pls help identify US Fender Jazz

[tkcthulu]

The finish should be thinner than usual ones.

 

[bassdood]

That's the new spec, ignore wiki. It is not a Badass bridge. Trust me, it's a 2003 Fender Highway 1 Jazz Bass.

Yeah, I just found a pick of a BA-II, and mine is definitely not one. Thanks.

Being as the serial number lookup says it could be either 2003 or 2004, can you be sure that it is not a 2004?

 

[DeliriumTremens]

If you're really concerned take the neck off and look at the end of it. There should be a date stamp there or in the neck pocket. I wouldn't personally be too concerned, the chances are that it's an '03.

Something like this

 

[bassdood]

If you're really concerned take the neck off and look at the end of it. There should be a date stamp there or in the neck pocket. I wouldn't personally be too concerned, the chances are that it's an '03.

Thanks.

Well, I sure know more about this bass now.

Guess I could always upgrade the bridge at some point, and even the tuners, for that matter.

It sounds and feels pretty darn good as it is, though.

 

[bassdood]

I think the color is referred to as "3-Tone Sunburst." ??

 

[bassdood]

Or "3-Color Sunburst."

 

[Bongolation]

I'm not 100% sure, but I can speculate that these were assembled using Mexican parts (neck, body and tuners) but were put together in the USA, hence the Made in USA label. And I believe this is something Fender is doing with other models also: they build certain components in Mexico and ship to the USA for assembly.

They went through a lot of production changes, but the guitars were originally nothing but MIM "Classic" instruments with a slightly different neck, with a matte acrylic lacquer finish applied and final assembly done in the US. The basses were somewhat different.

I had a long discussion about the notional MIA-ness with a FMIC production manager years back.

There were so many changes in the Highway One line, I gave up trying to keep track of them, but most of the changes were improvements.

I believe the Highway Ones are scheduled to be discontinued in favor of an "American Special" version, but nobody seems 100% sure about this.

 

[tkcthulu]

Where did you get it?

 

[Bongolation]

If you're really concerned take the neck off and look at the end of it. There should be a date stamp there or in the neck pocket.

That's when the neck was finished. You'll usually find later dates stamped elsewhere inside.

 

[Bongolation]

Guess I could always upgrade the bridge at some point.

I wouldn't.

It's a pretty close copy of the old original low-mass toploader, which I prefer to later bridges. Less mass = a more complex and woody tone, more vintage sound, especially with flats. If modern is your thing, go with a higher mass bridge.

 

[bassdood]

I wouldn't.

It's a pretty close copy of the old original low-mass toploader, which I prefer to later bridges. Less mass = a more complex and woody tone, more vintage sound, especially with flats. If modern is your thing, go with a higher mass bridge.

Thank you for that. After some of the comments made, I was beginning to get the impression that some folks are turning up their noses at this model.

Sounds and feels very nice, which (along with reliability) is the bottom line as far as keeping it and playing it goes. Other aspects play into re-sale value, etc.

 

[tkcthulu]

Doesn't matter what anyone else thinks; if you like then it's good for you.