skej21 Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 I'm trying to find a 1985 Fender Jazz or Precision Bass. What do you think the chances of finding one are? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Fudge Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 A lot better now you have made this post ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 Not with you - why would this be difficult? Fender made a shed-load of basses in 1985, you shouldn't have any real problem finding one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 It ought not take too long for one to turn up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skej21 Posted October 30, 2010 Author Share Posted October 30, 2010 I was thinking that it might be difficult to get hold of one because it's kind of a mid point. Fender were still making good basses around 1985, but people may have twigged by then that collecting them for future investment might be a good idea. If anyone sees one, please let me know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 (edited) 1985 was a bit of an odd year for Fender. After the CBS sale in March, the Fullerton plant closed down. With no US factory, all instruments were sourced from Japan. In October, Fender opened the Corona (USA) facility, but with only 10 staff and a limited, 'high-end' output, while supplementing this with Jap instruments badged as Fenders. Odds would probably have it that lots of 85 Fenders are Japs from outsource factories. Which is, of course, neither here nor there. Edited October 31, 2010 by skankdelvar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 Start reading up now, learn what serial numbers were used and what to look for... and check EBay every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 Very much of it's era (& don't forget customs charges) [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FENDER-JAZZ-BASS-Special-Japan-1985-Precision-J-PUs-/200536469478?pt=Guitar&hash=item2eb0e7afe6"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FENDER-JAZZ-BASS-Spe...=item2eb0e7afe6[/url] or even more of it's era [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RARE-1985-Fender-Performer-Bass-Guitar-/250716369848?pt=Guitar&hash=item3a5fdc33b8"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RARE-1985-Fender-Per...=item3a5fdc33b8[/url] I'm getting flashbacks to my school days! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skej21 Posted October 31, 2010 Author Share Posted October 31, 2010 (edited) [quote name='skankdelvar' post='1006904' date='Oct 31 2010, 01:00 AM']1985 was a bit of an odd year for Fender. After the CBS sale in March, the Fullerton plant closed down. With no US factory, all instruments were sourced from Japan. In October, Fender opened the Corona (USA) facility, but with only 10 staff and a limited, 'high-end' output, while supplementing this with Jap instruments badged as Fenders. Odds would probably have it that lots of 85 Fenders are Japs from outsource factories. Which is, of course, neither here nor there.[/quote] This is the reason I'm looking for one! Pretty unusual times for Fender and the basses will be an interesting collectors item because of that... It will also be a bass made in the year I was born (december) 1985 so that's the other main reason I'm looking Edited October 31, 2010 by skej21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skej21 Posted October 31, 2010 Author Share Posted October 31, 2010 [quote name='BurritoBass' post='1006962' date='Oct 31 2010, 07:43 AM']Very much of it's era (& don't forget customs charges) [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FENDER-JAZZ-BASS-Special-Japan-1985-Precision-J-PUs-/200536469478?pt=Guitar&hash=item2eb0e7afe6"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FENDER-JAZZ-BASS-Spe...=item2eb0e7afe6[/url][/quote] Man, this is REALLY tempting!! Such a perfect specimen I've never had a bass brought in from America that hasn't travelled in my hands before. Any idea what the customs charges would be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 So I take it you're looking for American tat rather than a proper Japanese one? Jon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skej21 Posted October 31, 2010 Author Share Posted October 31, 2010 [quote name='Bassassin' post='1007137' date='Oct 31 2010, 11:17 AM']So I take it you're looking for American tat rather than a proper Japanese one? Jon.[/quote] Haha, nope. Ideally just looking for something that's in reasonably good condition that I can look after I'm even open to something like a '72 Reissue Jazz from 1985. I just want a bass from 1985 that plays well, looks cool and is in quite good condition. Too much to ask? (P.s. I actually agree that Jap Fenders are incredible! Most of the recent Jap builds [like the Geddy Lee Sig] play better than most US basses IMO) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 [quote name='skej21' post='1007113' date='Oct 31 2010, 10:52 AM']This is the reason I'm looking for one! Pretty unusual times for Fender and the basses will be an interesting collectors item because of that... It will also be a bass made in the year I was born (december) 1985 so that's the other main reason I'm looking [/quote] Customs charges will be about 20%. I have imported about 6 instruments now and it's not a big deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPingwin Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 Buy the Jazz Special. They really are fantastic basses. I'd be bidding on it myself if I didn't already have one in that colour. If when it arrives you decide you don't like it, you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a Duff McKagan fan boy who would take it off your hands. By the way, if the bass really has to be from 1985, you can't trust the serial numbers on some of these MIJ Fenders - both of my jazz specials have EXXXXXX serial numbers. Fender serial number guides say these are 1985 USA Fenders but apparently they were also being used on MIJ Fenders between '84 and '87. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted October 31, 2010 Share Posted October 31, 2010 [quote name='BurritoBass' post='1007589' date='Oct 31 2010, 05:29 PM']Customs charges will be about 20%. I have imported about 6 instruments now and it's not a big deal.[/quote] I realise that you've imported 6 times but is it not closer to 25%? I've imported 3-4 times and I reckoned all told (inc' the scandalous 'handling' charge by the UK end of the delivery) on a £1000 bass I've ended up paying closer to £250 than £200 in various fees and duties. The last one was a couple of years ago so fees may have changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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