Legit Fender American?

[YRAG87]

Hi all. First post in a while...if at all. 
bit of back story for context. I listed my fender MIM mustang for sale on eBay because I had a chance of buying back a fender MIM Jazz I sold back in 2014. It held a lot of sentimental value plus it played exceptionally. I sold it to buy a buggy for my first child. Silly when I look back but at the time essential. I wasn't playing at all back then really. 
fast forward anyways. The deal fell through. He decided he didn't want to sell after all. 
but as it happens a nice guy on eBay messaged and asked if I'd be interested in a trade. I love a trade!! 
he offered a 2010 Sunburst Fender MIA Jazz bass American special. 
I was after a jazz again anyway so I said straight swap or more. I'm a bit poor lately especially with Xmas around the corner. He said extra his way or he would be happy if I paid his train ticket from London to Southampton. Few messages. Few videos back and forth. We were both happy with the deal so he came down this weekend. We each looked over the respective instruments and were satisfied with the deal so we swapped and parted ways. 
 

now...I'm not expert but I've seen my fair share of basses. I've NEVER played an American made fender. I've seen them and never thought they commanded the money compared to a MIM. 

I'm certain it's genuine. But to me the tuners don't seem better than the mex I just gave away. Local guitar shop thinks I've got a good deal. Just wondering what you guys think. 
1- is it legit? 
2- is MIM to MIA a good trade? 
 

thanks guys 

[gjones]

American Specials were a mix of parts manufactured partly in the USA and partly in Mexico. . They used to be called the Californian Series and then changed the name to American Special, then to The Highway One series. Fender do this from time to time.

 

They were sold for a price somewhere between the cost of a MIM and USA bass.

 

I have a friend who owns a Californian Series Strat and it plays and sounds great.

Edited yesterday at 10:37 by gjones

[snorkie635]

I'd say you have a good deal there. Looks great to me. Enjoy.

[Grahambythesea]

I suppose you could check the serial number?

[YRAG87]

24 minutes ago, Grahambythesea said:

I suppose you could check the serial number?

I've checked the S/N. It ties up. My worry was the neck could be legit but the body could be an affinity for all I know 😂 

[Dan Dare]

It's a bit late to worry if you've already done the trade.. If the bass does the job for you, just enjoy it.

[Reggaebass]

I remember when they came out, nice jazz, the special also had the Greasebucket tone circuit 

[YRAG87]

1 hour ago, Dan Dare said:

It's a bit late to worry if you've already done the trade.. If the bass does the job for you, just enjoy it.

I'm not saying I think it's fake. I'm pretty certain it's the real deal. Just like some other  like minded opinions. 

[jonno1981]

Looks legit. I remember these. Fender were getting slated at the cost of the USA standard, so they brought out a cheaper us model with a gloss finish. No hard case, some cost saving measures but a made in USA tag!

If it was an affinity body it wouldn’t have the truss rod access at the body end. Enjoy your bass. 

Edited 19 hours ago by jonno1981

[Happy Jack]

Mind you, if it turns out to be illegit then it'll be a right bastard ...

[Dan Dare]

1 hour ago, YRAG87 said:

I'm not saying I think it's fake. I'm pretty certain it's the real deal. Just like some other  like minded opinions. 

 

If you like it and then find it may not be as it seems, that'll take the gilt off the gingerbread for you. In your shoes, I'd avoid diving down the rabbit hole. If the serial checks out, just have fun with it.

 

Nowt wrong with MIM Fenders, anyway, especially for the money. I have a MIM P Bass Special (P/J) that does the job as well as any instrument I own.

[Reggaebass]

That looks genuine to me, the only thing that might have been changed is the pickguard, didn’t the sunburst come with a white one?, I can’t exactly remember now it was a long time back, I briefly had an Olympic white one 

[jezzaboy]

I sold a US Special P bass on here a few years back for around £650 and I could have sold it 3 times over. They are decent basses and a MIM Mustang generally goes for around £550 so I reckon you got a good deal. And as above it looks genuine.

[Lozz196]

I’d say genuine, and from what I’ve read a good range of basses so a good score. Agree with the thoughts of changed pickguard.

[fretmeister]

I had a P bass from that series and it was a very nice instrument. The bodies are a little thinner than on a full USA one, but that means a slightly lower weight and I really like that. The necks on the Precision version were also a little thinner front to back.

 

I only sold mine because at the time I was almost always playing a J type so it was gathering dust.

 

The only think I'd upgrade on them would be the tuning heads - they are the same as a MIM and although serviceable, improvements are available. I put Hipshot Ultralites on mine and got the weight down further in the process.