Is it a real Fender or a fake Fender?

[hillerup]

Looks legit Japanese fender but the grounding strap doesn't have the angle it usually does. The decal is different to the one they usually use on 62 reissues it looks more like a standard but then it has the grounding strap and truss adjust at the heel. If possible can you get more pics?

Grounding strap?

It's real. Had a standard from that era, in black with frets. Otherwise it's the same. Even had the thin grounding strap.

Grounding strap??

Don't most standards have the truss adjust at the headstock and not have the grounding strap?

Grounding strap???

Anyone care to elaborate what seems to be "common" knowledge is?

 

[brendanbassix]

Grounding strap?



Grounding strap??



Grounding strap???

Anyone care to elaborate what seems to be "common" knowledge is?

Brass strap between bridge pup and bridge

 

[hillerup]

Brass strap between bridge pup and bridge

Wierd... Don't those basses have a drilled grounding wire going from the wiring harness to the bottom of the bridge, like most other basses?

 

[brendanbassix]

Wierd... Don't those basses have a drilled grounding wire going from the wiring harness to the bottom of the bridge, like most other basses?

not when they first came out 1960 and they stayed there till 1962

 

[kopio]

So...this begs the question....if this is not a 62' reissue, is it at least built to 62' specs?

 

[Flaked Beans]

My first electric guitar, a 1976 hardtail Stratocaster had split tuners and were strung correctly. First time I changed the strings, I made sure I put them back the same way as before, so when I got a bass I knew how the ends were supposed to go inside the split post.

And yeah, that looks like a real Fender MIJ.

My '78 stratocaster has split tuners too:

OP, that bass is a legitimate mij jazz bass.

 

[brendanbassix]

So...this begs the question....if this is not a 62' reissue, is it at least built to 62' specs?

No probably not, even Japanese 62' reissues are only loosely based on real 62' jazz basses

 

[angrychair]

it's like my pet peave when people don't put the end of the string in the tuner hole....like seriously, WHY

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I'm not super familiar with mij ones, but looks legit to me. Love Japanese basses. Very nice color too.

 

[inthebassclef]

if it plays well. GO for it. It looks legit and I had one just like it. Only concern is why it is branded made in Japan on the headstock and not the back of neck.

 

[Kukulkan61]

It has Fender strings so its real...

 

[FranF]

You'll never see the Made In Japan script on the headstock face and the back of the neck at the heel simultaneously. The script on the back replaced the script on the front by the mid/late 90s.

 

[JMacBass65]

I'm thinking it's legit too....it would be a 62 reissue correct?

I think that both the neck and the body are completely legit. But, it's not a 62 RI with that neck on it. Body maybe - but I am not well versed in the MIJ/CIJ Fenders. I can also say confidently that there was never a Fender reissue made anywhere with an unlined fretless FB.

Oh just to clarify don't think it's a counterfeit or anything just has a few anomalies I'm not familiar with.

Exactly, I think it's a parts bass.

So...this begs the question....if this is not a 62' reissue, is it at least built to 62' specs?

Nope, the reissues never really were, they were close though, particularly the MIA ones. But this one, if its a Japanese 62RI body, certainly has a different neck on it.

No probably not, even Japanese 62' reissues are only loosely based on real 62' jazz basses

Exactly.

 

[FranF]

The bass isn't being offered as a '62 reissue....

 

[JMacBass65]

The bass isn't being offered as a '62 reissue....

I know, but the opening poster seemed to bring it up a few times, so I figured I would squash that notion as best I could.

 

[Fresh Eddie]

I used ot have a black and white one... great bass, I wish I never sold it. I was on a bit of a USA kick and defretted the Elite II in my avatar. It sounds good, but not as warm as the Jazz by far.

 

[arbiterusa]

Only concern is why it is branded made in Japan on the headstock and not the back of neck.

My 85s are both done that way. It's what they used to do up until the early 90s.

Everything looks spot-on with this one save the stringing job. Gorgeous AND fretless. I'd buy it.

 

[inthebassclef]

My 85s are both done that way. It's what they used to do up until the early 90s.

Everything looks spot-on with this one save the stringing job. Gorgeous AND fretless. I'd buy it.

nice. good to know. thank you

 

[okcrum]

It's identical to my '93 MIJ, down to the old Fender 9050 strings. slab fingerboard, neck heel adjust, 60s pickup spacing, copper strap bridge ground.

 

[Lownote38]

Legit. I had one just like this...same color and everything!!

Same here. I believe it only came in white, red and black (maybe not even red). Mine was just like this one!