MIJ Fender P Bass..Worth it?

[2cooltoolz]

Don't ask. Buy it before we figure out where it is and buy it first. View attachment 4033883

SHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

 

[BobDeRosa]

If it were better cared for, I'd say jump on it, but this baby looks abused. You might wind up spending more than it's worth.

 

[Jonahly]

Bought!! The neck has room to move but truss rod may need a washer to get it exactly where I want it but seems like a really nice bass. It makes good sounds and has room to adjust

 

[ShrimpHeavenNow]

Oh man if that was in my area I would have snagged it in a heartbeat. Great find!

 

[nilorius]

If You really want it, You have 3 choices - renew it Yourself (the bridge); - get it to Your master and ask him to renew it or ask Your master to change the whole bridge.

 

[Killing Floor]

It's a good compromise between a 2-string and a 4-string.

 

[groooooove]

absolutely screamin' deal (assuming the neck isint warped and truss rod works)

i don't know what MIJ basses go for, but some have said $500 - i've played several, and they all play and sound FAR above a $500 instrument.

 

[hieronymous]

Nice score! Keep it and string it with either flats or rounds - whichever one your USA one doesn't have!

 

[secondbestcody]

I just sold my 1992 Fender MIJ P bass for $700 in 'good' condition. It played well and everything, it just had a lot of dents and nicks when I got it. I have another one as well. I'd say the Japanese made Fenders are high quality. For $300 it sounds like a steal, even with the bridge and string situation.

 

[Jonahly]

It has tiny frets, not sure if this is typical of Japan Fenders

The guy bought it 20 years ago and hasn't played it since.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I bought my '15 MIJ for $600. Honestly, even that was a good deal. It has a neck as good or better than any MIA Fender. I would have been happy spending $800-$900 on it.

 

[WillyW]

That seems like a good deal and worth getting playable.

 

[kinopah]

I've had 7 Fenders (4 USA) and the best by a mile was a MIJ Geddy.

 

[Durham52]

It has tiny frets, not sure if this is typical of Japan Fenders

The guy bought it 20 years ago and hasn't played it since.

Back in the early days all Fenders had "tiny frets", these days they're commonly called vintage frets. They are still common on "vintage style necks along with the original 71/2 inch fretboard radius. From the photos it looks like your basses neck has all the vintage features, small frets, 71/2" radius, one piece neck (no separate fretboard), skunk stripe etc. The frets look unmarked, so the previous owners story seems about right. Truly a nice find. (I'd keep that bass for sure, fix it up and puts some flats on it. )

 

[2F/2F]

It's a score as a player at $300, even with that messed up bridge. $30 Fender Pure Vintage bridge, gold guard, ashtrays, get rid of those ugly strap buttons, and you're set. Those were well made instruments (though the electronics left something to be desired). The equivalent today would be the Vintera line, which are around $1,000 new – though the Vinteras have better electronics.

To "flip?" Don't bother IMO. Not worth your time and investment to possibly make a few hundred bucks at some unknown point down the road. If you ran a guitar shop, with the infrastructure to present and sell, the shop space to let something sit for possibly years, and the mechanisms in place to ship an instrument easily and quickly, sure. But as just some guy, unless you are easily going to double your money, don't bother flipping gear, IMO.

I played the same model last year in a local used gear shop. It was a stellar bass, but overpriced at $800 in just OK condition. I'll bet it's still there.

My main bass for 10 years had the same body, but with an AVRI rosewood board ("1962") neck. Still one of the best basses I've ever played.

Bottom line: If it was in my city, at that price, I would drive out to buy it right now, before eating dinner. As is, it's a maybe at $500, a yes at $400, and a no brainer at $300. Fixed up, it's a $600–$700 bass, in the real world.

That said, I'd be buying it to play...and immediately putting a clear coated gold anodized aluminum guard on it. It would become the alternate to my main bass, a blonde AV '58 Precision (same basic specs, just American made, and blonde).

 

[bobdabilder]

No.

 

[2F/2F]

It has tiny frets, not sure if this is typical of Japan Fenders

The guy bought it 20 years ago and hasn't played it since.

Skinny frets are "correct" for an old style 7 1/4" radius neck – which many of the MIJ Fenders (as well as Fender Fenders up till the '80s) had.

They also feel the best, IMO.

 

[mdogs]

The last 80's MIJ P I sold, I paid $250 and sold it for $750. I want to say it was an 'B' serial number, that was two years ago. The 'E' serial number MIJ P I had before that I sold for $750. Those were standard MIJ P's. I am not exactly sure what you have there, it looks to be a reissue neck because of the decal. But, it should have threaded saddles if it is. I don't claim to be an expert and hopefully one will come along soon. Take it apart and take some pics of neck heel, the neck route and the top of the body without the pick guard on, that should help identify it.

 

[Kukulkan61]

MIJ Fenders are outstanding, this was my MIJ and it was the best Pbass I've ever owned and I've owned many, I'm jonesing for a Aged Oly white MIJ Pbass with a tort guard and rosewood or maple board would be fine with me!

 

[Jonahly]

This is a 57 reissue
It's got a PB(D?) 57 on the neck.