• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

NBD - Fender Japan content

J

jmw1977

Guest
Mar 27, 2013
96
158
#1
It took a little while to finally get this bass in my hands, but here is a 2013 Fender Japan Jazz with a koa top/ash body. I've had it set up by my luthier and I requested a bone nut and that he swap the stock pickups for SCNs. I also had the stock vintage-style black knobs replaced with gold domed knobs. I have it strung with D'Addario EXL 170BTs (.107-.45).

I'll tell you, this thing plays like a dream. I've wanted something that I can use for Jazz-fusion and this really fits the bill. With my Rick 4003 covering the vintage thump (with a little growl), this new bass will open up some different sonic possibilities. I've been playing it so much the past few days that the Rick is getting jealous. :D Anyway, hope you guys dig it.

Also, I'll have to say that Fender Japan offers WAY cooler items. Plus, the build quality is on par with American-made stuff.

IMG_1969.JPG
IMG_1971.JPG
IMG_1970.JPG
IMG_1972.JPG
IMG_1974.JPG
IMG_1975.JPG
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: bopeuph, Jamarvic, placedesjardins and 40 others
#8
wvbass said:
Beautiful, but for some reason, my first thought was, "Wow. You're never going to find a Hipshot that will fit that."
Click to expand...

Would a Hipshot bridge be a vast improvement?

I actually thought about adding a high-mass bridge and having my luthier drill holes/add ferrules for string thru, but I figured it was unnecessary.
 
#9
jmw1977 said:
Would a Hipshot bridge be a vast improvement?

I actually thought about adding a high-mass bridge and having my luthier drill holes/add ferrules for string thru, but I figured it was unnecessary.
Click to expand...
IMO, usually not. However, I was talking about fitting it with a Hipshot Xtender key for drop D tuning. I put those on many of my four string basses. I just observed that the based plates on the machine heads are a bit unusual, and the screw pattern is almost a perfect rectangle. I don't think Hipshot makes an XTender that is a drop-in replacement for that screw pattern.

Really, I just thought it was funny that, given the picture of that beautiful flamed koa top, my first thought was about the screw pattern on the machine heads.
 
#12
That is beautiful! Can someone tell me what we ever did to piss off Fender that would not only not offer sweet looking gear like this, but then make it incredibly difficult to buy these instruments from Fender Japan? Really sucks!

Congrats! That is awesome!
 
#13
jd56hawk said:
After what Fender had to show at NAMM this year, you'd think they'd take a look at basses like this and offer us something really nice.
Click to expand...

Are you kiddin' me? This is Fender we're talkin' about. God forbid they offer us cool basses, old-school custom colors, and basses made from exotic woods, such as koa.

Man, It'd been cool if they would've done a matching headstock. That's the only thing I'd want to see changed on that bass. Nice!
 
  • Like
Reactions: acebase62
#14
Very nice - Did the clear pg comes w/it? If so very cool (w/center screw and tug-bar & cover holes) And those tuners are based on the late 70's-80's small-plate clovers - score! Does the Koa give the alder a bit darker tone? It appears that the 2015 Fender basses are bringing in this sort of vibe with their performance-line.
 
#20
JIO said:
Very nice - Did the clear pg comes w/it? If so very cool (w/center screw and tug-bar & cover holes) And those tuners are based on the late 70's-80's small-plate clovers - score! Does the Koa give the alder a bit darker tone? It appears that the 2015 Fender basses are bringing in this sort of vibe with their performance-line.
Click to expand...

Yes, the clear pickguard came with it. I almost wish they would've left the pickguard off and routed the control cavity in the back to showcase as much of that beautiful Koa as possible.

I made a mistake in my original post. It's Koa on top of ash. The layer of Koa looks pretty thin so I'm not sure how much it's affecting the overall tone.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JIO

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back