help me identify this jazz bass

[michael_atw]

Aha! Think I found it?

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UGB is definitely the color stamp which I thought; "Gunmetal Blue" would be appropriate. The 2nd from the right in that picture would be "UGB".

 

[Mavstang73]

Haha, actually it's Jamestown, NY


Happens all the time. We're the biggest Jamestown, dammit.

Darn!
Who wants to go over that bridge anyway?

FENDER JAPAN RI '65 JAZZ BASS - Bass guitar museum

My guess is whatever it is, it somehow made it out of Japan's 'non-export' market of basses.

Thats not the color. It definetly looks more like the gunmetal color mentioned earlier.
Just a hint of green in the finish.

 

[Mavstang73]

Aha! Think I found it?

Invalid Link Removed

UGB is definitely the color stamp which I thought; "Gunmetal Blue" would be appropriate. The 2nd from the right in that picture would be "UGB".

YOU'VE NAILED IT!!!!!

What the hell is wrong with me that I didnt search "fender japan ugb"???

Here are some better pics I've found.
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Click on the bass and it loads up some nice photos.

So is this a non-import model? Any other way to figure the year?
Some websites say basswood others alder. Any way to tell?

Now I've got a good starting point.

 

[michael_atw]

YOU'VE NAILED IT!!!!!

What the hell is wrong with me that I didnt search "fender japan ugb"???

Here are some better pics I've found.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click on the bass and it loads up some nice photos.

So is this a non-import model? Any other way to figure the year?
Some websites say basswood others alder. Any way to tell?

Now I've got a good starting point.

It looks like basswood to me and should be. Basswood is more "yellow" and seems to have a less conspicuous grain. It also seems to be less dense and is much "softer". So it's easy to gouge your nail into it in the pocket and generally is a lighter body. I believe it generally gets mistaken for a lesser wood but obviously, the quality of Fender Japanese instruments counters that. I would assume it's a non-import.

 

[Mavstang73]

It looks like basswood to me and should be. Basswood is more "yellow" and seems to have a less conspicuous grain. It also seems to be less dense and is much "softer". So it's easy to gouge your nail into it in the pocket and generally is a lighter body. I believe it generally gets mistaken for a lesser wood but obviously, the quality of Fender Japanese instruments counters that. I would assume it's a non-import.

I dont think I'll go with a back to stock build then. Its basswood going by the nail test.
It seems as though the non-us version used some lesser quality components even though the craftsmanship was superior.

Probably a block inlay neck and US Fender jazz 62' RI pups.
A rewire will be in order to since the pots are wrong.
I'm going to be getting an old Fender Bassman Ten 50watt that needs a rebuild too. The two should make a nice pair.

Did I do alright for $200 then? Seems like when I'm done I might as well have bought something complete. God I wish I didnt sell my MIA Cirrus 4 string. I loved that bass.

 

[michael_atw]

I dont think I'll go with a back to stock build then. Its basswood going by the nail test.
It seems as though the non-us version used some lesser quality components even though the craftsmanship was superior.

Probably a block inlay neck and US Fender jazz 62' RI pups.
A rewire will be in order to since the pots are wrong.
I'm going to be getting an old Fender Bassman Ten 50watt that needs a rebuild too. The two should make a nice pair.

Did I do alright for $200 then? Seems like when I'm done I might as well have bought something complete. God I wish I didnt sell my MIA Cirrus 4 string. I loved that bass.

The Basslines pickups are worth a good chunk by themselves; the color is hard to find over here, I'd say if it was original it would be worth more but in it's present condition the parts are worth a little more than $200. Not a killer steal but you definitely didn't do wrong by it.

Alder is softwood too but Alder and Basswood are pretty discern-able from each other. It looks like Basswood to me almost definitely.

Fender Japan has their "non-export" and then their lines which they make for the US market. I don't know how Fender Japan orchestrates their decisions in that respect. Their website has a myriad of extremely interesting and awesome basses. Colors and models that rarely, if ever, see US soil. It's quite awesome to drool over them.

The pots might not be of any issue; I wouldn't waste money for the sake of changing them. Fender Japan pots are quite plain (not CTS) and don't really add to the "value" of the instrument or hold any sort of vintage nostalgia. If you're looking to save money, let that be the last thing to do, if at all. Those pots might work just fine.

I'd try to find some '62 RI pups and drop a pretty neck on it.


Bassman Ten, eh? Have you played one before?

 

[Mavstang73]

The Basslines pickups are worth a good chunk by themselves; the color is hard to find over here, I'd say if it was original it would be worth more but in it's present condition the parts are worth a little more than $200. Not a killer steal but you definitely didn't do wrong by it.

Alder is softwood too but Alder and Basswood are pretty discern-able from each other. It looks like Basswood to me almost definitely.

Fender Japan has their "non-export" and then their lines which they make for the US market. I don't know how Fender Japan orchestrates their decisions in that respect. Their website has a myriad of extremely interesting and awesome basses. Colors and models that rarely, if ever, see US soil. It's quite awesome to drool over them.

The pots might not be of any issue; I wouldn't waste money for the sake of changing them. Fender Japan pots are quite plain (not CTS) and don't really add to the "value" of the instrument or hold any sort of vintage nostalgia. If you're looking to save money, let that be the last thing to do, if at all. Those pots might work just fine.

I'd try to find some '62 RI pups and drop a pretty neck on it.


Bassman Ten, eh? Have you played one before?

I was going to change the pots because they weren't the right value for a passive setup. At least I don't think they are.

As far as the bassmen ten.... Nope. Getting it for free.
I've heard its a good guitar amp.

What's on your mind?

 

[michael_atw]

I was going to change the pots because they weren't the right value for a passive setup. At least I don't think they are.

As far as the bassmen ten.... Nope. Getting it for free.
I've heard its a good guitar amp.

What's on your mind?

Ah yeah...they're 100k.

I'm not particularly fond of Bassman Tens myself. Especially mid and later 70's. But if it's for free, you can't really go wrong there.

 

[Mavstang73]

I'm thinking about ditching the stock thing all together and keeping the basslines pups.

Still need get a good quality neck though.