It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 10:27 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 7 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: How to know which model of Jazz Bass is from a picture
Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:23 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2007 7:39 pm
Posts: 5
I'm ready to buy my first bass. I started to learn a couple of month ago with a borrowed cheap one. I know I want a second hand Jazz Bass and I'm flexible with the model if the price is right. I see lots of pictures on for sale forums but it's hard to know if it's an American, American Deluxe, etc.

I would like to know if the model is actually printed anywhere in the instrument. So I can ask for a specific picture to verify it.
Also, is MIM, MIA, etc printed in the instrument?

Thanks for your help!
Pierre


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 9:11 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2007 7:16 am
Posts: 633
Location: Scotland
You can tell from the serial number (there's a comprehensive list on this site, under resources > guitar dating I believe).

Basically the prefix of a serial will tell you: MZ prefix is for mexican basses for example.

There are many other tell tale signs, for example: active fender jazz bass'll have 4 knobs on the control plate (as opposed to the normal 3) and that hole patterns vary between models.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:10 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:26 pm
Posts: 2849
Location: Green Bay, WI
Most, now I said most, of the MIM would have the serial # under the Fender script on the head stock, the MIA serial # would be on the back of the head stock, these refer to newer basses tho. My MIJ says right on the head stock.

_________________
Rez(# 30916)
'89 Power Jazz Bass Special-BadAssIII, EMG P/J
Project PBass-EMG PX, Schaller BM Light Tuner
'05 Aerodyne JBass
'06 Spector Legend Custom Neck Through
VT Bass
Hartke TA5000 w/XL Cabs(210, 410, 115)


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:13 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Aug 21, 2007 7:16 am
Posts: 633
Location: Scotland
Older MIAs have the serial on the front too.

Fender have changed so much that really the best way to tell models apart is from the serial prefix.


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 4:04 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:26 pm
Posts: 2849
Location: Green Bay, WI
You got me there. The old MIJ serial # I can't decipher either with the link they have on the site. But I'm stupid so, there goes that :oops:

_________________
Rez(# 30916)
'89 Power Jazz Bass Special-BadAssIII, EMG P/J
Project PBass-EMG PX, Schaller BM Light Tuner
'05 Aerodyne JBass
'06 Spector Legend Custom Neck Through
VT Bass
Hartke TA5000 w/XL Cabs(210, 410, 115)


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 2:20 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2007 7:39 pm
Posts: 5
Thank you guys!
I actually went out and bought a Marcus Miller IV so now I know where is the SN, reference to manufacturer place.
In my case the serial is in the front of the headstock. On the back of the neck close to the body there is also a "Crafted in Japan" logo.
Pierre


Top
Profile
Post subject:
Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 2:48 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:26 pm
Posts: 2849
Location: Green Bay, WI
Congrats! Nice bass you purchased there. :)

_________________
Rez(# 30916)
'89 Power Jazz Bass Special-BadAssIII, EMG P/J
Project PBass-EMG PX, Schaller BM Light Tuner
'05 Aerodyne JBass
'06 Spector Legend Custom Neck Through
VT Bass
Hartke TA5000 w/XL Cabs(210, 410, 115)


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 7 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: