RobP

Reading all the replies is really interesting, totally agree about trying a bass first but needed one quickly and didn't want to throw too much cash at it... Hence e-bay. I've got a MIA Jazz - curious to see how they compare given what's been said. And thanks loads for all the info and links

[quote name='Dr.Dave' post='283045' date='Sep 13 2008, 08:34 AM']That's hardly a punt - good value I'd say that you could easily get back if it doesn't work out. You will be posting pics when it arrives won't you?![/quote] Thanks for that Doc, gives me a sense of relief that someone thinks it's good value. I thought it probably was but had lingering doubts. It's good to have the security of not losing anything on it if worst comes to worst. That said I've got a good feeling If it's pics you want then pics it shall be! Where do I post them? (Hope you don't mind me saying Doc, just had to man)

Just in case anyone saw the last post... I found an alder '62 Re-Issue that doesn't have a thread running along the saddles... Seems to blow that theory out of the water... Very sorry if it was misleading.

Hi Pete, Thanks for that - funny enough found their web-site today and ended up calling them. Really helpful. I'm gonna keep an eye on their web-site from now on. Cheers, Rob

Only in my dreams!

Thanks for the timely comment, you really confirmed my thoughts. Someone from Fender just mailed me to say how well made the Japanese basses are and not to get to hung up on the basswood/alder thing too... So I just won a Japanese 62 Re-Issue on ebay. It's a bit of a punt but think the price was ok at £300 Have a great w/end

Hi, If I've got this right the standard export Japanese basses are usually basswood while Mexican ones are alder. Japanese build quality, electrics and pups seem to have a much better rep than the Mexican basses though. I'm after another bass at the moment and don't want to stretch to MIA prices. I'm set on an alder (or maybe ash) body so thinking go for a Mexican one and change the pups etc... If I have too. I guess it all comes down to personal taste but really interested to see what anyone else thinks....Maybe I'm thinking about this too much..... Hope you're all good, Rob

Hi again! Thought I'd post what I've found out see what y'all think... Feedback from Fender - if it came out of Japan 99.9% sure this model is basswood (apparently alder bodies not generally exported for '62 Re-Issue). The guy thought that the further you go back more likely to be basswood. (Must admit he was helpful but not particularly convincing.) Found out from another source that the only way to tell the two different models apart (alder/US pups and basswood/japanese pups) is by the saddles. More expensive alder/US pups version has a thread all along the saddle - the other ones don't. Any thoughts? Cheers, Rob

Haven't been able to find out the model number but it was made in 1989/90, do you think that means it's alder? Am looking round the internet to see if I can find anything, thought one of you might know though... Thanks again, Rob

Thanks so much to you all for the information and links - really useful and much appreciated Going to do some research and find out what model the bass is etc...

Hi, I'm new on here so hope this is the right place to post this... Anyone own a MIJ 62 Re-Issue Jazz bass? Thinking about getting one and just wondered how they compare to the MIA basses? Does anyone knows if they're made of Alder? Thanks for your help. All best, Rob