Recently Inherited Mid-Eighties MIJ PBass
New user here...
Serial# E846114 shows this Metallic Blue bass w natural fretted neck to be 1984 - 1987. Anyone know a way to narrow it down to an exact year?
Can anyone help me determine the approximate value for "very good" condition w original case? EBay has been no help...
https://ibb.co/VY9snNs
https://ibb.co/cYSs5Md
https://ibb.co/3kjkXNW
https://ibb.co/HpznC9W
https://ibb.co/TtYKLLF
https://ibb.co/qBc0gZv
https://ibb.co/Jz8X6S1
https://ibb.co/b2v8cG2
https://ibb.co/rwsw7S2
https://ibb.co/ns9cJQ9
Re: Recently Inherited Mid-Eighties MIJ PBass
This is probably no help at all. Fender's serial numbering scheme often resembles a Rubik's cube. Numbers are re-used, lost, forgotten, or made up at times.
Fender's own TWO serial number lookups (https://serialnumberlookup.fender.com/lookup/ and https://support.fender.com/en-US/serialsearch/) both return empty results when your number is input. Other, independent sites support your research. The site https://www.guitardataproject.org/serial/decode shows how a serial number is broken down, but as you've already found, the same serial number could also suggest it was built in Corona during 1988-1989.
I'm not a bassist, and without photos and/or some other documentation, I couldn't give you an idea of its worth.
Re: Recently Inherited Mid-Eighties MIJ PBass
You probably have seen this, but if not…
Fender increased its production in March, 1982 by having the Japan-based company Fuji Gen Gakki also build instruments.
The MIJ (Made In Japan) guitars start with a letter or a few letters indicating the year of manufacture. This is the same system as the US serial numbers, however these MIJ serial numbers are less reliable.
Because this letter system was used inaccurately, the dating of MIJ guitars is questionable.Because this letter system was applied inaccurately, the dating of MIJ guitars is doubtful.
In 1997 the sticker "Made in Japan" was replace by "Crafted in Japan". There are overlaps of "CIJ" (Crafted in Japan) with the "MIJ" models, so pay attention to whether the instrument is labeled "Made in Japan" or "Crafted in Japan".
JV + 5 digits 1982 - 1984
SQ + 5 digits 1983 - 1984
E + 6 digits 1984 - 1987
A + 6 digits
B + 6 digits
C + 6 digits 1985 - 1986
F + 6 digits 1986 - 1987
G + 6 digits 1987 - 1988
H + 6 digits 1988 - 1989
I + 6 digits
J + 6 digits
