Fender CIJ P-Bass Fake?

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ranto

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Nov 15, 2015
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#1
Hello! Some man sold me this Precision bass. When I came home I couldn't find out the year it was made. That made me doubt. Please, help me! Is it fake or not? If "yes", I will return it.

The headstock says "Crafted in Japan" with a strange font I've never seen before. The number is N089954 Which is enormous according to different info tables, there is no such combination. And there is no number on the body under the headstock. The pictures are here.
 

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#2
ranto said:
Hello! Some man sold me this Precision bass. When I came home I couldn't find out the year it was made. That made me doubt. Please, help me! Is it fake or not? If "yes", I will return it.

The headstock says "Crafted in Japan" with a strange font I've never seen before. The number is N089954 Which is enormous according to different info tables, there is no such combination. And there is no number on the body under the headstock. The pictures are here.
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I'm no expert, but I play one on TV.

Only responding because no one else is and this may get the ball rolling for you.

I own a CIJ Fretless P-bass and my decal also looks a little funky, but in a different way than yours. Mine also looks different than the one on my MIA P, so I wouldn't worry too much about that. Everything else that I can see in your photos looks authentic to me when I compare it to my CIJ product.

I think those more knowledgable than I (almost all TBers) will ask for more photos, particularly of the markings on the neck and the neck pocket, before offering their definitive opinions.

BTW, yours is a nice looking bass. If it plays well and sounds good all this may be moot.
 
#5
Chico Ruger said:
I'm no expert, but I play one on TV.

Only responding because no one else is and this may get the ball rolling for you.

I own a CIJ Fretless P-bass and my decal also looks a little funky, but in a different way than yours. Mine also looks different than the one on my MIA P, so I wouldn't worry too much about that. Everything else that I can see in your photos looks authentic to me when I compare it to my CIJ product.

I think those more knowledgable than I (almost all TBers) will ask for more photos, particularly of the markings on the neck and the neck pocket, before offering their definitive opinions.

BTW, yours is a nice looking bass. If it plays well and sounds good all this may be moot.
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Thank you. But there is nothing in the neck pocket
 
#8
That is a legit CIJ Fender PB62. The N+6 code = manufactured '93-94.

Appears it has some replacement parts: pickguard (typically would be a ketchup tortoise on early 90s PB 62), bridge (looks like a high mass), maybe the pickup? (looks like a basslines duncan possibly).

No need to worry, commence the rocking of it.
 
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#9
The bridge looks to be a Gotoh 201, and the bass machine heads like Gotoh as well.

Decal on headstock looks correct, and the typical CIJ decal on the base of the neck is where it's supposed to be. You're good.
 
#14
There is some whack with CIJ/MIJ. My MIJ Jag Deluxe bought in 2011 and made in 2010 has a serial number that says it was made in 1992. Because they used different builders at different times, who knows. My MIJ Jag and my MIJ Jazz specials all feel very similar in the way they play. The CIJs I've played feel a bit different in the necks, but that could be a brain thing and not a real physical thing. Hey, if it feels good and sounds good, it's good.
 
#15
Yeah its weird because everything looks all legit with no red flags but the serial number is strange. Crafted in Japan started in 97 so it would have to be after that but from what I've read they didn't use N. OP I wouldn't think it would be a fake because the decal, neck tint and shape of the neck are all hallmark Japanese even the way the top position dots aren't quite 50/50 so its not a fake but the serial is a bit strange but all Japanese instruments have a few little quirks. My tech had a few issues with mine when I brought it in the first time, as it turned out the Japanese manufacture can be all over the map. The good thing is the quality is always there with Japanese Fender even if they have a few odd touches.
 
#16
Old Blastard said:
There is some whack with CIJ/MIJ. My MIJ Jag Deluxe bought in 2011 and made in 2010 has a serial number that says it was made in 1992. Because they used different builders at different times, who knows. My MIJ Jag and my MIJ Jazz specials all feel very similar in the way they play. The CIJs I've played feel a bit different in the necks, but that could be a brain thing and not a real physical thing. Hey, if it feels good and sounds good, it's good.
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That's because they went back to Made in Japan in 2007 this makes dating them very confusing. What years are yours?
 
#20
.
Old Blastard said:
I really like the Fujigen guitars although the CIJs are great.
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Yeah I've got a cij 62 reissue which is amazing! One of the Best basses I've played. My American standard jazz is still my #1 but that's probably because of all the modern features my cij quality wise is only just behind it. I think This may be because mine is the JB62US so its got the same pups as my standard but doing a truss rod adjustment is a nightmare with the neck having to come off and the vintage 7.25 radius is not quite as comfortable. I have played a few fujigen and think they are just as good as cijs but there are no real differences between the two any Japanese Fender is a winner
 
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