Made in Japan Mystery

[Raymond Fleder]

Just picked up my dream bass, but I'm stumped... The "A" serial number and weird "Precision" font has me wondering if its some kind or prototype or counterfeit. 32" medium scale. plays and feels great. Also has a weird pick guard bubble, which I have not experienced with other MIJ Fenders. Regardless, I'm happy to have paid $420. It does not say "made in Japan" on the neck where it should.

 

[devnulljp]

I think that's an early MIJ Squire P-bass with an added F logo.
The PB-331 is a Squier model.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Offset contour body? Jazz bass neck on p body?

 

[Raymond Fleder]

I think that's an early MIJ Squire P-bass with an added F logo.
The PB-331 is a Squier model.


Thanks for that, makes sense... At one point during the past 30 years a different decal was applied. Maybe $420 is not exactly the bargain I thought it was, but acceptable for a good player.

 

[Matt O]

I agree with it being a 85 Squier PB with changed logo. At least the neck that is. Body looks legit too, but hard to tell.

You sure it's 32" scale?

 

[DigitalMan]

The Precision font looks like it came from a menu featuring Potato Salad, Onion Rings, and Baby Back Ribs on Friday and Saturday night only.

 

[jazz Bass 74]

It looks similar to the decal on my Jazz, except someone apparently cut out the Jazz Bass part and inserted the word Precision in a completely incorrect font,behind leaving the patent numbers and "offset contour body" language.

 

[AnalogKid4003]

85 A serial squier jazz neck would have a(stamped neck plate) and squier logo. Probably a 355 MIJ jazz neck
with the home done addition of patent numbers and "precision". Body probably a mij squier

The Percision script looks like those scratch off ones you get at Staples

 

[Raymond Fleder]

I agree with it being a 85 Squier PB with changed logo. At least the neck that is. Body looks legit too, but hard to tell.

You sure it's 32" scale?

Yes it is def a medium scale

 

[Matt O]

Yes it is def a medium scale

Those are pretty scarce. Nice find.

I don't know how experienced you are with adjusting a bass so forgive me if you already know this, but, the truss nut looks like it's pretty close to being bottomed out in that pic. If you do need to tighten it to flatten the neck, use caution.

I'd say what you paid isn't bad, would be better if it was wearing the right logo of course. People are paying pretty good $$ for Squiers from that era these days, but like anything else, they have to be original. It's funny because whoever changed that logo was prob trying to increase what they could sell it for, only to devalue it.. If you care that much, you could get it changed back... But, I'd just rock it as is. Most important thing is you're happy.

 

[Lo-E]

Neck and body both look legit for mid eighties Squier . Logo all kinds of wrong. Nevertheless, I don't think you overpaid for it. Those are great instruments.
As Matt O pointed out, you might want to add a spacer or two to that truss rod. Otherwise, nice score!

 

[mr15x3]

A 32" scale P, not something you see every day! I like the lollipops up top too, that's certainly a bass to show off fender or not!

 

[3rdpath]

judging by the logo, i think that's the Outback Steakhouse edition. best way to tell is if you take off the pick guard, you'll notice the inside of the bass smells like onion rings. it's a medium scale because of the salt-induced finger swelling.

actually, it's very cool. shorter scale basses are really growing on me. enjoy!

 

[Flaked Beans]

Just picked up my dream bass, but I'm stumped... The "A" serial number and weird "Precision" font has me wondering if its some kind or prototype or counterfeit. 32" medium scale. plays and feels great. Also has a weird pick guard bubble, which I have not experienced with other MIJ Fenders. Regardless, I'm happy to have paid $420. It does not say "made in Japan" on the neck where it should. View attachment 666895

That "precision" logo stinks!

 

[Bajo Clarkko]

Cool basses, I've owned 3 of them, I still have one of them. I turned it into a fretless. I put PJ EMGs into one of the other ones, my brother has it now. He has some cool high end basses, and yet, that's his main gigging bass. Stable neck and never has never had any issues with it.

 

[Raymond Fleder]

Yes, based on the neck stamp and helpful input here, I am 100% sure this is a Squier with a jacked-up Jazz bass decal. This exact guitar is going for $700 (correct label) on the Chicago Craigslist, so I guess I can't complain! Cheers.

 

[Raymond Fleder]

Those are pretty scarce. Nice find.

I don't know how experienced you are with adjusting a bass so forgive me if you already know this, but, the truss nut looks like it's pretty close to being bottomed out in that pic. If you do need to tighten it to flatten the neck, use caution.

If you care that much, you could get it changed back... But, I'd just rock it as is. Most important thing is you're happy.

Thanks for the input on the truss rod, that is a concern because it already does need an adjustment, I hope its not stripped. If the truss rod is okay and stuff, I wonder where in the world one could get a legit proper Squier label, seems unlikely to me that could be done.

 

[stacy b]

i have a fender bass that the neck says z pb-331 and i cant read the body but ive seen these on here that say squire on the head.mine says Fender and serial number e900090.any info on this bass?/