Fender '57 Precision, JV serial example made in June 1982, two tone sunburst. 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 weeks later in June of that year. All of that back story makes this historically significant and increasingly collectable, and as these instruments turn forty over the next couple of years that's only going to ramp up further. All that aside, there's a reason people want these: it's an absolute monster bass. The neck is a friendly medium profile, slightly slimmer than later '57 Reissue examples but with plenty of meat in the back. It's a superb piece of maple: straight and sturdy, aged to golden perfection, slick in the hands and blessed with a subtle birds-eye flame here and there. The body is a lightweight piece of ash, it features some gorgeous concentric grain patterns and resonantes enthusiastically with each and every note. It's cool to score a P under 4kg, if you're a long-set player your shoulders will sure appreciate the lightweight body. The golden maple board and aged two-tone sunburst finish radiate a certain vintage swagger that no relic finish replica can ever attain: this is a proper vintage players' piece, no doubt. These are skyrocketing in value already, so get your ticket to the JV party while it's still attainable for us mere mortals. 

Model: Fender '57 Precision Bass, PB57-70
Made: Japan, Fujigen plant, neck date 20 June 1982 (serial JV03380)
Finish: two tone sunburst, 1-ply cream guard 
Body: sen ash, three piece
Neck: maple with maple board, 34" scale, 7.25" radius, 44mm nut
Weight: 3.795kg
Mods: thumb rest attached
Pickup: Fender Japan PB-Vintage split single coil
Case: basic non-original gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. Headstock has some dimples on the end and bottom edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, just a minor bald patch on the board at the twelfth fret and minor dimples on the back only. The back has widespread light dimples and scuffs, no major marks though. The sides have minor dimples around the whole body, no major marks. The front has minor dimples around the bridge, near the jack, in the elbow area and along the top horn, as well as a sticker fade mark on the guard alongside some standard play scratches on the guard and horn. Overall: 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 appear to be recently levelled, minor wear only; 7/10 for fret life left. Set up with fresh 45/105 Moonshiners strings.