(SOLD) Fender Japan Jazz Bass Special PJ-535 Merlot Sparkle 1986
Fender Jazz Bass Special, merlot sparkle, made in Japan 1986. This looks so cool, right? The Boxer Series was Fender Japan's 'modern' offerings from the mid 1980s, so there was Strats and Teles with Floyd Rose bridges, pointy shred machines as well as some unusual basses like this one. It's a P-style body, slightly undersized, paired with a medium 32" scale slim Jazz Bass style neck. For a bit of extra tonal presence and snarl, the pickups are angled... looks weird, sounds great. This one also has an upgraded hefty bridge and lightweight tuners, serving to increase the tuning stability as well as balancing out how it sits in your lap a little. It feels great in the hands: lightweight and punchy, responsive to the touch and quick and compact for fast movement around the neck. Now, that finish: heck yeah. This one was in the personal stash of our local guitar refinishing guru Wellwood Guitars, so he couldn't just leave it black, of course. It's got a gorgeous merlot sparkle over the black and a fresh coat of thin poly on the top, which is surely going to look absolutely prime on the stage. Hectically cool.
Model: Fender Boxer Series Jazz bass Special PJ-535
Made: Japan, 1986 (serial E602771)
Finish: merlot sparkle over black, gloss poly, refinish by Wellwood Guitars
Body: basswood
Weight: 3.545kg
Neck: maple with rosewood board, 32" scale, 9.5" radius, 38mm nut, modern C shape
Mods: refinished, Babicz high mass bridge and Hipshot lightweight tuners installed
Pickups: Fender Japan Boxer P/J single coil set
Controls: volume (P), volume (J), tone, 3-way switch
Case: none
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some minor scuffs on the end and bottom edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, it's had a partial refinish too and you can see a bit of the maple grain showing through near the body joint. The back has minor scuffs near the ferrules and neck joint, no major marks. The sides are pretty clean save for a dimple on the top horn. The front has a minor dent between the bridge pickup and the bridge, some light scuffs in the elbow area and light play wear on the horns. Overall: very good condition (7.5/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good. The frets are in good shape, 8/10 for fret life left. All electrics tested and working properly. Set up with fresh 45/105 Moonshiners strings.