So, from time to time, I check out pawn shops, always thinking I'd find some steal. Never happens of course.
But today, I see a listing on CL that says:
Fender Bass JAZZ Made in the USA $470 Wood body. Call for info.
Turns out it's a pawn shop (that I'd visited once before with my wife) that listed the bass on CL. Not far away, I'm off today, what the heck...for a USA Jazz, maybe it's a decent deal. I drive down there to see...
So it turns out to be a Fender Custom Shop 1995 Jazz (I had my trusty Fender SN listing, natch.)...natural body, maple neck, black PG, no bridge or PUP covers.
Everything looks pretty good...no visible issues at all. Pick scratching on PG, neck bowed a tad (obviously needs a good setup). Plug it into a crappy little Peavey amp they have...sounds pretty good even through a 8" or 10" driver (wasn't really paying attention).
And the guy says...you saw the listing on CL? I'll let it go for $400 + tax ($420 out the door). Even has a no-name made in China hard case.
Needless to say, I whip out the plastic (numbers not worn away from Christmas so it must still work, eh?)
And I buy it!
So...methinks I got a pretty darned good deal. What say the Fender experts out there?
(considering I paid $600-ish for my new CIJ GL Jazz in 07, before the last Fender price increase, and new USA Jazzes run $1k+)
The serial number is N5xxxxx, which is how I date it as a 95. But I confess to not being an "expert" in all the various Fender flavors (I'm a Rick guy first and foremost, after all!), so I could use some help with the details on this one...
I presume it's a 75 American Vintage reissue, as that **looks** like the only one that came in natural color made in the USA; but mine has chrome knobs, unlike the current Am Vintage shown on Fender's site. Could be the knobs are a mod, though. Thought it might be a Highway One, but it does not have the BA bridge.
The block inlays look painted like my Geddy, but I'm just not 100% sure.
The neck is a tad thicker than my Geddy (no surprise there) and it has a sanded feel, as opposed to the slick/satin feel of the GL.
I did a short A/B thru my Mesa Walkabout head w/ a DRB 115 cab, with all settings the same (bass & amp) and it has a slightly fuller/deeper/rounder sound than the GL. It sounds sweet!! Course, it could be the strings. This one looks like it has newer Dadario and I have (old) GHS Boomers on my GL currently.
So Fender experts...what can you tell me about this bass!
more pics at http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj222/rob4001va/95 Jazz/
and thanks in advance...
(oh, and props to my wife...a year ago, when we first checked out this pawn shop and some others, it was HER idea! What a great wife! And since tomorrow is our anniversary, guess what she's giving me? A 95 Fender Jazz from a pawn shop! Schwing!)
But today, I see a listing on CL that says:
Fender Bass JAZZ Made in the USA $470 Wood body. Call for info.
Turns out it's a pawn shop (that I'd visited once before with my wife) that listed the bass on CL. Not far away, I'm off today, what the heck...for a USA Jazz, maybe it's a decent deal. I drive down there to see...
So it turns out to be a Fender Custom Shop 1995 Jazz (I had my trusty Fender SN listing, natch.)...natural body, maple neck, black PG, no bridge or PUP covers.
Everything looks pretty good...no visible issues at all. Pick scratching on PG, neck bowed a tad (obviously needs a good setup). Plug it into a crappy little Peavey amp they have...sounds pretty good even through a 8" or 10" driver (wasn't really paying attention).
And the guy says...you saw the listing on CL? I'll let it go for $400 + tax ($420 out the door). Even has a no-name made in China hard case.
Needless to say, I whip out the plastic (numbers not worn away from Christmas so it must still work, eh?)
And I buy it!
So...methinks I got a pretty darned good deal. What say the Fender experts out there?
(considering I paid $600-ish for my new CIJ GL Jazz in 07, before the last Fender price increase, and new USA Jazzes run $1k+)
The serial number is N5xxxxx, which is how I date it as a 95. But I confess to not being an "expert" in all the various Fender flavors (I'm a Rick guy first and foremost, after all!), so I could use some help with the details on this one...
I presume it's a 75 American Vintage reissue, as that **looks** like the only one that came in natural color made in the USA; but mine has chrome knobs, unlike the current Am Vintage shown on Fender's site. Could be the knobs are a mod, though. Thought it might be a Highway One, but it does not have the BA bridge.
The block inlays look painted like my Geddy, but I'm just not 100% sure.
The neck is a tad thicker than my Geddy (no surprise there) and it has a sanded feel, as opposed to the slick/satin feel of the GL.
I did a short A/B thru my Mesa Walkabout head w/ a DRB 115 cab, with all settings the same (bass & amp) and it has a slightly fuller/deeper/rounder sound than the GL. It sounds sweet!! Course, it could be the strings. This one looks like it has newer Dadario and I have (old) GHS Boomers on my GL currently.
So Fender experts...what can you tell me about this bass!
more pics at http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj222/rob4001va/95 Jazz/
and thanks in advance...
(oh, and props to my wife...a year ago, when we first checked out this pawn shop and some others, it was HER idea! What a great wife! And since tomorrow is our anniversary, guess what she's giving me? A 95 Fender Jazz from a pawn shop! Schwing!)
cant really tell by 1 pic
