Fender Jazz Bass from Mars 2001 Ice Blue Metallic

#3
It certainly looks very, very nice (yay matching headstocks! :thumbsup:), but if looks are the main consideration, and if it were my money, I'd save $1000 and get a James Johnston signature Jazz instead. Mods might follow (holy crap, look at all this leftover money for me to mod stuff with! :greedy:), but I'd see how well we'd bond first.

Squier John Johnston Jazz Bass 2016 Blue
 
  • Like
Reactions: el jeffe bass, el_Bajo_Verde, Spidey2112 and 2 others
#6
This Fender FSR ('Factory Special Run)' Jazz Bass model was commissionned by the now defunct Mars Music in 2001.
It's ACTUALLY an American Vintage Reissue (AVRI) '62 Jazz Bass (V13xxxx serial numbers), but it has the following 2 exceptions:
- matching headstock
- VVT control knobs (instead of stack volume/tone knobs)
Each Mars Music shop got one. Production: 25 units of '62 in IBM.
Models: '62 and '75 (the '75 came in CAR, LPB and OLY).
The one for sale has a non-original high mass bridge (the original 'vintage' bridge is in the case).

Official Fender information:
Model Name: FSR American Vintage ‘62 Jazz Bass®
Model Number: 017-2200-(883)
Series: AMERICAN VINTAGE SERIES
Body: Alder
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Rosewood (7.25” Radius/184 mm)
No. of Frets: 20
Scale Length: 34” (864 mm)
Width @ Nut: 1.50“ (38 mm)
Hardware: Nickel
Machine Heads: Vintage Style Reverse Gear
Bridge: Vintage ‘60s with Threaded Saddles
Pickguard: White
Pickups: 2 Vintage Jazz Bass Single-Coil Pickups
Pickup Switching: N/A
Controls: Volume 1. (Neck Pickup), Volume 2. (Bridge Pickup), Master Tone
Colors: (883) Ice Blue Metallic (Nitro-Cellulose Lacquer)
Strings: Super 7250ML, #073-7250-005, (.045, .065, .080, .100)
Unique Features: Matching Painted Headstock
Source: CORONA (US)
Accessories: Tweed Case, Strap, Cable
Specs: Product Prices, Features, Specifications and Availability Are Subject To Change Without Notice
INTRODUCED: 1/2001
DISCONTINUED:
DISCONTINUED COLORS:
COMMENTS: Factory Special Run of 25 Units for Mars in 2001.

There was another similar run of FSR Jazz Bass models by Fender in 2003 with a 'Special Edition' stamp at the back of the headstock and in various colors, but this is another story.
'
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: sbpark, el_Bajo_Verde, mikewalker and 2 others
#9
I bought a bunch of stuff from Mars at Auction when they went under. Mostly 2001-2003 era gear. I think they took better care of the basses than other national chains, but for me, regardless of the look, the bass has to play fantastically, sound right, and have all the checks (balance, no neck dings, true neck, pro mods if any, under 9.5 lbs., no smells etc.)

I do not think that the limited run of the mass market bass affects value,after all I have two AVRI's and I paid a lot less, although the ibm and matching headstock is a looker. But if it looks great but doesn't play like I want, or can't last three sets due to weight, balance or intonation issues that can't be easily remedied, pass.

Make sure you can send it back for a full refund. ( I've been know to tryout basses with blindfolds.)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Glazenn
#11
It looks strange that there's holes for the neck pickup cover but there's no mounting holes for the ashtray. Also, the screw in the middle of the pick guard is not something i've seen often.
 
#13
bholder said:
If it was really from Mars, it'd be chocolate under the shiny wrapper! :woot:
Click to expand...

No, that bass is from neptune. BTW I tried a real MOM (made on mars) fender jazz bass and it was very heavy martian ash/maple (earth's gravity is stronger) but played like a dream! PS.Yeah I have weird dreams and I want some chocolate too dammit!
 
#15
BAG said:
It looks strange that there's holes for the neck pickup cover but there's no mounting holes for the ashtray. Also, the screw in the middle of the pick guard is not something i've seen often.
Click to expand...

The holes for the neck PU cover are in the pickguard only, not in the wood (at least, it's like this on my AVRI '62 Jazz), as the cover is not mounted from origin.
A drilling template is supplied with the case candy for the ashtray holes and the mutes holes.
The additional screw in the middle is typical of the AVRI '62 Jazz pickguard (Fender part #099-2022-000).

s-l1600.jpg
 
#17
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
image.jpeg
I'm a little late for the party, but I have one of these. I bought it new at Mars Music. I just happened to walk through the door as it was being hung on the wall. I think I went in to pick up some strings and walked out with this bass. And no, I did not pay what they were asking. Funny thing is, a few days later there was a big Mars Music ad in the paper for it.

Anyway, I've never particularly cared for the color, but I really liked the neck and the tone. I modified it with a badass bridge, a j-retro preamp, and removed the pick guard. It's been my main player for years now. It's been naturally reliced. Plenty of paint missing, dents, dings, and scratches. It sounds and plays better than any Sadowsky, Lakeland, Lull, etc. that I've ever played or owned. I'm a full time bassist and I always get compliments on the sound of this bass. I had a guy from the audience who apparently plays bass too grab me last night while on break and wanted to know what I was playing. He said, and I quote "that's the tone I've always wanted". Whenever I play a festival I can always count on a couple of bassists from the other bands to ask me about it.

It sits in the mix like a monster. It's the only bass I'll record with. I recently recorded a cd and used a different bass on handful of songs and it sounded like crap. I was actually embarrassed. It became an issue with the songwriter...to make a long story short, I'll never record with anything else again!

I just though I would chime in since I actually own one...modified though it is.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Glazenn
#18
Looks like a cool bass, great color that in my opinion may get more green as it ages (which is cool), but seems a bit steep for the asking price, regardless of it being an FSR/Limited Run, simply because of it's color and matching headstock. I'd go for a regular AVRI and save some $$$.
 
#19
Glazenn said:
This Fender FSR ('Factory Special Run)' Jazz Bass model was commissionned by the now defunct Mars Music in 2001.
It's ACTUALLY an American Vintage Reissue (AVRI) '62 Jazz Bass (V13xxxx serial numbers), but it has the following 2 exceptions:
- matching headstock
- VVT control knobs (instead of stack volume/tone knobs)
Each Mars Music shop got one. Production: 25 units of '62 in IBM.
Models: '62 and '75 (the '75 came in CAR, LPB and OLY).
The one for sale has a non-original high mass bridge (the original 'vintage' bridge is in the case).

Official Fender information:
Model Name: FSR American Vintage ‘62 Jazz Bass®
Model Number: 017-2200-(883)
Series: AMERICAN VINTAGE SERIES
Body: Alder
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Rosewood (7.25” Radius/184 mm)
No. of Frets: 20
Scale Length: 34” (864 mm)
Width @ Nut: 1.50“ (38 mm)
Hardware: Nickel
Machine Heads: Vintage Style Reverse Gear
Bridge: Vintage ‘60s with Threaded Saddles
Pickguard: White
Pickups: 2 Vintage Jazz Bass Single-Coil Pickups
Pickup Switching: N/A
Controls: Volume 1. (Neck Pickup), Volume 2. (Bridge Pickup), Master Tone
Colors: (883) Ice Blue Metallic (Nitro-Cellulose Lacquer)
Strings: Super 7250ML, #073-7250-005, (.045, .065, .080, .100)
Unique Features: Matching Painted Headstock
Source: CORONA (US)
Accessories: Tweed Case, Strap, Cable
Specs: Product Prices, Features, Specifications and Availability Are Subject To Change Without Notice
INTRODUCED: 1/2001
DISCONTINUED:
DISCONTINUED COLORS:
COMMENTS: Factory Special Run of 25 Units for Mars in 2001.

There was another similar run of FSR Jazz Bass models by Fender in 2003 with a 'Special Edition' stamp at the back of the headstock and in various colors, but this is another story.
'
Click to expand...
Glazen,

This is excellent information. I just bought one of these guitars and I'm a little confused as I do research on it. I have seen two differnt production numbers quoted; "25" one per store and "75". I was just curious if you had any further information.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Glazenn
#20
Octavio Diaz said:
Glazen,

This is excellent information. I just bought one of these guitars and I'm a little confused as I do research on it. I have seen two differnt production numbers quoted; "25" one per store and "75". I was just curious if you had any further information.
Click to expand...
I bought mine New at Mars Music and was told 75 were made. Most stores got 1 but a few stores got 2. I love mine. I’ve played it heavily since I got it. How do you like yours?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Glazenn
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back