Fender Japan '62 Jazz Bass, walnut finish, made in Japan 1991. This is surely quite something! In the late 80s, Fender Japan offered a limited release of instruments made entirely of walnut, both body and neck; the Jazz Bass in the line was given the model number JB62-115WAL. Once the initial run of those was sold out, they were never repeated, but the model was available as a special order and supplied with a very similar look but different species of wood. This is one of the order-made versions, so you get a beautifully grained alder body and a maple neck, stained top-to-bottom in a rich walnut hue. It's then finished with a satin nitro top coat, which really allows the wood to breathe beautifully, and then appointed with some deluxe USA pickups and gold hardware. The finish lets the super tight grain of the body shine through; it's absolutely superb in the flesh and definitely attracts some admiring responses. The tone on offer is awesome: heaps of clarity and definition through the treble balancing a very meaty, thick midrange with an effortless punchy, fat low end. It's a seriously great sounding bass; these high end models (especially from this era) punch harder than some very pricey USA instruments. If you're after a supremely classy Jazz Bass with a zesty exotic twist, here's your new chaperone of tone.

Model: Fender '62 Reissue Jazz Bass, (JB62-115WAL)
Made: Japan, Fujigen plant, 1990-1 (serial K022076)
Finish: walnut stain, finished with satin nitro top coat, 3-ply black guard
Body: alder
Neck: maple with rosewood board, dot inlays
Weight: 4.465kg approx
Mods: none
Pickups: Fender USA JB-Vintage single coils
Case: basic non-original padded gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: mild finish wear. Headstock has some marks on the end and bottom edge. Neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples on the back only. The back has no major marks, just some light glossing from contact along the belly carve and a minor scuff on the top horn. The sides have a couple of minor marks: dimples on the top horn, scuffs on the shoulder, surface scratches around from the jack. The front is pretty clean, just some dimples on the top horn and near the jack and some play wear on and around the guard. Overall condition: very good condition (8/10)

Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. Frets have minor wear only, they're in pretty tidy shape, 7/10 for life left. Set up with fresh 45/105s.