Fender JP-90 w/ pickup upgrades, worth it?

[WinterSun_Fan]

Been looking for a 4 string PJ lately because I don't really use the low B on my 5 in the crusty metal/punkish band I've recently joined. Saw this weirdo on Reverb today:
1990 Fender JP-90 EMG P/J Bass Made in USA | Reverb

The emgs sound like a cool feature, but I don't really know anything about these basses. The little I've found on TB makes them sound a little underwhelming. I'm looking for a beefy, spanky sound, and with the band I'm in, I'm playing mostly finger style with some slap in there. I switch between distorted and clean if that matters. Build quality is of course nice since we're road dogging it a decent amount. I'm guessing the string spacing is standard 4 string Fender so I'm not worried about that. What I'm running through of course matters, and right now the only thing that stay s consistent when I play live is the MXR M-80, often times I'll end up using other bands amps because of space so the M80 is my right hand man, sometimes just running straight through PA because the M80 is real nice with that.

To summarize my rambling, are the JP-90's any good? Is this particular one any good? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Olde Axeman]

I have one and love it, but there are at least as many people who dislike them as there are fans, maybe more. Most of the visual dislike centers around the odd pickguard, but I'm a bit of a sucker for an oddball bass.

They were only made for about 3 years, 1990-1992, and came with Jazz profile necks and 1.5 inch nuts. The earlier ones had no skunk stripe; later ones did. The biggest mechanical complaint is almost always about the neck. This is not to say that all JP-90's have bad/warped necks (mine does not), but apparently some do, and it appears to be more prevalent with the later skunk stripe necks than the earlier ones. There's only one photo I see of the back of the headstock with enough neck showing to make me believe the one you're looking at has no skunk stripe. Would be better to ask that to be sure though.

The bodies are Poplar, so they tend to weigh less than an Alder or Ash bass. As far as price, I've seen people asking anywhere from $200 to $700 for 'em. I'd guess the average price is somewhere around $350. Mine cost me $400 with a cheap aftermarket HSC and has considerably fewer dings than the one on Reverb.

These are the cheapest MIA Fenders you can buy. Some people say they were built in the U.S. with MIM components but I don't know whether or not that's true.

They sound just like any other Fender passive PJ to me. I note that the seller is offering to provide the original pups, and I would take them in case the EMG's don't work out for you.

There's a pretty good size thread on these with more info:

Fender JP 90 club?

 

[two fingers]

Totally worth it. That's why I just bought it.

















Just kidding. Sure, go for it. Nice basses. Good price.

 

[Eilif]

Looks like it did sell. No surprise. Anything USA Fender for less than $400 is probably more than worth it. If it weren't a J neck I would have bought it earlier today.

Did any of you folks end up getting it?

 

[godofthunder59]

I have one and love it, but there are at least as many people who dislike them as there are fans, maybe more. Most of the visual dislike centers around the odd pickguard, but I'm a bit of a sucker for an oddball bass.

They were only made for about 3 years, 1990-1992, and came with Jazz profile necks and 1.5 inch nuts. The earlier ones had no skunk stripe; later ones did. The biggest mechanical complaint is almost always about the neck. This is not to say that all JP-90's have bad/warped necks (mine does not), but apparently some do, and it appears to be more prevalent with the later skunk stripe necks than the earlier ones. There's only one photo I see of the back of the headstock with enough neck showing to make me believe the one you're looking at has no skunk stripe. Would be better to ask that to be sure though.

The bodies are Poplar, so they tend to weigh less than an Alder or Ash bass. As far as price, I've seen people asking anywhere from $200 to $700 for 'em. I'd guess the average price is somewhere around $350. Mine cost me $400 with a cheap aftermarket HSC and has considerably fewer dings than the one on Reverb.

These are the cheapest MIA Fenders you can buy. Some people say they were built in the U.S. with MIM components but I don't know whether or not that's true.

They sound just like any other Fender passive PJ to me. I note that the seller is offering to provide the original pups, and I would take them in case the EMG's don't work out for you.

There's a pretty good size thread on these with more info:

Fender JP 90 club?

I just sold one bought it for 399 a few months ago, got it for 671