Help ID the Fender Lyte

B

blueknigh7

Apr 21, 2008
21
24
5,106
#1
So I picked up a MIJ Fender Lyte locally and thought it was legit, but now have something I can't explain. The serial of "B" and "Made In Japan" text are consistent of a Lyte made in 1985-1986. This is what appealed to me originally. However, the body and neck are dated Mar and Apr 00 respectively. If that were true, then it should say "Crafted in japan", right?

"PJR-CR" on body and neck heel that I can't find a result for. Everything else looks fender, to me, but admittedly, this is my first fender bass.

The owner remembered buying it in 2000 and lost two of the fender caps. Came with the fender hard case. Bridge and Tuners are silver, instead of the gold from mid 80's lytes.

What do ya'll think? Fender does say that serial lookups info isn't 100% accurate, this is weird. I'd be ok with a 2000s lyte, which this seems to be, but the serial# is throwing me.

Edit: i did just get the trussrod replaced via the skunk stripe

1000003176.jpg
 

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#2
blueknigh7 said:
So I picked up a MIJ Fender Lyte locally and thought it was legit, but now have something I can't explain. The serial of "B" and "Made In Japan" text are consistent of a Lyte made in 1985-1986. This is what appealed to me originally. However, the body and neck are dated Mar and Apr 00 respectively. If that were true, then it should say "Crafted in japan", right?

"PJR-CR" on body and neck heel that I can't find a result for. Everything else looks fender, to me, but admittedly, this is my first fender bass.

The owner remembered buying it in 2000 and lost two of the fender caps. Came with the fender hard case. Bridge and Tuners are silver, instead of the gold from mid 80's lytes.

What do ya'll think? Fender does say that serial lookups info isn't 100% accurate, this is weird. I'd be ok with a 2000s lyte, which this seems to be, but the serial# is throwing me.

Edit: i did just get the trussrod replaced via the skunk stripe

View attachment 7029473
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93 cat
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94 cat
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95 cat
95.jpg


96 cat
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97 cat
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parts.jpg


I am no expert, but perhaps a neck switch between a PJR 95LS and a PJR 70 or PJR 65 or PJM 65? [edit] Or take what I have posted with a grain of salt? [see post #9 below]
See the Fender Club Lyte link below. I bet someone there with a lot more knowledge than I can help you out.
Your Bridge and Tuners are like those on the PJR 95LS.

PJR 34"
PJM 32"

kunoichi-music-square.jp

Used FENDER JAPAN PJR-95LS

Condition:Neck condition: High riseTruss rod: With roomFret remaining: 5Please see all photos for the details and ask us freely about the condition.Specifics:Year of manufacture/90-91 (Because the neck is 880.the body seems to be around 1993): Country of manufacture/Japan (Fujigen)
kunoichi-music-square.jp kunoichi-music-square.jp

www.ebay.com

Fender Precision Bass Lyte Vintage 1985 MIJ Japan Montego Black 4-String Guitar | eBay

<p>This is a used 1985 Fender Precision Bass Lyte set up and intonated for .045-.105s Plays and works well. The body and neck has several light dings and scuffs, a small gash about an inch wide on the lower edge of the body which does not affect playability. Frets shows light wear. Might need a...
www.ebay.com

www.guitarcenter.com

Used Fender PRECISION BASS LYTE Electric Bass Guitar Montego Black | Guitar Center

For greater savings check out our Used Fender PRECISION BASS LYTE Electric Bass Guitar and get a great deal today!
www.guitarcenter.com www.guitarcenter.com



What is interesting is that none of my Fender Japan catalogs after 1997 include any LYTE models.
 
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#3
I have an early 2000's Lyte with that same color (Montego Black I think it's called?) but the headstock is color matched and all the hardware is gold. Not very knowledgeable about the history of the Lyte series but looking at images on a google search, yours does seem like an oddity due to the stamp dates and hardware color and unpainted headstock. Maybe a parts bass from two different Lyte basses? Not really sure but it seems like it to me sort of.
 
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#4
I think we may have found the answer, or at least an explanation.

In a cross post to reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/fender/s/pHnkApcKwv), a user, identifying as previously working at a fender dealer, provided a scan of showing a 2000 Fender lyte Standard being available. The deluxe is more commonly mentioned in later years it seems.
He (she?) then referenced the infamous fuzzfaced site where it mentiones that MIJ Standard models still used the "Made in Japan" moniker, while others used the "Crafted in Japan". And yes, the letter B was reused for a serial. Reference: Serial Numbers: Strats made in Japan

So, I think there's at least a plausible explanation now! I hope this helps someone else out. There's a ton of interesting historical info on fuzzfaced site too about MIJ models and other historical fender info.
 

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#5
Fender Japan serials are strange, they reuse many letters for different series instruments, and for some reason everyone thinks they have a 1985 instrument. Especially the 75 reissue Jazz Bass, is another where everyone thinks they have an '85 when it isn't.
The online serial references are hardly accurate
 
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#7
blueknigh7 said:
I think we may have found the answer, or at least an explanation.

In a cross post to reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/fender/s/pHnkApcKwv), a user, identifying as previously working at a fender dealer, provided a scan of showing a 2000 Fender lyte Standard being available. The deluxe is more commonly mentioned in later years it seems.
He (she?) then referenced the infamous fuzzfaced site where it mentiones that MIJ Standard models still used the "Made in Japan" moniker, while others used the "Crafted in Japan". And yes, the letter B was reused for a serial. Reference: Serial Numbers: Strats made in Japan

So, I think there's at least a plausible explanation now! I hope this helps someone else out. There's a ton of interesting historical info on fuzzfaced site too about MIJ models and other historical fender info.
Click to expand...
As I stated before, what is quite odd is that 'Lyte' is not in the 1998, 1999, and 2000 Fender Japan Catalogs.
1998 fndr japan cat.jpg

1999 fndr japan cat.jpg

2000 fndr japan cat.jpg
 
#8
blueknigh7 said:
I think we may have found the answer, or at least an explanation.

In a cross post to reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/fender/s/pHnkApcKwv), a user, identifying as previously working at a fender dealer, provided a scan of showing a 2000 Fender lyte Standard being available. The deluxe is more commonly mentioned in later years it seems.
He (she?) then referenced the infamous fuzzfaced site where it mentiones that MIJ Standard models still used the "Made in Japan" moniker, while others used the "Crafted in Japan". And yes, the letter B was reused for a serial. Reference: Serial Numbers: Strats made in Japan

So, I think there's at least a plausible explanation now! I hope this helps someone else out. There's a ton of interesting historical info on fuzzfaced site too about MIJ models and other historical fender info.
Click to expand...
In the FMIC 2000 Frontline publication only the Lyte Deluxe is included.
2000 FMIC Frontline.jpg

2000 FMIC Frontline Specs.jpg
 
#9
blueknigh7 said:
I think we may have found the answer, or at least an explanation.

In a cross post to reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/fender/s/pHnkApcKwv), a user, identifying as previously working at a fender dealer, provided a scan of showing a 2000 Fender lyte Standard being available. The deluxe is more commonly mentioned in later years it seems.
He (she?) then referenced the infamous fuzzfaced site where it mentiones that MIJ Standard models still used the "Made in Japan" moniker, while others used the "Crafted in Japan". And yes, the letter B was reused for a serial. Reference: Serial Numbers: Strats made in Japan

So, I think there's at least a plausible explanation now! I hope this helps someone else out. There's a ton of interesting historical info on fuzzfaced site too about MIJ models and other historical fender info.
Click to expand...
PAYDIRT :thumbsup:

1999 FMIC Frontline Publication Vol. 25 Winter
1990 FMIC Frontline Vol 25 Winter.jpg


1997 FMIC Frontline Publication Vol. 21 Spring
1997 FMIC Frontline Vol 21 Spring.jpg
 
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