Steve Browning

Large (I think a PBUS) Small (non-US) Different model but you see the difference in size, of the backplate.

They have a good stock but they do seem be quite pricey. I believe (and I said it elsewhere and can't remember if I was corrected), but the US ones have large back plate tuners, whereas the non-US ones have the smaller back plate version. The one shown here has the large plate tuners. They're what I use as a gauge.

A Google search of Fender Japan catalogues reveals that there is a PB70 in the 1992 catalogue. They may be earlier but I don't know. Honestly, ignore the age thing, it's irrelevant for Fender Japan. There's no pre-CBS/late 70's early 80's quality issues that beset Fender US. Similarly, if you want to go down the route of changing the logo, there are the lawsuit basses from Greco, Fernandes and Tokai (and others) that are of similar quality (many came out of the same factory before it went over to Squier production - this is the Squier that became Fender Japan, not the later models from other countries).

Can't recall the exact years but my two sunburst ones were 2006 and 2010. They were awesome and I'd have both back in a heartbeat.

Not sure, but there will be no difference in age. The CIJ/MIJ thing is meaningless in terms of any perceived difference in quality. The only difference of which I'm aware is that they did two versions. The PB70 is basswood (body) and Japanese spec parts, while the PBUS is alder (and some were ash - I had a gorgeous 3TS ash one) and had US spec parts. I would be very surprised if the last one made was any different to the first.

You can't go wrong with a Fender Japan bass. A 57 will be a maple board while the 62 or 70 will be rosewood. The 57 is wider at the nut with the 62 slightly less and the 70 a little less again. I much prefer the PB70 as the neck fits my hands so much better. It also has the TV logo you want (as it's called). Check out Bass Bros who regularly have these.

We tend to think of about another 25% here. Germany has VAT at 19% so pretty much the same calculation I would say.

Maybe his missus was ovulating?

Unhappily, I'm giggling in the land of the Picts at the time, so can't make it.

He was some guitar player, for sure.

Very generally 50s will be widest. 60s are next and 70s are the thinnest. My favourite is the B profile from the 70s, and late 60s. Pretty much between a 60s and a Jazz width. There are variations of course.

Couldn't agree more re Fender Japan. I've had several over the years and every one of them has been excellent. Superb build quality.

Here's the issue. Not quite Cecil B DeMille but you get the idea, hopefully. 20230815_071732.mp4

Well done. You spotted my deliberate mistake. The block is on the volume pot. I would presume the pickup wouldn't work if it was shorted. Silent was a poor term to use. I'll do a short video tomorrow and post it. I'm explaining it very badly.

Both parts of the pickup work. The one that connects to volume will hum when handled and the other one is silent.

I would be inclined to say no. I say that because it’s just in the cavity and don't see any deliberate attempt to earth it.

Hi collective. I wonder if someone can point me in the right direction on a problem that has me stumped. I am swapping out the pickup in my bitsa P-bass. I have a Lindy Fralin pickup that seems to have a earthing issue on the coil that has the white cable link to the other coil (which seems to have no issue) and then has the white cable to the volume pot. To give a complete picture, the cavity is completely lined with copper shielding tape. I am struggling to figure out how one coil has this issue when the other doesn't, and they're linked at the tone pot anyway. It's a Kiogon loom and the bridge earth and pickup earth are joined at the block as instructed. Any thoughts?

Like my favourite songs, this does change at times. Current selection would be: Arriving - Soulville - Ben Webster (a nod to my Dad, who was a phenomenal tenor player himself) Reflection - struggling to choose between Sarah McLachan - Angel, and Billy Joel - Lullabye (I have two daughters) Leaving - Widor - Organ Toccata (nice and loud!!) - I did play the church organ and this is a piece I managed to get a good way through (though never got to the end).

It is supposed to retail at around 1500 quid, according to a very reliable source. That's the agreement anyway.

I don't blame you in the slightest. I have imported stuff from Japan (and the US) in the past but somehow the EU presents a bit of a mental block as the extra 25% is a recent addition, and not something just factored in.