Help, is this a genuine USA jazz bass?

[hiperion80]

Hi, I am getting a good price on a used 77/78 jazz bass (by the serial number, it should be those years if I am not mistaken), but it looks "too new" and on the square plate on the back, the serial number looks laser-engraved (judging from the picture). What are your opinions?
Thanks.

 

[mikezimmerman]

I'm no expert, but off the top of my head, I'm pretty sure the truss rod is wrong for a '78 Jazz, the bridge pickup is in the wrong location, and a '78 Jazz would have a 3-bolt neck joint.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Yeah could be a parts bass, but definitely not 100% original from what I can tell. That having been said, I wouldn't pay more than what a regular US Fender goes for used today. If it's not 100% original (aside from strings maybe), I treat it like any other modern production model price-wise.

 

[MonetBass]

That may be a Fender neck plate, but to my knowledge, Fender didn't print serial numbers on it like that. They only engraved it, and usually without the big F. Seems suspicious to me.

 

[godofthunder59]

Truss rod adjustment at the headstock, tuners and string tree are wrong, dodgy serial number indicates to me that this is a fake.

 

[urkel3000]

Fake

 

[Petethebassman]

That is a fake.

 

[Tom Gallo]

The serial number on the headstock dates the bass to 1977-78, but that doesn't mean it's an actual legit '78. It's just a ballpark. Production models had the bullet truss rod and three bolt mounting. The serial number on the neck plate looks like a sticker or decal, but matches the headstock.

Based (no pun intended) on this and what others have said, best case is a parts bass.

 

[gln1955]

Yes, should have a bullet truss rod. That looks to me like a MIM neck.

 

[kbakerde]

To me it mainly looks too new. I had a 78 P, so the neck and the serial number look consistent with my old one, just with 0 wear or age. It would not necessarily have a bullet truss rod, mine adjusted at the heel. They should still be able to take it apart and show pictures of date stamps etc on the neck and body I believe.

But to me the decal does not look right, nor do I believe they stamped the neckplate. So yeah, does not look legit to me.

 

[mikeswals]

nnnnnope!

 

[sawzalot]

Pickup is in the wrong place, truss rod is wrong, and it should be a 3-bolt neck plate. Definitely not an original 77/78 Jazz.

 

[Peteyboy]

The question is "am I getting a good price". What is the asking price? If it's $3,000 I'd say no. If it's $300 I'd say maybe.

 

[Chrisk-K]

Fake

 

[Steve Fox]

My autistic pattern recognition says pass. Feels weird

 

[Steve Fox]

nnnnnope!

 

[commonplayer]

The serial numbers look almost photoshopped on the neck plate. The neck looks like it could be legit, or a more recent avri. I would pass on this though

 

[crucislancer]

I'm curious to see the back of the headstock. The tuning pegs look wrong for a 70's bass.

Pass for sure. It's a parts bass, and who knows where the parts came from.

 

[Adjectives]

I agree with what everyone above has commented. I have a 75 P and this just looks wrong in every area for a Jazz of similar era. To my eye looks way too new, pickups look off. tuners look off, plate looks off. It's a parts bass for sure.

 

[Dust2Dust]

I love these threads!

The basses always look ok to me but then the Bass Detectives show up and expose that fraudulent imposter for what it is


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