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Post subject: Japanese blue flower reissue
Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 2:40 pm
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Gentlemen,
This is my first post. I tried to post many times in the past, but there was a glitch or something not allowing me access.
I just bought my first used bass, ever! Ebay.
It's a Japanese reissue blue flower Precision. This means, as many of you undoubtably know, it's a '68 Tele vibe, but it's really a '54 Precision reissue with contoured body and a Tele (early Precision) headstock.
I'm aware of the change from "Made in Japan" to "Crafted in Japan" which is really just a name change, not a level or production quality change.
Question: The serial number of the bass has a "Q" followed by 6 digits which would indicate a 1993-94 "Made in Japan" model. Serial numbers under the "Crafted" column on the web site have a letter and 5 digits.
The fly in the ointment is that the back base of the neck has "Crafted in Japan." Confusing!
The bass arrived with Bassline Pups installed which took me by surprise. I'm just now getting ready to plug into my rig (Eden stuff) and hear it for the first time!
If anyone's interested, I'll critique it for you as my ears ears qualify it.


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Post subject: Re: Japanese blue flower reissue
Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 11:21 pm
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Wick6 wrote:
Gentlemen,
This is my first post. I tried to post many times in the past, but there was a glitch or something not allowing me access.
I just bought my first used bass, ever! Ebay.
It's a Japanese reissue blue flower Precision. This means, as many of you undoubtably know, it's a '68 Tele vibe, but it's really a '54 Precision reissue with contoured body and a Tele (early Precision) headstock.
I'm aware of the change from "Made in Japan" to "Crafted in Japan" which is really just a name change, not a level or production quality change.
Question: The serial number of the bass has a "Q" followed by 6 digits which would indicate a 1993-94 "Made in Japan" model. Serial numbers under the "Crafted" column on the web site have a letter and 5 digits.
The fly in the ointment is that the back base of the neck has "Crafted in Japan." Confusing!
The bass arrived with Bassline Pups installed which took me by surprise. I'm just now getting ready to plug into my rig (Eden stuff) and hear it for the first time!
If anyone's interested, I'll critique it for you as my ears ears qualify it.


what are you hesitating? of course we wanna know ALL about precis of any kind... -GET GOING!!!
and what about pics? (no pics, no flower power!) :mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: Japanese blue flower reissue
Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 9:47 am
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Made in Japan and Crafted in Japan discrepancies abound once you get out of the six string solid body electrics from Japan. This is because most of the serial info posted relates to solid body electric 6 string guitar manufacturing. Here is a link with very accurate information relating to MIJ and CIJ markings: http://www.music-trade.co.jp/Fenderjapanserial.html

In summary, MIJ and CIJ once reliably distinguished the contractor who made the instrument for Fender Japan. However that line blurred somewhat over time. AFAIK Fujigen Gakki of Matsumoto has made most (if not all) of the first generation P-Basses, meaning the '51 shaped Japanese models, including the 51 shaped Blue Flower, Paisley, 51 RI and STING models while during this time production of other Fender model instruments has been done by multiple contractors for various reasons. Since the production numbers for these basses are smaller and done by a different contractor the serials may not fit the exact format of the 6 string models made by other contractors. Since the serials posted in most of the online guides relates primarily to 6-string solid body electrics, don't try to relate that to anything else like acoustics or first generation P-Basses.

Fender Japan does not have a dedicated plant as such, but uses various contractors to produce their instruments. Some of these manufacturers, like Fujigen, make instruments for other leading brands like Epiphone, Gretch, etc.


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Post subject: Re: Japanese blue flower reissue
Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 1:45 pm
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Location: Swanage, UK
Hi Wick6. Welcome to the mad-house!

I can't wait to hear how you get on with your new bass. I have a Pxxxxxx serial number '70 Reissue P-Bass (Model PB70-US SB) (one-piece alder body) from the Fuji-gen plant, and it's my favourite bass bar none. Wonderful tone, glorious fit and finish. Couldn't have asked for better.

Your Seymour Duncan Basslines pickup seems to be factory original (cf. http://kenji-cij.blogspot.com/2008/11/opb51-sd-precision-bass.html) - whereas mine has a Fender USA Vintage split-coil pickup.

Yours should sound brilliant - the CIJ workmanship and materials, if mine's anything to go by, are irreproachable, and that SD Basslines should be the icing on the cake 8)


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Post subject: Re: Japanese blue flower reissue
Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 10:13 am
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I had a chance last year to buy a Blue flowered one at the local music store,it was a bass that was bought new then returned on the 89th day of the 90 day return policy by some schmuck,it was just about perfect in every way possible but still was used.
They wanted 499.00$ for it w/gig bag,I had it in my hands and put it back because of the "reverse" wound tuners had 2 very stiff turning ones,I planned on taking the blue finish off and seeing what the basswood looked like underneath the photofinish blue flowers,but decided against it.
I went home and looked at some pics and seen a few others that were stripped and was'nt to impressed with the look of how the 3 piece wood body matched up with the other pieces and I did'nt have the money to let the bass sit there and collect dust untill I could have it refinished,So the next day I went back to put it on trail one more time to justify buying it and it was being carried out the store as I was walking in,"YOU SNOOZE :!: YOU LOOZE" :evil:

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Post subject: Re: Japanese blue flower reissue
Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 11:07 am
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Greetings All
I just purchased one of these Blue-Flower Tele basses a few weeks ago....Brand New, unopened in factory box....$400 Bucks.

Dealer (here in Virginia) has another new one on floor in stand...would likely do same price if not close to it (he has $550) on tag which I was ready to pay.


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Post subject: Re: Japanese blue flower reissue
Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 11:30 am
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Where in ol' virginia?

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Post subject: Re: Japanese blue flower reissue
Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 3:15 pm
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low-Hz-blow wrote:
what are you hesitating? of course we wanna know ALL about precis of any kind... -GET GOING!!!
and what about pics? (no pics, no flower power!) :mrgreen:


hey man, we still wait for the flower-power-pics!!!

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Post subject: Re: Japanese blue flower reissue
Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 5:39 pm
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Winter Sound in Gloucester VA has one on floor,brand new...saw it today while I was there.
www.wintersound.com


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Post subject: Re: Japanese blue flower reissue
Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 8:04 am
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Gents,
Been real busy and procrastinated with pics. Camera girl coming soon (insert joke)!
After 30 years of playing, I'm a part-timer now, but I play with two local bands (good musicians) that fit my schedule. The reason I bring that up is I debuted the "Flower" with both bands and they both were very complmentary of the sound, and of course the look. And this was in comparison with two '62 Fender reissues and a Tobias Zebrawood. I'm happy with it.
Pics coming soon...


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Post subject: Re: Japanese blue flower reissue
Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 12:39 pm
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PVTele wrote:
Hi Wick6. Welcome to the mad-house!

Your Seymour Duncan Basslines pickup seems to be factory original (cf. http://kenji-cij.blogspot.com/2008/11/opb51-sd-precision-bass.html) - whereas mine has a Fender USA Vintage split-coil pickup. 8)


I am not certain that the specification information posted at that link is accurate. I always thought Fender Japan pickups were standard on these. My 51 RI P-Bass pickup did not have any SD markings on it at all. The SD SCPB3 Quarter-Pounder model sounds AWESOME in these!

While fit and finish are excellent and the necks really stand out as precisely crafted, mini-pots and cheap poly caps make the electronics the weak link in these. I don't suggest upgrading the pots as there is not room but you can change out the cap.


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Post subject: Re: Japanese blue flower reissue
Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 2:34 pm
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Brother Dave,
Totally agree with fit and finish.
Thanks for the info on electronics. I haven't been inside the thing, and hope I never am called to go there!


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