Yeah it’s gotta be; Gibson invented their humbucker in ‘55 and Gretsch’s came at the same time IIRC. They didn’t exist in ‘54.
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Interesting. Was that body style trying to emulate a double bass? I assume this pre-dates “violin” basses, so I can’t imagine what else it could be…
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From what I read, they were emulating a double bass. They have a stand that extends so you can rest it on the floor and play it like a double bass.
I’ve read speculation the Hofner was inspired by this but who knows, not exactly a leap to a violin bass
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I love everything about that one too. Very Ibanez burl there. And that fretboard is gorgeous. So pretty you can get lost in it.
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Hey @matt.g.ward.esq et al,
Guy local selling this as original Fender. This body is (or looks like a MIJ hollow body that usually has a P and Piezo (I have one), or a few rarer JJ models.
- Can’t find any reference to a PJ anywhere
- Electronics have a LOT going on
- No serial number at base of neck like these models have, none anywhere.
- Headstock decal looks wrong
- Bridge looks like a Gotoh.
- Fender rarely does all black hardware.
- No other examples anywhere.
- Truss rod adjustment at heel, all others this era at headstock.
It’s very cool but, I think it’s an aftermarket neck, although he claims the residue of the circular anniversary sticker can be seen. Thoughts?
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That looks like my Gotoh bridge.
Why no serial number? That seems off. Details here:
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Sadly @Barney - the Made In Japan stuff follows different dating rules and are not as well documented. All my MIJs have the serial at the base of the back of the neck.
My hollow body of this era has a 3 bolt neck plate with a micro tilt as well. This is a weird one.
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I’m not a doctor but I play one on TV.
I’d listen to your amygdala 
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Should still have a serial number. Could be a replacement neck.
Hey. That is a neat looking bass but it is not a Japanese Fender.
There is no serial # on either the neck base or under the logo on headstock.
I am reasonably confident there has never been a PJ semi-hollow body MIJ. The only possibility would be a “Custom Edition” custom shop one off but that is highly unlikely as who in their right mind would scrape off the sticker on the back of the headstock?
I have an “extrad” custom shop Fender MIJ and that sticker is under the finish.
Also…the placement of the PJ pups seems too spaced out.
I think you are right… Aftermarket neck. Likely not even a Fender body but you’d have to see the neck pocket to tell.
All that said… Nice looking bass!
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Also… That is surely a five string Jazz pickup at the bridge. Who would do that on purpose? Actually… Both pups are 5 string…
And that headstock logo is not correctly placed…
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That bridge pup has nine poles? That would be weird for either a four- or a five-string.
And the neck pups have five poles each? WTF?
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A lot of things about this bass look wrong to me… Do you know what model year it’s supposed to be? If so, have you checked online catalogs to see if it shows up there?
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It looks sort of, but not really very much like a Telecaster Slimline body. But not.
Gonna agree, this is not a Fender (or at least those are not all its original parts - no serial number is a giveaway), and maybe even originally not a bass.
The pups are just weird too, good catch.
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Looks cool. Depending on the price it could be worth it, but I get the feeling that he claims it’s a OG Fender to drive up the price? If that is the case he should provide more details.
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This thing is a hot mess.
Didn’t even notice the 9-poles! So it’s a 4 1/2 string? Never saw, nor cannot find any 9-pole pickups.
Now I’m just curious what the hell is going on here.
If you notice all the knobs are concentric, that’s a lot of knobs, and, two switches. I’ve asked for electronics and heel pictures.
I think it’s a science project.
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For the string-number-fluid bass, I guess 
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Interesting.
Kinda dopey but interesting.
Not a lot of call for a bass that can go from 4 to 5 string at the pickups only. Lolol
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