Clarky Posted February 10, 2020 Posted February 10, 2020 (edited) Hi all, I took this recently in a trade but have not bonded with it, probably due to my love affair with my short scale, sub-8lb '71 Mustang. Its a Fender-only logo'd JV Precision from 1984 in gloss black with very dark (almost ebony-looking) rosewood board. Weighs 9.2 pounds and I have added La Bella light flats for slick old school thump. Its in pretty amazing condition for a bass of ~35 years vintage with no buckle rash, no significant dings (you have to look carefully to spot anything) and just light surface scratches on the scratchplate. Demo new basses in music shops would be chuffed to be in this condition! Pickup preferred from London (I am near Hammersmith) *edit* but can also post as have large enough box now. The bass did not come with a gigbag but we could negotiate something as I bought a GruvGear semi-rigid case specifically (cost £110) for it. Fairly rubbish photos attached due to dismal Mordor-like day but I can add some more if it ever brightens up! Edited April 9, 2020 by Clarky Yob edited to 1984 (from 1984-87) 6
Clarky Posted February 11, 2020 Author Posted February 11, 2020 (edited) Some daylight pictures, including neck pocket and thick rosewood board. I have also circled in red the main surface imperfections which you can see are minor. Edited February 11, 2020 by Clarky 2
LewisK1975 Posted February 11, 2020 Posted February 11, 2020 Most would prob consider it sacrilege, but I'd stick a BWB guard on that, put an EMG pickup in it and laugh all the way to my gig. Lovely Bass either way, GLWTS! 1 1
Hutton Posted February 11, 2020 Posted February 11, 2020 1 hour ago, LewisK1975 said: Most would prob consider it sacrilege, but I'd stick a BWB guard on that, put an EMG pickup in it and laugh all the way to my gig. Lovely Bass either way, GLWTS! Might as well just buy a current Squier and do that. Why take the originality which is why the bass commands the asking price.
AndyTravis Posted February 11, 2020 Posted February 11, 2020 Ooh nice spitfire tort on that and I’d be chuffed as nuts.
ead Posted February 11, 2020 Posted February 11, 2020 Nice bass. Is there much of a difference between the Fender branded JVs and the Fender MIJ E series basses?
Clarky Posted February 11, 2020 Author Posted February 11, 2020 (edited) Having investigated the origins of the bass, including contact with the specialist Japanese Fender importer who sold this to the previous owner (himself a bass retailer) and consulting 21frets.com (the JV specialist), it seems this is a domestic (non-export) JV. These varied in terms of bridge types (grooved or not) and tuners (reverse or non-reverse), amongst others - much as US Fenders of yore used to have a mix and match approach towards pots, necks etc. I am fairly sure when I took the neck off to take the pics this morning that the neck had not been fully off before (given the 'adhesion' marks; it had been loosened to tweak the truss rod). Plus there is no degradation of the screws on the scratchplate so that has almost certainly never been taken off. What I can certainly say is its in amazing condition for a bass of this 36 y/o vintage, plays and sounds great and looks v cool! Edited February 11, 2020 by Clarky 1 1
Clarky Posted February 11, 2020 Author Posted February 11, 2020 (edited) 14 minutes ago, AndyTravis said: Ooh nice spitfire tort on that and I’d be chuffed as nuts. I dithered about hanging on to the bass (doesn't everyone need a P bass, allegedly?) and was close to pulling the trigger on this https://www.rebelrelic.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=18_45_135&product_id=1228 Edited February 11, 2020 by Clarky 2
Clarky Posted February 11, 2020 Author Posted February 11, 2020 Further disussion with the bass importer narrows this down to a 1984 JV
AndyTravis Posted February 11, 2020 Posted February 11, 2020 18 minutes ago, Clarky said: Further disussion with the bass importer narrows this down to a 1984 JV Year of birth 1 1
Clarky Posted February 11, 2020 Author Posted February 11, 2020 4 minutes ago, AndyTravis said: Year of birth I wish 1
AndyTravis Posted February 11, 2020 Posted February 11, 2020 18 minutes ago, Clarky said: I wish Is for me 😉
LewisK1975 Posted February 11, 2020 Posted February 11, 2020 3 hours ago, Hutton said: Might as well just buy a current Squier and do that. Why take the originality which is why the bass commands the asking price. I'm not sure a current Squier would have the build quality, feel and overall playability of this. It's just my opinion though, YMMV! Like I said, lovely Bass either way!
ead Posted February 11, 2020 Posted February 11, 2020 4 hours ago, AndyTravis said: Is for me 😉 Even my '66P is some years out, but I couldn't afford anything older
basolas Posted February 11, 2020 Posted February 11, 2020 (edited) Hi Truss rod seems too tight. Is there more room to turn the screw clockwise ? Edited February 11, 2020 by basolas
Clarky Posted February 11, 2020 Author Posted February 11, 2020 (edited) I loosened the truss rod a quarter turn for low tension TI flats and then back again for not-quite-as-low tension La Bella flats and had no problem whatsoever. FYI, I do not intend to take the neck off again as it raises the risk of me damaging the neck pocket. Hopefully my reputation on this site is good enough to support my truthfulness regarding the truss rod Edited February 11, 2020 by Clarky 4
Fastfret24 Posted February 12, 2020 Posted February 12, 2020 If only you were selling this when I came to try out the Gretsch!! Would have bitten your arm off for it... GLWTS! 1
Clarky Posted February 13, 2020 Author Posted February 13, 2020 (edited) Bump. As a deal, I would include the GruvGear Edge gigbag for £50 (it is literally unused, has never left my house and cost me ~£110). So that's £950 collected for the bass plus bag. https://gruvgear.com/products/gigblade-edge Edited February 13, 2020 by Clarky
AndyTravis Posted February 15, 2020 Posted February 15, 2020 I’ve been stuck between this and the refin blue one currently on hold for me. i need to put the phone down.
three Posted February 15, 2020 Posted February 15, 2020 5 minutes ago, AndyTravis said: I’ve been stuck between this and the refin blue one currently on hold for me. i need to put the phone down. hahaha! Me too
AndyTravis Posted February 15, 2020 Posted February 15, 2020 5 minutes ago, three said: hahaha! Me too Shall we buy one each and timeshare? I’ve just text you 😉
Clarky Posted February 15, 2020 Author Posted February 15, 2020 1 hour ago, AndyTravis said: I’ve been stuck between this and the refin blue one currently on hold for me. i need to put the phone down. Step away from the phone and noone gets hurt 🤣
Clarky Posted February 17, 2020 Author Posted February 17, 2020 (edited) In response to question regarding nut width > tape measure slightly askew but I reckon its 1.625" Edited February 17, 2020 by Clarky
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