Thanks for the links - this extracted owner bit from a 2009 post helps a lot - cheers
"Hello Everyone - Here is a shot of my Fender Thinline Bass. This one is from 2003. It was indeed a legit not-for-export model. The person I bought it from told me it did not sell well in Japan as they are more interested in classic styles and colors. Hence it's short run. The bass is a kind of a hybrid. Modern bridge, reverse-tuners, old-style P-bass neck (thinner at nut) and Telecaster style body. It has a woody tone and its quite loud unplugged. Sustains forever. Plugged in the tone is big and round with plenty of mids and highs as well. The only negative is that it is quite neck heavy. While sitting down you better hold on! The model number is TNB-110SPL (Thin Line Bass, 110,000 Yen, Special). They also made it in blue burst. This one is a Q serial number. Since One US Dollar is worth about 95 Yen today, the bass would list today in US Dollars at $1179. It came with the Standard Fender Japan gig bag. By the time you paid shipping (about $125) and got a legit case this wasn't cheap but worth every penny. It is an outstanding instrument, beautiful to look at and a pleasure to play. I have tried flatwounds and roundwounds on it and prefer the rounds."