Kazan

This was really unusual as it was up for a week or more. They usually go within hours of posting. I've also seen a Tele (guitar) and P Bass in the last couple months but they sold right away. I actually had dibs on that blonde but passed (not without regret) as I just got a '66 Jazz refinished by him back and no gigs in our current covid reality!

If no one here knows, it's worth asking here: http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?board=3.0 A lot of niche knowledge there.

Congrats! Personally, grateful to have the temptation removed...

Interesting. I would not have guessed that was roasted if you didn't say so. Looks the amber tone that most of the originals do.

Nice. No one better to do it. If John still took orders I'd consider one with a roasted body - just to try to keep overall weight down.

Stellar! Body looks just right. Neck a replacement? Looks darker than usual (could be the light) and unusual (not impossible by any means) to see that much flame. Beautiful bass and work.

Pics!

Saw that one. Looked fantastic. He really captures those early 60's bursts right.

I actually floated the idea of silver sparkle ala Buck Owens for this one but John said he'd never done sparkle and didn't have the set up for it.

I really don't get the love for Nash. Particularly that there are others who do it really, really well.

No joke. Amazing to me so many details the CS stuff still gets wrong after so many years - which John gets much better.. And the horribly obvious Freon checking/crazing on the CS basses completely puts me off. John's checking really looks right.

In fairness, blondes didn't have matching headstocks - though Olympic White did! (they can look very similar when aged)

He still builds just not to order. He has a stunner of a '61-'62 type blonde Jazz Bass on his for sale page right now. If it was not for all my gigs being cancelled over COVID I would buy it in a heartbeat!

On the neck dive issue, I use a 4"wide leather strap with suede backing and strap button relocated to the heel of the neck. Of course it still does feel different than a Fender type bass but does stay in place hands free (and that's with the bigger headstock of the '64 (replicated on the Vintage Pro) and the heavier original Kluson tuning machines (as shown in my profile photo). It is a compromise but not a big one and well worth it IMO.

Also with the t-bird being neck-through and the Embassy being set-neck, I'd imagine the t-bird may be better suited to downtuning (though not entirely certain).

I agree - was just trying to be 'politic' and not say. Similar with Nash, most of which make me wince (and have the context of having had about 20 original pre-CBS basses at various times in the past - as well as having worked in a vintage guitar shop). I'd second that I think Bravewood's prices are very low relative to the quality.

I'd go for the Vintage Pro. I have both a '64 t-bird and '64 Embassy Deluxe. The Vintage Pro is really 90% of the way there to the 60's t-bird and the best Gibson/Epi bird since the 60's IMO. Great bass for the money.

If I knew that earlier.... but I'm happy with this outcome

Thanks - you've got some pretty fantastic ones yourself!

Also posted this on Talkbass but want to here on Basschat as this is where I bought the bass back in January (from @electriccheese in Spain https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/348045-1966-fender-jazz-bass-sold/?tab=comments#comment-3824185 ) - a 'hippy refin' with the body stripped to natural (fortunately not sanded or reshaped in the process). The headstock had also been refinished but the back of the neck and heel still had the original finish (some light nitro overspray) and all parts are original down to the covers, tug bar and case. Will note that it has a nice thin C profile, very low action after a prior 'ski jump' repair and comes in at 8.5 lbs. I had it sent directly to Bravewood and had him restore - going for Fiesta Red faded to coral pink (or akin to some of the mythological 'Selmer refins' some of which tended to the flamingo pink shade) - though it turned out pretty much dead on to the hyper-rare Fender Tahitian Coral - over sunburst. I had an original '65 white guard which I sent as well (John fixed the broken tips). John did an amazing job removing some of the overspray and blending in the new finish on the back of the headstock with the old finish on the back of the neck. Really difficult to see any transition. Just showed up here a few days ago. Super pleased with John's work and the bass itself. Set up and playability is crazy good. With gratitude to Basschat!

'66

I agree on the overall aesthetic and think the white one is pretty attractive as well - and it has the original case (mine does not). I talked to the guy there and they didn't do shipping and the price was too high for me to take the risk without being able to play/hear it first. Now, having had time with one, I think it's worth the money though would still try to negotiate it down some. The white finish is rare, too - by far, most of these were either red to black burst or 'golden' (tobacco) sunburst. I only know of two in red (this one and one at the Maton company museum). Know of one in black. Also some had contoured bodies and some didn't. The Edinburgh one was still there fairly recently. I would advise to try it if you could though as it does have a pretty characteristic tone which you may or may not like - a strong midrange with an overdriven quality. I'm anxious to hear how it flies or not in a live band context but suspect it will cut and fit well. Here's a quick sample I did with it:

Thank you, Reggaebass. I had lusted after this very bass for years via that site but never contacted him as the page said "NOT FOR SALE" prominently and prohibitively. I posted on a Facebook group looking for one and he contacted me - and that was that!

That's the bass I bought - that link is no longer live and has moved to here in his sold section - nice history on these basses and this one in particular: http://www.coolcarsnguitars.com/GG/sold/matonibisbass.htm