick it up on Monday.
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Cool deal! :thumbsup:

Then if I could beg a teensy indulgence? If, for whatever reason, you happen to have the neck off the body, could you possibly wave a ruler around the pocket to see if it's in the neighborhood of Fender specs? If so, great…if not, no sweat whatsoever. ;)
 
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#147
Picton said:
I surely will, but despite the fact I make guitar necks, I'm not a big replacer of factory stuff. If this neck is totally screwy, I'll just take it back. I'm in no rush; I'll wait for a good one.

But from what I've been able to find out, this one is fine. Heel adjust, no skunk stripe, GC guy checked out the rod for me and there's plenty of life left in it.

I'm stoked to go pick it up on Monday.
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Would love to hear from you when you check out this bass. I owned one of the earlier model JP-90s and had no problem with the neck whatsoever (well, other than having to remove it in order to tweak the truss rod).
a few things I've noticed:- the body is susceptible to dings as the finish is fairly thin.
-the pickguard is one ply-so the weakness is usually around the jack area and have seen a few split at this point. A replacement pickguard (3 ply) can be bought from pickguardheaven.

Other than these quibbles, it's a terrific bass, I wish I still owned it but a temporary bout of insanity made me trade it. :(
 
#150
fretter said:
I don't understand why the JP90 pick guard seems so controversial. Mine has been a complete non-issue. It's just there. No problems, no issues.
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I suspect people overtighten their hex nuts, thus cracking the PG. I'm not worried about it either.

It IS just a one-ply unit, so I expect it's got less strength than, say, a P-bass guard, which would otherwise have the same issue with that long peninsula-shaped area of PG.
 
#152
Okay, took me awhile; I was waiting on a thicker PG to come in, but here goes. The caveat is that the neck pocket's got the radius arched into the front of it, and I've got no idea whether it's the same arc as a P or J neck. I measured from the apex.

Dimensions are 3 13/16 x 2 7/16.
 

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#153
Picton said:
Okay, took me awhile; I was waiting on a thicker PG to come in, but here goes. The caveat is that the neck pocket's got the radius arched into the front of it, and I've got no idea whether it's the same arc as a P or J neck. I measured from the apex.

Dimensions are 3 13/16 x 2 7/16.
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I'm sure somebody around here is familiar enough with Fender specs to tell if that's a match, but to be sure, I'll do my own measurements on a couple of unmounted necks I have lying around.

Thanks again!
 
#154
hey JP90 club, one popped up and I grabbed it. its a great shape JP90 and the rarity kind of got me hooked, also the prices on Fender basses going through the moon in price, this I place above a Fender MIM which is at $624 for a standard MIM P or a J. So this US, with P and J pups is too cool. Lots of unique vibe but yet has the Fender Logo and Corona familiar. I'll be honest its got the money vibe increase too, maybe its not a $1900 US PBass but, I'll put it $750 above a MIM standard. Reverb today they are hitting $500-$600+ and those have cracked faces.

I might switch to a Black face pickguard and grab a white one on order too. Todays prices it feels like a very expensive guitar just joined the house.

Do I want a Jazz or P sound? h,mmmm JP90 does both! very cool.
 
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#155
CCBro said:
hey JP90 club, one popped up and I grabbed it. its a great shape JP90 and the rarity kind of got me hooked, also the prices on Fender basses going through the moon in price, this I place above a Fender MIM which is at $624 for a standard MIM P or a J. So this US, with P and J pups is too cool. Lots of unique vibe but yet has the Fender Logo and Corona familiar. I'll be honest its got the money vibe increase too, maybe its not a $1900 US PBass but, I'll put it $750 above a MIM standard. Reverb today they are hitting $500-$600+ and those have cracked faces.

I might switch to a Black face pickguard and grab a white one on order too. Todays prices it feels like a very expensive guitar just joined the house.

Do I want a Jazz or P sound? h,mmmm JP90 does both! very cool.
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Congrats - really a nice bass. Great sound, light and yes, I agree it's better than the MIM basses out there. I had a MIM Jazz, MIM P Bass with SD pickups and the JP-90 as my main basses at the time, played the JP-90 as it was easily the better bass of the three. Wish I still had them all though.
 
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#156
I'm doing the internet read. Vintage Guitar 2011 lists at $500-$700 price.
Its a cool rare Fender US with Jazz and Precision pups....theres a value Im interested in on this one.

I feel like RipVanWinkle on the pricing of bass guitars! theyve really skyrocketed.

Did all these come with Black Pickguards? The article mentioned they did.
I like reading about these things, they often have their own story thats interesting. I do agree with those that find the "rare" look attractive. Little sharper horns, non-tradiational yet a Fender JP.
 
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#158
thanks.

i thought the dude said he swapped the pickguard and wanted silver. tortise shell.
The neck US sells it, the J & P combo sells it...the JP90 pickguard is what it is, I dont mind it at all but it does set it apart from the normal Pbass style. I dont know much about bass but enjoy playing it on home recordings.

This morning I was comparing to 3 other basses and noticed the JP90 strings were much higher. Nothing I did but placed in some shims and it helped, but I might do one more ...20 is too much <10 not enough,..thinking 15mil shim at the heel. But not sure why this is needed?

Anyway, the signature and date on the neck stamp isnt even legible like a scribbled lazy signature.
Personal preference but I like lower action and the others came with that.
This things been sitting for over 10yrs too? so whatever that might cause?

Mine has the truss rod in the headstock and I notice the early ones dont. The black plastic truss rod plug is traditionally MIM on Stratocasters so there might have been some MIM joint venture but Im not sure at all about what was going down in 1990? The US strats alway have the walnut truss plug or none at all, though some Squiers do too and the MIM 62 Reiisue has truss at the bottom. Ive never seen any US with the black plastic but I could be wrong. The MIM plant got the original CNC equipment form the old factory and Corona got the new stuff, as I understand....a hundred miles away or so.

My JP 90 also has Schaller Tuners licensed by Fender, real rosewood neck. WHite pickguard someone swapped, I might order the black for a black on black.

Its in excellent condition for 30yrs old...wow...taken the neck off the frets like new.
 
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#159
Ive been watching ebay and the sold prices are $400 rough to $600+ with case.
A mint is up for $799 now. I think in all fairness this is where it should be.
just my worthless opinion but MIM are now $624 for a Jazz with a bag....

This is a rosewood, American, Vintage, Jazz and Precision US standard pickups,,, $800 seems fair.
 

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