NBD: Sunburst Geddy Jazz...from '94?

[MicG]

Hey guys,

Actually I picked this up used from GC a few days ago but haven't been able to get online. Its a used (not abused) Sunburst Geddy Jazz; $616 out the door with a 15% off trade in deal included!

Now, according to Fender's website for Japanese instruments, it was built sometime in... '94 - '95

Scroll down and have a look at the serial number.

Fender says that the Geddy Lee series was introduced in '98 and I know they didn't start offering sunburst as a color option until fairly recently.

Here's the site for serial numbers: Invalid Link Removed
According to that site, my fender has T followed by 6 digits and does NOT state Crafted in Japan meaning that it was built in '94 - '95? Help me out if I'm missing something here.

And here's the pics:

Its a fantastic instrument; it looks and sound great, I just can't figure out when it was built!

BTW: it does have Geddy's signature behind the headstock (not pictured) so even if the neck isn't original to the body, it's still a Geddy neck with a serial number from '94 - '95

Any ideas?

 

[southshoreconor]

subscribed. cool looking bass, but the shade of burst is a little dark compared to the current geddy model.

 

[pica]

That's a pretty lookin bass. Can't help with you with the date though. Try calling Fender.

 

[DeliriumTremens]

I thought the Geddy only ever came in black and was introduced in 1998

 

[MicG]

Hey thanks for the compliments guys! Apologies for the slightly crappy pics. Those pics do make the sunburst look REALLY dark although I haven't seen another Sunburst Geddy Jazz in person to compare? I'm lovin' it though!

 

[A-Step-Towards]

I thought the Geddy only ever came in black and was introduced in 1998

Correct sunburst was recently added, it cant be older then a year or 2 old.

 

[Baird6869]

The sunburst Geddy was only introduced late last year.

The SN dates the neck to 1994-1995 and should be a real GL neck. The "Made in" vs. newer "Crafted in" Japan is correct.

The body is a replacement or a repaint. Take the neck off to see that it says in the neck socket.

I wouldn't worry yet, it could be a MIA body.

Personally, I would slap a GL neck on a MIA Fender body if I had the parts. It is a great neck.

 

[Baird6869]

Sunburst GL for your reference....

Invalid Link Removed

 

[MicG]

Hm, I'll have take a look then in the neck pocket. The bridge pick-up is definitely in the 70's position leading me to believe that its either an original Geddy body repainted or possibly a Fender MIM 70's body? I'm not sure if the Fender MIA 75 reissues come in sunburst?

-Unless the bass is completely legit as is.

 

[JimB52]

I had an early Geddy Lee, which was a 'Crafted in Japan' with a serial number that began with A, correct for 1997 -98, when they first made them.
I do recall hearing that some new Japanese Fenders say 'Made in Japan', and your stamp looks darker and thicker than I remember the MIJ stamps to look.
You definitely have an interesting bass there.

EDIT - just checked my '95-'96 MIJ guitar and the 'Made in Japan' font is definitely thinner than yours.

 

[IPA]

Coulda been a Japan only model or something, Japan always gets the coolest Fenders

 

[Engine207]

My guess - and it's totally a guess - is that it's a Geddy neck on a '70s Classic body. I have a Classic, and it looks just like yours. Prolly a dude who just happened to prefer maple over rosewood and skinny over fat necks.

 

[Captain Simian]

Also keep in mind that the Japanese serial numbers are pretty inconsistent. They started recycling numbers years ago. This I was told by a number of Fender reps that I trust. It's probably a recent Geddy Lee. The sunburst looks correct to me.

 

[Captain Simian]

Ultimately, does it matter when it was made? Cool looking bass you got at a killer price.

 

[Baird6869]

I do recall hearing that some new Japanese Fenders say 'Made in Japan', and your stamp looks darker and thicker than I remember the MIJ stamps to look.

Maybe it is a new GL with a wonky SN?

Hard to say.

Are the block inlays painted on or actual inlays? If they are inlays, the neck is an older model.

 

[kerrycares]

that looks like my old bass i traded to the Southfield Guitar Center for an Acoustic Image Focus 2R amp.
if it is, check with Huber Breese Music in Fraser, that's where i got it from brand new less than 3 months ago.

 

[MicG]

Kerrycares, i'll be PM'ing you shortly

 

[cr250_977]

I bought a black one with a "T" S/N on Ebay. The seller was saying it was a 1994.
Talked to a Fender rep by E mail. He said they started recycling the numbers. Said mine is a 2009 model.

Bottom line ....Fender should update their site

 

[Thunder Pulse]

that looks like my old bass i traded to the Southfield Guitar Center. If it is, check with Huber Breese Music in Fraser, that's where i got it from brand new less than 3 months ago.

Kerrycares, i'll be PM'ing you shortly

Keep the rest of us informed, we'd like to know how this story ends.

 

[MicG]

Thunder Pulse: I'll be sure to keep this thread informed of the details as they arise. This could be the craziest thing I've ever seen or heard of on TB LOL!