Their new fingerboard plastic is called "Ebonol"...here is a copy and paste from Fender's own ad:

"The new Deluxe Jazz Bass Active is a four-string version of another popular Squier bass, the Deluxe Jazz Bass V Active. Like its five-string predecessor, the Deluxe Jazz Bass Active delivers modern active tone at unbeatable value, with features including an active three-band EQ with “slap” switch and a one-piece maple neck with ebonol fingerboard. Further, it’s available in two finishes—Black (with matching painted headstock) and Three-color Sunburst."

Ebonol fingerboards have been around for a few years, and used on many stringed instruments. It is a synthetic material.

Ebonol ain't new dude. And it ain't plastic either.

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The time has gone, the song is over, thought I'd something more to say.

Considering that the two other prominent luthiers who use Ebonol are Ken Smith and Michael Tobias, I think the stuff is probably pretty legit.

Plastic tele or strat too?

Is that ebonol the same thing as mikarta?

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Dunno. But I did notice that Martin use micarta for the fingerboards on some of their acoustics (the X Series, for one). Definitely not cruddy quality instruments!

This thread has achieved one thing. It made me take a look at the Squier website and notice what amazing value those Vintage Modified Jazz Basses are. Now if those had been around when I was shopping for a bass; well...

Cheers - C

Those people over on the Gibson fourm just want to confuse us.

Why automatically blame Gibson? It could be a Reverend lover! I'd accuse PRS, but those guys are all out working 3 jobs to afford their guitars.

Yes, I believe that ebonol is the same as Norplex' micarta (sometimes I see it spelled with a "k"). There are a couple other names too, depending on the manufacturer.

I see Squier used it in 2007 and maybe even before that, I didn't try to find the first mention of it.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

Or gigging and recording.

Some people have to much time on there hands.

Never heard of Plastic Fretboard Before... Oh well, I Love My Fender, I always will!

Judging from the majority of reactions here, Sounds like you may have encountered a "Booty", see if that Fender logo peels off like a sticker.

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the fretless jazz bass has a frenolic fretboard (hope I spelled that correctly) a bro of mine has a couple and it does feel like plastic, I'm thinking that Fender uses that material because it works better.

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.