Genuine Fender. Help needed

[Lechuguilla]

Hi everyone,

I'm thinking of buying this Japanese Fender. Can anyone tell from the pictures that this is genuine and not a fake please? Cheers

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[blr2]

Seems legit, but I wouldn't buy a bass with maxed truss rod.

 

[Roland GR 88]

Real or not the inability to tighten the truss rod means this bass is toast until something possibly very expensive is done to fix it.

 

[Five or Six]

Might be legit but, the truss alone is a no.

 

[Acoustic356]

Looks legit to me. I was specifically looking for the "Crafted in Japan" at the heel.

 

[Lechuguilla]

Thank you all. I know nothing about the truss rod but if you are all saying it's a no no then I will take your advice.

 

[Lechuguilla]

I've read that most fake Fenders will try to imitate American made and it's not worth faking a Mexican Fender. But what about Japanese Fenders? Are most Japanese Fenders sold in Japan likely to be legit?

 

[blr2]

People fake all things all the time, no matter what. That said, buying a MIJ Fender from a reputable dealer in Japan, you can be almost certain that it is the real deal.

 

[GodPlayedBass]

I don't see a Fender logo on the neck plate. Could've been switched out but you'd have to buy a new neck either way

 

[moon-bass]

I don't see anything off about it - looks genuine to me! You may want to think about the truss rod being maxxed tho.

 

[moon-bass]

I don't see a Fender logo on the neck plate. Could've been switched out but you'd have to buy a new neck either way

The JB62-58's don't have the Fender logo on the neckplate.

 

[blr2]

JB62-77 has "FENDER" stamped on the neck plate. The cheaper model (58) has not.

 

[Obese Chess]

Thank you all. I know nothing about the truss rod but if you are all saying it's a no no then I will take your advice.

Basically if you ever need to adjust the neck - change the action, intonation, new strings, etc - you can't. It's like buying a car with the hood welded shut in that it prevents you from doing routine maintenance and is not easy to fix.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Real or not the inability to tighten the truss rod means this bass is toast until something possibly very expensive is done to fix it.

Sometimes it just takes a washer or two. But it's hard to know in advance.

 

[StringCanvas]

In addition to the truss rod being maxed, the note "Neck condition: Almost Straight" would worry me in an online sale.

 

[dutchwife]

I've read that most fake Fenders will try to imitate American made and it's not worth faking a Mexican Fender. But what about Japanese Fenders? Are most Japanese Fenders sold in Japan likely to be legit?

I've been over here (Osaka) thirty five years now and never seen one. Frankly, the way Japan works there would be no point. Plenty of "lawsuit" stuff if you will, but the idea of trying to outright fake a Fender over here is a new one to me...

 

[Gunga Din]

Never knew these JBs were basswood back then. I always presumed alder.

 

[Geogio]

I wouldn't

 

[blr2]

Never knew these JBs were basswood back then. I always presumed alder.

Again, there two models 58 and 77, the numbers representing the MSRP in the day, 58k and 77k Yen, respectively. There were 99 models as well (99k Yen), mostly JV and signature models.
The cheaper model (58) is basswood and has ceramic pickups. The more expensive one (77) is alder and has alnico pickups, some of them with USA origin.
I have a '89 JB62-77, and the body is three piece alder. Great bass.

 

[Gunga Din]

Again, there two models 58 and 77, the numbers representing the MSRP in the day, 58k and 77k Yen, respectively. There were 99 models as well (99k Yen), mostly JV and signature models.
The cheaper model (58) is basswood and has ceramic pickups. The more expensive one (77) is alder and has alnico pickups, some of them with USA origin.
I have a '89 JB62-77, and the body is three piece alder. Great bass.

AH, right. The most common ones I remember were JB62 and ^5.