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Post subject: Fender Japan Custom Edition P-Bass UPDATED PICS!
Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 3:32 pm
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Greetings to all,

I am a long time fender fan (bassist) and I have a few Fender Basses (8). Just picked up a very interesting bass. Here is what I know about it, and perhaps someone here can shed some light on this particular bass.

It is supposedly a "1990" Fender Japan Custom Edition Bass.
Spec summary:

Modern P-Bass Body(Red Walnut Finish),
No pickguard installed,
'55 Control Plate,
Bartolini Pickup at the bridge position,
Rosewood Neck,
Silver dot inlays
'55 Style headstock (matching walnut finish),
Gold Hardware.

It peaked my interest as it was very unique looking bass.

Questions are as follows,

1.What is a Fender Japan Custom Edition instrument?

2. Where can I find the actual specs on this instrument?

Thanks in advance.

https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=1 ... aGiJlI&v=3

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Last edited by GST61 on Tue Oct 08, 2013 6:46 am, edited 4 times in total.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Japan Custom Edition P-Bass Identification?
Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 2:38 am
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I have seen and eyed this bass many times before, even used Warmoth to create a bass inspired by this model. It sure looks awesome, so 'grats on the purchase.

Your guess is as good as mine though. I do know that the body material and parts are original from when I first scouted this bass on eBay, but I was never sure if the pickup was modded in later on or was stock with the bass.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Japan Custom Edition P-Bass Identification?
Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 11:36 am
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That is a very cool bass. I remember other early 90's Japan basses that were really cool like that one. I'm sure Brother Dave will fill you in on it once he sees it.

I'm surprised to see the style of that P bass as I have recently traded for a bass that is very similar in style and color. It's a parts P bass but it looks like the original owner was going after the same vibe as the bass you have. Nice :)


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Post subject: Re: Fender Japan Custom Edition P-Bass Identification?
Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 12:32 pm
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Hey guys thanks for the compliments and warm greetings.

I have spent hours researching the Japan Custom Edition models as this P-Bass is such a creation. Here I are some excepts and tidbits from what I have discovered. Still subjective and some contradictions are noted, but at least I have some info so I thought I would share. This info was hard to come by, and by no means is it a common or easy to find subject on the web...

Please feel free to correct/ elaborate

1. According to an early 90’s catalog, Fender Japan had a special team during that era called “Custom Edition Team” (which no longer exists). An imitation of Fender USA’s original Corona Custom Shop, the team consisted of only highly skilled builders and finishers, used only select materials, took custom orders.

2. With the "Custom Edition" models FJ used the wood that they had been collecting from around the world for many many years to make these authentic copies. In this case: beautiful lightweight swamp ash! (Not sen or basswood or non period correct alder for their 54 copies.) The Custom Editions were made with the best wood Fender owned!!

3. If you see either of these logo's (extrad or custom edition) the MIJ's are nitro and almost always have full sized CTS pots and cloth wired USA made pickups. The Strats also have a full sized steel tremelo block.

4. Japan Custom Edition Models: They are usually factory made guitars given extra features and attention with regards to pick-ups, wood selection or finish. Custom Edition guitars were not Custom Shop. Custom Edition are usually special runs made for chain stores in Japan or Limited Edition series for the Japanese market.

The Extrad or Japan Custom Edition ones are dead on replicas of the original Fenders, 100% nitro and are so good they are way above anything Fender USA has made since the 50's.

5. (Referring to a very rare Fender Japan Custom Shop Custom Edition '54 Reissue Stratocaster.)

You don't see these very often. Fender Japan only had a Custom Shop for a few short years; made the famous Custom Editions and the elusive EX-TRAD models there. The wood on this guitar is to die for. The light ash has some of the nicest grain I've seen in a long time, and certainly it is not something you typically see even on Fender USA Custom Shop models. All USA components, nitro finish, USA vintage reissue pickups (the REALLY nice sounding ones) and hand-craftsmanship that the Japanese are so well-known for.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Japan Custom Edition P-Bass Identification?
Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 1:42 pm
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Even though Fender Japan is a completely different outfit than Fender in North America (FMIC), Fender Japan has "Custom Shop" of sorts but it has never been done just like Fender does it in Corona. Fender Japan as such doesn't actually make anything, but contracts everything out. There never has been a true "Fender Factory" of any sort custom or otherwise in Japan. Fender Japan caters to high end Japanese customers like pros with some high end offerings and this appears to be one. These are called CUSTOM EDITIONS and usually they have USA electronics and sometimes USA or Schaller/Germany hardware.

I'm not sure they are actually still doing Custom Edition basses at all now either, but there is a new Custom Edition Keith Richards signature Tele guitar going around now. There have been many permutations and versions but the Fender Japan Custom Editions appear to be standardized and you can't go off the reservation with Fender Japan by picking and choosing components or options.

Custom Editions from Fender Japan will have an oval silver "FENDER-CUSTOM MADE-FENDER JAPAN" logo or "FENDER-CUSTOM MADE-EXTRAD" logo on the back of the headstock. However I don't think they are really made to order in that you can't specify pickups, wood, hardware, finishes etc and they are pretty much all exactly the same specs.

The way it works to get one there is a lot like here. You would go to a Fender Japan dealer (for example a YAMANO GAKKI store) and order one just like here, but the high end Yamano stores would have probably stocked a couple like a Showcase dealer would in North America. (Yamano Gakki is actually one of the owners in the partnership that is Fender Japan along with Kanda Shokai who is a distributor/exporter.)

I'm no Fender Japan expert at all. Their support link is: http://www.fenderjapan.co.jp/support.html
However unless you read Japanese that link isn't much use.

So far as I know the only way to get a spec sheet for it would be to contact Support at Fender Japan. Even then I'm not sure they would actually have it. I don't think this model, or any Fender Japan Custom Editions for that matter, have ever been imported to North America by FMIC, therefore FMIC Consumer Relations would not have any information about it. FMIC Consumer Relations might however be able to recommend an English speaking contact at Fender Japan you could contact via email to inquire about obtaining accurate information on it. So I'd contact FMIC Consumer Relations through the site here and ask them if they know who to contact at Fender Japan for support information in English on Fender Japan Custom Editions. If Fender Japan sends you a spec sheet it would probably be in Japanese and you'd have to get it translated or have them translate it for you. Good luck as I think that is the best option unless you read Japanese and can go through the Japanese site and converse with their support staff in Japanese.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Japan Custom Edition P-Bass Identification?
Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 2:49 pm
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Thank you very much BD for your time and input. Very helpful. I now have a good grasp of what a Fender Japan Custom Edition actually is.

As far as the specs goes, I believe you are right and if this particular bass turns out to be a one-off, it may make finding the specs that much more difficult. However, being that the Japanese are so meticulous and efficient (as far as Fender goes) your suggestion may prove fruitful.

With that said, i just hope they have a better record keeping system, than compared to their seemingly hap-hazard serial number assignments over the years lol.

I will post my progress/ success here as it becomes available.

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Last edited by GST61 on Mon Sep 23, 2013 5:37 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Japan Custom Edition P-Bass Identification?
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 2:41 am
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It isn't a one-off. I've seen a couple just like it. Fender Japan didn't do one-offs.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Japan Custom Edition P-Bass Identification?
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 5:36 am
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Well that is good news as it may make it easier. I am very curious to find out which Bartolini pickup is installed at the bridge position. I do not take anything for granted with the Japanese market only guitars. For all I know they put a neck pickup in the bridge position for a particular tone or sound. Once the bass arrives, I will know more as it is en route as we speak.

Thanks again BD

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Post subject: Re: Fender Japan Custom Edition P-Bass Identification?
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 8:59 pm
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I have a real soft-spot for Fender Japan stuff - I lived in Tokyo in the '80s and owned several of the medium-grade instruments (a couple of which I still own) which allowed me to taste a little bit of the Fender magic in my formative years.

I've never seen one like yours - we returned to the US in 1988 - but it looks sweet! Best of luck finding info - I'm not a native speaker of Japanese but can slog through it if necessary, so let me know if you need any help.

Ikebe (one of the big Japanese retailers) has had a couple of "Billy Sheehan" models over the past few years that could be one-offs made specially for them, but not sure if they only made one each of these or a small run:

Image

Image

Some of the Fender Japan "Twang" catalogs are available online, though I didn't find yours in any here:

http://brochures.yokochou.com/en_index.html#FENDERJAPAN

http://stratomaniac.com/twang-fender-squier-jv-mij-katalog-1982-1983/fender-twang-1982-1997-uebersicht.html

Still fun to look at though! Nostalgic for me too - I had a few of these!

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Post subject: Re: Fender Japan Custom Edition P-Bass Identification?
Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 6:57 am
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Wow hieronymous...

Great links to a great resource. Thank you very much. Makes me even more curious about my bass. Although Brother Dave has indicated my bass is not a one off...it certainly appears to be a rare bird. It is not in any catalog or reference guide that I can find, and your links make that even more apparent. I waiting for Fender Consumer Relations to get back to me and hopefully point me on the right direction. It is not critical to get the info as I am not trying to determine the value. I am very interested in the history of the bass.

If I need some translation in this journey I will look to tap your ability.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Japan Custom Edition P-Bass Identification?
Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 1:56 pm
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Here is my corespondance with Fender USA regarding this bass...

Hello,

I have recently acquired a 1990 Fender Japan Custom Edition P-Bass (serial # N001945). I was hoping to acquire some more info, mainly the specs. Can someone at Fender USA pull the info on this bass or put me in touch with someone at Fender Japan that could provide the reference material in support of this bass?

Thanks in advance.

------------------------------------------

We have no information whatsoever on the bass. I’ve been here since the early ‘90s and have never seen this platform out of Japan. If it is legit,…and I’m not sure it is,…it would have been made at a factory that we no longer have a relationship with and unfortunately, there is no one we could point you to today for information on it.

Best Regards

Bob Willocks
FMIC Consumer Relations

-------------------------------------------
Hey Bob,

Thanks for the info...I was hoping for an English speaking contact at Fender Japan that could help?

I understand your scepticism regarding the legitimacy of this bass, but it has been around a while and seems to have the backing of previous owners and is recognized by the fender bass community. If it was a fake, it hopefully would have been recognized as such by now as it has been in circulation since 1990.

I will know more when I receive it.

Either way thank for the reply.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Japan Custom Edition P-Bass Identification?
Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 1:58 pm
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Man, I hope this bass is legit....

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Post subject: Re: Fender Japan Custom Edition P-Bass Identification?
Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 10:37 am
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Don't give up hope yet! Fender Japan is a whole 'nother world with lots of stuff that never made it over here for distribution.

One thing you really need to see is the back of the neck by the body/neck joint - that's where it should say "Made in Japan" with the serial number. Do you have more pictures?

The only other "legitimate" source I can think of is something like the Japanese "Bass Magazine" - sometimes they had articles and reviews of special instruments - but it's almost impossible to get back issues from that long ago, so it's not such a great lead. Sorry about that! :oops:

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Post subject: Re: Fender Japan Custom Edition P-Bass Identification?
Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2013 6:44 am
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Bass is still enroute. I will post when the bass arrives and provide more detailed photos for those who are interested. Should see it next week. At the mercy of eBay's Global Shipment System. Shipped west from Boston to HUB in Kentucky, then it will be shipped east to Toronto as port of entry... then forwarded west to me in Winnipeg. Takes at least twice as long as opposed to "seller to buyer" direct shipping. Way too much handling, exponentially increasing the potential for damage. Crossing my fingers.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Japan Custom Edition P-Bass Identification?
Posted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 9:20 pm
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How do I post pics that are on my PC?

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