Help identifying bass

[Whale]

I stopped at a pawn shop this afternoon and noticed an interesting bass hanging on the wall. I'm thinking it's a conglomeration of parts, but I figure I'd ask the experts before I jump to conclusions.

Sorry for the lack of pics. I didn't have my phone with me at the time. :-(


First, it has a MIM Jazz neck with a rosewood fretboard. The S/N starts with MZ0 which puts it as a 2000 model.

Next, it has a string-thru Jazz body with a PJ configuration. Sunburst finish. The bridge is a Fender American Deluxe type.

I talked the sales fellow into allowing me to open the control plate. There's an Audere JZ3 preamp hiding underneath. Also, the pickups are Quarter Pounder Duncans.

Obviously, the pickups and controls have been swapped out, but has anyone ever seen a MIM PJ Jazz with a string thru body?

If not, how about an American PJ Jazz body?

(I know there is a PJ P-bass body, the MAG 7 PJ bass, and a MIJ PJ version. This is none of those).



Incidentally, they will accept $380 for it with a case.

 

[Mark76]

That sounds like a bargain

 

[dukeorock]

Help identify a bass with no picture?

 

[BrianToska]

Kinda sounds like a Reggie Hamilton sig to me.

 

[Whale]

Again, I apologize for the lack of a photo. As I said, I didn't have my phone with me otherwise I would have certainly snapped a pic.

I agree with Brian. I thought it was a Reggie Hamilton Sig bass, too. They two basses looked exactly the same. The only difference was that the RH basses have a battery box on the back of the body. This bass didn't have the box.

After further research on every stinkin' bass put out by Fender, I'm guessing the bass I saw was put together from a pile of parts. That said, whoever built the bass knew what they were doing. With the exception of the MIM neck (which actually felt quite nice and was full of birdseye), the parts are all top quality.

$380 for a decent Jazz Bass with a case isn't too bad of a deal.

 

[BrianToska]

Again, I apologize for the lack of a photo. As I said, I didn't have my phone with me otherwise I would have certainly snapped a pic.

I agree with Brian. I thought it was a Reggie Hamilton Sig bass, too. They two basses looked exactly the same. The only difference was that the RH basses have a battery box on the back of the body. This bass didn't have the box.

After further research on every stinkin' bass put out by Fender, I'm guessing the bass I saw was put together from a pile of parts. That said, whoever built the bass knew what they were doing. With the exception of the MIM neck (which actually felt quite nice and was full of birdseye), the parts are all top quality.

$380 for a decent Jazz Bass with a case isn't too bad of a deal.

Regardless of what it is, it sounds like a sweet bass. I say you buy and tell us how it is!

 

[Malak the Mad]

Sounds like a piece of junk. So much so, that I need to see this abomination for myself. Sooooooo…where did you say you saw this horrid thing? <slowly reaches for his wallet and car keys >

Seriously though, it sounds like a very well put together parts bass and for a great price to boot.

One other way to see if it's either a Reggie-sig, or possibly one modded along it's lines, is the placement of the P-pup. The Reggie is nudged slightly closer towards the bridge. I, myself, had exactly this done to a Mighty Mite body and I love the results.

 

[Whale]

An update just in case anyone happened to be following this thread...

I went back to the pawn shop yesterday and asked if I could remove the neck of the bass to figure out exactly what it was. Surprisingly, the sales fellow agreed.

It turns out that the bass is, indeed, a Fender. Closer inspection revealed that it is very likely a Vintage Hot Rod 70's body. Most of the Hot Rod basses didn't have a string through set-up, but a small number were built this way.

As for the MIM neck, I'm guessing one of the previous owners didn't like the original neck - maybe because it had a compound radius or maybe just because he liked the MIM neck more.

Whatever the case, the mystery is solved.

 

[jlepre]

An update just in case anyone happened to be following this thread...

I went back to the pawn shop yesterday and asked if I could remove the neck of the bass to figure out exactly what it was. Surprisingly, the sales fellow agreed.

It turns out that the bass is, indeed, a Fender. Closer inspection revealed that it is very likely a Vintage Hot Rod 70's body. Most of the Hot Rod basses didn't have a string through set-up, but a small number were built this way.

As for the MIM neck, I'm guessing one of the previous owners didn't like the original neck - maybe because it had a compound radius or maybe just because he liked the MIM neck more.

Whatever the case, the mystery is solved.

Let me guess...you forgot your phone...AGAIN

 

[Whale]

Better than forgetting my camera, I bought the bass!

Here she is...

 

[hypercarrots]

An update just in case anyone happened to be following this thread...

I went back to the pawn shop yesterday and asked if I could remove the neck of the bass to figure out exactly what it was. Surprisingly, the sales fellow agreed.

It turns out that the bass is, indeed, a Fender. Closer inspection revealed that it is very likely a Vintage Hot Rod 70's body. Most of the Hot Rod basses didn't have a string through set-up, but a small number were built this way.

As for the MIM neck, I'm guessing one of the previous owners didn't like the original neck - maybe because it had a compound radius or maybe just because he liked the MIM neck more.

Whatever the case, the mystery is solved.

Vintage hot rod 70s aren’t painted like that with the black covering the entire contour. The sunburst doesn’t look right for an American fender. The P pickup is in a different position than they normally do as well. Did you look under the pickguard for possible routing?
SOLD - Fender American Vintage Hot Rod 70's Jazz Bass