NBD - Fender Japan Confusion

[Delberthot]

I've never done this before but I've just received a rather nice Fender Jazz bass and thought I'd share it.

It's a Fender Japan '75 reissue and the headstock serial number dates it as 1985-86 but don't get your cheque books out yet - on removal of the neck, the date on both body and neck is March '99. It still has a decent amount of age to it but this is clearly an example of how the Fender Japan serial numbers can go all over the place from time to time.

There's one thing I am uncertain about though:

On the neck it has JB-75M which I am guessing is Jazz Bass, 1975, maple fretboard but on the body it has JB-72M/EX. I'm guessing that means Jazz Bass, maple body, export model but can someone tell me what the 72 signifies? The brochure from 1998 also states that it has an ash body

Anyway, there ain't no bass without pictures:

 

Edited June 23, 2018 by Delberthot

[LeftyJ]

These were never an export model IIRC. I have never seen a 1972 model before. A proper 72 RI would have a 4-bolt neck joint I suppose, so this is an interesting mixup. Now I wonder what's in the neck pocket of mine 😄 

Mine is a JB75-90US as far as I know, with USA-made 1975 RI pickups. 

[ikay]

This Fender Japan JB-75 on Far East Guitars also has JB-72M in the neck pocket (see pic about halfway down) - http://fareastguitars.jp/fj_jb75-90_3ts_mij_s029/fj_jb75-90_3ts_page.html

And this thread on TB mentions the same curiosity - https://www.talkbass.com/threads/fender-jb-mij-75-ri-a-b-serial-1985-86-but-stamped-as-late-90s-jazz-bass.657437/

Sounds like it's normal for a JB-75 and the odd JB-72 pocket stamp is just a mystery!

Edited June 23, 2018 by ikay

[MacDaddy]

I do like white block inlays on a maple fretboard 😎

[Burns-bass]

I've had a few of these and they were available for sale new in music shops in the late 90s (when I started playing).

The Fender serial number site isn't correct. You have to ask why they would bother reissuing a 10 year old guitar in 1986 anyway!

I've had loads of quirky Fender guitars and basses, and the logic you assume would be there isn't.

[EliasMooseblaster]

Did anyone else click onto this thread hoping that the "Japan Confusion" might be an exciting new design by Fender?

[Pea Turgh]

1 hour ago, EliasMooseblaster said:

Did anyone else click onto this thread hoping that the "Japan Confusion" might be an exciting new design by Fender?

Yes!

[Delberthot]

It's an easy mistake to make - you're getting mixed up with the new Fender China Confucius bass 😀