(SOLD) Fender Japan ‘62 Jazz Bass JB62-75 Vintage White JV Serial 1982
Fender '62 Jazz, vintage white, made in Japan 1982, JV Serial. The JV serial instruments were the first Fender branded instruments made outside USA, built to an incredible standard by the famed Fujigen Gakki plant in Japan. Fender had increasing quality issues after the sale to CBS in 1964, and by the late 70s instruments rolling out of Fullerton that were pretty hit and miss. The first batch of MIJ Fenders were met with elation in USA by Fender execs: these were the best made Fender instruments since the mid-sixties. The very first JV instruments were completed in April 1982; this one was made a handful of months later in September of that year. All of that back story makes this historically significant and increasingly collectable, and as these instruments turn forty next year that's only going to ramp up further. There's a reason people get so hot under the collar for these: it's an amazing instrument, for sure. The neck has the certain 'JV magic' to it, that if you're familiar with JV stuff, you'll totally understand. It's a gorgeous piece of maple, with tight straight grain lines running in parallel down the back, paired with a dark, streaky, luxurious rosewood slab board on the front. It's carved to a slim, round C, effortless in the hands and still in exceptionally clean order despite the decades on the clock. It's hard to describe just how good the neck feels in the hands, but oh boy, it's a big feeling. The body is made from lightweight alder, so it weighs in at a very reasonable 4kg and resonates enthusiastically at the lightest touch. The pickups are a sixties style classic 8-pole single coil, delivering a warm, full and complex take on the J-tone. The low end is rich and full, beefier than most Jazz Basses, while the midrange has a certain openness to it played lightly or a hectic, throaty growl if you dig in hard. It's absolutely up there with the best Js I've ever heard. The vintage white finish has a few checking lines to show it's age, but it's in pretty remarkable shape for the age and has that tasty balance between creamy faded goodness and crisp white swagger. The chances that this will be worth a fair bit more cash in a few years is very good, so jump in and join the JV club while it's still possible for us mere mortals. You won't regret it, that's fir sure!
Model: Fender '62 Jazz Bass (JB62-55)
Made: Japan, neck date 29 Sep 1982, Fujigen plant (serial JV16986)
Finish: vintage white (VWH), gloss poly
Body: alder
Neck: maple with rosewood board, 7.25 radius, 34" scale, 38mm nut, slim C shape
Weight: 4.045kg
Mods: pickguard replaced
Pickups: Fender Japan JB-Single x2
Case: basic non-original gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has a couple of minor dimples on the bottom edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, just a handful of very minor dimples on the back. The back has a couple of minor dimples on the top horn and near the belly carve, as well as some long checking lines all over the back. The sides have some minor checking lines around the whole body as well as some dimples near the jack and on the bottom horn. The front has a few dimples near the bridge and some light play wear on the guard and horns. Overall: 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 and look freshly dressed and polished, 8/10 for fret life left. Set up with fresh 45/105 strings.