BassBod

Sun came out just now, so here is another photo for info - depth at heel and comparison with a generic (de-fretted) J bass neck ( good quality Japanese manufacture). [attachment=89277:P1000541.JPG] The generic neck measures approx 25mm from fingerboard face to back of heel at the deepest point. The '73 measures a hair under 26mm at the same point. Not much in it (the binding also makes it look bigger) but it does require a higher than normal setting on the bridge saddles, and would prevent a "high action" set up without increasing the neck pocket depth slightly to compensate. You could shim up the bridge instead, of course. Happy to answer any other questions.....

No problem - I'll get it out and measure in the morning. I should add that it plays very well on a normal J bass body...provided you like a fairly low action. I've "eyeballed" it against two other J necks to compare the depth and there's not much in it. My guess is whoever fitted the fretless rosewood board didn't want to go too far down on the original fingerboard/neckface to avoid the truss rod (installed from the back, a it was a single piece maple neck).

Bump....could now include a free black plastic neck plate cushion...not vintage though.

And one more pic...and a bump [attachment=89188:P1000537.jpg]

A few more pics.. [attachment=89137:P1000538.jpg] [attachment=89136:P1000536.jpg] edit for photo removal (must work out how to re-size!)

[attachment=89101:P1000177.JPG] [attachment=89103:P1000176.JPG] This came from the stockpile of the famous Beedster - I believe he imported it from the USA (but I'm sure he'll fill in the history..if required). The details - a 1973 Fender Jazz neck, originally a one piece maple (has skunk stripe on the back), but a long time ago the fingerboard was flattened off and a new rosewood fretless board was added..with the binding either re-glued or replaced (I've no idea, but I'd assume it was replaced). Now has a lovely aged colour and many, many cracks in the poly finish...but none has fallen off. Fingerboard is virtually unmarked (its worn flats). Has original (or at least period correct) tuners, well aged but working fine. Nut is superbly cut and ready to go. Has "J. Torres" stamp on heel. Neck profile is great - bit chunky for a Jbass, but slim nut width. P bass on a diet maybe? The fingerboard plays superbly, with some fall-off added at the heel...and off course, the truss rod does its job (or I wouldn't be offering it for sale here). One thing needs to be mentioned - I found the neck to be slightly deeper than normal, so to get a higher action the bridge saddles need to be cranked higher than normal. I assume this is because the new fingerboard added some overall depth. Easy fix is to drop the neck route on the body, would only need around 2 or 3mm to make a big difference. I've never settled this neck to a body, so haven't done this, as it wasn't strictly necessary. More photos when the sun comes out again I'm asking for £400 collected from Bristol/Bath area. Any questions ???

I completely understand - would be such a shame to see it damaged.

I'd love it...but can't get to that London to collect it.

Its funny, but the 36" scale, combined with no headstock makes it pretty easy. The transition to headless always takes about ten mins to sink in again...then everything's ok. Mo Clifton thinks about these things - one of his reasons for building basses was a heavy P bass that ended up annoying him. I've tried to think up ways of getting the cash together for this bass, but so far failed. Someone please buy it..so I can get on with everything else..... I'll start looking down the back of the sofa.....or maybe sell that lovely Sadowsky I've been hanging onto for dear life.....

Bump for a nice looking bass! I'd buy it if I could....but also collecting could be a bit tricky! Worth mentioning my 5 string downright (36" scale) fits in most regular guitar sized bags/cases. I remember Mo being partial to those EMG expander circuits a few years ago - but wouldn't be hard to change for something else (ACG filter could be a lot of fun with that pickup!)

Tempt me with a photo then.....