Bass / Fender
PRE-SALE: Fender Jazz Bass Special PJ-555 – Vintage White, Made in Japan, 1985
Listed on Reverb
1 569.00 EUR
Original Reverb prices in EUR. Check the listing for shipping and the final total.
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- Model
- PJ555
- Year
- 1985
- Finish
- VWH (Vintage White)
- SKU
- B25055
- Condition
- Used — see description
Service and condition at a glance
Work and modifications
The scheduled service work includes: setup (truss rod, string action and intonation adjustment), fret cleaning and polishing or – if required – fingerboard planing with a refret, cleaning and polishing of wooden and metal parts, servicing and shielding of the electronics.
Technical condition
The instrument is currently being prepared for playing (pre-sale). Once the scheduled luthier work has been completed, it will be fully functional both mechanically and electronically. Cosmetic condition: We rate the cosmetic condition at 8 out of 10. The guitar shows signs of use consistent with its age – details are visible in the photographs.
About this instrument
Instrument description in English.
PLEASE NOTE! This instrument is presented as a pre-sale item. It will undergo luthier work, including, among other things, polishing of the finish, refurbishment of the metal parts and shielding of the electronics. Depending on the assessment of the neck geometry, the original frets will receive an advanced levelling and polishing, or – if levelling (planing) of the fingerboard proves necessary – the instrument will receive a completely new set of frets. The final price includes the above work. This listing does not constitute a commercial offer within the meaning of Article 66 § 1 of the Polish Civil Code.
About the instrument
The Fender Jazz Bass Special PJ-555 is a Japanese bass guitar produced in 1985 at the FujiGen Gakki factory. The model belongs to the Boxer series – Fender’s Japanese line from 1984–1987, combining a Jazz Bass-type body with a P/J pickup configuration, a TBX tone circuit and a three-position switch. The instrument presented here has a Vintage White finish, a basswood body, a maple neck and a rosewood fingerboard with Medium Jumbo frets. Fender Japan was established in March 1982 as a joint venture between Fender and the Japanese companies Kanda Shokai and Yamano Gakki; production was initially entrusted to the FujiGen Gakki factory. In the second half of the 1990s, manufacturing was taken over by Dyna Gakki (and temporarily also Tokai), and from 1997 the serial number decals bore the “Crafted in Japan” designation, which around 2007–2008 was once again replaced by “Made in Japan”. The instrument is currently being prepared and will undergo the scheduled luthier service in our workshop before being released.
Technical specification
Manufacturer: Fender Japan
Model: Jazz Bass Special PJ-555 (Boxer series)
Year: 1985 (Japan)
Body: Basswood
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Frets: Medium Jumbo (85–90% remaining – planned levelling and polishing / new frets if required)
Pickups: 1x Hot Rod P-Bass Split-Coil (neck), 1x Hot Rod J-Bass Single-Coil (bridge)
Electronics: Passive (2x Volume, 1x TBX Tone Control, 3-position switch)
Bridge: Fender Japan Vintage Style
Cosmetic condition: Pre-sale / 8 out of 10 (see description)
Finish: Vintage White (VWH)
Weight: 3.98 kg
Body and construction
The solid Jazz Bass-outline body is made of basswood. The instrument has a Vintage White lacquer finish. A traditional Bolt-on construction with the classic neck joint is used. In line with the terms of the pre-sale, the finish and wooden components will be cleaned and polished in our workshop, and the electronics cavities will be shielded.
Neck and playability
The maple neck, with the slim Jazz Bass-type profile, is paired with a rosewood fingerboard. The original Medium Jumbo frets retain approximately 85–90% of their original height. Depending on the assessment of the neck geometry, the original frets will undergo a thorough levelling and polishing, or – should the fingerboard require levelling (planing) – the instrument will receive entirely new frets. This will ensure correct intonation and appropriate string action along the entire length of the fingerboard. The fingerboard surface will be cleaned and conditioned.
Sound
The instrument is fitted with the factory P/J configuration: a Hot Rod P-Bass split-coil pickup in the neck position and a Hot Rod J-Bass single-coil at the bridge, controlled by two Volume potentiometers, a TBX circuit and a three-position switch.
Character: The P/J configuration combines the frequency response typical of a Split-Coil pickup with the ability to blend in the bridge pickup. The TBX (Treble Bass Expander) circuit allows – depending on the position of the potentiometer relative to its centre detent – either the classic roll-off of high frequencies or a brighter tone than in a traditional Tone circuit.
Dynamics: The passive electronics respond proportionally to the force of articulation. The scheduled servicing of the circuit (potentiometers, switch, jack) and shielding of the electronics cavities will reduce susceptibility to ambient noise.
Additional information
The Boxer series was Fender’s Japanese line from 1984–1987 (produced by FujiGen Gakki), offering features that were modern for the period: a P/J pickup configuration, a TBX circuit and a pickup selector switch.
A 1980s Jazz Bass Special was the instrument Duff McKagan used to record the Guns N’ Roses album “Appetite for Destruction”; Fender later based its Duff McKagan Precision Bass signature model on it.
This example comes from the first period of Fender Japan’s operation (“Made in Japan” designation), preceding the introduction of the “Crafted in Japan” decals in 1997.
The bass is offered on a pre-sale basis, which allows this particular instrument to be reserved before the full luthier work in our workshop has been completed.
Hardware
Bridge: Fender Japan Vintage Style – steel construction with adjustable saddles, allowing intonation and string height to be set. As part of the scope of work, the hardware will be cleaned and refurbished, and the bridge will receive a full adjustment of intonation and string height.
Tuners: Original tuning machines. The hardware will be thoroughly cleaned and lubricated to ensure tuning stability.
Condition
Technical condition: The instrument is currently being prepared for playing (pre-sale). Once the scheduled luthier work has been completed, it will be fully functional both mechanically and electronically.
Cosmetic condition: We rate the cosmetic condition at 8 out of 10. The guitar shows signs of use consistent with its age – details are visible in the photographs.
Setup and modifications: The scheduled service work includes: setup (truss rod, string action and intonation adjustment), fret cleaning and polishing or – if required – fingerboard planing with a refret, cleaning and polishing of wooden and metal parts, servicing and shielding of the electronics.
Why choose this instrument
FujiGen Gakki production: An example from 1985, from the period in which Fender Japan instruments were made by the FujiGen factory.
P/J configuration with TBX circuit: Passive electronics with two pickups, a switch and a TBX circuit offer a wider range of tone control than the classic PB or JB configuration – without the use of a battery.
Pre-sale offer: Purchasing on a pre-sale basis makes it possible to reserve this particular instrument and receive it directly upon completion of the luthier work in our workshop.
Comprehensive service: Within the agreed price, the bass will undergo all the scheduled preparatory work, which eliminates the need for any additional investment after collection.
About the instrument
The Fender Jazz Bass Special PJ-555 is a Japanese bass guitar produced in 1985 at the FujiGen Gakki factory. The model belongs to the Boxer series – Fender’s Japanese line from 1984–1987, combining a Jazz Bass-type body with a P/J pickup configuration, a TBX tone circuit and a three-position switch. The instrument presented here has a Vintage White finish, a basswood body, a maple neck and a rosewood fingerboard with Medium Jumbo frets. Fender Japan was established in March 1982 as a joint venture between Fender and the Japanese companies Kanda Shokai and Yamano Gakki; production was initially entrusted to the FujiGen Gakki factory. In the second half of the 1990s, manufacturing was taken over by Dyna Gakki (and temporarily also Tokai), and from 1997 the serial number decals bore the “Crafted in Japan” designation, which around 2007–2008 was once again replaced by “Made in Japan”. The instrument is currently being prepared and will undergo the scheduled luthier service in our workshop before being released.
Technical specification
Manufacturer: Fender Japan
Model: Jazz Bass Special PJ-555 (Boxer series)
Year: 1985 (Japan)
Body: Basswood
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Frets: Medium Jumbo (85–90% remaining – planned levelling and polishing / new frets if required)
Pickups: 1x Hot Rod P-Bass Split-Coil (neck), 1x Hot Rod J-Bass Single-Coil (bridge)
Electronics: Passive (2x Volume, 1x TBX Tone Control, 3-position switch)
Bridge: Fender Japan Vintage Style
Cosmetic condition: Pre-sale / 8 out of 10 (see description)
Finish: Vintage White (VWH)
Weight: 3.98 kg
Body and construction
The solid Jazz Bass-outline body is made of basswood. The instrument has a Vintage White lacquer finish. A traditional Bolt-on construction with the classic neck joint is used. In line with the terms of the pre-sale, the finish and wooden components will be cleaned and polished in our workshop, and the electronics cavities will be shielded.
Neck and playability
The maple neck, with the slim Jazz Bass-type profile, is paired with a rosewood fingerboard. The original Medium Jumbo frets retain approximately 85–90% of their original height. Depending on the assessment of the neck geometry, the original frets will undergo a thorough levelling and polishing, or – should the fingerboard require levelling (planing) – the instrument will receive entirely new frets. This will ensure correct intonation and appropriate string action along the entire length of the fingerboard. The fingerboard surface will be cleaned and conditioned.
Sound
The instrument is fitted with the factory P/J configuration: a Hot Rod P-Bass split-coil pickup in the neck position and a Hot Rod J-Bass single-coil at the bridge, controlled by two Volume potentiometers, a TBX circuit and a three-position switch.
Character: The P/J configuration combines the frequency response typical of a Split-Coil pickup with the ability to blend in the bridge pickup. The TBX (Treble Bass Expander) circuit allows – depending on the position of the potentiometer relative to its centre detent – either the classic roll-off of high frequencies or a brighter tone than in a traditional Tone circuit.
Dynamics: The passive electronics respond proportionally to the force of articulation. The scheduled servicing of the circuit (potentiometers, switch, jack) and shielding of the electronics cavities will reduce susceptibility to ambient noise.
Additional information
The Boxer series was Fender’s Japanese line from 1984–1987 (produced by FujiGen Gakki), offering features that were modern for the period: a P/J pickup configuration, a TBX circuit and a pickup selector switch.
A 1980s Jazz Bass Special was the instrument Duff McKagan used to record the Guns N’ Roses album “Appetite for Destruction”; Fender later based its Duff McKagan Precision Bass signature model on it.
This example comes from the first period of Fender Japan’s operation (“Made in Japan” designation), preceding the introduction of the “Crafted in Japan” decals in 1997.
The bass is offered on a pre-sale basis, which allows this particular instrument to be reserved before the full luthier work in our workshop has been completed.
Hardware
Bridge: Fender Japan Vintage Style – steel construction with adjustable saddles, allowing intonation and string height to be set. As part of the scope of work, the hardware will be cleaned and refurbished, and the bridge will receive a full adjustment of intonation and string height.
Tuners: Original tuning machines. The hardware will be thoroughly cleaned and lubricated to ensure tuning stability.
Condition
Technical condition: The instrument is currently being prepared for playing (pre-sale). Once the scheduled luthier work has been completed, it will be fully functional both mechanically and electronically.
Cosmetic condition: We rate the cosmetic condition at 8 out of 10. The guitar shows signs of use consistent with its age – details are visible in the photographs.
Setup and modifications: The scheduled service work includes: setup (truss rod, string action and intonation adjustment), fret cleaning and polishing or – if required – fingerboard planing with a refret, cleaning and polishing of wooden and metal parts, servicing and shielding of the electronics.
Why choose this instrument
FujiGen Gakki production: An example from 1985, from the period in which Fender Japan instruments were made by the FujiGen factory.
P/J configuration with TBX circuit: Passive electronics with two pickups, a switch and a TBX circuit offer a wider range of tone control than the classic PB or JB configuration – without the use of a battery.
Pre-sale offer: Purchasing on a pre-sale basis makes it possible to reserve this particular instrument and receive it directly upon completion of the luthier work in our workshop.
Comprehensive service: Within the agreed price, the bass will undergo all the scheduled preparatory work, which eliminates the need for any additional investment after collection.