(SOLD) Fender Japan ‘62 Jazz Bass JB62-115WAL Walnut Stain 1990
Fender Japan '62 Jazz Bass, walnut finish, made in Japan 1990-1. This is a classy thing, no doubt about it. 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 occasionally reissued as a limited run or 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 hardware on this one has been upgraded, so it's got a set of beefy Gotoh tuners and a Gotoh high mass bridge, so that adds some tuning stability and tonal presence into the mix. The neck pickup has been switched for a Duncan Quarter Pound, so that offers plenty of natural low end and a big, fat juicy midrange. The original bridge pickup is still there, which has a lovely vintage style growl and snap; there's a great push and pull and resulting balance between the two. The neck is a great shape, it's slim and quick and blessed with a gorgeous dark streaky rosewood board, plus the worn satin finish feels great. This is a really lovely item, it sounds and feels easily as good as it looks... and it looks pretty good too.
Model: Fender '62 Reissue Jazz Bass, (JB62-115WAL)
Made: Japan, Fujigen plant, 1990-1 (serial K022052)
Finish: walnut stain, finished with satin nitro top coat, 3-ply black guard
Body: sen ash
Neck: maple with rosewood board, dot inlays
Weight: 4.335kg
Mods: tuners replaced, knobs replaced, bridge replaced with Gotoh high mass, nekc pickup repalced
Pickups: Fender USA JB-Vintage single-coil (bridge), Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound single-coil (neck)
Case: basic non-original 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 and glossing from contact on the back only. The back has widespread dents, dimples and scuffs as well as some clouding and rub wear. The sides have dimples around the whole body as well as some more notable small bald patches and decent scuffs near the jack and in the elbow area. The front has widespread minor dimples, scuffs near the controls, glossing in the elbow area and some paly wear on the guard and horn. Overall condition: good condition (7/10)
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, 8/10 for life left. Set up with fresh 45/105s.