NBD: Squier JV Jazz Bass

[BassAgent]

Last Sunday, this bass appeared on the Dutch marketplace website. Within an hour, I was driving an hour and a half to pick it up for a ridiculous price. The owner didn't really know what it was, I guess. He said he got higher bids when I was on my way, but as I was already on my way and was the first, I got it for my original bid. When I arrived, it looked less mint than on the photos. It was mainly dirty and had been in a case for years and years. The strings were ancient, too, and the neck pickup didn't seem to work. So I even got a bit off the price and took it home. It just felt right.

 

Cleaned it today, gave it some new strings, a good setup and it's a great bass. The neck pickup does work, but the pot is a bit wonky. Might replace that, might not. I might sell it, might not. It has a great Jaco vibe to it. The first sunburst Jazz I've ever owned that I really like (not a fan of sunburst in general).

 

I have one question: I understand the date of course, but what does the stamp on the heel mean?

 

 

 

[HeadlessBassist]

I never liked sunburst finishes either, until I discovered the proper burst finish with a lot more red in it and barely any yellow. Now for me, it’s THE Jazz bass colour scheme. Sunburst/Tort cannot be beaten! 

 

The "EX T" marking on the heel of a Squier JV (Japan Vintage) bass neck likely indicates an export model, specifically for the Japanese market. The "EX" likely refers to "export," and the "T" might denote a specific model or variant within the export line. 

 

It looks like a really nice bass for 1983. Congrats on scoring a lovely bass for what I hope was a bargain purchase for you  

 

Here’s my American Original. Sunburst for the win!

 

 

Edited Tuesday at 16:22 by HeadlessBassist

[Misdee]

Very nice bass.

 

I had an identical Squire JV Jazz Bass that I bought new in 1983. It was a lovely bass that, with the balance of hindsight, I should have kept. I could have had forty+ years good service out of it and I'm sure I'd still enjoy playing it now. It was the bass I made my most important progress on in learning to play and will always have a special place in my heart.

 

These were considered very good affordable basses at the time, I suppose the equivalent of something like a Sire bass nowadays, but no one remotely suspected they would ever become desirable vintage guitars in their own right. I expect the fact that they were pretty faithful reproductions of old Fender basses with attention to detail is what has made them special.

 

Edited 17 hours ago by Misdee

[GuyR]

Great basses, well done for getting a bargain.

Looks much better without the ghastly scratchplate!!

Good to hear about a stand-up seller