help needed on authenticity

[arian]

hello guys, im new here, so any help guiding me through would really be appreciated.

im about to purchase a used MIM Jbass. the seller says its authentic, 2003 model. i have no experience on this model so i would like your help. for info, the pickguard has been changed to the 'shiny' one but the seller says the original one will be included with the guitar. so, here are some pics ( if they do appear on my first try) and would really appreciate views and any help wether this Jbass is authentic or fake. thank you in advance.

 

[arian]

here are more photos of the same guitar above.

 

[spaz21387]

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it could be anywhere from 03 to 04

 

[arian]

hi,

thanx for the fast reply but i checked the fender site and it indicates the 2003-2004 has serial numbers MZ3+5 digits, but the one im about to purchase has MZ3+6 digits. any reasoning for this? also, in the fender website, the gallery shows the FENDER writing in solid black and no italic "made in mexico' under the JAZZ BASS writing. but mine has silver with black outline FENDER writing and an italic "MADE IN MEXICO" . is that normal?

 

[jondog]

Why would anyone fake a recent Mexican Fender?

 

[arian]

...from where i come from, it probably costs $50 to make one or import from our neighbours, then, sell it for $150-$250. and with a Fender tag, with everything in place, kids will think they're buying the real stuff. which is what im seeking help for in my post. btw, im in south east asia.

anybody else able to verify if its not fake through the photos?

thanx.

 

[jondog]

Ah, I see. Fill out your profile!

If I lived in Asia I would have even more SX basses than I do now! For my taste MIM Fenders are not the real stuff, even the US ones are not my cup of tea. I have a MIM P bass that plays fine but it is far from my go to bass.

Sorry I'm not helping w/ your authenticity question. If it was me and it played well and felt good and the price was ok and I really wanted the Fender name I'd buy it. The only time the authenticity issue would come around is if you decided to resell it to someone with suspicions similar to your own.

 

[DeanT]

hi,

thanx for the fast reply but i checked the fender site and it indicates the 2003-2004 has serial numbers MZ3+5 digits, but the one im about to purchase has MZ3+6 digits. any reasoning for this?

Apparently Fender's Serial Number site can't keep up with production. They must have run out of 5-digit endings on their Serial Numbers at some point and gone to 6-digits. I've seen a number of Fenders (and even had a few) that were XXx+6 digits that were legit, but the site says they're supposed to be +5 digits.

 

[godofthunder59]

Looks right to me, hope you get it for a good price !

 

[arian]

thanx everyone for the reply. im more into electric guitars since im the lead, and buying this bass for my bassist. lets hope i get the real deal with this MIM Jbass. thanx y'all....