Two guitars dilema

[Itamar]

Hello,

 

I start to play bass and I have two nice offers:

 

1. Fender Japan Hybrid II Precision Bass VWH 2021

2. Fender Japan PB70 from 2012

both have the original pickups. 
 

I saw there was a “golden era” around 2012, although I trust the Japanese also nowadays.

 

my dilemma is that the 2021 model is newer.

 

should I buy the 2012 model and replace pickups? The built quality is very important to me.

[Doctor J]

"Golden era" is generally a load of s***e used in ads to make the seller's instrument appear better than the countless other versions of the same instrument available, but it is entirely made up. There hasn't been a bad era of Japanese instruments, they have been consistently excellent since the late 70's.

 

If you can, try both instruments and see which you prefer. If you can't, pick one and don't approach owning it with the notion that something needs to be replaced before you even get your hands on it. Play it, get to know it. If something isn't working out then, by all means, consider replacing parts but at least play it first and understand what needs to be replaced and why.

[warwickhunt]

17 minutes ago, Itamar said:

I saw there was a “golden era” around 2012, although I trust the Japanese also nowadays.

 

I'm not sure I've ever heard of a 'Golden Era' for Fender pups, other than vintage pups were hand wound and there was variance.  Stock pups in most instruments are pretty much mass produced, machine wound and don't vary.  You do get certain instruments with specific installs but a MiJ 2012 bass it'll be bog standard.

 

<edit>

 

@Doctor J beat me to it. 

 

Edited yesterday at 08:09 by warwickhunt

[Steve Browning]

I would check out the PB70 first. Look on the back of the neck and see whther it has smaller tuner plates or larger. If they're larger (bigger than the Hybrid), I'd go with that, it's the PBUS model and has an alder body.

 

I've not owned a Hybrid but I know the neck of the PB70 very well. It's my favourite and falls between a 'standard' Precision and a Jazz.

 

However, if you can try both, buy the one that feels best. You can't go wrong with Fender Japaan.

[Itamar]

1 hour ago, Steve Browning said:

I would check out the PB70 first. Look on the back of the neck and see whther it has smaller tuner plates or larger. If they're larger (bigger than the Hybrid), I'd go with that, it's the PBUS model and has an alder body.

 

I've not owned a Hybrid but I know the neck of the PB70 very well. It's my favourite and falls between a 'standard' Precision and a Jazz.

Hello, I checked in the pictures and the PB70's tuner plates are larger.

Although they are both alder body. What's special in the "US"?

 

Another thing worth mentioning, on the 2021 neck there’s 75 anniversary sign, are there any benefits?

 

And I kept your both advices on feeling them. 

Edited yesterday at 09:51 by Itamar

[Steve Browning]

The larger plates denote a model that has US hardware and a US spec pickup. It is alder where the other models are basswood. 

 

Enjoy whichever you choose. 

[Lozz196]

The sensible option is to check each of them out, but if I were buying untried then given the PB70 has the US spec I’d go that way.

[Terry M.]

If you're just starting out on bass it will make precious little difference at this stage which of the two you choose. I would concentrate on learning the rudiments of the instrument first and foremost and less about pickups swaps etc. Asking for opinions on which bass to choose is largely a futile exercise as nobody will experience either choice the exact same way you will. Good luck in your bass endeavours ☺️

[Itamar]

Thanks Terry and Lozz.

[jd56hawk]

What are you playing now?

[Hellzero]

32 minutes ago, jd56hawk said:

What are you playing now?

He is starting to play, so certainly air bass... 😉

[Hellzero]

23 hours ago, Itamar said:

What's special in the "US"?

US means made in USA, which is supposed to be of higher standard, but that's certainly not true at all, especially with Japanese models being way better built with more overall consistency.

 

That said a US model will always resell easier at a higher price tag as most people don't buy trusting their ears, that's why early JV (Japan Vintage) models are so sought after.

[Steve Browning]

The US suffix doesn't mean US built. Fender Japan made a version using alder for the body (and ash in some cases) and US spec hardware. 

[Pea Turgh]

@HellzeroI thought JV stood for Joint Venture?

[gjones]

I've owned 5 Japanese Fenders and all of them have been excellent. (including a Japanese Squier from 1992). They have a reputation as having excellent quality control. Whichever one you choose I'm pretty sure it will be excellent. I never needed to change the pickups, as the ones installed were pretty good.

Edited 6 hours ago by gjones

[Beedster]

On 12/07/2025 at 09:07, Doctor J said:

There hasn't been a bad era of Japanese instruments, they have been consistently excellent since the late 70's.

 

This is the truth 👍

[Terry M.]

Just to also add that despite the worldwide brand recognition (Fender) you will lose nothing by considering other brands out there. 

[Mrbigstuff]

The USA Fenders did improve from 2012. Japan’s reputation has been consistently high since it started with the JV series.