Japanese Squier medium scale P bass questions

[gcbake]

Hello, I am from Indianapolis and have know Michael Beck for years, but only recently found out he was in Happy the Man!!!

Hey Sgroh

I am a bit of a Fender Japan medium scale historian, and there is a lot about them on my site here: Why Not Play the Bass That Fits You Perfectly?

If you want to learn more about the mediums that I own you can go here: Welcome to the Bass Guitar Gallery!

Click on an instrument and scroll down and there is a lot of history and information about the ones I have bought and/or assembled and re-imagined.

It's important to realize in the 1980's Fender Japan WAS Fender. They had shut down the manufacturing in the US to re-tool:


FENDER JAPAN IN THE 1980'S

"Back at Fender headquarters in the United States, the early ’80s was a busy time. Most significantly, CBS appointed former Yamaha executive William Schultz as president of Fender in 1981. Passionate about the brand and eager to reverse its ailing fortunes, Schultz immediately recommended modernizing Fender’s U.S. manufacturing facilities, which largely meant halting production while machinery was updated and staff was re-trained. Concurrently, he suggested building Fender instruments in Japan for the large Japanese market. This would keep Fender instruments in production and combat the cheap copies that were voraciously eating away at Fender’s Far East sales. Accordingly, Fender Japan was established in March 1982 and began building quality Fender instruments while U.S production was reorganized."

So after this went down the Japanese asked permission for Fender US to allow them to make a medium scale version of the Fender P Bass. Fender declined for reasons not really clear - but they DID allow Fender Japan to make the medium scale basses under the Squier name. This went on for several months, and when the delegation from Fender US finally arrived in Japan a few months later to check things out they were blown away by the quality of these Squiers. They then gave Fender Japan the permission at that time to go ahead and use the Fender name on them.

The interesting thing is - both the Squier and Fender medium scale P Basses rolled off the exact same assembly line, created by the same crafts people using the same wood, hardware and electronics. The only difference was that the Fender basses had an option for an ash body in addition to the basswood bodies that the majority of the Squiers were being made from. The other difference is that the more highly figured maple neck blanks were put in the Fender stack while the more plain ones went in the Squier stack. There were also a few custom colors on the Fender side that Squier did not offer as things moved along.

What I am basically telling you is that there is very little difference in quality in the 1980's medium scale P Basses between the Fenders and the Squiers. I have both and they are amazing instruments. One of the hallmarks of these instruments is that the Japanese reduced the entire instrument - body and all - around 6% to keep the ergonomics perfect. It makes their medium scalers among the most unique ever crafted - and the comfort and playability is nothing less than extraordinary. Remember, the majority of these instruments are from the mid-eighties - so they are close to 30 years old. If you are patient, it is not hard to find a nice deal on one.

Hope some of this helps....

 

[BassHappy]

Hello, I am from Indianapolis and have know Michael Beck for years, but only recently found out he was in Happy the Man!!!

Hey GC

Just talked to Michael yesterday, great guy - talented drummer and percussionist. Met him in Fort Wayne back in High School.

He had a pretty massive set-up back in those days too:

 

[OCDave]

Hello @BassHappy and others... I'm in talks with someone to buy a MIJ medium scale Squier P-bass. He wants $600 plus shipping (but it includes the HSC). I asked for the body dimensions and he said the overall length was 43", top horn tip to the bottom of the bass was 18.5", and across the lower bout was 13". This matches my Warmoth SSB body except the last part which is 12" at the widest point. The headstock decal shows Squier Precision Bass Made in Japan but picture I saw has an A # on the plate on the back where the neck attaches instead of an E #. Is this a legit MIJ Medium scale Squier P-bass? Is $600 too rich? I've been looking for a Fender/Squier medium scale P for a few months now and haven't seen anything. As a fallback I've even thought about getting a new SX and having it repainted black. Would appreciate y'all's thoughts.

 

[reddog]

Supply and demand...While $600 is a lot, there aren't a lot around. Over the years I have paid 300, 400, and 500 for them. Little regret. What's your time worth? You might be another 4 -5 months looking to find one. Is that ok?.... BTW, I have "A" and "E" series Squiers. There aren't any medium scale SX P-basses. Only P/J's.

 

[grrg63]

If you're really into mediums and P basses its worth the $600. I have all mediums now and my E series is my favorite.
View media item 10245

 

[OCDave]

Thank you @reddog and @grrg63 I decided to go ahead with the deal. It's black body (which I really wanted) with white pickguard (prefer black)...recommendation on the best way to get a new pickguard that will fit this smaller body?

 

[reddog]

I have black and tort pickguards from pickguardian.com. Fits great.

 

[BassHappy]

Hello @BassHappy and others... I'm in talks with someone to buy a MIJ medium scale Squier P-bass. He wants $600 plus shipping (but it includes the HSC). I asked for the body dimensions and he said the overall length was 43", top horn tip to the bottom of the bass was 18.5", and across the lower bout was 13". This matches my Warmoth SSB body except the last part which is 12" at the widest point. The headstock decal shows Squier Precision Bass Made in Japan but picture I saw has an A # on the plate on the back where the neck attaches instead of an E #. Is this a legit MIJ Medium scale Squier P-bass? Is $600 too rich? I've been looking for a Fender/Squier medium scale P for a few months now and haven't seen anything. As a fallback I've even thought about getting a new SX and having it repainted black. Would appreciate y'all's thoughts.

Hey Dave

The MIJ medium scale P basses are pretty rare these days, and I think becoming more and more so. All of the standard production models were made during the golden age of Fender Japan from 1984-1987, so it's a pretty good bet that any MIJ P Bass you might see is already close to 30 years old.The golden years for Fender Japan were the years when Fender Japan WAS Fender. Fender US had closed their manufacturing plant to re-tool and everything Fender was being manufactured out of Japan. My guess is that due to the smaller stature of the Japanese people, the medium scalers were a solution to what I would call a physical limitation problem. Instead of simply putting on a shorter neck, they completely re-designed and re-tooled the basses. They did an overall reduction of approximately 7.5% - body and all - so that the ergonomics remained in the same proportion as the original 34" scale design. If you have a slightly narrower Fender Japan medium scale neck, you will have some frustration adapting it to a full size Fender Body. The necks are not interchangeable at the pocket.

When Fender Japan first made the models, Fender US would not allow them to put the Fender logo on the headstock, but told them to use the Squier logo on all the medium scale P basses. However, a few months later, a delegation from the US made a pilgrimage to Japan and there are stories of how some of the US folks wept over the quality of these instruments. Upon playing a medium scale Squier, they US contingent immediately authorized the use of the Fender logo on them. Of course, they were not for the US market but only authorized to sell them locally in Japan.

The interesting thing is that the Squier and Fender medium scale P Basses were all made on the same assembly line by the same crafts people. Other than the serial numbers and the decals - everything was identical: tuners, bridge, electronics - everything. They were cut from the same cloth by the same people.

When the Fender logo went on, they offered a few additional finish colors, and used the more figured maple neck blanks for the Fenders. I have heard they offered "order made" versions with alder and ash bodies, but I have never seen one - and cannot confirm that. I have seen two medium scale Fender P's with maple fretboards too, but all of the ones I have seen were painted bodies. One of the nicest things about the bodies for me - is that there are no fugly routs under the pick guard. Should you decide to refinish and you want to lose the pick guard - all you need to do is fill the pick guard screw holes and you are off and running. Here is how mine started out:

And this is what I did with it:

It used to be that on any given week you would see a couple on ebay, and yes - somewhere around $300. - $600. for the Squier and I have seen the Fender ones in great shape going for close to a grand with shipping out of Japan. Of course - you do see them from time to time here on TB for sale. The price will depend on condition and features. I happen to think that like anything - as they get scarcer and scarcer the price will continue to go up.

As far as the pick guard goes, I HIGHLY recommend that you take it off and send it to the pick guard folks you choose. I have learned this lesson the hard way even when they work from a tracing. It's a great insurance policy - don't trust that they have the right template.

There is my two cents....comment if you see fit....

 

[OCDave]

Hey Dave

The MIJ medium scale P basses are pretty rare these days, and I think becoming more and more so....
[...]

@BassHappy Thanks for the history and recommendation re: the pickguard. Like you I find the medium scale just "fits" me better...even though I'm fairly tall (6' 3") and have long arms. My new bass is on it's way. When it arrives I'll be sure to post pics here and to the Medium Scale Club thread.

 

[BassHappy]

@BassHappy Thanks for the history and recommendation re: the pickguard. Like you I find the medium scale just "fits" me better...even though I'm fairly tall (6' 3") and have long arms. My new bass is on it's way. When it arrives I'll be sure to post pics here and to the Medium Scale Club thread.

Great Dave

Looking forward to the pics!

Also stumbled upon this on Ebay. I have this exact model except mine was "order made" and has a black trans finish over ash. It's a pretty unique bass known as the "Jazz Bass Special" in medium scale. I have nothing in it, but it could turn into a real bargain if folks don't bid it up. The electronics are active and it looks pretty clean to me - from 1988-89. As usual with the better Japanese dealers, tons of photos and $99 bucks for shipping. Bids starting at $299:

Fender Japan Jazz Bass "Special" 1988-1989 Vintage ! 32 inch Medium scale | eBay

 

[Hot Rats]

View attachment 704041

I swear I never get tired of seeing this bass. Those pinstripes and control plate are so slick.....

 

[mihayloff]

These are old instruments - i would say - do the best you can on the price - keep your eyes open, there are still some really good deals to be had - but there is a wide range in price depending on condition. They are just going to keep going up and up in price.

Just remember - production was limited and sooner or later 30 year old instruments become obsolete....

Yes, they do...

$700 is still to high for that in 2019.

 

[wretch_like_me]

I picked up this MIJ Squier E series medium scale P-bass for $200 with an old Fender case. Seems to be stock except pickups were replaced with Dimarzio DP127 split P and the pickguard has been cut. Amazing neck, but really needs new strings. I really love the feel. Btw, does E7 mean its a 1987 model?

 

[wretch_like_me]

I picked up this MIJ Squier E series medium scale P-bass for $200 with an old Fender case. Seems to be stock except pickups were replaced with Dimarzio DP127 split P and the pickguard has been cut. Amazing neck, but really needs new strings. I really love the feel. Btw, does E7 mean its a 1987 model?View attachment 3868822 View attachment 3868823 View attachment 3868824

Update!
Took awhile but i found a used pickguard, these guards are very hard to find due the odd size of this medium scale bass.