Conan Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 (edited) I have recently acquired a lovely bass (see thread title!). I know that these used to be made (or should I say [i]crafted[/i]) in Japan, and are now MIM. Or at least the four string versions are! Fivers are US made. Pretty straightforward so far (for Fender!) My question is about the age and history of this artist model. The serial number on my new bass (S xxxxxxxx) indicates that it was made in Japan in 1994 or 1995, but everything I've read about the model states that they were made from 1998 onwards! What is the truth? Have Fender discovered time-travel? Edited December 2, 2013 by Conan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 1998 release - same year as Geddy Lee, Duck Dunn limited P-Bass and super rare Rocco Prestia P-Bass. Fender Japan serial numbers at some point were recycled, this causes much confusion and calamity surrounding their serial numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted December 3, 2013 Author Share Posted December 3, 2013 Interesting... especially as I have seen (what I assume to be) the same bass for sale before, clearly stating that it is a 1995... [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/179869-95-fender-marcus-miller-with-l500-of-upgrades-tradesale/page__hl__marcus+retro__fromsearch__1"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/179869-95-fender-marcus-miller-with-l500-of-upgrades-tradesale/page__hl__marcus+retro__fromsearch__1[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 Think that's down to the aforementioned confusion. They were introduced in 1998 as I remember (and may still have) the 'Bassist' magazine with the Namm report. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted December 3, 2013 Author Share Posted December 3, 2013 [quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1386080831' post='2295430'] They were introduced in 1998 as I remember[/quote] So is there any way I can find out when it was made? Not that it is earth-shatteringly important, but it would be nice to know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 [quote name='Conan' timestamp='1386081442' post='2295440'] So is there any way I can find out when it was made? Not that it is earth-shatteringly important, but it would be nice to know! [/quote] Email Fender with the serial number. They'll probably be able to help you out. Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted December 3, 2013 Author Share Posted December 3, 2013 [quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1386084996' post='2295507'] Email Fender with the serial number. They'll probably be able to help you out. [/quote] Think I'll try that. Can't do any harm, can it? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 [quote name='Conan' timestamp='1386085098' post='2295512'] Think I'll try that. Can't do any harm, can it? Cheers [/quote] I had an identical problem with a Japanese telecaster---An "S" series that was clearly newer than a 94/95. They were able to tell me what it was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted December 27, 2013 Author Share Posted December 27, 2013 [quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1386084996' post='2295507'] Email Fender with the serial number. They'll probably be able to help you out.[/quote] I did and they did! Just in case anyone was losing sleep over this.... It was apparently made in 2006. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddy Le Cragg Posted December 27, 2013 Share Posted December 27, 2013 They have one of these in my local Cash Converters for £350.... and I'm outta cash . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammybee Posted December 27, 2013 Share Posted December 27, 2013 bargain of the year - care to share which Cash Converters? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddy Le Cragg Posted December 27, 2013 Share Posted December 27, 2013 Banbury Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted December 28, 2013 Author Share Posted December 28, 2013 [quote name='sammybee' timestamp='1388172747' post='2319183'] bargain of the year [/quote] Definitely! Even with the standard pickups and pre-amp, these are very good basses. For the price of a used MIM standard... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 [quote name='sammybee' timestamp='1388172747' post='2319183'] bargain of the year - care to share which Cash Converters? [/quote] It has gone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddy Le Cragg Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 I can assure you it wasn't me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddy Le Cragg Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 I can assure you it wasn't me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted December 28, 2013 Author Share Posted December 28, 2013 [quote name='Freddy Le Cragg' timestamp='1388239552' post='2319807'] I can assure you it wasn't me [/quote] We heard you the first time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 Unless it was in awful shape that would have been a steal for one lucky bassist. Actually quite glad it had gone or I would have had to consider swooping...whew! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 Cash Converters are usually quite smart on their pricing, often being very optimistic. I'm surprised they let that go so low. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddy Le Cragg Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 Useless phone...lol. it was in excellent shape apart from the strings. Someone is a happy bunny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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