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Good deal on a post 2008 American standard 5 string Jazz?

Hi all, sorry for another one of THOSE threads. There is someone not too far away from me selling a (supposedly) American standard jazz 5 for 550.00. First of all, do you all think this is decent? Secondly, do you notice anything off about these pictures? I was told it's "about 3 years old".

It's about a 3 hour drive from me and I'm wondering if it would make sense to pursue this. Here's the link to the ad:

Link Removed

Thanks all for your input!
 
I don't think that's a post 2008 American Standard. Didn't they change the name to "Standard" and his tag shows it as "American Series"? Ask the seller to send you the serial number.

But if it was, it would be a pretty good deal. Around $900 is typically lowest price you'd see a post 2008 American Std 5 on CL/Kijiji here in Toronto area, and that would include hard shell case too.
 
Good point, thought it looked a bit older. I already asked for the serial number - waiting for a response. I'm tempted because I've been specifically gassing for a passive American Fender 5 string Jazz...

G'day! Nice to see someone from close to home on here. I'm just down the road in Woodstock. Those American Series basses were made in America, and if you zoom in on the headstock picture on the ad you can see the Made In USA tag right under Fender.
 
Also, I knew I had read something about that on wikipedia, here is the section from the article on Jazz basses.

A fourth push button control is available on American-made Jazz Basses produced between mid-2003 until 2008. Known as the "S-1 Switch", this feature allows the pickups to operate in standard, parallel wiring, or alternatively in series wiring when the switch is depressed. While in series, both pickups function as a single unit with one volume control, giving the Jazz Bass a sound more similar to the Precision Bass. The two pickups are built to be opposite from each other in both magnetic polarity and electrical phase, so that when heard together, hum is cancelled—the humbucking effect. The Highway One Jazz Bass is a moderately priced American-made bass introduced in 2003, featuring a Leo Quan BadAss II bridge with grooved saddles, Posiflex graphite neck support rods, 1970s styling and a Greasebucket tone circuit since 2006.

In 2008, the American Series models were replaced by a new American Standard line, which greatly differs from the first-generation American Standard Series basses introduced in 1994. The 2008 American Standard Jazz Bass retained the "American Series" rolled-edge neck with highly detailed nut and fret work, as well as the familiar rounded body shape with the vintage body radius, but deleted the S-1 switching system and incorporated a new high-mass vintage bridge, Hipshot lightweight vintage-style tuning machines, a richer and deeper neck tint, gloss maple or rosewood fingerboard and satin back for smooth playability. It also has a thinner finish undercoat that lets the body breathe and improves resonance. In March 2012 Fender updated the American Standard Jazz Bass (except the five-string version) with Custom Shop 1960s Jazz Bass pickups.
 
Couple things. It DOES look like it's MIA. That said it's not 2008 or newer. 2008's came with the black molded SKB cases that were made for the American Standard Series, that one appears to have the older, vintage-styled cases fender included. Also, the tag lists the S-1 switching. That feature was discontinued after the 2007 models. The 2008's and newer featured a new design hi-mass bridge, new pickups, and a no fancy schmancy switching like the S-1.

That's just based on the three pics. But that's the insight I can offer
 
Nice to see some local guys here! I thought as much, figured the price was a bit too good to be true for one of those sought-after post 2008 models. I wonder though, 550 still seems pretty good for an American Jazz, especially a 5. Decisions, decisions!

Just a bit more input, I have a 2003 USA Jazz bass, it has the S-1 switching and it is BY FAR the nicest playing jazz bass I have ever laid hands on. I'm not just saying that because it is mine, I pick up other basses and I just crave mine. I would give it a try, or see if you can get some family or another local member to try it for you and let you know. Don't let the "pre/post 2008" nonsense fool you, great basses were made in the "off" years as well.
 
Thanks Woodsbass. I think I am going to try to meet up with the seller to try it out somehow. It's not often you see the specific bass you've been craving turn up locally (well, pretty close). Now all I need is a tort pickguard...;)

If you decide not to get it, let me know! I may pick it up if you decide to pass it up, but I won't go near it until you decide whether you want it or not.
 
Yeah I still think $550 is a great price regardless of whether it's pre or post 2008.

Aside: My parents are both from northern NB. Mom is from Dalhousie and Dad is from Nash Creek (which is about halfway between Dalhousie and Bathurst.) I was born in Sydney NS.
 

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