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Fender MIJ Jag Bass owners--I think our necks are NOS

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Fitz, Apr 22, 2012.

  1. Apr 22, 2012 #1
    Fitz

    Fitz

    Oct 20, 2009
    Discuss. I'm sure most of you have checked your serial number online only for it to tell you that your bass was made sometime in 1995, when it obviously wasn't. That threw me off. I wondered for a pretty long time why the serial numbers were screwed up, and then I realized something. I'm pretty sure Fender Japan was using NOS Jazz Bass necks that they had laying around the shop on these things. Why else would the serial numbers not indicate the correct year of production?

    I bought my Made In Japan Jaguar Bass in Hot Rod Red brand new for dirt cheap in 2008 right when Fender discontinued them and shops started putting them on clearance.

    Dsiclaimer: This only applies to original Jaguar Basses that were made in Japan.
     
  2. Apr 22, 2012 #2
    lowphatbass

    lowphatbass **** Supporting Member

    Feb 25, 2005
    west coast
    I think you may just be misinterpreting the serial #/dating information you're looking at, I've done it plenty of times. The websites can be confusing, the "decoders" aren't always 100% accurate, and there are a few anomalies within Fender's serial number system, MIJ/CIJ basses in particular.
     
  3. Apr 22, 2012 #3
    Bongolation

    Bongolation

    Nov 9, 2001
    California
    No Bogus Endorsements
    No, the numbers are just off. The number dating schemes online and at Fender.Com are not reliable on much FJ stuff. Those necks were unique to the Jaguar, so they're not NOS.
     
  4. Apr 22, 2012 #4
    PWRL

    PWRL

    Sep 15, 2006
    Beyond the Cosmic Event Horizon
    That seems to be true. Mine comes up as an 04 when it should not, if I use a decoder set up for MIAs and MIMs. I've also read that decoders generally don't work well for MIJ/CIJ instruments.
     
  5. Apr 22, 2012 #5
    Fitz

    Fitz

    Oct 20, 2009
    I'm not saying you're wrong, but what was it besides the headstock decals and paint that made them unique to that model? They're just Jazz Bass necks.
     
  6. Apr 23, 2012 #6
    lug

    lug Supporting Member

    Feb 11, 2005
    League City, Tx
    They have a different profile than a "normal" jazz neck, thinner front to back. they and the Geddy were the only two described ans a Thin "C" Shape during the Jag's initial run instead of just "C" shape like all the other Jazz models. Now I think only the Geddy has that distinction. I believe the radius has also changed from the originals as well.
     
  7. Apr 23, 2012 #7
    Bongolation

    Bongolation

    Nov 9, 2001
    California
    No Bogus Endorsements
    No, they're not. They have special dimensions, effectively those of a GL.
     
  8. Apr 23, 2012 #8
    Fitz

    Fitz

    Oct 20, 2009
    Gotcha. Intredasting.
     
  9. Jun 9, 2012 #9
    colbyAKAbobby

    colbyAKAbobby

    Jul 21, 2011
    Just bought a Jaguar today! I wondered the same thing. The decoding guides say that its '94-'95.