MIJ Fender Precision bass - no serial number

[aguacateojos]

Tuners match my 95 MIJ Jazz. But that bass does have a serial on the back of the neck where it meets the body so I'm not sure if matching tuners is proof yours is legit.

EDIT - totally forgetting if that bass is a 93 or a 95. But still, tuners look the same.

 

[magyk8ball]

Whats up with that nut?
Its like shaved on the treble side. None of my MIJ or CIJ look like that.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Having a serial and future resale value

That's exactly the problem. Just buy it and enjoy it. There was time when the term 'resale value' was never ever used with regard to basses. Why? Bacause it's something you buy for personal enjoyment. And for a measly $385, you should not expect any kind of 'resale value'.

 

[Silky Johnson]

That's exactly the problem. Just buy it and enjoy it. There was time when the term 'resale value' was never ever used with regard to basses. Why? Bacause it's something you buy for personal enjoyment. And for a measly $385, you should not expect any kind of 'resale value'.

I disagree but that's cool, if you buy a "used fender bass" there's a good chance you'll get all or most the money back in a sale later on, but definitely not if it's not "real". And let's be real who buys a sub-400 dollar bass and never considers upgrading later on?

 

[captainofsmooth]

Despite what many are telling you here, seeing a serial somewhere visible on an 80s Mij Fender is not always the case. Many Japanese made Fender’s in the 80s were marked differently due to the various factories they were made in. Many can only be identified by stamps and dating in the pocket or on the bottom of the heel. This was very common with the Vintage Reissue stuff. For instance, I own a 62RI Tele, made in the No-US Production year, that has the “Made in Japan” Decal on the bottom/back of the neck with no serial underneath. It has a date, model code (TC62), color code (3TS), etc. in the pocket. Looking at this bass, I can’t say for sure (and I’m definitely not saying it is), but if it was a reissue model, it very well could have either a serial or build date stamp along with other various markers like I mentioned for the color or model. Might wanna take the neck off and check. Whatever is in there will tell you more than anything.

 

[knigel]

It sure looks close to my E Serial P Bass, minus the serial and the "made in japan" under the precision bass (also it kind of looks like the space is there for them to have been there and was rubbed away). But mine had the truss rod adjustment at the heel.

 

[BAG]

It sure looks close to my E Serial P Bass, minus the serial and the "made in japan" under the precision bass (also it kind of looks like the space is there for them to have been there and was rubbed away).

It could be my imagination but the wood under the logo looks slightly different to the rest of the headstock. Just conjecture but is it possible that someone removed the serial number due to it being stolen?

Whatever the case it is strange that there is no Made In Japan on it anywhere.

I just asked him to disassemble the neck & more pics of what is there.

From what little I know there should be some number stamps on the body in the neck pocket if it is a Japanese made body.

 

[Fender_Bender]

The logo looks like it was put on last week. I’m thinking it’s a parts bass. Could be a nice bass, could be a lemon. I think your money would be better spent on a used Classic Vibe or something that is at least a sure thing.

 

[ahc]

Looks fishy.

 

[devnulljp]

You'd need to pull it apart. Check the pots, pickups, look for stamps in the cavity.
My guess, for that money, it's a low end Squire or MIM or a parts bass. Could be fine for the $$ though.

 

[coreyfyfe]

The tuners and truss rod access look MIM to me. 80s MIJ usually have heel truss rod access as far as I recall.

Agree that it looks like something was written under the logo and was removed.

Looks like this 91 MIM
Reverb

Some later MIM had different tuners with a stamped logo like these two
Reverb
Reverb

 

[HG1180]

I would say someone replaced the entire neck assembly, down to the neckplate and tuners. Not sure why but that would be my guess. The body looks OK though, knobs, bridge cover, and finish look a bit funky though.

 

[JGbassman]

I’ll try and help. I took a few pictures of some of my Japanese instruments. They are my favorite due to quality vs price.
While there are variances, many still hold a certain consistency. I personally have never owned a Japanese Fender that had the trussrod adjustment at the headstock. I hope this helps.

This is an older Made in Japan neck for a Jazz Bass. I can’t remember year, but 90’s I’m guessing. Smaller tuning pegs, closer to MIM style. Silver logo. No truss rod adjustment at headstock.

Back of the neck. No skunk stripe

Serial number at base of neck.

My well worn E series. I bought it new in 86-87. Quality as good as American. Large tuners without logo on back. Made in Japan with E series serial on headstock. Rosewood plug. Truss rod adjustment at heel.

Skunk stripe on back of neck.

2000’s PB-70. Large tuners, TVStyle logo. Truss rod at heel.

No logo on tuner plates or skunk stripe.

Serial number and CIJ on heel.

Getty Lee. Large tuners. Rosewood plug.

Serial number and CIJ on heel.

 

[JW56789]

Part-O-Caster, and I'd pass on this one in a hot minute, and I'll tell you why:

First, there's lots of nice, used, authentic basses around $400, even new ones, with no questions attached, and . .

Second: OK, you buy it, play it for a while, then it's time for something else and that turkey has to sell: You get to repeat every question in this post, except you'll be answering them for whoever the new owner is going to be, for however long that takes.

I do my best to not buy basses with built-in aggravation. Life . . . . is too short.

 

[selowitch]

1. The logo looks too-new and too-blue;
2. No serial number on the headstock;
3. No “Made in...” insignia on the headstock.

I’m no expert but it looks seriously fishy. If it plays well though you didn’t do that badly.

 

[lfmn16]

And for that matter, what actually even constitutes real?

Really??? Is that really a real question?

It aint rocket science. It's not tricky or complex. There's no grey area. It's real if it is what the seller says it is.

 

[Peteyboy]

Hi all you cool dudes!

I just joined your Talkingbass today and want to appeal to your coolguy egos in order to conduct the black market research.

Please to let me know if actual musicians can detect my fakesky when I tell them $385 for Japanbass.

Hvala vam!

 

[FranF]

Well it's not a MIJ neck or tuners. The knobs, neck plate, strap buttons and pickup are non Fender.The body doesn't appear to be Fender either.

 

[The Deep]

 

[Outbush]

No idea re the question but looks pretty nice. If it plays well and sounds good...!