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Reissue Fender Jazz

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Ikkir, Dec 1, 2005.

  1. Dec 1, 2005 #1
    Ikkir

    Ikkir

    Jun 26, 2005
    Swansea, UK
    Hiya, I wondered if you guys could help me. There's a Fender Jazz at my local music store going for £599 (with hardshell case). It's a USA model and the shop owner says it's a reissue but he wasn't sure which model it was. It looks almost exactly like this:

    http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0190209806

    same colour, rosewood fingerboard, pickup covers except it has three control knobs instead of two. I've looked at the other Fender Jazz's on the official website and none seem to fit the bill.
    The serial number on the headstock was N900047 (I think). From checking the website that seems to mean that it was made in either 1990 or 1999.
    Also, does this seem like a good deal? It has in new condition except for some marks on the bottom of the headstock. Unfortunately, I forgot to ask whether it was second-hand :rolleyes: so I'll have to find that out before I make the decision to buy or not.
    If anyone could help I'd be very gratefull. Thanks.
     
  2. Dec 1, 2005 #2
    Theexploitbass

    Theexploitbass Guest

    Oct 8, 2004
    Telford, England
    Doesnt seem to me like its an American Vintage, the control plate having the three instead of the stacked pots is abit ofa give away. It could be a Standard USA model that they've dressed up with the covers etc... or perhaps the 60s classic jazz, but IIRC thats not a USA model.

    Did you like it when you played it?? £599 isnt a bad price for a USA model, but if it is just a standard USA jazz then you could probably get it cheaper. BUT if it is a Vintage reissure of some sort then its a very good price
     
  3. Dec 1, 2005 #3
    Ikkir

    Ikkir

    Jun 26, 2005
    Swansea, UK
    Thank you for your help. I did like it a lot, but I do feel a bit uncomfortable about buying a bass I don't know a lot about. I'll probably have have another look at it and find out everything the shop owner knows about it. If I can't find out for sure I think I'll have have to give it a miss.
    Is there anything I should look out for while I'm there that could help?
    Anyone else got any ideas? Thanks.
     
  4. Dec 1, 2005 #4
    AGCurry

    AGCurry Supporting Member

    Jun 29, 2005
    St. Louis
    N9 = 1999.

    The American reissue 62s have concentric (stacked) controls. There are all kinds of reissues made in Japan, as well as some Mexican ones. My guess is that it's just a *regular* USA Jazz bass. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
     
  5. Dec 1, 2005 #5
    toad

    toad

    Jun 26, 2002
    NYC
    If it's an American Vintage 62 Reissue, it should have the cocentric knobs unless someone rewired it. It would have the period correct tuners and a strap button on the back of the headstock. The decal would be different from a 99 American Standard. The body and neck would be finished in nitro which you might be able to tell if you've seen it before. The fretboard radius would be 7.25" which is rounder than the 9.5" radius on the American Standard with smaller frets. The bridge would not be string thru the body and the saddles would be the old spiral kind. The truss rod access would be at the butt end of the neck and truss rod nut would have a cross looking notch that takes a flat head screwdriver. It should also have a copper ground wire that goes from the bridge pup to the bridge that is easily visible. If you really want to get into it, they also have cloth wiring for the pickups and a shielding plate underneath the pups.

    If it's an American Standard from 1999 which the serial number suggests, it would have closed back tuners, finished in poly, string thru body bridge with modern saddles and grommets on the back of the body. The fretboard radius would be a flatter 9.5" with larger frets. The truss rod would also be accessed at the butt end but it would be a hex nut taking an allen wrench. It would also have ugly routing under the pickguard that goes from the neck pup to the control cavity, as well as round routing near the lower horn.

    If it's an MIJ 62 RI, it would look a lot like the American Vintage, but it should say Crafted in Japan or Made in Japan on the back of the neck where it meets the body. Also, I don't think they have the rounder 7.25" fretboard radius, but I'm not sure. They are not finished in nitro but you might not be able to tell. They also tend to have a slightly wider body than the American jazzes.

    If it's an MIM classic, I'm not to familiar with these.

    Good luck.
     
  6. Dec 1, 2005 #6
    Theexploitbass

    Theexploitbass Guest

    Oct 8, 2004
    Telford, England
    What a post from Toad!! Dude you are a legend
     
  7. Dec 1, 2005 #7
    KUNGfuSHERIFF

    KUNGfuSHERIFF

    Feb 8, 2002
    Upstate NY
    May I add--
    N=USA, so it's not a Japanese reissue. I had a Jazz+ some years back and the serial had that prefix. The Reissue and American Vintage series have always used the V prefix, I believe.
     
  8. Dec 2, 2005 #8
    Ikkir

    Ikkir

    Jun 26, 2005
    Swansea, UK
    Thank you everyone for your help.
    KUNGfuSHERIFF - I think you're right about the V prefix being for the reissues but I'm gonna give it another look using Toads advice. With a bit of luck I may be able to get the shop owner to lower his price since the bass isn't what he claimed it to be. If not I'm probably gonna wave this bass goodbye.
    Once again thank you to everyone for taking the time to help me out.
     
  9. Dec 2, 2005 #9
    KUNGfuSHERIFF

    KUNGfuSHERIFF

    Feb 8, 2002
    Upstate NY
    Anytime, Ikkir.
    Should you pass on the bass, and are feeling brave enough to import a bass, a local dealer has a cool-looking Frankenstein tagged at $699 US with hardshell case, which with international shipping (I know he's sent crates of guitars to Oz) and import duties should cost you as much as the bass mentioned above.
    It's a USA '75 reissue body married to a CIJ Geddy Lee neck, which you can see here:
    http://www.chrisguitars.com/fen-jazz-geddy-neck.jpg
    Just a though, and good luck,
    KFS