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Post subject: A Bit of an Oddity (Authenticity Query)
Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2017 5:58 am
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Hi guys!

Having been all about the lead guitar for a few years, I decided it was about time I returned to the four string fold and when I spotted a handsome Made in Mexico Fender Jazz Bass on the web site of a pawn shop chain here in the UK, I decided to jump for it.

However, now that it's shown up, something is a little off. There weren't any really clear, straight on pictures of the fretboard on the site. Now that the bass has arrived I can see that it has no fret dots on the front. Side markers are in place as usual, but the front is bare.

I had a little look on Google and it appears that, as far as MIM Jazz Basses are concerned, bare fretboards are reserved for fretless ones. This is most definitely a fretted bass!

Being aware of fakes and Partscasters/whatever the equivalent term is for chop job basses, I did some extra checking. The serial number returned on Guitar Dater Project as a 2001-2002 MIM and when I took the neck off the body was stamped with a 2001 date. So, if it's a fake, that's some serious attention to detail, and if it's a chop job there was some serious luck involved to get body and neck that match so well.

The bass plays really well. It rattles a bit on the G, but I suspect that's just down to having strings that are a gauge too light. I haven't been able to really work the electrics as I don't have a proper bass amp yet. However, when played (carefully and quietly) through my guitar amp, all seems well. Has a nice swept sound of a setting that I settled on and all the pots are working (though they're a bit limited in terms of range, which I figure probably happens with MIMs).

I'm going to attach some pictures and ask what you think:

1. Real and it came from the factory like that.
2. Real, but frets added.
3. Chop job.
4. Fake! Plays nicely, but fake!

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Cheers!

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Post subject: Re: A Bit of an Oddity (Authenticity Query)
Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2017 10:50 pm
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I'm no means some expert with all of the Fender Jazzes that been out there, but other than the lack of the dots or block inlays, that does look like a Fender neck. You know, it's possible someone had frets installed on a fretless model. That's usually the opposite of what most people do, but I suppose anything is possible. I'm sure someone around here would probably know for certain. I've never seen a Jazz bass with out any markers like that, though.

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Post subject: Re: A Bit of an Oddity (Authenticity Query)
Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2017 12:07 pm
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Thanks Paul. :D

I have now received confirmation from Fender that she is indeed real and began life as a fretless. Weird that someone added frets, rather than just selling and buying a fretted one, but different strokes and all that. I think she looks great this way. :mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: A Bit of an Oddity (Authenticity Query)
Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2017 2:06 pm
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The Hierophant wrote:
Weird that someone added frets, rather than just selling and buying a fretted one...


Indeed, very weird.

A nice looking instrument nonetheless.

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: A Bit of an Oddity (Authenticity Query)
Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2017 10:18 pm
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The Hierophant wrote:
Thanks Paul. :D

I have now received confirmation from Fender that she is indeed real and began life as a fretless. Weird that someone added frets, rather than just selling and buying a fretted one, but different strokes and all that. I think she looks great this way. :mrgreen:


I suppose that wouldn't have been hard to do, considering the lines were already there. Certainly the first time I've ever heard or seen anyone do that.

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Post subject: Re: A Bit of an Oddity (Authenticity Query)
Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2017 9:10 am
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PaulLF wrote:
The Hierophant wrote:
Thanks Paul. :D

I have now received confirmation from Fender that she is indeed real and began life as a fretless. Weird that someone added frets, rather than just selling and buying a fretted one, but different strokes and all that. I think she looks great this way. :mrgreen:


I suppose that wouldn't have been hard to do, considering the lines were already there. Certainly the first time I've ever heard or seen anyone do that.


I had a MIM fretless a couple of years later, and I can't see why someone would make a fretless, into a fretted either. Nice looking Standard though.

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