How to tell difference between Fender Japan "62JB" and "62JB-US?"

[bass-a-licious]

Hi fellow basschatters,

This is a question for the Fender Japan experts. How to tell VISUALLY difference between Fender Japan "62JB" and "62JB-US?".

I have found a nice bass second-hand, but I'm not sure about the version (bodywood and pu's).
I know that the specs differ: the US version uses alder (not basswood) and US pickups.

Is there any way you can tell which version it is, just by looking at it? Perhaps a slight difference in the decall, construction, screws, bridge etc?

Cheers,
Bass-a-licious

[chrisd24]

I have a standard jap 62 re issue and a non export and the only thing I can think of is the tuners,the ones on the non export (62jb-us) they are larger at tge bushings,basically they are the same size as the us ones,do you have any pics of the bass?

Btw I amby no means an expert on this and someone who actually knows what their talking about will be along shortly!

[Beedster]

A lot of MIJ basses have quite comprehensive info stamped in the neck pocket and possibly on the heel, how about taking off the neck and taking a look?

[xilddx]

Small tuner plates are often an easily spotted sign it's an export model, probably with a basswood body (not that these are in anyway bad sounding, they are very good). But don't have the higher spec of a non-export.

These should help you

[url="http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/jb62.html"]http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/jb62.html[/url]

[url="http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/jb62-us.html"]http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/jb62-us.html[/url]

Edited June 24, 2011 by silddx

[LukeFRC]

yeah but there's at least 3 different non export ranges so that doesn't help.

For recent ones (ie last 10 years or so) from what I have seen the US model has a spiral bridge, not sure on the non us version if it does. Easiest if you do take the neck off is just look at what type of wood is under there!

[bass-a-licious]

[quote name='silddx' post='1280721' date='Jun 24 2011, 12:18 PM']Small tuner plates are often an easily spotted sign it's an export model, probably with a basswood body (not that these are in anyway bad sounding, they are very good). But don't have the higher spec of a non-export.[/quote]

Indeed, I did some research on the web looking for the tuner plates. They seem to be smaller on the non US-models.

Taking off the neck is not a option for the seller.

Edited June 24, 2011 by bass-a-licious

[xilddx]

[quote name='bass-a-licious' post='1280726' date='Jun 24 2011, 11:24 AM']Indeed, I did some research on the web looking for the tuner plates. They seem to be smaller on the non US-models.

Taking off the neck is not a option for the seller.[/quote]
These should help you

[url="http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/jb62.html"]http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/jb62.html[/url]

[url="http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/jb62-us.html"]http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/jb62-us.html[/url]

[chrisd24]

"USA pickups equipped with serious tone and the characteristic deep, reverse roll pegs Maniac specifications"

that's what I thought

[Beedster]

[quote name='bass-a-licious' post='1280726' date='Jun 24 2011, 11:24 AM']Taking off the neck is not a option for the seller.[/quote]

That's deal over for me, the body/neck could be anything

[bigjohn]

[quote name='Beedster' post='1280778' date='Jun 24 2011, 11:49 AM']That's deal over for me, the body/neck could be anything[/quote]

This is true...

If I was still intent on buying regardless, I'd email the serial number to Fender Japan and ask them what it is...

[xilddx]

[quote name='Beedster' post='1280778' date='Jun 24 2011, 11:49 AM']That's deal over for me, the body/neck could be anything[/quote]
Really? On an MIJ Fender?

If I had someone asking me to do that on the MIJ Jazz I sold a couple of months ago I would assume they knew nowt or were a general PITA.

If it's a older or vintage USA fender then of course taking the the bass apart is a reasonable request, but not on a £500 Jap.

Also, how do you know the seller would know much about taking a neck off, or be trusting enough to let someone they've never met to do it for them. Most bassists are petrified of their own truss rods, let alone taking the neck off. This is a £500 bass, I think it's a completely unreasonable request and unlikely to yield anything useful.

Edited June 24, 2011 by silddx

[bigjohn]

[quote name='silddx' post='1280816' date='Jun 24 2011, 12:09 PM']Really? On an MIJ Fender?

If I had someone asking me to do that on the MIJ Jazz I sold a couple of months ago I would assume they knew nowt or were a general PITA.

If it's a older or vintage USA fender then of course taking the the bass apart is a reasonable request, but not on a £500 Jap.[/quote]


I'd think it was reasonable if I couldn't tell the buyer what wood the body was made of, or what model it is...

[bass-a-licious]

guys, let's not digress.

[xilddx]

[quote name='bigjohn' post='1280821' date='Jun 24 2011, 12:14 PM']I'd think it was reasonable if I couldn't tell the buyer what wood the body was made of, or what model it is...[/quote]
Really? It's a secondhand bass. Would you know everything about a car you were selling? It's a cheapish, recent, Japanese Fender bass for heaven's sake (nice drink that BTW), it's not worthy of your CSI investigation. Just look at those links I posted and compare the bass, check the serial number online, make sure the neck aand tronics are in good nick, you're done.

Hosestly, all this pissing about over a £500 Jap Fender

[xilddx]

[quote name='bass-a-licious' post='1280825' date='Jun 24 2011, 12:18 PM']guys, let's not digress.[/quote]
We are at liberty to digress a tiny bit because you have all the information you need now.

Give us front and rear photos and you will get a definitive answer most likely.

[xilddx]

[quote name='bass-a-licious' post='1280555' date='Jun 24 2011, 09:32 AM']Hi fellow basschatters,

[b]This is a question for the Fender Japan experts. How to tell VISUALLY difference between Fender Japan "62JB" and "62JB-US?".[/b]

I have found a nice bass second-hand, but I'm not sure about the version (bodywood and pu's).
I know that the specs differ: the US version uses alder (not basswood) and US pickups.

Is there any way you can tell which version it is, just by looking at it? Perhaps a slight difference in the decall, construction, screws, bridge etc?

Cheers,
Bass-a-licious[/quote]

(third time of posting )

These should help you

[url="http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/jb62.html"]http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/jb62.html[/url]

[url="http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/jb62-us.html"]http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/jb62-us.html[/url]

[bigjohn]

[quote name='silddx' post='1280826' date='Jun 24 2011, 12:18 PM']Really? It's a secondhand bass. Would you know everything about a car you were selling? It's a cheapish, recent, Japanese Fender bass for heaven's sake (nice drink that BTW), it's not worthy of your CSI investigation. Just look at those links I posted and compare the bass, check the serial number online, make sure the neck aand tronics are in good nick, you're done.

Hosestly, all this pissing about over a £500 Jap Fender [/quote]


For me, knowing it's a 5 minute (if that) job to take the neck off and put it back on, it's a bit of a no-brainer. IF the seller didn't want me to, despite me sitting there with a screwdriver and £500 in used notes, I'd probably be thinking twice about it.

Similar to buying a second hand car where the seller was disinclined to let me look at the state of the oil, or take it for a drive.


Check the photos out [url="http://kenji-cij.blogspot.com/2008/11/jb62-us-3ts.html"]here[/url]... should help...

Edited June 24, 2011 by bigjohn

[xilddx]

[quote name='bigjohn' post='1280911' date='Jun 24 2011, 12:58 PM']For me, knowing it's a 5 minute (if that) job to take the neck off and put it back on, it's a bit of a no-brainer. IF the seller didn't want me to, despite me sitting there with a screwdriver and £500 in used notes, I'd probably be thinking twice about it.

Similar to buying a second hand car where the seller was disinclined to let me look at the state of the oil, or take it for a drive.


[b]Check the photos out [url="http://kenji-cij.blogspot.com/2008/11/jb62-us-3ts.html"]here[/url]... should help...[/b][/quote]

That's almost certainly a non-export Jap US spec - large tuner plates, USA Vintage sticker, spiral saddles (can't tell for sure without taking the neck off )

Looks very nice and as it's new, going to cost well over a grand to import it. I wanted a JB-66 and that would have cost me over £1,100 to get it here from Japan with fees and duties.

[bass-a-licious]

I've asked for a pic of the tuner plates. Let's wait and see.

Bridge pic below. Looks like it has smooth barrels.

Edited June 24, 2011 by bass-a-licious

[ThomBassmonkey]

I would never let a buyer take the neck off a bass I was selling, neither would I want to do it myself.

If the buyer handed over the money, he's welcome to then take the neck off and if it's not what I said it was, I'd let him re-attach the neck and assuming it's back in it's original condition, he'd get his money straight back if he wanted.

I would never let someone I don't know do something as major as take the neck off one of [b]my[/b] basses, whatever the circumstance. Though by the same token, I would never buy a £500 bass that I didn't know all the information about so there'd never be any need to remove the neck to identify one of my basses.

[bigjohn]

[quote name='ThomBassmonkey' post='1281005' date='Jun 24 2011, 02:05 PM']I would never let a buyer take the neck off a bass I was selling, neither would I want to do it myself.

If the buyer handed over the money, he's welcome to then take the neck off and if it's not what I said it was, I'd let him re-attach the neck and assuming it's back in it's original condition, he'd get his money straight back if he wanted.

I would never let someone I don't know do something as major as take the neck off one of [b]my[/b] basses, whatever the circumstance. Though by the same token, I would never buy a £500 bass that I didn't know all the information about so there'd never be any need to remove the neck to identify one of my basses.[/quote]


It's all a bit pointless this discussion isn't it?!

I'd understand if I was buying a bass from you that you didn't want me to take the neck off... but if you didn't know what the body was made of and I wanted to know what it was before I bought it... are you seriously telling me that you'd say no to my request?

And that you really consider taking the neck off as major? considering the time you'd (and we) would have already spent investigating serial numbers and comparing photographs and getting forums involved trying to ascertain the model and type of wood?

I'd tell you to do one

[bass-a-licious]

Everybody thank you for your input.

So, the sum it up. In order to visually determine the "non export US"-version there might be two signs: the spiral bridge barrels and the large tuner plates.
(Thanks silddx for your links to the Fender Japan website).

[xilddx]

[quote name='bass-a-licious' post='1281024' date='Jun 24 2011, 02:23 PM']Everybody thank you for your input.

So, the sum it up. In order to visually determine the "non export US"-version there might be two signs: the spiral bridge barrels and the large tuner plates.
(Thanks silddx for your links to the Fender Japan website).[/quote]
Don't rely on the sprial bridge. Quite often they do special runs and could put something else on. My JB62RI had a Badass and a matched CAR headstock. The tuner plates are a more reliable test.

The bridge in your pic looks to have brass saddles, could be a good sign.

[xilddx]

This is a standard looking 62 RI and the pics are large and very clear for your comparison to the one you might buy. John's who I bought mine from. [url="http://www.fareastguitars.co.uk/usedjb5.htm"]http://www.fareastguitars.co.uk/usedjb5.htm[/url]

[ThomBassmonkey]

[quote name='bigjohn' post='1281014' date='Jun 24 2011, 02:13 PM']It's all a bit pointless this discussion isn't it?!

I'd understand if I was buying a bass from you that you didn't want me to take the neck off... but if you didn't know what the body was made of and I wanted to know what it was before I bought it... are you seriously telling me that you'd say no to my request?

And that you really consider taking the neck off as major? considering the time you'd (and we) would have already spent investigating serial numbers and comparing photographs and getting forums involved trying to ascertain the model and type of wood?

I'd tell you to do one [/quote]

To be honest, if you were the kind of person that told me to "do one" because I didn't want to dismantle the bass for someone else's curiosity on the chance they might buy it, I'd be quite happy not to do business anyway.

As I said, if someone handed me the cash and then took it apart themselves, taking on the responsibility of not damaging it and doing the actual work, I'd happily let them do it. I'm not going to dismantle an instrument for someone that "might" buy it. If it turned out that I'd mis-advertised it, of course I would accept full responsibility.

The join between the neck and the body is probably the most important piece of assembly on a bass. It's also not always the easiest to tell if it's been done badly, so yes, I'd consider it a fairly major job to take the neck off, especially by someone without experience.