Hello, all. I sent a query to Fender, but all they could do is repeat what I found: no serial#. MX15452364 isn’t in their database. As this indicates 2015 MiM, I looked up photos of Player V’s (not Plus) from the era. Their headstocks have the 4:1 split for tuners, and giant gears. But the model I am considering had a different design: those big gears weren’t there; the tuners are all on the standard left side. Instead of the “usual” design, you see this. I did find this configuration a couple of times in online photos, once in a “Seymour Duncan” model, but I cannot pinpoint a 2015 photo in my search. I’m considering a purchase of this in a few days, and attach the seller’s snapshots, I want to make sure it’s legit. Can anybody help?
2 Likes
Google this…
fender 2015 MIM JAZZ bass 5-string
Looks like a Standard
3 Likes
Serial number not in Fender database - huge red flag
2 Likes
It’s a genuine Fender MIM but it’s the quirky era. I’m not sure if 2015 is the right range but that’s a similar era when they made the funky Dimension bass 24 fret and looked nothing like the current dimension bass.
It’s Fender’s FSR Mexican style, lol.
2 Likes
Could be a 2015 Deluxe Active Jazz Bass V. Can’t tell from the pictures if it’s active though. According to the catalog (page 49), the black one should have a brown shell pickguard, but maybe someone replaced it. Neck and tuners match the catalog pictures.
3 Likes
This happens more than it should. They are a bit of a mess with serial numbers
3 Likes
@Mike_NL Could this be an active if it only has appears to have three knobs, same as passive? I assumed it was a Player by default, given my limited knowledge of this style/ period. That 2015 catalog is a godsend… Many thanks to all who’ve helped me out here.
1 Like
Yeah, @Mike_NL this makes me wonder what model it “really” is. I am reminded of my Bullet from the early '80s that was assembled from whatever California’s Fender plant had lying around before they shipped the style off to become Japanese Squier. This mystery model’s body (not headstock or tuners) looks a like my MiM '95 btw. Thanks so much for that catalog. Exactly what I could not find online but I “knew” it was out there somewhere. P.S. “FSR instruments usually come about when retailers make special requests to Fender. Other times, it’s when Fender just fancy doing something a bit different!” FSR guitars
1 Like
Not disagreeing w/the expert @howard but I wonder why someone would bother to mimic a MiM? For the record I am in South America where this is for sale, if that’s relevant, @John_E This resembles in its headstock, pickup, + tuner placement Deluxe Active Jazz V (p.49) or the headstock only on Deluxe Dimension V (p.48), no other 2015 models. A brown pickguard on a black body as the original listing for the former indicates seems an odd pair.
1 Like
I’m not sure, but I guess it could… Bottom line, if it has active electronics, there has to be a battery compartment somewhere. Usually on the backside.
Edit: looking at the pictures, I think two of those three knobs are actually stacked dual knobs, making it five in total. If I’m seeing that correctly, then it’s definitely active.
2 Likes
Fender Special Edition does indeed have “3” knobs, with the first one being stacked bass/treble control.
Special Editions are their own thing and are not Players, and 2015 is too early for the Player series, which started circa 2018 - I would have to check
2 Likes
I wouldn’t actually say I am a Fender expert 
It’s a good question. Seems like wasted effort to fake a MIM.
3 Likes
That one isn’t active. Knobs are standard and no battery compartment.
1 Like
@eric.kiser --what’s your guess if it’s passive from 2015? @Wombat-metal I appreciate the nod that Players weren’t around then. Still curious what to label this, assuming it’s legit.
1 Like
I’m with @John_E. I think it’s an MiM Fender Standard Jazz V.
Those models were made for over 10 years and there seems to have been variations on the decals on the headstock and where the serial number appears. I couldn’t find this model in the catalog but I know these were made in 2015. If it’s a fake, it’s a really good one. Like the string tree, I like that one better than others I’ve seen from the same time period since it covers four instead of three strings.
It looks really good. Will you be able to try it before buying?
1 Like
When I first arrived on the forum @howard was ‘the Yamaha guy’. But then he bought a Fender and since then it was all ‘Leo this and Leo that’ 
4 Likes
Now I am 50/50 Yamaha/Fender 
4 Likes
Yeah! this^^^
Rule number one of counterfeiting, why raise any eyebrows with unusual headstock and tuners when you can fake the 4X1 at even cheaper.
2 Likes
@eric.kiser yes, I will. Thanks for the insights into this mystery (to me) model. That string tree does seem an uncommon variation on the usual 4-1 arrangement. I wonder why it’s the less common layout. I suppose most sellers-buyers prefer that over an uber-Fender left-side look?
1 Like
@John_E This is the closest image I could find to one “out there”. Don’t know why this is listed as so expensive ($4k down from $6k); little wonder it’s been 2 years on Reverb…
Also on Sweetwater’s “archive” referenced here; as The timeless, classic Jazz Bass with new features for 2006!
2 Likes