[quote name='MrFingers' timestamp='1340611418' post='1706804']
As for the '62, you have 2 different version, the PB-62 and the PB-62US. While identical from woodwork, the US has the correct reverse tuners, a real tortoise pickguard and American electronics (CTS pots, AVRI62 pickup), while the standard PB-62 has generic "Japanese" tuners (those reverse tuners are also japanese, but you get the point), and cheaper electronics (alpha pots, standard pickup).
As a first P, it's very good, as you'll have an amazing instrument, but... The necks are kinda huge, as they are vintage spec'd. The PB-62 has a more modern 42mm nutwidth, but the US has the vintage 44.5mm nutwidth, which is kinda wide if you have small hands, but nothing to be worried about.
[/quote]
No, not correct. There are far more than 2 versions. The simple PB 62 has na basswood body (don't get confused, they are good) and the genuine fender Japan PU's, small base plate for tghe tuners. Then there is the PB 62 US, some animal, but with US-Pickups. Then there is the PB 62 - 70 and the PB 62 84 US, alder bodys, US pickups 70ies style big plate tuners, and then there ist the PB 62 -100 DMC/VSP, alder, DiMarzio Collection PUs, nitrocellulose laquer, reverse tuners.
All these have a nutwidth of 42mm. Besides this they also have a 70ies style a neck precision (40,5mm nut), the PB 70-70 US and 70-85US and the PB ST, being the cheapest, basswod and an overall differnt neck with satibn finisch. And there are all kind of crossover models, since the changed the specs more than once since they started making these in the 80ies.
To get an overview you can check fender Japan or the Ishibashi Music page.
[url="http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/eng/"]http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/eng/[/url]
[url="http://fenderjapan.co.jp/"]http://fenderjapan.co.jp/[/url]
btw, the US Pickups are not made in the US, but are the ones for the export models wound after specs by Fender US.
I do have several Fender Japan basses and like them a lot. They resonate very well and are usually lightweight.