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Fender P-Bass Japan Medium Scale (1987)

Frank Orlando

Frank Orlando

Dec 21, 2002
395
127
Fort Myers
www.facebook.com
#1
Hello, I am awaiting delivery of a medium scale (32") Fender Japan P-bass made in the late 80's (1987 I think). They came as both Squire's (CIJ E-series) and as Fender MIJ. Mine is Fender. I am trying to find out what pickups are installed from Fender Japan in this bass? Are they the same as the Squire CIJ pickups? I had a Squire P-bass CIJ in medium scale before and the pickups were weak. I am hoping the Fender version has better pickups. I would appreciate any info on this bass. There isn't too much I can find on the net. :help:Thanks.
 
#4
I just bought a Fender Made-In-Japan 32" Precision from a local guy. Very well made, glossy headstock and neck.

I have a Mexican Precision Jr. which, while very nicely made, appears to be just slightly more utilitarian in finish than the MIJ medium scale Precision. -Wayne in Seattle
 
#5
Sorry for the delay in replying...

I didn't get this particular P-Bass yet. I have been waiting since July and the seller has had numerous issues but it's in the mail finally. I had the Squire version before this one and I loved the way it played but didn't love the pickup so I replaced it with a Bartolini. Later I went a little crazy and had the body re-finished in sonic blue nitrocellous paint by a pro. I also added a Badass II. It was a beautiful bass. I sold it last year when I switched to 32" 5-string Warwicks. I missed it so much I bought the one that I am presently waiting for. The P-Bass has a wider neck and a smaller body than the 32" Jazz. There is a 32" Fender Aerodyne P/J on eBay as I write this. The guy is asking $798 plus $120 shipping from Japan!! A bit steep for that bass.
Go to this post for pictures of some of my 32" basses:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=402028&page=6
 
#8
So... Since they are so hard to find... I've not got a clue what the value is. IF, and that's a pretty big IF, if I wanted to sell mine what's the price range of these things?


Followed your link.. I didn't even know there was a medium scale club... Hmmm... :)
 
#10
There still are a lot of medium scale Fender basses around for sale so the Squire value seems to be regulated by the other plentiful Fender medium scale basses available. There are Stu Hamm Urge model 1 and the Stu Hamm Standards available just about everyday. There are two on eBay now...both mint. There are Fender Aerodyne Jazz Basses on eBay every month... brand new and straight from Japan. And you still see some less-than-mint Squier's going up on eBay every now and then. A black one sold from a guy in Germany last month but it was priced way high due to the conversion from dollars to Euro's. A white one that someone added an EMG J-Bass pickup was on eBay last month too. Don't recall if it sold. This is all my 2-cents. I'm not an expert. But I'm still shopping. If it was a "like new" Squier I may pay up to $500. If I found a Fender (no Squier logo on the headstock) I may pay up to $700 in good used condition.
 
#12
Nice bass...
Hmmmm... those white knobs weren't original. Somebody added those along the way. It comes with flat top knurled chrome P-Bass knobs. The domed top are for a J-bass. If you plan to sell it I would make it as close to stock as I could including replacing the stock pick-ups even though they are a bit weak. People like un-molested instruments. You can always sell the other pickups separately. The first thing I ask is "any repairs or modifications?" So I would keep the original pickups in case you plan to sell it.
 
#13
Frank Orlando said:
Nice bass...
Hmmmm... those white knobs weren't original. Somebody added those along the way. It comes with flat top knurled chrome P-Bass knobs. The domed top are for a J-bass. If you plan to sell it I would make it as close to stock as I could including replacing the stock pick-ups even though they are a bit weak. People like un-molested instruments. You can always sell the other pickups separately. The first thing I ask is "any repairs or modifications?" So I would keep the original pickups in case you plan to sell it.
Click to expand...

The Squier's may have come with the white knobs. I picked up a medium scale a few years ago and it came looking just like RedsFan75's. I have since upgraded the pu's and electronics as well as the knob's but have saved the old parts. I also saw one go for $900 on ebay last year or so. I was quite surprised.

original.gif
 
#17
These are my babies now... both 32" Warwick 5 strings. The black one looks bigger in the picture... it isn't. I ordered the the black one from Wrawick's custom shop. It is a Corvette Standard in ash with active pickups and electronics. The other is a Corvette FNA Jazzman with a flame maple top and ash body. I have since installed Bartolini's in the Jazzman and a Bart preamp. :bassist:

2007_0205Image0483.jpg
 
#20
Hi Folks, I just bought a Squier Japan P bass.....didn't know it was a 32" 'til it arrived in the post. I must say it sounds and plays superb....after some tweaking. However I will be selling it as I really want a long scale...any offers? It's in exceptional condition, hardly used. Black, E serial number.
 

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