Description

JV, baby! 82-84 Squier JV Precision Bass. One replaced knob. It’s even got a songbird sticker and a hard case for $1749!

The Squier JV Series Precision Bass is a highly regarded instrument produced during the early 1980s as part of Fender’s effort to offer high-quality, affordable alternatives to their American-made instruments. The JV (Japanese Vintage) series was crafted in Japan by the FujiGen factory, known for its excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail. These basses have since become highly collectible, admired for their build quality, vintage accuracy, and excellent playability.

Key Features

Body and Construction

  • Body Shape: The JV Series Precision Bass follows the classic Precision Bass body shape, known for its ergonomic design and comfortable playing experience. The double-cutaway design allows for easy access to the higher frets.
  • Body Material: The body is typically made from alder, a tonewood known for its balanced tonal characteristics, providing a strong, punchy sound with good resonance and sustain.

Neck and Fingerboard

  • Neck Material: The neck is usually made from maple, known for its stability and smooth feel. Maple adds brightness and clarity to the bass’s overall tone.
  • Fingerboard: Rosewood offers a warmer, rounder tone.
  • Neck Profile: The JV Precision Bass typically features a C-shaped neck profile, which is comfortable for most players and offers easy playability.
  • Scale Length: The standard scale length for the Precision Bass is 34 inches, providing balanced string tension and contributing to the instrument’s familiar feel.
  • Frets: The bass is equipped with 20 vintage-style frets, which are smaller than modern frets and contribute to the instrument’s vintage playing experience.

Hardware

  • Bridge: The JV Series Precision Bass features a vintage-style bridge with four individual saddles, allowing for precise intonation and stable tuning. This bridge design is a faithful reproduction of the bridges used on early Fender Precision Basses.
  • Tuners: The bass is equipped with vintage-style open-gear tuners, which provide reliable tuning stability and add to the instrument’s vintage aesthetic.

Electronics

  • Pickups: The JV Series Precision Bass is fitted with a single split-coil pickup, designed to closely replicate the sound of the original 1950s and 1960s Fender Precision Bass pickups. These pickups are known for their punchy, focused sound with a strong low-end response, making them ideal for a wide range of musical styles.
  • Controls: The bass features a simple control layout with one volume knob and one tone knob, allowing players to easily adjust their sound on the fly. This straightforward setup is a hallmark of the Precision Bass design.

Sound Characteristics

  • Classic Precision Bass Tone: The JV Series Precision Bass is renowned for its ability to deliver the classic Precision Bass sound. The split-coil pickup provides a powerful, punchy tone with a strong midrange presence, making it ideal for cutting through a mix in a live or studio setting.
  • Warm and Full: The alder body and rosewood or maple fingerboard contribute to a warm, full-bodied sound with excellent sustain. This bass is capable of delivering everything from deep, thumping lows to clear, articulate highs.
  • Versatile Sound: The simple yet effective electronics allow for a wide range of tonal possibilities, from smooth, mellow tones to aggressive, growling bass lines. This versatility makes the JV Precision Bass suitable for genres ranging from rock and blues to funk and jazz.