Fender Japan Launches Heritage Series Basses
Fender Japan has unveiled a new line of instruments called the Heritage Series that recreates features from the company’s past. The series was developed with Mark Kendrick, an original founding master builder of the Fender Custom Shop and the company’s current Director of Global Build Standards.
“The Made in Japan Heritage Series captures the spirit and very essence of Fender’s DNA. These guitars are authentic Fender craftsmanship. You will notice the classic nuances in the lines, curves, and contours almost immediately. The player will enjoy the sound of historic tones while appreciating the high quality of the Japanese craftsmanship,” says Kendrick. “I was blown away the first time I held a guitar from the Japan Heritage Series! These guitars exceeded my expectations.”
The series includes four basses: the Heritage ’50s Precision, the Heritage ’60s Precision, the Heritage ’60s Jazz, and the Heritage ’70s Jazz. The ’50s Precision has an alder body and thick C-shaped neck with a period-correct pickup. It also has a 1-ply gold anodized aluminum pickguard. The ’60s Precision has a 1963 C-shaped neck and a ’60s style pickup. It also adds a rosewood fingerboard. Similarly, the ’60s Jazz has period-correct pickups with a rosewood fingerboard adorned with white dots. The natural-finish ’70s version has a maple neck and white pearloid block inlays.
The Fender Made-in-Japan Heritage Series will only be introduced to the Japanese market with street prices of 160,000 JPY, which is approximately $1,460.
Fender Made in Japan Heritage ’50s Precision Bass Specs:
| Body Material: | Alder |
| Body Finish: | Nitrocellulose Lacquer Over Urethane Finish |
| Neck: | Maple, Thick “C” |
| Neck Finish: | Nitrocellulose Lacquer Over Urethane Finish |
| Fingerboard: | Maple, 7.25″ (184.1 mm) |
| Frets: | 20, Vintage |
| Position Inlays: | Black Dot (Maple) |
| Nut (Material/Width): | Bone, 1.650″ (42 mm) |
| Tuning Machines: | Pure Vintage Reverse Open-gear |
| Scale Length: | 34″ (86.36 cm) |
| Bridge: | 4-Saddle Vintage Style with Threaded Steel Saddles |
| Pickguard: | 1-Ply Gold Anodized Aluminum |
| Pickups: | Premium Vintage-Style 50s Single-Coil P Bass (Middle) |
| Pickup Switching: | None |
| Controls: | Master Volume, Master Tone |
| Control Knobs: | Knurled Flat-Top |
| Hardware Finish: | Nickel/Chrome |
| Strings: | Nickel Plated Steel (.045-.105 Gauges) |
| Case/Gig Bag: | Deluxe Gig Bag |
Fender Made in Japan Heritage ’60s Precision Bass Specs:
| Body Material: | Alder |
| Body Finish: | Nitrocellulose Lacquer Over Urethane Finish |
| Neck: | Maple, “1963 C” |
| Neck Finish: | Nitrocellulose Lacquer Over Urethane Finish |
| Fingerboard: | Rosewood, 7.25″ (184.1 mm) |
| Frets: | 20, Vintage |
| Position Inlays: | Clay Dot (Rosewood) |
| Nut (Material/Width): | Bone, 1.650″ (42 mm) |
| Tuning Machines: | Pure Vintage Reverse Open-gear |
| Scale Length: | 34″ (86.36 cm) |
| Bridge: | 4-Saddle Vintage Style with Threaded Steel Saddles |
| Pickguard: | 4-Ply Tortoiseshell |
| Pickups: | Premium Vintage-Style 60s Single-Coil P Bass (Middle) |
| Pickup Switching: | None |
| Controls: | Master Volume, Master Tone |
| Control Knobs: | Knurled Flat-Top |
| Hardware Finish: | Nickel/Chrome |
| Strings: | Nickel Plated Steel (.045-.105 Gauges) |
| Case/Gig Bag: | Deluxe Gig Bag |
Fender Made in Japan Heritage ’60s Jazz Bass Specs:
| Body Material: | Alder |
| Body Finish: | Nitrocellulose Lacquer Over Urethane Finish |
| Neck: | Maple, ’60s “C” |
| Neck Finish: | Nitrocellulose Lacquer Over Urethane Finish |
| Fingerboard: | Rosewood, 7.25″ (184.1 mm) |
| Frets: | 20, Vintage |
| Position Inlays: | Clay Dot (Rosewood) |
| Nut (Material/Width): | Bone, 1.5″ (38.1 mm) |
| Tuning Machines: | Pure Vintage Reverse Open-gear |
| Scale Length: | 34″ (86.36 cm) |
| Bridge: | 4-Saddle Vintage Style with Threaded Steel Saddles |
| Pickguard: | 4-Ply Tortoiseshell |
| Pickups: | Premium Vintage-Style 60s Single-Coil Jazz Bass (Bridge), Premium Vintage-Style 60s, Single-Coil Jazz Bass (Middle) |
| Pickup Switching: | None |
| Controls: | Volume 1. (Middle Pickup), Volume 2. (Bridge Pickup), Master Tone |
| Control Knobs: | Black Plastic |
| Hardware Finish: | Nickel/Chrome |
| Strings: | Nickel Plated Steel (.045-.105 Gauges) |
| Case/Gig Bag: | Deluxe Gig Bag |
Fender Made in Japan Heritage ’70s Jazz Bass Specs:
| Body Material: | Ash |
| Body Finish: | Gloss Polyester |
| Neck: | Maple, 1975 “U” |
| Neck Finish: | Gloss Urethane |
| Fingerboard: | Maple, 7.25″ (184.1 mm) |
| Frets: | 20, Vintage |
| Position Inlays: | White Pearloid Block (Maple) |
| Nut (Material/Width): | Bone, 1.5″ (38.1 mm) |
| Tuning Machines: | Pure Vintage ’70s with Fender Logo |
| Scale Length: | 34″ (86.36 cm) |
| Bridge: | 4-Saddle Vintage-Style |
| Pickguard: | 3-Ply Eggshell |
| Pickups: | Premium Vintage-Style 70s Single-Coil Jazz Bass (Bridge), Premium Vintage-Style 70s, Single-Coil Jazz Bass (Middle) |
| Pickup Switching: | None |
| Controls: | Volume 1. (Middle Pickup), Volume 2. (Bridge Pickup), Master Tone |
| Control Knobs: | Black Plastic |
| Hardware Finish: | Nickel/Chrome |
| Strings: | Nickel Plated Steel (.045-.105 Gauges) |
| Case/Gig Bag: | Deluxe Gig Bag |
Wow they look great! Will they be available in Uk ?
Any idea of prices?
160,000 JPY, which is approximately $1,460.