How much are MIJ Squier Basses really worth?

[DirkP]

Just for the fun of it, I googled the serial number and the first match is a Japanese Website, where exactly this bass was offered in march this year:
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Rather makes me believe it is legit.
The price in yen was 80.500,- that equals about 700,- Euros...
I still don't get what makes you suspicious about the neckplate. Maybe his autofocus just focused on the letters of the neck. Typical for smartphone cams. He bought it from Japan. It was sold for a very attractive price. He paid the import duties, but it was still a low price. Now he tries to resell it for a higher price that is still realistic regarding the rarity of the instrument.

 

[giacomobass]

There used to be a thread on the old 21 frets forum about counterfeit JV neckplates.

Square J’s were a known counterfeit. Anyone can put a date on a neck with a pencil to match a neckplate.

If someone believes enough in it to pay $1275 for that bass then the seller and the buyer can both be happy.

I had noticed that the "J" on the top neckplate looked boxy, but I didn't know or think that counterfeit Squier JV neckplates existed!

 

[ajkula66]

but I didn't know or think that counterfeit Squier JV neckplates existed!

That makes (at least) two of us.

Another proof that the world has gone nuts ever since the Japanese collectors grabbed just about 90% of *real* vintage gear 20-25 years ago...

 

[giacomobass]

the world has gone nuts

Aye, very true...

 

[wraub]

I think it's good to bear in mind that there were different levels of Squier MIJ instruments...
The upper and lower models vary quite a bit in details and materials.

I have 2 SQ MIJ Squier basses, an '83 P and an '84 J. It is apparent that the P is of a higher level of mfg. than the J. I would say the J is a fairly typical MIJ Jazz bass from the era, well made but not exceptional. There is a small gap in the neck/body join, and the neck is very thin, even for a Jazz, venturing into Geddy-land.

The SQ P bass is every single bit a top-notch Fender-made bass. I would say it rivals the Fender basses I have played from the 60s and 70s in terms of construction, stability, and playability, and even comes close to a couple of pre-CBS bass I have tried out. It's just good.
I neither loved or hated the pickups, and I'm not even sure they were stock, but after a recent pickup change imo it now rivals those old Fender basses in sound, too.

It could go into any gig or recording situation with no worries. The feel is right, the look is right, the tolerances are tighter than almost every 70s P bass I've seen and weighs a lot less, it plays great and sounds great and I have a silly lot less into it than even a comparable 70s bass would cost.

If you are ever out this way, I will gladly let you check it out, but it's not for sale.

Super good, fabulous or not they certainly are not vintage Fender instruments, nor one can say in full honesty, in my opinion, that they are built and sound better than their contemporary USA counterparts ... then I understand the OP when he states that £1500 = 1.23*1500 = $1845 (!!!) is an outrageous price ... I personally would define it a ridiculous price and, honestly, I would laugh reading the ad with all due respect to the ‘80s, the quality of Japanese workmanship, Mr. Dressler etc. etc.

Yes ... the way we appreciate or like particular instruments can be very personal sometimes .. I will consider myself lucky and complete when I will finally find an instrument which I may play seamlessly and without getting fatigued, having the general tone qualities or signature of a P-bass