LeftyBassist.com

Okay, so at my local vintage guitar boutique I have found a left handed 1960 MIJ Jazz bass (in brown sunburst w/ tortoise shell pickguard). Its in fair condition for being 48 years old. A little heavy. Selling price is 750$.

Heres my problem:

I have gotten bored with the brown sunburst or black finishes, and told myself that only if I went with an american bass would I get a bass in that color, and possibly refinish. If I got a MIJ, however, I always wanted to go with a different finish. I could get a relatively new MIJ in my desired color for close to the same price, but from a collectibility/investment standpoint it may be better to go with the 1960, even though I give up my desired finish. (If I got a bass that old, I wouldnt want to refinish it to keep its originality.)

Can anyone shed some light here?

Thanks so much!

Am I missing something here.. a 1960(48 years old) MIJ Jazz bass?

The bass in question isn't from 1960, it's what's called a 1960's reissue bass. Basically what that means is it's a bass made to look and (supposedly) feel like a bass from the 60's. Fender started making them in Japan in the 80's and still make them today. If you can get the serial number you could find out the year it is made. No Fender basses were made in Japan in the 60's.

So if you bought a newer bass from Japan now you would be getting a similar bass, perhaps in the color you prefer. Gravesbass has one of these basses for sale right now in white. Look it up here or PM him if that finish is one you'd like.

If it's a replica of a 1960 jazz, then does it have 2 stack knobs? If so, I'd jump on it.

I don't know where you're located, but MIJ jazzes have jumped in price recently and are upwards of $750.00US. Also, the variety of color choices is primarily limited to Asia, so if you want anything out of the usual sunburst, black, or white you'll have to order from Japan (and then find a dealer who will do it for you. So far, I've had good success with http://www.guitarshogun.com). Checking the rate of exchange on an MIJ jazz in blue, (my first choice, for example), it would cost me about $900.00-$920.00 shipped from Japan to the U.S.

Ultimately you should buy what you really want, but I'd grab that 80's MIJ if I were you.