Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Is this a good find?
- Thread starter Benthebassist
- Start date
This may be too early for this Bass but I've recall reading somewhere that John Suhr worked at Fender and developed some pick ups with larger pole pieces that were used in productions models.
Here’s the original brochure for the Boxer series, including your PJ-555.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I have a PB-555 and it’s amazing. I thought about getting a PJ-555 that I saw on Craigslist in Vermont, but I couldn’t figure out how to get there to make the deal.
I did a bad Google Translate of the brochure and posted it here:
NBD - Fender PB-555 Precision Boxer
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I have a PB-555 and it’s amazing. I thought about getting a PJ-555 that I saw on Craigslist in Vermont, but I couldn’t figure out how to get there to make the deal.
I did a bad Google Translate of the brochure and posted it here:
NBD - Fender PB-555 Precision Boxer
songwriter21
I have an obsession for wood. The musical kind.
Not sure if that was a joke or not. As strange as it is, Jazz Bass Special is exactly what these were called. Imagine how confused I was when I was 1st trying to learn the difference between these "fender" P and J models, yet I had plenty of Guns and roses knowledge..
T$
YES!!! Congratulations on your awesome new bass. I have two "E"-Series Jazz Bass Specials myself. Definitely workhorses here too. All i can say is enjoy
Fender's "rule" (not sure if there have been exceptions) is that the body shape tells you whether it's a Precision or a Jazz, regardless of what pickups are on the thing. Given that, the logical assumption would be that that bass is a Precision, and most Aerodynes (with the offset waist body) are usually Jazz basses.
Yes, it's all arbritrary. And it doesn't really matter, unless you work for Fender, in which case it might be very important for your job stability to know and be consistent.
You have a little problems with your hear if you can't hear difference between jazz and precision.
I got this for £440, something told me it was a good investment if I ever sold it
The short answer is - "Yes".
I bought a new metallic white Jazz Bass Special in "85-86" and it looked and sounded awesome. A year or two later I sold it because it wasn't sounding as good as it did when it was new. I was too naive as a bass player back then to know it just needed new strings and probably a good setup. To this day I regret that I let it go. Hang on to that one and please don't do any mods as that will only decrease it's resale value. Just take care of it and play it. If you want to invest in a bass today at a reasonable price that is likely to increase in value over the years, the Japanese made Jazz Bass Special should be on that list.
I bought a new metallic white Jazz Bass Special in "85-86" and it looked and sounded awesome. A year or two later I sold it because it wasn't sounding as good as it did when it was new. I was too naive as a bass player back then to know it just needed new strings and probably a good setup. To this day I regret that I let it go. Hang on to that one and please don't do any mods as that will only decrease it's resale value. Just take care of it and play it. If you want to invest in a bass today at a reasonable price that is likely to increase in value over the years, the Japanese made Jazz Bass Special should be on that list.
No nilorius, it says it ON THE HEADSTOCK. JAZZ BASS SPECIAL were Precision or Jazz bass is written. Has NOTHING to do with the sound or pickup configurations.
I have the same bass, but the P version, a PB-551 in the same colour. It's what's referred to as a contemporary/boxer series. Mine is an A series serial number 1985-1986. The pickups, neck and light weight are all winners in my book. I got lucky finding mine, they are getting more rare and command 600-1000 here now in Canada.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I finally found one around $500, but.....
Fender Japan PRECISION Bass Bass Guitar Ref No 1468
Marketing 101: Selling a bass? Maybe a good idea to make it look like it'll play!
What's up with D string???Only "good" condition and seller is in Japan..... I'll pony up more dough and find something else!
You don’t want that one anyways, I had one of those. It’s nothing like the 80s ones I believe those ones were made early 90s at the end of the series , neck is all natural with tiny tuners, body has no switch and the jack top mounts. Mine was extremely neck heavy because I suspect the body was really junk wood. Stick to ones that have A black back of neck or at least the black headstock.I finally found one around $500, but.....
Fender Japan PRECISION Bass Bass Guitar Ref No 1468
Marketing 101: Selling a bass? Maybe a good idea to make it look like it'll play!
Only "good" condition and seller is in Japan..... I'll pony up more dough and find something else!
I finally found one around $500, but.....
Fender Japan PRECISION Bass Bass Guitar Ref No 1468
Marketing 101: Selling a bass? Maybe a good idea to make it look like it'll play!
Only "good" condition and seller is in Japan..... I'll pony up more dough and find something else!
I finally found one around $500, but.....
Invalid Link Removed
Marketing 101: Selling a bass? Maybe a good idea to make it look like it'll play!
Only "good" condition and seller is in Japan..... I'll pony up more dough and find something else!
That thing looks nasty. I wouldn’t jump for one of those, the lack of painted neck and F logo knobs put me off for some reason. It definitely looks like a more basic standard compared to the 80s machines
So, I have both the original Boxer and a later model from the late 80s with natural back of neck.
Both basses are great. My newer bass has the Hot Rod pickups and they are nice (active actually) but I prefer the older Boxer.
