MIJ Fender Precision bass - no serial number

[dragojl]

Hi guys, I just got a deal for this one (385$) but I'm not sure if it's a fake one.
Apparently, the bass is from the 80's and the owner says it's bought in London.
I have no good knowledge of that era, so maybe you could give me a hint.

 

[Gorn]

I think there should be a made in Japan thing and a serial number, and you can buy Fender decals, and there are a million non Fender basses and bass parts shaped just like this, and a lot of people are liars.

 

[sleddogn]

yep, either back of headstock, but really should be down on neck where it meets pocket in body in my experience.

 

[FantasticFour]

That doesn't look like the right truss-rod adjustment type to me.

 

[Gorn]

That doesn't look like the right truss-rod adjustment type to me.

That always throws me off when a bass you don't think should have it there actually does. But this one still looks fake.

 

[FunkHead]

Looks wrong!

 

[JGbassman]

That neck looks more like a MIM or other. I’m pretty sure it’s not a Japanese neck. Tuners look off as well for Japanese.

 

[Volker Kirstein]

Parts bass?

 

[JGbassman]

The body looks a little off as well, I can’t put my finger on it, but I think you might have a parts bass with a fender sticker on it.

I can tell you it’s not a mid 80’s E series neck or body. The neck plate looks wrong, and just a bunch of little things that don’t look like any of my mij, CIJ, or other variants. I’m not an expert, but I’m usually close.

 

[Gorn]

$385 would be great for a 80s Japanese Fender. If it was a great parts bass the price is fine too. Is it great? Do you love it? Otherwise you should get your money back if you can.

 

[Bassdirty]

I'm no expert, but It seems odd to have that much wear all over the body and none on the neck...?..

 

[dragojl]

$385 would be great for a 80s Japanese Fender. If it was a great parts bass the price is fine too. Is it great? Do you love it? Otherwise you should get your money back if you can.

Ah, I wasn't clear enough. It's not mine, yet. The owner wants 385$ and has a little info about it. I just asked him to disassemble the neck & more pics of what is there.
But I have less hope now...

The neck felt odd for my eye as well. I'm no expert, but it looks more like a Squier neck (especially the tuners).

And now I see that the body looks suspicious, I'll probably just skip this one.

Thanks for your thoughts, everyone!

 

[seedokebass]

The neck and truss rod access looks similar to my 96 MIJ P. The silver on black logo/satin finish looks right for an MIJ to me, but there's no other text. Seems off. Maybe a refinish or a non fender neck?

 

[Duder]

I've seen Japanese Squiers go for more than that. Even to my untrained eye it looks "off". You've made the right choice to stay away from this one.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Hi guys, I just got a deal for this one (385$) but I'm not sure if it's a fake one.
Apparently, the bass is from the 80's and the owner says it's bought in London.
I have no good knowledge of that era, so maybe you could give me a hint.

View attachment 3914003 View attachment 3914004 View attachment 3914005 View attachment 3914006 View attachment 3914007 View attachment 3914008

pretty cool looking bass actually. If it sounds are plays good, $385 is a good price IMO whether it's 'real' or not. And for that matter, what actually even constitutes real?

 

[Cutter8]

Parts bass for sure, but if it plays and sounds good, still may be an OK deal for the price.

 

[Silky Johnson]

pretty cool looking bass actually. If it sounds are plays good, $385 is a good price IMO whether it's 'real' or not. And for that matter, what actually even constitutes real?

Having a serial and future resale value

 

[Vitrius Humor]

The tuners are the give away. Those aren't MIJ tuners.

 

[wraub]

I say that is a copy, likely import, of a Fender Precision bass, with an aftermarket logo attached.
The knobs and tuners are wrong, some of the proportions look "off" too, I vote non-Fender bass.

That said, it might be good, but it's probably overpriced.

 

[christpncher]

MIM with the serial sanded off