Musky

[url="http://www.wdmusic.com/musicman_reg_style_bass_bridge_24411_prd1.htm"]http://www.wdmusic.com/musicman_reg_style_..._24411_prd1.htm[/url] Maybe you could email them about the exact dimensions.

I guess everyone's thinking along the same lines here - it's a domestic Fender Japan. Like Warkwickhunt says though, the difference is really just in the logo (and of course any perceived values). Domestic japanese Fenders later went over to Squier logos as well.

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='42361' date='Aug 7 2007, 10:46 AM']As you rightly state Musky, common sense dictates that there will be no difference between the Jap 'Fenders' of the day and the first series Squiers, as they were surely made in the same factory by the same employees. However, common sense doesn't apply when applied to the pricing of guitars, especially 'collectors instruments'. As it is, a large Fender/small Squier logo bass is worth more than a genuine Jap Fender from that identical period. Regardless of which is the better player![/quote] Ahh, see what you mean. I think these things are still amazing bargains, no matter what it says on the headstock, and I'd go for one over a similar era US Fender (which would likely cost more) every time. Incidentally, the squierjv.info site now seems to have been moved over to www.21frets.com

There's little difference between a Jap Fender and a Squier from this era, as far as I know, certainly in terms of quality. Correct me if I'm wrong here, but I thought Fender Japan were making instruments just before they were made available in the West (specifically Europe, initially). They impressed the head honchos at Fender so much that they were then exported, with a Fender logo for the first series and later with the Squier logo. Domestic Japanese instruments followed suit with the logos. The most confusing thing in terms of domestic squiers is that they were available in a wider range, and at a variety of price points - although I think that affects guitars more than basses. The squierjv.info site has a lot of information on JVs, both domestic and export.

[quote name='Bernmeister' post='41847' date='Aug 6 2007, 10:41 AM']Ooops i think the link is too long to work, but looking at the pics it maybe a jap export model. On my jv pbass mine has large squier logo with a small by fender logo unfortunately the previous owner swopped the chrome hardware for black which included the serial plate too so the only original parts are the headstock,frets, neck & the body. But its still a beaut to play [/quote] I think it's the other way round - it's a non export model. Or to put it another way, it's a japanese domestic model - there's no sign of an 'EX' stamp.

Wow, this guy has been really going for it [url="http://search-completed.ebay.co.uk/search/search.dll?sofocus=so&sbrftog=1&from=R10&satitle=&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sadis=200&fpos=WC2B+4AH&sabfmts=1&saobfmts=insif&fis=2&ga10244=10425&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&seller=1&sass=richard_patterson&so=Show+Items&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D1&coaction=compare&copagenum=1&coentrypage=search"]http://search-completed.ebay.co.uk/search/...ntrypage=search[/url] All copied, of course.

[quote name='beerdragon' post='41294' date='Aug 4 2007, 04:03 PM']Proof that you have never seen it all [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-PRO-ELECTRIC-BANJO-WITH-FRETLESS-BASS-2-INPUT-JACKS_W0QQitemZ190133602461QQihZ009QQcategoryZ10177QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-PRO-ELECTRIC-BAN...oQQcmdZViewItem[/url][/quote] Probably not as weird as the fact that 6 people wanted it!

And here's the ad he ripped off his listing from [url="http://www.gumtree.com/london/51/11049651.html"]http://www.gumtree.com/london/51/11049651.html[/url]

I just had a look at my 73 P bass and Squier silver series, and though the size is about the same the radiusing is slightly different - most noticeable on the curve just below the 'ball' at the top of the headstock. On the squier the corner by the logo and the heel on the tuner side are both slightly sharper. Nothing that immediately leaps out at you though.

[quote name='99ster' post='41214' date='Aug 4 2007, 10:23 AM']I have to agree - this one just smells bad. The 'feedback' is just bizarre! Scammer? For sure.[/quote] Typical scammer trick - buy loads of low value items to bump up your feedback rating and hope bidders don't actually bother to check the feedback. Interesting approach using almost exclusively private auctions though. Must watch out for that in future.

Blimey! That's a beauty. How much was it, if you don't mind me asking?

I'll take a stab at this and say it's a JB 355 - it should have the code in the neck pocket, and maybe on the end of the neck itself. If you take off the 'guard I bet you'll find a screw hole just above the centre of the front pick up and a couple of holes for a pickup cover too. If you do take off the neck you'll probably find a date as well. It was a budget model at the time (335 referring to the price in yen), but they're fairly well regarded basses. They were 60's reissues (hence the grounding strip and strap button on the neck, and lack of skunk strip) but nowhere near as accurate as the slightly earlier JVs. The body is probably alder, as I'd expect basswood to be far more dented, given the battering yours has taken. The logo is a bit odd though - I'd usually expect to see Squier there. It may be that someone has changed the logo, but it's more likely it was produced for the Japanese domestic market, as the serial isn't on the headstock either. As for value, not that much I'm afraid - maybe £250 for a tidy example.

Just a thought - what are the fonts used in our banner?

I can vouch for the Aria Cardinal series as well. I tried one of these in the 80's when I couldn't get my own bass to a rehearsal. I must have been an hour in before I had to ask if it was a short scale bass - it took a lot longer for me to admit to myself that it was actually a better instrument than my precision (US). In the intervening years I bought myself a CSB300, and I'm using it more than any of my others. So it's not really a great leap from a 34" to a 32" scale, though obviously the differences are there in both sound and reach.

[quote name='Bassassin' post='32172' date='Jul 15 2007, 07:24 PM']I think Bottomfeed's student's bass probably has a neck from something else. The bridge looks different, too - possibly repositioned to accommodate a longer scale. J.[/quote] I think his bass is actually stock. If you go to the [url="http://www.watkinsguitars.co.uk/othersolids.htm"]Other Guitars page[/url] and scroll halfway down, there's a 12 string Emerald there with the same styling, headstock and all. Then if you go to the bottom of the page there are pictures of some guitars badged 'Espana', which they think [i]may[/i] be rebadged WEM. There's a bass there that is identical to bottomfeed's, bar the logo and a bridge cover.

[quote name='PauBass' post='33576' date='Jul 18 2007, 01:27 PM'] Both Items are no longer available, they have been removed. A bit weird, don't you think?[/quote] Not really - I reported him a few hours ago, as all his instrument listings were copied off gumtree. I'm just a little surprised that ebay were so quick in removing him. [url="http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/peter_mcdavies/"]http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/peter_mcdavies/[/url]

Many of these basses have been advertised on London Gumtree for a while now, all from someone in Finchley. The seller has his phone number there, as well as the fact that they can be viewed at a guitar shop. The Precision - [url="http://www.gumtree.com/london/44/8115444.html"]http://www.gumtree.com/london/44/8115444.html[/url] The 75 Strat he's 'selling' is from someone else though, also on Gumtree - [url="http://www.gumtree.com/london/52/9703252.html"]http://www.gumtree.com/london/52/9703252.html[/url] . Different phone number. And the Modulus is being sold by someone in Ruislip - [url="http://www.gumtree.com/london/14/8046614.html"]http://www.gumtree.com/london/14/8046614.html[/url] Steer well clear.

Personally, I wouldn't touch this guy's auctions with a barge pole. While he might genuinely believe the telebass is a Fender, there's no way he's had this guitar since 1974. The guy is an outright liar. [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FENDER-1970S-STRATOCASTER_W0QQitemZ200127989926QQihZ010QQcategoryZ33039QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZQQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FENDER-1970S-STRATOC...1QQcmdZViewItem[/url]

Met up with Jim on Friday afternoon to pickup the Epiphone, and have to say what a lovely chap he is. Thoroughly painless transaction, and the bass is exactly as he described. Good on you Sir!

It's not OTT for a JV, but the mods he's made seriously devalue the bass - despite his claims, the jazz pickup isn't stock. JV's were very period correct replicas and the quality of them was very high, probably better than the US counterparts of the time. Shark finger posted about this bass [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2713"]here.[/url]

[quote name='Bald Eagle' post='31943' date='Jul 14 2007, 11:41 PM']I've got one no bull, it's in a bad way was given to me with a p bass, it's been hand painted blue it's in the loft and it's well crusty, is it worth a mint then [/quote] Seriously? It's like buses - none turn up for ages, then a couple turn up at once! Got a picture?

If you look on the guitar page you'll find an Emerald 12 string - they note that they don't know if 6 strings or basses were ever produced. Looks like you'll be able to clue them in. It might well be worth a few bob to collector.

I don't see that it's any kind of scam really. The guy's clearly describing what it is, and not suggesting that it's got any age - in fact he says he bought it for his band and only used it once, which if anything is saying it's virtually new. And a starting price of about 30% off Thomann's price is quite reasonable. There's no accounting for what people will pay though - that's entirely down to them to do their own homework.