Delberthot Posted June 23, 2018 Share Posted June 23, 2018 (edited) I've never done this before but I've just received a rather nice Fender Jazz bass and thought I'd share it. It's a Fender Japan '75 reissue and the headstock serial number dates it as 1985-86 but don't get your cheque books out yet - on removal of the neck, the date on both body and neck is March '99. It still has a decent amount of age to it but this is clearly an example of how the Fender Japan serial numbers can go all over the place from time to time. There's one thing I am uncertain about though: On the neck it has JB-75M which I am guessing is Jazz Bass, 1975, maple fretboard but on the body it has JB-72M/EX. I'm guessing that means Jazz Bass, maple body, export model but can someone tell me what the 72 signifies? The brochure from 1998 also states that it has an ash body Anyway, there ain't no bass without pictures: Edited June 23, 2018 by Delberthot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftyJ Posted June 23, 2018 Share Posted June 23, 2018 These were never an export model IIRC. I have never seen a 1972 model before. A proper 72 RI would have a 4-bolt neck joint I suppose, so this is an interesting mixup. Now I wonder what's in the neck pocket of mine 😄 Mine is a JB75-90US as far as I know, with USA-made 1975 RI pickups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted June 23, 2018 Share Posted June 23, 2018 (edited) This Fender Japan JB-75 on Far East Guitars also has JB-72M in the neck pocket (see pic about halfway down) - http://fareastguitars.jp/fj_jb75-90_3ts_mij_s029/fj_jb75-90_3ts_page.html And this thread on TB mentions the same curiosity - https://www.talkbass.com/threads/fender-jb-mij-75-ri-a-b-serial-1985-86-but-stamped-as-late-90s-jazz-bass.657437/ Sounds like it's normal for a JB-75 and the odd JB-72 pocket stamp is just a mystery! Edited June 23, 2018 by ikay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 I do like white block inlays on a maple fretboard 😎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 I've had a few of these and they were available for sale new in music shops in the late 90s (when I started playing). The Fender serial number site isn't correct. You have to ask why they would bother reissuing a 10 year old guitar in 1986 anyway! I've had loads of quirky Fender guitars and basses, and the logic you assume would be there isn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EliasMooseblaster Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 Did anyone else click onto this thread hoping that the "Japan Confusion" might be an exciting new design by Fender? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pea Turgh Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 1 hour ago, EliasMooseblaster said: Did anyone else click onto this thread hoping that the "Japan Confusion" might be an exciting new design by Fender? Yes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted June 28, 2018 Author Share Posted June 28, 2018 It's an easy mistake to make - you're getting mixed up with the new Fender China Confucius bass 😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.