No more Made in Mexico Fenders

[Alanko]

I briefly owned what I think was called a California P Bass Special. It was a P body with a gold anodized pickguard and a J neck (maple with black dots) and a J pup at the bridge. My understanding was that they were made in the US, but painted in Mexico. I think it was a 90s or possibly early 2000s build.

Was it seafoam green? I remember these announced with much fanfare as a Guitar Centre exclusive, complete with block inlays and active electronics? They casually turned up in the UK and seemed to stay on the racks in the shops for a while. I still see used ones turning up on Facebook.

[Dave W]

I briefly owned what I think was called a California P Bass Special. It was a P body with a gold anodized pickguard and a J neck (maple with black dots) and a J pup at the bridge. My understanding was that they were made in the US, but painted in Mexico. I think it was a 90s or possibly early 2000s build.

In that era, the bodies were made here, complete but unfinished. Painted in Mexico then (IIRC) the hardware and electronics were added.

[doombass]

IIRC the California P Bass Specials were made briefly in 1997-1998. And yes, like Dave said they were painted in Mexico but all other parts were U.S specs. The Hot Rodded Series P-bass (essentially a U.S Precision with added J-pickup) seemed to replace the California P Bass Special in 1999.

[gearHed289]

Was it seafoam green? I remember these announced with much fanfare as a Guitar Centre exclusive, complete with block inlays and active electronics? They casually turned up in the UK and seemed to stay on the racks in the shops for a while. I still see used ones turning up on Facebook.

No, it was black with dot inlays and passive electronics. I bought it from somebody here or at the Pit, I don't recall who. He thought it was sunburst, which is what I wanted, but when I opened the case, there was a black bass in there, so off it went. 

[Chris P.]

The new Laura Lee Jazz Bass is nice: white/cream DiMarzio's, double stack controls and chrome covers. And it has Made in Mexico on the headstock....

[Alanko]

The new Laura Lee Jazz Bass is nice: white/cream DiMarzio's, double stack controls and chrome covers. And it has Made in Mexico on the headstock....

It's a Fender copy of an SX bass!

[Ken]

It's a Fender copy of an SX bass!

Yeah, that's so ironic!

[slinkp]

Ah, I didn't know about California having its own label of origin laws.

The US federal system for determining where an imported product is "made" is weirder and more interesting than I would have guessed. I heard this podcast recently, it was all news to me: https://www.npr.org/2025/05/07/1249592921/tariff-customs-made-in-america-china-france

[Dave W]

Complying with the Made in USA Standard