dlloyd

I might be able to do better than I thought. I took lessons with jazz guitarist John Whyte for about 6 months He played with jazz trumpeter Jimmy Deuchar in the 1980s Jimmy Deuchar toured with Lionel Hampton in 1956 Lionel Hampton played with Charles Mingus

[quote name='ThomBassmonkey' post='857084' date='Jun 4 2010, 12:14 PM']It wouldn't surprise me if they actually ARE non-export Fenders with a different decal. Tokai make various guitars for various big manufacturers, including Fender Telecasters.[/quote] That's what I was trying to say! Amazing what a difference a decal can make... Ishibashi have this 1981 Greco strat for sale on ebay for £350: Not bad considering it's exactly the same guitar as a JV Squier, which in strat form can go for more than twice as much.

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='856752' date='Jun 4 2010, 12:57 AM']I have found a good soak of lemon oil over a couple of days swells the fretboard back up and you are good to go. Has been fairly dramatic on an abused guitar.[/quote] I'll give this a go first... it's not like the frets are protruding far, so it could well make enough difference. If not, I'll take it to a decent luthier. Dan Ehrlwine (sp) details how to do it in his book, but there's sufficient scope for me making a mess of it that I'll take it to a pro.

The Japanese ones are excellent, and are essentially non-export CIJ Fenders with a different decal (may be some hardware differences). I have no knowledge of Chinese Tokais.

I once found a Kay electric guitar at a car boot sale... Looked cool, but completely unplayable. It had about a two inch action at the final fret. The guy wanted £60 for it... he reckoned it was worth that because Eric Clapton played one (!)

A tenuous 6, from an abortive jam/drinking session with former members of Prince's band in Rome a few years back. Probably doesn't count.

[quote name='discreet' post='855025' date='Jun 2 2010, 04:08 PM']This according to the book '101 Bass Tips' by Gary Willis: 1. Wind the strings into a circle small enough to fit into the pan you're using. 2. Boil in regular tap water for 15 minutes. 3. Carefully remove and dry with a clean towel (not paper towels). 4. Wrap in foil and perforate with a fork to let air circulate. 5. Preheat oven to lowest temperature possible. 6. Dry in oven for 15 mins. 7. Reinstall strings for that bright 'almost new' sound. I would have thought drying in the oven would solve any rust issues, but I haven't tried it yet, tbh. Edit: Spelling.[/quote] I used to do that, but I can't for the life of me think why you'd bother with the foil.

[quote name='chris_b']I think that Brenda Holloway only recorded on the West Coast. Sounds very "subdued" for JJ.[/quote] I don't know how accurate it is, but I found this on a website... [quote]A peripheral figure in the company's history, Brenda made the trek from Los Angeles to Detroit to record, working with producers Smokey Robinson, Mickey Stevenson, Henry Cosby, Frank Wilson, and label boss Berry Gordy.[/quote] [url="http://supersoulsisters.blogspot.com/2009/03/brenda-holloway-very-best-1999.html"]http://supersoulsisters.blogspot.com/2009/...-best-1999.html[/url] [quote name='Mykesbass' post='854893' date='Jun 2 2010, 02:27 PM']remains as one of her most memorable moments with the label and a stellar performance from the Funk Brothers on backing.[/quote] Looks like it could be him.

Thanks to another thread, I've been listening to some old Northern Soul stuff and I stumbled over this... The track is Brenda Holloway's "Reconsider", which was recorded by Motown, but never officially released... It's a great song, no idea why they didn't release it. Is the bassist James Jamerson? Sure sounds like him.

The Hal Leonard books are great. Try this one for a starter... [url="http://www.amazon.com/Leonard-Bass-Method-Easy-Use/dp/0793563836"]http://www.amazon.com/Leonard-Bass-Method-...e/dp/0793563836[/url]

[quote name='velvetkevorkian' post='854298' date='Jun 1 2010, 11:07 PM']The Novax patent ([url="http://www.google.com/patents?id=yektAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA2&dq=4,852,450&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=3#v=onepage&q&f=false"]here[/url]) only covers one method of laying out the frets, using lines coming from a single point. There are simpler ways of doing it (mark the fretspaces on the longest and shortest strings then join them), while the concept of fanned frets per se has been around since the Renaissance ([url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orpharion"]link[/url]).[/quote] In any case, the lifetime of a patent is 20 years and that one was filed in 1989.

[quote name='Duckyincarnate' post='853447' date='Jun 1 2010, 11:40 AM']I am sure the seller will chime in but keep in mind it has a gigbag, new strings, an adjustable bridge and set-up work done, which easily puts you in the bracket of the asking price.[/quote] Unfortunately, that's not how the market for used, recently-manufactured basses works. IMHO (which might not be welcome), £1,200 is considerably more than the seller is going to be able to get for this bass.

[quote name='OldGit' post='853353' date='Jun 1 2010, 10:14 AM']Wise words but, as has been pointed out many times, the Japanese JV (Japan Vintage) series basses from 82-84 were so good that Fender had to raise their QC game in the US. The US managers were allegedly crying at how good these "cheap foreign reproductions" were compared to the "real deal" coming out of California.[/quote] This article is fascinating... [quote]Turning the CBS-controlled Fender around was a bit more problematic. It began in 1981, when two of Fender's executives - president Bill Schultz and V.P. Roger Balmer - decided that they'd had enough of hearing of the glory days of the pre-CBS era. Their first step was to bring in Dan Smith from Yamaha and make him head of Fender's guitar division. Smith knew of the high regard players had of the pre-CBS Fenders, and their even lower regard for the '70s equivalents. Smith, Schultz, and Balmer consulted with some of the key employees of the pre-CBS Fender era, including designer Freddie Tavares, pickup winder Gail Paz, and final assembly inspector Gloria Fuentes, each of whom had over 20 years experience at Fender. And John Page was also brought in; he would later lead Fender's renowned Custom Shop. The initial goal wasn't so much to make an obvious reissue line, but to make Strats and Teles that were closer to their original specs. "One of the first changes Dan Smith made was to revise the overall specs of the Strat," said Tony Bacon, the author of 50 Years of Fender (Backbeat Books). "And Bill Schultz recommended a program of investment, primarily to modernize the factory. This meant production was virtually stopped while new machinery was installed and staff re-trained." Simultaneously, Schultz suggested making Fenders in Japan. "Fender's sales were being hammered by oriental copies," Bacon added. "And Schultz figured that as the copyists made their biggest profits at home in Japan, that was the best place to hit back by making and selling Fenders there. "The new management team planned for Fender, in effect, to copy itself by re-creating the '50s and '60s guitars that were responsible for what remained of Fender's reputation," said Bacon. "That's where the Vintage Reissue series came in."[/quote] This part is particularly funny... [quote]Advertising for the reissues began in mid 1982, but even there it wasn't entirely smooth sailing. "When Fender introduced the vintage series in the earliest vintage replica catalog, it was really rather hilarious," said George Gruhn. "If you get out a magnifying glass or have good eyesight, and you look at the rear-view picture of the vintage Stratocaster reissue, you can read the brand name on the back of the tuners. It says 'Tokai'! "It would appear that Fender didn't have their own thing ready, and they simply photographed a Tokai vintage replica Strat and either superimposed or stuck the Fender name on the peghead for the catalog and ran with it," he added. "But sure enough, the tuners say Tokai on them."[/quote]

[quote name='p58' post='853220' date='Jun 1 2010, 07:48 AM']I think he told me it was used. I see - they sell used, but they don´t sell new.[/quote] The rules laid down by Fender are specifically about new instruments. I too have a non-export Fender that was bought used from Ishibashi (by the previous owner). Ishibashi have also recently (last few months) stopped selling used instruments via their website and only sell a smaller selection through their ebay shop.

My new old jazz has scratchy fret ends, presumably from wood shrinkage. How should I deal with it?

[quote name='MacDaddy' post='851392' date='May 29 2010, 07:51 PM']still not sure what the legal battle was. The bass was stolen property, as such by law - even US law - it should be returned to the rightful owner, which unless Jaco specified otherwise would be the family [/quote] Unless Jaco gave it away or sold it during a manic episode.

[quote name='p58' post='852982' date='May 31 2010, 09:15 PM']I´m not very sure with this. a friend of mine bought from ishibashi few months ago this [/quote] Was it new or used?

As a (related) aside, how much would a 1982 Tokai Jazz bass set me back? (related as in the early 1980s Tokais et al inspired Fender to begin production in Japan... [url="http://www.vintageguitar.com/features/brands/details.asp?AID=1195"]http://www.vintageguitar.com/features/bran...ls.asp?AID=1195[/url] )

[quote name='KevinJazzBass' post='852834' date='May 31 2010, 06:57 PM']Hi guys, I'm really interested in getting myself a JV Jazz bass because I love jazz basses and I've heard about how great these basses are to play. I think that alot of sellers set their prices way too way high based upon reputation, condition and how rare these instruments are becoming, up to £1200 if you want one from our German ebay friend or generally between £600 and £950 from private sellers on ebay and on here. However I have been looking around in the internet I and I cant seem to find much evidence of buyers ever paying much more than around £550 and most basses not selling because of the seller wanting too much. Am I missing something?? I guess the real question is, is the bass really worth it once you have played it. Im going to try a JV jazz tomorrow. It is a 1983 in real nice condition and I have managed to knock the seller down to £750, however I cant help feeling i still might be getting ripped off. Am I really be able to sell this bass on without losing alot of £££ or will it even go up in value? What do you guys think? Any advice would be very much appreciated. Thanks Kev[/quote] I wouldn't pay that much for one.

[quote name='stewartmusic' post='852058' date='May 30 2010, 07:57 PM']BUMP price reduction to 1200 ONO come on there has to be someone interesed on a great deal?? dara[/quote] Thomann sell them new for £850

As far as I know, the following are export CIJ models: Sting Precision Steve Harris Precision Marcus Miller Jazz Aerodyne Jazz (not the one with the pickguard) Geddy Lee Jazz Um... that's all I can think of. Feel free to add some more.

[quote name='p58' post='852668' date='May 31 2010, 02:49 PM']that´s not good how can you find out what bass is non-export? I´ve tried to use translator, but it did´t work very well[/quote] Very few are available for export nowadays. Mexico have taken over most of the export market. You might have to trail through price lists for a definitive list.

[quote name='bh2' post='850974' date='May 29 2010, 10:53 AM']I especially like... [url="http://www.ikebe-gakki.com/shopping/goods/goods_detail.php?offset=12&category_id=2&sub_category_id=19&brand=70&view=1&count=12&sort=1&search_status=1&id=159555"]http://www.ikebe-gakki.com/shopping/goods/...1&id=159555[/url] Around £800[/quote] At current exchange rates, it's not that far off £800 (132.703 Yen to the Pound) = £791.24 But add 14,000 yen for postage, 3.9% import tax, 17.5% VAT and £20 handling fee and you're already past £1,100. And it's a non-export model, so they won't sell you it anyway... unless you go and pick it up in person.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='852545' date='May 31 2010, 01:01 PM']My guitarist's got a JV strat (but his Squier logo has been scruffily removed) and I really don't like it. The neck is like a baseball bat. Nowhere near the quality of some of the '80s Tokai strats I've played. I don't buy into the hype with these.[/quote] The Tokais are great instruments. Of course, a lot of them come with a Fender logo now. [quote]Q4: Since when does Tokai Gakki produce Fender Japan guitars, and will this cooperation continue? Do you make all available models in Japan, or are there some models that you outsource to your or other Korean partners? A4: We started to make guitars for Fender Japan 8 years ago (1998). All of the guitars are made in our factory, Japan. One other factory, Daita Gakki, is making guitars for Fender Japan. So we do not make some of the models of Fender Japan. They export some of them. But we do not.[/quote] [url="http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=4434"]http://www.tokaiforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=4434[/url]

[quote name='ThomBassmonkey' post='852512' date='May 31 2010, 12:19 PM']Just wondering, if the VMJ, MIM and MIA jazzes all had the same electrics and hardware, how would they compare? Because the difference to me is that once you've bought a VMJ and put in the upgrades you can with parts that're better than a MIA (subjective, but having your own choice of pups/bridge etc) it'd still be a fair bit less. Is the wood in the body and neck so much better?[/quote] The way to answer this is to try them out for yourself in the shop without an amplifier, and pay attention to how they feel and sound. Then consider whether it's worth spending £230 on a bass (Squier VMJ), then throwing £40 for a new bridge, £75 for tuners, £20 on pots and shielding, £100 on pickups (costs of Fender replacement parts). I'd consider a used CIJ Fender.