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Post subject: Just bought a used Jazz Bass...
Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 1:08 pm
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hey guys, I'm a Fender newbie and possibly just got ripped off. I just bought a used Jazz Bass from Mexico from craigslist for $300, I know you'll all beat me up for my naivete. I couldn't find any good leftie guitars around and thought it was a great deal and only later thought it was a bad idea. Can anyone identify the serial number MN8000444? Does it seem dodgy? How can I tell if it's a fake? There's nothing written anywhere else on the body. Just Fender, Jazz Bass, made in Mexico, and the serial number.

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Thanks guys.


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Post subject: Re: Just bought a used Jazz Bass...
Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 1:25 pm
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Give us a couple of good clear shots of the full headstock front and rear along with close-up shots of the headstock decals front & rear.

I input your serial number into Guitar Dater Project, and it returned:
"Your guitar was made at the
Ensenada Plant (Fender), Mexico
in the Year(s): 1998 - 1999"

http://www.guitardaterproject.org/fender.aspx

So on the surface it looks legit, also $300 is a fair price for a used Mexi-Jazz in excellent condition which is half price of a brand new one. If the seller is the original owner, re-contact and ask for any and all original documentation to include the sales invoice. This will add value and helps to establish authenticity.

Send an email to Fender's consumer relations give them your story and serial number plus a link to this thread. Ask for 'All Information' about your bass. Sit back and wait as it may take some time. Then you'll have the official Fender history of your bass.

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One day they shall name a GREAT city after me, and they shall call it LINNINGRAD


Last edited by linnin on Sun Mar 23, 2014 1:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Just bought a used Jazz Bass...
Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 1:33 pm
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Linnin knows the lefties, they always look different to a righty like me.

The serial number checks out as MIM 1998-99.

Guys, isn't the number permanently engraved somewhere within?


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Post subject: Re: Just bought a used Jazz Bass...
Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 1:55 pm
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Oh! And Welcome To The Lefties-That-Play Lefty Society, and also to the exclusive Lefty Jazz Bass Club. You are member #3 :wink: 8)

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2012 Lefty American Standard Jazz
2017 Lefty American Professional Precision
2018 Rumble Studio 40 Combo
2016 Rumble 200 Combo
One day they shall name a GREAT city after me, and they shall call it LINNINGRAD


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Post subject: Re: Just bought a used Jazz Bass...
Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 2:44 pm
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More pics would help, but outside of the fact it was assembled backwards, it looks pretty nice.

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Collector of vintage Fender 4 string basses.


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Post subject: Re: Just bought a used Jazz Bass...
Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 3:57 pm
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Cool.

Enjoy!

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Post subject: Re: Just bought a used Jazz Bass...
Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 4:00 pm
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On just a glance I'm voting that what you have there is a 1998 left handed Jazz bass made in Mexico. I think it may be basswood or agaithis. I had a 98 Jazz MIM. Whatever that means it means. What?


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Post subject: Re: Just bought a used Jazz Bass...
Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 6:27 pm
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Yeeeeaaa lefties represent! I'd been playing on an upside down Ibanez till now...impossible to stand up...SO GOOD to have a real gorgeous leftie bass *_*

Thanks sooo much guys for your help, I feel a bit reassured now. I don't even live where I bought it so won't be able to get the invoice, but I'll send him an e-mail, perhaps to get a scan of it (probably not so worth it...). Does this mean any repairs needing new parts will cost me a fortune?
Apologies in advance for the gigantic photos... couldn't seem to resize them with BBCode...I'll manually resize and reupload them if needed!
ImageImage
ImageImage
Image


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Post subject: Re: Just bought a used Jazz Bass...
Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 7:04 pm
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Legit from all I can tell. Era correct knobs even.

I'd guess alder bodied, but that is just a guess. It is my recollection that alder was the body wood on the Mexican Standards of this era. This is the STANDARD model judging by the decal, which is sort of a misleading model name as Standards were the highest end instruments turned out in Ensenada at the time. Depending on the year there could have been one or two inferior models to the Standards including the Traditional Series (all black Fender decal that almost looks screen printed) and the Squier Series (all black Fender decal with separate Squier Series script decal added on peghead front similar to today's "Deluxe Series" in decal size, script font and placement.) This was prior to Squier instruments actually becoming a brand and the Squier Series were actually Fenders with a Fender serial, Fender warranty, etc. Cheaper Fenders, but still Fenders. The Squier brand came later.

Value depends largely on where you are. Depending on where you are $300 might be on the high end, but the condition on this one is like new and I could see asking $300 for it here based on the amazing condition.

This was made during the period when Made in Mexico Fender necks and bodies were still being cut and fretted in the USA because there were no CNC machines yet in Ensenada. Only the CNC cuts and fretting were done in the USA and everything else was done at Ensenada. This was standard practice then. I like these better than the previous design that expanded the pickguard to eliminate the control plate. To me those just didn't look like a Jazz and the ones like yours look better to me. I had one very much like this one. It was black also. I think I sold it for $250 about 20 years ago.

This one appears in unusually great condition and being left handed it is sort of scarce. While it will never be a collector's item it is one very cool southpaw Baja boomer.


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Post subject: Re: Just bought a used Jazz Bass...
Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 7:55 pm
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Congrats on your new bass. you found a rare bird at a good price. Now you can start buying more and more. :D


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Post subject: Re: Just bought a used Jazz Bass...
Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 11:32 pm
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Hehey, thanks a lot for your help. I'll take it to a guitar place to make completely sure, but you have already made me feel quite a lot less uncertain about my new beauty. I've emailed Fender consumer relations as well.


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Post subject: Re: Just bought a used Jazz Bass...
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2014 9:27 am
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schnouzi wrote:
Hehey, thanks a lot for your help. I'll take it to a guitar place to make completely sure, but you have already made me feel quite a lot less uncertain about my new beauty. I've emailed Fender consumer relations as well.


I'm 99% sure it is legit. Can't tell if the pups are original or not or if the wiring has been boogered up. If it plays ok you did fine. Lefties are hard to find in any shape and this one looks great, so congrats.


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Post subject: Re: Just bought a used Jazz Bass...
Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 12:08 pm
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Chains11 wrote:
Guys, isn't the number permanently engraved somewhere within?


Also, I just picked up a used MIM Blacktop Jazz, White chrome Pearl.
The serial is MX12 +6.
While not yet listed in database info, I presume it is 2012-2013.


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Post subject: Re: Just bought a used Jazz Bass...
Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 4:36 pm
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Location: Ontario, Canada
I have a lefty 1998 sunburst jazz, It is a basswood body I paid $275. at GC in Boston a few years ago, It had a bad constant hummm.

I replaced pots, wire, pups (Fender vintage),
shielded with copper tape. now sounds like a million $$.
(cosmetics like pickguard, black knobs & chrome covers)

It has the 60's vibe, I am very happy with mine you will be too!!


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