OFFICIAL Fender Japan Bass thread

[Malak the Mad]

Relevant cross-post from another thread;

Hey, Fender-Japan Enthusiasts! I just found an excellent article which clarified a few details regarding the creation of Fender Japan, Ltd. and it's shift to the current Fender Music Corporation (Japan) incarnation.

• Everything You Need To Know About Fender Japan | YABAI - The Modern, Vibrant Face of Japan

 

[Malak the Mad]

Another cross-post! Here's a question I brought up in another thread; Given the success and longevity of Guns & Roses' "Appetite For Destruction", is it possible that Duff's Jazz Bass Special is the most listened to Japanese Fender bass in all of history?

 

[VillageIdiott]

Anyone ever owned a Fender Japan JB-HO? It a semi-hollow jazz bass. Very cool. I am looking for any experience with one.

 

[VillageIdiott]

Looks like the above....

 

[rjovin]

My Fender Japan basses.

 

[VillageIdiott]

How do you like the new Aerodyne? Looks sweet. I have had quite a few of the original ones.... Amazing necks and almost perfect basses once you swap pups to something a little beefier.

 

[rjovin]

How do you like the new Aerodyne? Looks sweet. I have had quite a few of the original ones.... Amazing necks and almost perfect basses once you swap pups to something a little beefier.

I've only has it for a few days but so far so good.
The neck is definitely comfy and i dig the pickup in this one. It's loud, aggressive and full! All things i look for in a pickup.
It's neck heavy while sitting but balances nicely with a wide strap.
I'm not in love with the bridge but will give it some time to see if it grows on me.

 

[KaizerRainMan]

NBD.

Just received this baby.
Nice neck, but the body is heavy af.

I dont think the body is original but I cant tell. Is this a plywood body?

 

[VillageIdiott]

If it's original if definitely isn't plywood. It should be Alder, which is not so heavy.

 

[Bleecker]

NBD.

Just received this baby.
Nice neck, but the body is heavy af.

I dont think the body is original but I cant tell. Is this a plywood body?


View attachment 5307525 View attachment 5307526 View attachment 5307527 View attachment 5307528View attachment 5307530

I don't see the tell tale lines of a laminate/plywood...but that neck pocket looks suspect, looks to me like someone chiseled out some extra wood there, maybe to fit 'that' neck, looks rough but it could just be the picture.
Cheers!

Edit, just to say I clicked on where you live...wow! It must be beautiful up there!

 

[KaizerRainMan]

I don't see the tell tale lines of a laminate/plywood...but that neck pocket looks suspect, looks to me like someone chiseled out some extra wood there, maybe to fit 'that' neck, looks rough but it could just be the picture.
Cheers!

Edit, just to say I clicked on where you live...wow! It must be beautiful up there!

Yeah, it's chiseled alright, a tight fit but its not anything you can see. But still. Pretty hefty weight on that body.

Thanks, yeah it's pretty glorious here in our part of the world.

 

[Malak the Mad]

NBD.

Just received this baby.
Nice neck, but the body is heavy af.

I dont think the body is original but I cant tell. Is this a plywood body?


View attachment 5307525 View attachment 5307526 View attachment 5307527 View attachment 5307528View attachment 5307530

Regardless of what it's made of, I don't think that body is original to the neck at all. The neck looks legit, what with the serial number and the "PB-555" (EDIT) P-551 number at the heel, but I've never heard of a Jazz body paired with an MIJ Precision neck before. I have seen the inverse at work, though, with the P-bodied, J-necked Fender Jazz Bass Special...aka the "Boxer Series" basses...but that's all I know of. (see below)

If someone knows of a model I have yet to hear of, please let me know and back it up with some evidence. More research for me is always a good thing!

 

[KaizerRainMan]

Regardless of what it's made of, I don't think that body is original to the neck at all. The neck looks legit, what with the serial number and the "PB-555" number at the heel, but I've never heard of a Jazz body paired with an MIJ Precision neck before. I have seen the inverse at work, though, with the P-bodied, J-necked Fender Jazz Bass Special...aka the "Boxer Series" basses...but that's all I know of. (see below)

If someone knows of a model I have yet to hear of, please let me know and back it up with some evidence. More research for me is always a good thing!

Yeah, search the neck P-551 and found the boxer series. It was sold as a hybrid bass, but the chiseled neck pocket and screw holes for the pickguard is tells me it is not original at all. It weights about 4.7kg (10,362lb)

But the neck feels great! So a.) I should get a lighter body. Or b.) Stop whining and start training them quads and back muscles.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Yeah, search the neck P-551 and found the boxer series. It was sold as a hybrid bass, but the chiseled neck pocket and screw holes for the pickguard is tells me it is not original at all. It weights about 4.7kg (10,362lb)

But the neck feels great! So a.) I should get a lighter body. Or b.) Stop whining and start training them quads and back muscles.

Sorry, you're correct about the neck's designation...P-551 instead of P-555. That was my bad!

Normally, I'm all about building strength and endurance. (I'm a massage therapist, so I'm all about "sensible health"!) But, if it weighs that much, I'd sell the original body, keeping any parts you want to hang on to, and use the proceeds for a body of your choosing. I, for one, have gotten a couple of bodies from certain international places who will ship overseas without issue. (On the flip-side of that coin, I seem to have some other bodies that now need to be sold! )

One thing, though, if you get another body and the neck isn't an easy fit, do not try forcing it into the neck pocket. I've chipped the finish off a couple of bodies trying to make them fit. If the neck is as old as I think it is, it might be a little bit wider than the current Fender pocket size. Some sanding might be required.

 

[KaizerRainMan]

Sorry, you're correct about the neck's designation...P-551 instead of P-555. That was my bad!

Normally, I'm all about building strength and endurance. (I'm a massage therapist, so I'm all about "sensible health"!) But, if it weighs that much, I'd sell the original body, keeping any parts you want to hang on to, and use the proceeds for a body of your choosing. I, for one, have gotten a couple of bodies from certain international places who will ship overseas without issue. (On the flip-side of that coin, I seem to have some other bodies that now need to be sold! )

One thing, though, if you get another body and the neck isn't an easy fit, do not try forcing it into the neck pocket. I've chipped the finish off a couple of bodies trying to make them fit. If the neck is as old as I think it is, it might be a little bit wider than the current Fender pocket size. Some sanding might be required.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for the advise.

First I will try to get used with the weight, and see if I want to swap it later.

 

[Nico_1111]

My ash MIJ traditional II 70’s Jazz! Made a few upgrades but it’s stellar out the box.

 

[Genebro]

So, this is my second bass and honestly my favorite. It’s a JB-62 made in Japan T serial # from their 2007-2010 run in a pretty rare “US Gunmetal Blue” which was only sold domestically in Japan. I believe it’s alder (though not 100%) with a slab rosewood fretboard with rolled edges .

I bought it used on reverb with the upgraded bridge then I got it set up with some hip shot USA tuners, fender custom shop pickups, and the red tort pick guard which I think really makes the blue pop. I couldn’t ask for more from a jazz bass.

 

[goatrider]

Here's mine. Been gigging this one for the last couple of years. I replaced the pickups with Lindy Fralins and changed out the the tuning machines with Gotoh res-o-lites. Strung it up with Jamerson's favorite flats. Sounds and plays like a P-Bass should.

 

[Williethump]

I've got my 2014 MIJ lightweight ash blonde beauty on Craigslist. Seymour Duncan pickup, TI Jazz Flats, screaming tangerine shag G&G HSC. I never played it much because I wanted to keep it perfect and I had a fine Godin Freeway4 to play. But now age related increasing tinnitus and arthritis make it not as much fun. Not a hoarder, I want someone to love it. And money is always welcome. More than anything else I'll never get good enough to play it very well, and if I did I'd only be able to half hear it.
Sold the Godin and selling the P-bass but I kept my '73 Univox Hi-Flyer converted to piccolo bass, easier to play and hear. Not sad, keeping a beautiful thing for no reason does not compute. Movin' on.

 

[Bleecker]

Here's mine. Been gigging this one for the last couple of years. I replaced the pickups with Lindy Fralins and changed out the the tuning machines with Gotoh res-o-lites. Strung it up with Jamerson's favorite flats. Sounds and plays like a P-Bass should.

Nice bass! What strings are "Jamerson's favorite flats"...?

Cheers!