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Post subject: 1986-87 Made in Japan precision bass (F serial)
Posted: Wed May 11, 2016 4:03 pm
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Just looking forward to get this Japan P. The serial number starts with F. And it got made in Japan only on the headstock. Any suggestions ? Is it ok ?
Pics here: http://postimg.org/gallery/364qq02nm/
Thanks)


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Post subject: Re: 1986-87 Made in Japan precision bass (F serial)
Posted: Wed May 11, 2016 7:53 pm
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Pics are a bit fuzzy. From what I can see all I can do is make educated guesses. I am thinking it is likely this is a Fender Japan Standard series instrument. Starting about this same time the Fender Japan Standard Series instruments were no longer imported to the USA. Since production resumed at Corona, CA FMIC no longer needed to import Standards but did continue to import Vintage series Fender Japan instruments. Every single one of those Vintage series instruments I have ran across has the serial and MADE/CRAFTED decal at the base of the neck back just above the body joint, so I am reasonably certain this is not a Vintage series instrument and that it was not imported by FMIC for sale in the USA.

Most Fender Japan instruments you run across in the USA will have a MADE or CRAFTED neck back serial decal, however now and then you will see one like this with a MADE or CRAFTED serial inclusive headstock decal. They are far less commonly seen in the USA but now and then you will see one for sale somewhere. It is probable that these without the neck back decal were not intended for export.

When dealing with a non-export Fender Japan instrument It is important to know that Fender Japan generally made several quality levels at different price levels. The lowest priced and least desirable Fender Japan instruments were almost exclusively sold at Yamano Gakki stores in Japan. (Yamano Gakki was one of the three partners in the now defunct incarnation of Fender Japan. The second and third partners were FMIC and Kanda Shokai who is a musical instrument exporter and distributor.) If you track this instrument back I am guessing it was sold new at a Yamano store in Japan. Sometimes you can tell by disassembly what series it is by stamping in the neck pocket and on the neck paddle. Vintage Series Fender Japan P-Basses have a 57 or a 62 stamping. 57 for maple fretboard like 1957 Vintage and 62 for rosewood like 1962.

FMIC imported two tiers of Fender Japan made instruments for a while and once Corona got up and running they generally only imported one. Two tiers were never imported, the lowest and highest tiers. To cater to pro Japanese players there was a Fender Japan Custom Edition line turned out in one-off fashion by custom order like FMIC's own Custom Shop. These Fender Japan Custom Edition models have an oval "Custom Edition" decal on the back of the headstock and were never exported. You ordered one in person at a Yamano store, then picked it up at the same store. I keep hoping I might run across one of these Custom Edition basses, but never have.


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Post subject: Re: 1986-87 Made in Japan precision bass (F serial)
Posted: Thu May 12, 2016 1:55 am
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Heard that there were A,B, and C quality levels. Does stamping in the neck pocket and on the neck paddle may give me some information about quality range ?


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Post subject: Re: 1986-87 Made in Japan precision bass (F serial)
Posted: Thu May 12, 2016 5:16 am
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Vallely wrote:
Heard that there were A,B, and C quality levels. Does stamping in the neck pocket and on the neck paddle may give me some information about quality range ?


I know for sure that the VIntage series imported to the USA were top tier mass production models. The Standards were about the same quality with different cosmetics but not imported to the USA. The Vintage series are stamped PB57 and PB62, even ones sold by Yamano in Japan. This is often the only stamping on them. With the rosewood fingerboard this one would be stamped PB62 if this is a Vintage series one. If it says anything else, or more likely says nothing at all, it would be a standard or from a lower tier and we would have to try to figure out which one. The serial inclusive headstock decal is the most intriguing thing about it. That alone does not make it lower tier. Those photos are just too dark and fuzzy to tell much about it other than there is no third strap button on the back of the headstock which is why I think it is probably a Japanese Standard. Black PB62's were made, but I do not think this is one of those. I think the set screws on the control knobs are a good sign as the lower tier ones are often seen with push on plastic knobs and these look solid metal. But they could have been replaced so reserving judgment. Regardless of what it is this bass appears to be in great condition.


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Post subject: Re: 1986-87 Made in Japan precision bass (F serial)
Posted: Thu May 12, 2016 6:36 am
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Thanks for reply ! Stamping in the neck pocket is PB-331.


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Post subject: Re: 1986-87 Made in Japan precision bass (F serial)
Posted: Thu May 12, 2016 7:56 am
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Vallely wrote:
Thanks for reply ! Stamping in the neck pocket is PB-331.


Measure the scale length. Is it 34 or 32 inches?


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Post subject: Re: 1986-87 Made in Japan precision bass (F serial)
Posted: Thu May 12, 2016 8:42 am
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I asked about the scale length because there was a SQUIER branded made in Japan 32 inch scale model PB331 appearing in Japanese sales literature around 1984. So if it is a 32 inch scale then either Fender Japan switched it to a Fender branded model at some point after the E serials ended and the F serials began or someone did a decal swap. A Fender Vintage series P62 or P57 typically retailed in Japan for 80,000 Yen while the Squier PB331 sold for 45,000 Yen. Oddly enough in today's market the Japanese Squier PB331's bring almost the same money as the Fender Vintage ones!


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Post subject: Re: 1986-87 Made in Japan precision bass (F serial)
Posted: Thu May 12, 2016 11:47 am
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Tried it today. Yep it's a medium scale one. But don't feel I'm gonna take it, condition nice, sound weak(
But anyway thanks a lot !


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