LeftyBassist.com

Hi to all,

I spotted this bass locally and was wondering whether it is worth buying but I have little experience with Fender...

It is a Japan JB, J-series which dates it to 1989-1990. Does it look original to you? Also, i know some are re-issues. Is this one?

According to the seller it is in excellent condition and comes with the original hardcase.

I often read that E-series Japanese Fenders are phenomenal, but found little about the J-series.

He wants $500 for it.

Appreciate any recommendation!

Looks Original and 500 usd is a very good price
If you look for an e series precision check out this one
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 127781486/

Thanks Bootsie, but the E is too expensive for me to try. Never had a Fender JB in the past (except for a MX) but would maybe buy the J series to try, if indeed it is a good deal.

Anybody else care to advise? Thank you!

Just looks like your run of the mill Japanese Fender. At the prices these seem to go for nowadays, this is definitely a lower price. I feel like this is where prices for these should cap off anyway. They’re very good, but not great basses. Everyone compares them to MIA models, but I just don’t see it.
But yeah for $500, I’d say you’re getting a good deal.

Thanks for your input Matt!

I asked the seller and he tells me the pickups are the original Dimarzio.

Do you know if indeed Fender Japan used Dimarzio in their basses? I looked online saw many modfications to Dimarzio but I did not see the info that they were used originally by fender Japan...

Any info much appreciated!

No, Fender Japan never used Dimarzio as OEM. Those are a great upgrade over the stock MIJ jazz pickups though, so that's cool if that's whats in there.

Thank you, I thought so but wasn't sure...

Matt is spot-on about this one IMO. Fender Japan used to have a load of reissues, with numbers added behind the model number to signify where it sits in their range. A higher number would signify a higher historical accuracy and higher-end hardware and electronics. The one pictured here looks like a JB62-58, with the 62 for being a 1962 reissue, and 58 for being the entry level version. This has a basswood body, no vintage style tuners but the smaller Gotoh GB1's, a simple bridge with barrel saddles instead of vintage threaded saddles, and cheap electronics. 500 would indeed be a fair price for this, and if it indeed has DiMarzio pickups that would be a great upgrade. Should be easy to tell by the individually adjustable hex polepieces.

Great, Jeroen, thanks for the education!

I am still hesitating because I don't really need it, but if the price would be right (a bit less than 500), I would buy just to try knowing I could re-sell easily.

I own a 1997. These Fender Japan basses are exceptionally well made. They, of course have incorrect parts to be true '62 reissues. I'm a repairman/ Luthier, and just replaced all the parts with period correct type hardware. Mine has EMG's and a BTC, all completely reversible mods. The bass just sounds great.. and yeah, it has a Basswood body. Frankly, the controversy over the sound of Basswood vs. Ash/ Alder, is pretty much unimportant to me. I have a number of Jazz basses, and the sound of this bass, both when it was passive and stock, vs. my Alder and ash basses was always equal. Plus, it has the absolute best sunburst finish on any bass I've ever seen. It's perfect.

500 bucks for that bass, is a KILLER deal!

Thanks for the input LHBassist! I'll let the forum know shortly if I decided to buy or not...

So I finally decided not to purchase for two main reasons:

1- I don't really need it and, most importantly,
2- Just prior to seeing this bass I had ordered a new Sire V7 2nd generation.

So if you are interested in buying the Japanese JB, please message me and I'll give you the contact info.

On another subject, the Sire V7 2nd generation... Got it today...Unbelievable! It has pretty much everything you would want on a bass, plays wonderfully, feels great and looks drop-dead gorgeous. Color is Lake Placid Blue.

All of this for Eur. 450,00 brand new, completely setup out of the box. Highly recommend! (looks better in real than on the picture).

Yeah those Sires are damn fine instruments for the cash!

This is my blue one- a five string. Nice bass. Made a fast mint green guard for it. I prefer it to the pearl one. I have quite a few Jazz basses. But no 5's. I now have two Sire 5's. Good Luck with yours!

Nice, great bass