PricePaid: 61600 JPY (New)
Purchased From: Ishibashi Japan
Model Year: N/AFeatures: [9]
Body and Neck
The bass sports a 3-Colour Sunburst finish over an alder body, which is finished in polyurethane (as is the case with most MIJ, MIM, and MIA instruments, except for the MIA Vintage Series). The unbound maple neck is made to look aged with a vintage yellow tint and the fingerboard is a rosewood slab with maple inserts that provide fret marking. This is a long scale bass at 34”. White position makers are used.
Hardware
All the hardware is chromed; tuners are vintage reverse, together with a vintage spiral bridge. Also included in true ’62 style is a round string retainer and a strap button on the back of the headstock. The 4-bolt neck plate has no logo.
Pickups & Electronics
Installed pickups are Vintage American Jazz Bass (these are the same as in the American Vintage Series), the bass is passive and on the usual chrome Jazz Bass control plate are 2 plastic volume controls and one smaller tone control. The volume knobs independently control each pickups volume and can be used to combine both for tonal variation.
Accessories
This bass comes with an unpadded Fender gig bag. I actually ordered the additional rectangular hardcase, which is similar in style to G&G cases that come with US instruments. This case is certainly very good quality has a large inside compartment for accessories and also has moulded side protection for the bass.
To my surprise a red tortoise pick guard was included in the case should I choose to install it. Also provided is a guitar cord, and documents such as the generic Fender Japan Manual, Warranty etc…unfortunately it’s all in Japanese! Sounds: [9]
This Fender bass sounds rich and has a very good low-end tone. Having an alder body and thick rosewood fingerboard it sounds deep even with brand new strings. It certainly sounds a lot mellower than my Marcus Miller bass that has an ash body and a maple neck, which is a based on a 77 reissue.
The classic slide sounds usually associated with a fretless bass are easily attainable although, first one must get used to fretting very accurately on the fret line itself to achieve good intonation.
Since purchasing this bass I’ve been listening to a lot of Jaco Pastorius, Paul Simon’s “Graceland” and other music with fretless bass lines and been able to approximate the tone and feel with no problems. Action, Fit & Finish: [9]
Excellent quality all the way, very well made especially for the price. Reliability & Durability: [8]
So Far So Good ! Overall Rating: [9]
An excellent value for money instrument which, offers many features and superb build quality. This is my second Fender Japan instrument and there is no doubt I will return for more from the land of the rising sun.
| 
JB62-77 Fretless
