Marc S Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 (edited) Hi folks, Just after a little bit of advice really Locally, someone has a Fender Jazz bass for sale, and it's a really quite low price for a bass apparently from the USA.... I know there are some dodgy models from seemingly every manufacturer The bass appears pucker, is in pretty much mint condition The decals on the neck state "made in the USA" The serial no on the neck starts with "N90" followed by 4 more digits The seller is really a guitarist, and having a clearout He says he had the bass from new, in 1991 He reckoned it was a budget series, produced by Fender in the USA and that appears to be the case I was just wondering what is anyone's experience with these basses? Are they quality instruments, or were financial savings made when making this range? All seems fine, but the neck seemed wider at the nut end, and not quite like other Jazzes I've played... EDIT: I just wondered what other differences there might be Any comments would be welcome I am really quite tempted by this, as it's not much more than a Mex or China bass Cheers PS. I don't really "need" another bass - but I fancied this one And didn't want to kick myself for missing a bargain! Edited June 30, 2014 by Marc S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 I think Serial N9***** indicates 1999 - the N is Ninety, 9 is the second digit of the year abreviation, the 0 & other 4 numbers make up the rest of the serial. But I'm no expert photo's would help of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 (edited) [url="http://www.fender.com/en-GB/support/articles/u-s-instruments-product-dating/"]http://www.fender.co...product-dating/[/url] 1999, unless I'm reading it wrong. Edit: Beaten to it by John! Hi, John! Edited June 30, 2014 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 (edited) Thanks for that - could be that I misheard when he said he bought the bass Anyone know of how they compare to other Jazzes though folks? Quality of build / components etc? EDIT: Or why they are so cheap, compared to other USA Fenders?? Edited June 30, 2014 by Marc S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1404132884' post='2489529'] [url="http://www.fender.com/en-GB/support/articles/u-s-instruments-product-dating/"]http://www.fender.co...product-dating/[/url] 1999, unless I'm reading it wrong. Edit: Beaten to it by John! Hi, John! [/quote] Hi Mark, hope you're good! Reading the Fender blurb though - it could be a '90 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 [quote name='KiOgon' timestamp='1404133174' post='2489533'] Hi Mark, hope you're good! Reading the Fender blurb though - it could be a '90 [/quote] Fine thanks! Yes, just read a bit further. Definitely 1990 or 1999, then!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 [quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1404133146' post='2489532'] Thanks for that - could be that I misheard when he said he bought the bass Anyone know of how they compare to other Jazzes though folks? Quality of build / components etc? EDIT: Or why they are so cheap, compared to other USA Fenders?? [/quote] Could be a genuine '90 - does he swear/is he certain he bought it in '90? If he'd the original purchaser - he should know - any receipts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1404132884' post='2489529'] [url="http://www.fender.com/en-GB/support/articles/u-s-instruments-product-dating/"]http://www.fender.co...product-dating/[/url] 1999, unless I'm reading it wrong. Edit: Beaten to it by John! Hi, John! [/quote] ...but ... [quote]... “N”-prefix serial numbers denoting the 1990s were introduced in 1990. The numbers and decals were produced far in advance, and some N9 decals (denoting 1999) were inadvertently affixed to some instruments in 1990. Consequently, some 1990 guitars bear 1999 “N9” serial numbers. SERIAL NUMBERS PRODUCTION DATES E9 + 5 digits N9 + 5 digits N0 + 5 digits ...[/quote] So it's not as clear as all that..! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 (edited) Just spotted this similar bass on ebay It's got a very similar serial number, and the seller reckons it's a 1990 [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Jazz-Bass-USA-1990-Hiscox-Lightweight-Hard-Case/181445053650?_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131017132637%26meid%3D7984478620028697837%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D20131017132637%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D181445053650"]http://www.ebay.co.u...%3D181445053650[/url] Just wondered about the quality of these cheaper USA models really Any thoughts / experiences? It's a similar colour too and the fretboard is a similar, slightly lighter tone than the usual rosewood.... Edited June 30, 2014 by Marc S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1404133446' post='2489538'] ...but ... So it's not as clear as all that..! [/quote] Correct, but we covered that in #5 and #6! Do keep up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1404134374' post='2489554'] Correct, but we covered that in #5 and #6! Do keep up! [/quote] Cor blimey..! The cheek of it..! There I was, sweatin' away over a hot 'copy/paste', only to be chided 'cos others gives a sideways mention faster than my highly detailed response..! Shame on you, sir; shame..! It's a disgrace, I say. I shall be taking the matter up with ... [... continues on Page 14 ...] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1404134784' post='2489561'] Cor blimey..! The cheek of it..! There I was, sweatin' away over a hot 'copy/paste', only to be chided 'cos others gives a sideways mention faster than my highly detailed response..! Shame on you, sir; shame..! It's a disgrace, I say. I shall be taking the matter up with ... [... continues on Page 14 ...] [/quote] Hee, hee. It's easily done. I do it all the time. Like earlier in the thread, for example. Edited June 30, 2014 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1404134900' post='2489564'] Hee, hee. It's easily done. I do it all the time. Like earlier in the thread, for example. [/quote] Hurrumph..! Yes, well, OK then. A tad more respect for the elderly would go long way, though..! (... [i]pauses to adjust his spectacles[/i]...) OK, then, I'll be running along ( ... [i]aims Zimmer frame towards door; misses and rolls over, grunting[/i]...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1404133146' post='2489532']Anyone know of how they compare to other Jazzes though folks? Quality of build / components etc?Just wondered about the quality of these cheaper USA models really. Any thoughts / experiences? [/quote] I've not played any from that time, so until someone turns up who knows what they're talking about, it might be worth doing a search over on Talkbass - there's bound to be a plethora of opinions there. Edited June 30, 2014 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1404135571' post='2489572'] I've not played any from that time, so until someone turns up who knows what they're talking about, it might be worth doing a search over on Talkbass - there's bound to be a plethora of opinions there. [/quote] Ah, I thought BC was the forum where people were in the know Hope someone has experience of one of these basses from this era As I'd said, it seems a quality build Just the neck profile being a tad chunkier.... Odd that Fender should change the neck profile of a Jazz I've played quite a few (I own one) and they seem pretty consistent... Re the date - I'll ask the guy again He is known as a decent bloke, and pretty honest as far as I'm aware..... Cheers all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 [quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1404137371' post='2489599'] Ah, I thought BC was the forum where people were in the know [/quote] It is! It's just that I'm not one of 'em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliwailer Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 (edited) If yours is like the one on your eBay link then it is a 1990, the 1999's had a spaghetti logo. Pictures would really help mate because Fender have sometimes very briefly made cheaper USA models which are hard to spot, for instance some used cheaper parts, older parts or were made outside the usual factory. I remember the Corona series of the mid 90's so I Googled it to get you a link, turns out there is one right here on Basschat, check out the post from bleedproof [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/835-help-fender-corona-series/"]http://basschat.co.u...-corona-series/[/url] (not that I'm saying yours is a Corona, it's just an example. It could simply be that it was a B grade stock one sold cheaper, Fender do that a lot to slightly damaged or returned basses and leave it to the dealers to tell, or not tell, the punters). Edited June 30, 2014 by Chiliwailer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliwailer Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 (edited) Doh, I just remembered, the Jazz Bass turned into the 22 fret long horn version around 1989 to about 1995-ish, so yours could be a special model if it's a 1990 regular body shape and 20 fret neck ???? Edited June 30, 2014 by Chiliwailer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliwailer Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 (edited) [size=4][b]American Traditional Jazz Bass!![/b][/size] That was bigging the sh*t out of me The pickguard and control plate have been changed on the one in the eBay link. They should be a one piece. Fender using up old bodies and pickguards.... If yours is one, it'll say it on the end of the headstock in small writing. Edited June 30, 2014 by Chiliwailer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 When I was buying a Fender with an irregular serial number I e-mailed them. Very prompt reply stated the year, the instrument, and what colour scheme it should be. Worth a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted July 1, 2014 Author Share Posted July 1, 2014 [quote name='Chiliwailer' timestamp='1404140773' post='2489660'] [b]American Traditional Jazz Bass!![/b] That was bigging the sh*t out of me The pickguard and control plate have been changed on the one in the eBay link. They should be a one piece. Fender using up old bodies and pickguards.... If yours is one, it'll say it on the end of the headstock in small writing. [/quote] Thanks for that Chiliwailer, This bass does indeed say "American Traditional" in small typeface on the end of the headstock Also, the original scratchplate WAS indeed a one-piece The guy showed it to me He had replaced it with a more fetching 2 piece, in rather nice tort Anyone know of how well these basses were built, or the quality of components?? It seems a fair bass for the money I'm tempted to go for it, and maybe get my local luthier to re-profile the neck to more of the traditional Jazz shape.... I do like the profile of Jazz bass necks Cheers again for your help folks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hutton Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 There you go - Fender 1990 'American Traditional' Jazz Bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 [quote name='Hutton' timestamp='1404205848' post='2490184'] There you go - Fender 1990 'American Traditional' Jazz Bass. [/quote] What a lovely looking Jazz.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted July 1, 2014 Author Share Posted July 1, 2014 [quote name='Hutton' timestamp='1404205848' post='2490184'] There you go - Fender 1990 'American Traditional' Jazz Bass. [/quote] Thanks for that Hutton Is that your bass? How do you find it, in terms of quality? The one I'm thinking of getting seems fine, and good value for the money I really wanted to know what peoples thoughts were on these basses and how they found quality of components / build / sound etc Does look like a nice Jazz... Cheers again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hutton Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 This isn't my bass Marc. I posted up the pics so that we could all see what an 'American Traditional' Jazz of 1990 should look like. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Jazz like this especially if it is going for a good price. I would, of course, want to see it and play it just to make sure everything was ok. However, as you can see they are pretty tasty looking basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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