'94 Fender Mustang Bass?

The Future · Post by **The Future** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 6:54 pm

So I got this bass in 2008 from a local music store that ordered it directly from Fender. It's the standard Japanese Mustang Bass they still make now, except I got it when they were in fiesta red. I checked the serial out of curiosity and it was apparently made in 1994? It says Made in Japan (opposed to Crafted) and the serial is T018387. Is it common for Fender to ship out old basses like this 15 years later or am I just reading this wrong? I think it's cool either way, but I figured someone on here would probably know.

MattK · Post by **MattK** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 9:32 pm

The place you checked your serial number is out of date - the "MIJ" label lasted from 1983 to 1997ish for guitars made at Fuji-Gen Gakki, and then CIJ was used from 1997-now for guitars made in the Tokai Gakki and Dyna Gakki factories. In 2008 production picked up at Fuji-Gen again and they resumed the MIJ labelling, using T and U serial numbers, to the present day. So yours is 2008 or later if the MADE IN JAPAN is in a bold Helvetica type font.

The Future · Post by **The Future** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 12:34 am

Ahhh good to know. Thanks man

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 8:32 am

I'm also pretty sure they didn't make any Mustang Basses in the '90s... MIAs ceased production in '81 and Japanese RIs started up in the early 00's.