As I was perusing through a pawn shop I eyed this Fender bass for sale at what would be I think a steal at $289. It is pretty rough but I think it has some potential. When I did an online search of the serial number it came up as produced in the 98-99 area but it didn't specify exactly what model or even if it is was sold as just a neck. Looking for some insight on this and maybe a little education. And no, I hadn't put any actual money down or anything yet.
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Is this Fender Jazz real?
- Thread starter TatankaWilly
- Start date
Looks like a 1998 Fender Jazz, made in Mexico. Non-original pickguard. Looks pretty clean. $289 with case is an OK deal, but not a steal.
On the fender jazz bass club part five thread about half way through page 18 (post #354) is the beginning of a lengthy discussion of the one piece pg as shown on the bass you're discussing.
Start here
Start here
The pickguard might be the original one, painted green. As for the serial number, I doubt Fender would have put one on it if it weren't being sold as a complete bass. The thing that makes those older MIM Jazzes annoying is the factory installed 2 neck pickups on them, so there's always a 60-cycle hum.
If you get it, I will pay you to ship me that pick guard. That way I can shoot it up close and often so as to insure we never have to deal with it again.
But play the thing first. It might play like a dream or play like a bass made of aluminum foil and cinder blocks.
But play the thing first. It might play like a dream or play like a bass made of aluminum foil and cinder blocks.
.. looks to be consistent with an original late 90's MIM Standard Jazz with the exceptiona of the pickguard that has been touched by a leprechaun ... the price is not a steal by any means, but also not outrageous as many pawn shops tend to do ... as it sits, its a $250 ballpark bass ... if you play it and it calls your name, its worth the asking price for sure, but make an offer anyway .. its a pawn shop, they expect offers ...
couple notes on it and the era .. as mentioned, both pups same size, so that means the bridge route is small as well compared to current MIM Standards, in case modifications are the intent, just to be aware ..
... strat style knobs consistent with the era as well ...
...can't tell from the photos, but it is also very common for these to have bridge/neck alignment issues, and it does look like the treble side of the neck (G string to edge of neck)spacing is almost non-existent, and the bass side (E string to edge of neck) spacing overly generous ...
... also, on basses from this era, you want to make sure the truss rod is 1) functioning, and 2) not maxxed out ... after you have been at it a while, you can tell by glancing down the truss rod opening and seeing how far in (deep) the hex head is sitting .. it is not uncommon for the thin, older, MIM Standard Jazz necks to be maxxed out being 15-20 years old ...
.. all JMHO of course
couple notes on it and the era .. as mentioned, both pups same size, so that means the bridge route is small as well compared to current MIM Standards, in case modifications are the intent, just to be aware ..
... strat style knobs consistent with the era as well ...
...can't tell from the photos, but it is also very common for these to have bridge/neck alignment issues, and it does look like the treble side of the neck (G string to edge of neck)spacing is almost non-existent, and the bass side (E string to edge of neck) spacing overly generous ...
... also, on basses from this era, you want to make sure the truss rod is 1) functioning, and 2) not maxxed out ... after you have been at it a while, you can tell by glancing down the truss rod opening and seeing how far in (deep) the hex head is sitting .. it is not uncommon for the thin, older, MIM Standard Jazz necks to be maxxed out being 15-20 years old ...
.. all JMHO of course
Thank you for all the awesome info. I have not had the chance to play it. I literally only had 15 minutes to kill and that pawn shop was close to where I needed to be. I was thinking about going back this afternoon and playing with it though. It does come with a hard case.
