Is this a real fender?

I'm not an expert on Fender Jazz bases, but this looks legit to me. Someone here can probably give you an idea of the vintage by the placement of the serial number on the neck plate. And the "contour body" line on the headstock. I'm guessing it's 70s.

 

Not an expert either, but I've never seen "jazz bass" written that way before. The rest does look legit though. Is it a pic angles thing or is that neck a little off (4th pic) ?

 

"F" plate, and neck are not Fender. Not sure about the body.

 

Hiya,
The only way to really tell is to pull the neck and hope a date stamp is there and "licensed by Fender" stamp isn't.

It looks like a '70's "bullet" neck but the head stock decal doesn't look quite right for a '70's era instrument, I thought they dropped the "des" in the late '60's, like 68 or so. Also, the font in the waterslide is off to me but I don't have a bullet era bass to compare it to.

 

Also, the "skunk stripe" looks too wide to be a Fender.

 

I'd say no just based on that huge fake logo on the headstock.

 

That font looks odd to me.

 

Nothing Fender there. Chinese neck, tuners, bridge, knobs. Fake decal, neck plate, etc.

 

If it sounds and plays good enjoy it.

 

This. 100% not a Fender.

 

What's up with the strings?

 

True, this bass could be a great player even if fake. But he should authenticate it all the same whether for reselling options or just plain natural curiosity.

It looks a bit odd, so maybe a fake, but maybe not all of it is fake and old authentic parts can still be valuable.

 

Might not be a genuine Fender but...
Someone gave it to you.
It looks good.
If it plays and sounds good, that's all that really matters.

 

If its playable, you won , complete with HSC? Yeah, it's a fake Fender, big whup. Millions floating around. I'd refin that and flog it hard.

 

Based on the logo, neckplate, and some other things, I'd say it does not look like a real Fender bass, but it doesn't look too bad, really... for free, it's definitely worth it.

 

To the OP: you are getting alot advice to enjoy the free bass, but you haven't indicated whether you play bass or are even interested in playing bass, so if you don't care about playing, that doesn't really help.

We can only do so much with pictures. Some have pointed out some oddities that suggest it's fake, but to really know you should take it to a guitar shop and ask if they or someone else can tell what it is. Even a fake might have valuable authentic parts on it. Or it could have started out real and previous owners modded or replaced parts with no intention of perpetrating a fraudulent sale. In short, it is worth taking it to someone knowledgeable in person. Good luck.

 

Not a Fender.

 

Definitely not a Fender, but you got your moneys worth.

 

If you intend on selling it, please make it very clear to potential buyers that this is a fake Fender or at best a parts bass of unknown pedigree and price it accordingly.