(SOLD) Squier Japan Precision Bass SPB-55 California Blue 1983 JV Serial
Squier SPB-55 Precision Bass, California blue, made in Japan 1983. The early 80s was a turbulent time for Fender. Under the ownership of TV giants CBS, the quality of instruments leaving the Fullerton factory had significantly declined over the previous decade, so by the early 80s sales and profits were significantly down. Visionary executive Dan Smith was brought in from Japanese giants Yamaha, tasked with redesigning the manufacturing process to get Fender's quality back to where it was in the 50s. Meanwhile, across the pacific, Japanese brands like Greco, Yamaha and Ibanez were producing Fender-style instruments on a large scale built to a phenomenal standard. Dan Smith took some fellow execs to Japan and set up a joint venture with their Japanese distributors and signed a deal to produce both Fender branded instruments and their new Squier line at the exceptional Fujigen Gakki plant. The first instruments arrived in California in 1982, stamped with serial numbers started with 'JV', and were met with elation: this is how Fenders were meant to be built. It's no exaggeration to say these early Squiers are better instruments than Fender USA stuff from the previous few years... they're made with greater attention to detail, from better quality wood and finished with to a higher standard. This particular example is a whole lot of fun. First up, it's an unusual colour: California blue. It's faded somewhat to an green-ish hue in some spots, and has plenty of rub-wear and marks to show it's age. It wore a sticker for a long while, so you can clearly see the fade mark reading "punk's not dead"... perfect for your jazz gig, right? The fretboard was in dire shape on arrival from both play wear and a botched previous fret job, so our local tech has gone to great lengths to repair the wounds on the board where frets had been removed without due care, as well as replacing the frets with a shiny new vintage-correct wire. He's done a terrific job, so it's now both visually tidy and playing supremely smoothly. The magic on these JV basses is the wood selection, and the neck here has that certain magic you only feel on really great pieces of timber... it's slim, comfy, perfectly straight and just seems to be alive. The original guard had been cut and was largely missing too, so this is wearing a gorgeous new anodised gold guard made by our buddy Herad Audio Devices in Adelaide. Aside from the frets, guard and the output jack, this is original, so all the tuners and pots etc are intact. But, you ask: does it sound any good? Oh friend, you're in for a treat. There's the classic P-punch on deck, with a rounded and weighty low end with a fast and expressive attack. But, the really special thing here is the balance across the strings and the remarkable clarity and eloquence of the high end, lending a complex clarity of voice to your notes and bringing out all the little nuances you barely knew you were playing. Well, this blurb got pretty long, so well done for making it this far. Buy it and never sell it. Life sorted!
Model: Squier Precision Bass (SPB-55)
Made: Japan, Fujigen Plant neck date 24 March 1983 (serial JV45177)
Finish: California blue (CBL)
Body: alder
Weight: 4.140kg
Neck: maple, rosewood neck, vintage C shape, 7.25" radius, 42mm nut
Mods: pickguard replaced, output jack replaced, frets replaced
Pickups: Fender Japan PB-Single, pots are original
Case: basic non-original gig bag
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some dimples and scuffs on the end, some minor marks on the back near the G and A tuners and a small dent on the top edge. The fretboard has had some spot-repairs during the re-fret process, so you can see the evidence of some rosewood-dust filler most clearly around the 12th and 15th frets but there's a few other small spots here and there. The back of the neck is pretty clean though, minor dimples only. The back has widespread scuffs and rub wear, possibly deliberately inflicted, cover most of the back of the body. There's also a sticker fade mark in the elbow area, some dimples on the top horn and along the belly carve and a decent scuff on the back edge. The sides have dimples and scuffs on the top horn and elbow area, a little black mark on the elbow area, some dimples near the rear strap pin, a few scuffs and a pair of dents near the knobs and some light scuffs on the bottom horn. The front has a large sticker fade mark that reads 'PUNK'S NOT DEAD' along the top side, as well as some discolouration and scuffs on the top horn, some dimples and scuffs in the elbow area, some dimples around the bridge and jack and some scuffs on the edge below the knobs. Overall: good condition (7/10).
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. The frets are brand new as noted, 10/10 for fret life left. All electrics tested and working properly. Set up with fresh 45/105 Moonshiners strings.