Made in Japan Precision

[dindinbre]

I came across this guy today, owner says its MIJ precision. Tuners look kinda odd, so i decided its best to ask here Bas gitara.

 

[cdef]

It's surely made in Japan, but it's not a Fender. Judging by the tuners and neck plate, it may be an early '70s Fuji copy, with a fake decal on it.

 

[Josh Kneisel]

they do look odd.... I don't know if Fender ever has used those in Japan or not. They sort of look like Gotoh vintage style tuners but not quite the same...

 

[Josh Kneisel]

I would agree with cdef that this is likely an older unlicensed knockoff, but Im not an expert.

 

[dindinbre]

It's surely made in Japan, but it's not a Fender. Judging by the tuners and neck plate, it may be an early '70s Fuji copy, with a fake decal on it.

I was thinking the same. But decal looks more realistic that any fake decal I've ever seen.

 

[dindinbre]

Well he is asking for 400 euros (about 430 dollars), and that is uncommon for vintage Fenders over here. I saw one with electronics missing for 1200 euros.

 

[cdef]

... decal looks more realistic that any fake decal I've ever seen.

No, it's misplaced, and too straight on. Bear in mind there were no MIJ Fenders until 1982, when they had the parts and manufacturing down to a T. That is a '70s copy, and most likely a plywood body under the black paint.

ED: Corrected year.

 

[dindinbre]

No, it's misplaced, and too straight on. Bear in mind there were no MIJ Fenders until about 1980, when they had the parts and manufacturing down to a T. That is a '70s copy, and most likely a plywood body under the black paint.

Well owner says its alder... And doesn't send bass, you need to see it in person.

 

[klejst]

I'd say it's a copy of some sort or a bass close to looking like a Fender P with Fender decals on it. I've never come across a MIJ that looked like that, especially the head stock but I'm not expert per say either.

 

[Oren Hudson]

Not a real Fender.

 

[GretschWretch]

Nothing in Google Images suggests that neck plate, and the tuners are budget Japanese sixties all the way.

 

[LinusKarlsson]

It's surely made in Japan, but it's not a Fender. Judging by the tuners and neck plate, it may be an early '70s Fuji copy, with a fake decal on it.

What he said.

 

[dindinbre]

Well, how worth is it after all?

 

[johnson79]

Well, how worth is it after all?

After doing a quick search on Reverb there are some similar 70's Japanese P basses between $350-$500.
A couple Memphis and Univox seem to look pretty similar to that one. So the price seems fair enough if it's in good shape and plays nicely. You'd definitely want to play it and make sure the truss rod and electronics work.

 

[Joybass]

If it is a true Fender then shouldn't it have a serial number somewhere? Back of the heel?

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Well, how worth is it after all?

80Eur

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

80Eur

I bought my MIJ PB70 in mint conditions last year from Ishibashi and I paid around 350 Eur (is the first bass on my avatar ... nat. finish)

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

If it is a true Fender then shouldn't it have a serial number somewhere? Back of the heel?

Correct!

 

[SonnyBassPlayer]

Look at those neck heel and neck plate wood contours... totally pointy and totally un-Fender

 

[BooshBass]

Yea I'm no Fender expert, but that looks really weird.