Fender Japan '75 Jazz Bass
Non-Export, Alder Body,
US Pickups
Apart from a handful of
models (which are unique to Japan and therefore would not interfere with
sales of US or Mexican models) the quality of Fender Japan guitars is so
high that they are prevented from officially exporting to Europe or the
US. Generally speaking, what is made in Japan stays in Japan. This is
what we are missing out on...... a limited edition Fender Japan '75 Jazz Bass - one of
Fender Japan's most expensive basses. Here are
the specs:....
Specification
Body
Alder
Neck
Maple, Oval Shape, 432mm Scale
Fretboard
Maple, 184R
Frets
20, Vintage Style
Nut Width
38mm
Pickups
J-Bass Vintage (U.S.A.)x2
Control&Switch
2 Vol, 1 Tone
Bridge
Vintage
Machine Heads
Regular Type
Hardware
Chrome
Pickguard
3-ply white
Condition
This is a 2005-2006 Crafted
in Japan 'R' serial. Condition is good... there is
some buckle rash on the back, a couple of small dings on the
edges, a tiny loss of paint at the neck pocket (the tightest neck
pocket I've ever come across... which is a good thing!), plus the
strap buttons have been relocated slightly. Check the pics above
for closeups. What is hidden from view, apart from in the last pic,
is that the truss rod has been mended. To be exact, the previous
owner presumably over-tightened it and the retaining nut that
secures it at the heel end of the neck, split, allowing the rod to
turn freely. I removed a section of the wood at the neck's heel,
extracted the rod, had a new retaining nut welded on, and
reassembled it. It is a neat trick you can only do with rods that
adjust from the headstock end, so be careful when adjusting them!
By the way, the replaced rod adjusts smoothly.
All controls work smoothly and
without noise and there is very little fret wear.
I'm not sure if the chrome hardware
came as standard with this limited edition colour-match headstock
model or whether the previous owner added it. This is quite a heavy bass, about 5.5kg on my bathroom
scales... of course, it has a sound to match!
Acoustically the alder
body gives this bass a lovely
tone with plenty of resonance. You can feel those notes through the
body. Plugged in the sound is big and beefy- Jazz Bass at
its best. Lots of grunt! This Jazz Bass has the same US made pickups as fitted to US Reissues so you have the best of
both world's; Japanese build quality and US pups.
I've set a modicum of relief in the
neck and it plays cleanly all the way up.
A gorgeous instrument with visual
and aural presence, and I doubt you'll ever come across this
finish again this side of downtown Tokyo. The small dings and the
repaired truss rod are reflected in the price. There is no gigbag
or case but it will be package very securely indeed.
ender Japan
guitars for sale, new and
used, Fender Stratocaster for sale, Fender Telecaster for sale, MIJFenders,
CIJ Fenders, MIJ Fenders, Fender made in Japan, Far East guitars
