ossyrocks

It is in good condition. The board is lovely, as are the frets. I haven't done anything with it either. I think the next time I have the strings off, I'll give it some lemon oil and see what it looks like. What the photos don't really show is the lacquer checking. The headstock face is very finely checked, but not flaking. The body is checking front and back, the way 70's Fenders do sometimes, in long lines running the length of the body. Rob

Yes it does Rob, I have a bass and an amp in the classifieds here.

Ok, New Bass Day! That last pic I posted was of this bass. I picked it up yesterday for evaluation, and I've done the deal today. I'm pretty excited about this one, it's quite special. 1973 Fender Jazz Bass in original factory black with white guard. Neck, pickup and pots all date to '73. The wiring appears untouched, as do the pickups. I've spent the last hour restringing it, and giving it a setup and intonation. It plays like a dream and sounds fabulous. It is entirely original, but missing the covers and case, hey ho. Needless to say, one went out of the door too today, and I'm quite a bit lighter in cash than I was yesterday, but I think it was worth it. Thanks, Rob

It is at my house, and possession is nine-tenths of the law, so I do have my fingers crossed.

41xxxx I'm keeping my cards close to my chest. It's not mine......yet

Thanks Tony. Coincidentally, the pots are also dated 43rd week of '73, ie 137 7343, which could easily have been fitted to a '74 bass. But things are stacking up to be a '73. Thanks, Rob

Hi chaps, I think this Jazz is '73, but my only reference book, "The Fender Bass An Illustrated History" is not very helpful at decoding 70's neck stamps. Does anyone know if this stamp has any meaning? Thanks, Rob

Glad you like it Rob. In the day or two prior to your arrival, I set this up and A/B'd it with my 400RB MKI, and got the MKIII sounding very close. I almost kept hold of it. The right cab is your next goal. Rob

No pics from me, but I've been in Promenade Music in Morecambe today and they have a '74 and a '76 Precision in. Both sunburst/rosewood/black guard. The '74 looks played to death and quite cool. The '76 is reasonably clean. Both appear original, play well and sound great. . https://www.promenademusic.co.uk/fender-precision-bass-vintage-circa-1976-secondhand/ https://www.promenademusic.co.uk/fender-precision-bass-vintage-circa-1974-secondhand/ Rob

I've just come back from Promenade Music this minute (I can't stay away!). They have two vintage 70's Precisions in, a '74 and a '76. Rob

Just a heads up. I played one of these yesterday at Promenade Music in Morecambe. Gary thrust it into my hands and said play this! He reckons it's the best playing bass in the shop. ....and it was £250. Edit: hmm, not sure now, as I'm sure the one I played had a control plate and was active. I don't understand MM models at all! Rob

These were already out in the room before I commented on this thread. Yes, I'm bonkers. On the wall, '73 Jazz, '73 Precision. On the floor, '70 Precision, '78 Precision. I've been playing the '78 tonight in prep for gigs this week and next. Not sure if it will be the one yet, the '73 P seems to be getting the most action at the moment. Rob

I'm really happy with my 70's Fenders. I have been around vintage guitars and amps for almost 40 years now, and there's just something about them that attracts me. They're not all good, but the good ones are great to play, and sound great too. I don't worry about taking them on gigs, I'm 60 next birthday, and they will definitely go on beyond me to the next generation. They do bring me joy (especially through a vintage GK RB series amp) Rob

I just spoke to Tim this morning about collecting an amp for me in Bristol and bringing it up to the North West. Luckily, I'd already messaged @walshy and he's alerted me to this thread. Needless to say, I won't be using him again either. Rob

Rob has just driven over from Huddersfield to buy a vintage GK 400RB amp from me. Good comms, nice chap, no hassle. Recommended. Rob

If you like 4x10's but want to reduce the weight, if your budget can stretch to it, then the Barefaced 3x10 is a very good option. It sounds immense, weighs 20kg, but has multiple handle options and wheels when you tip it back. I also have to manage my back, and even at knocking on 60 I find it easily manageable. Where are you in Lancashire? I'm in Morecambe. Rob

My son bought me one of these for my birthday: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Valeton-RH-100-Rushead-Carry-Plug/dp/B07W3K92ZM/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3DME3ZHW852YZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.WVFfzcTeE0mWng3vahUjKikHdVXApkvu7cBUnSbJp2lIZGqfcdo5nOYPjdkKY94sOuKtk_eNBD-7jGtPRb1k9j2iE_9uV0hOGFlpt3q0MasUofzc52_jxET1sVxMaC4intl_oX4OUk-VbqF_di1DrLxbkZLDX8UkmT0FBe3DdoQCJFXIWmH0U5HnEFppw9J7SgTneFgsO4M5fmD9HIO4XI69Hi-iI6G0EZWmgki_UuOuhIBeytlqPckMizjTuRQ6dGHC62DKtYOILofCPbs201Ypnv-Ollxjjut103GTCe8.AO1eJT-UvvDG8ZZr_h0c3IeIV2YZQ4xVGwNxeZjpTXU&dib_tag=se&keywords=Pocket%2BGuitar%2BBass%2BHeadphone%2BAmp&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1732607042&sprefix=pocket%2Bguitar%2Bbass%2Bheadphone%2Bamp%2Caps%2C114&sr=8-5&th=1 I've taken it away on short holiday breaks and it works great with an ipad, phone or laptop. Rob

I would say just ask your question in this thread. There are plenty of very knowledgeable people here who regularly contribute to this thread. Rob

Mine still has the 70's B width (41mm), but it's deeper than my other two, only by 1mm, but it feels like more. Quite a big round handful.

This is actually something I want to try. I have a super lightweight 70's Precision which sounds fabulous, but the neck is a bit beefy compared with my others. If I could find a 70's Jazz neck for it, it might actually become my number 1. Rob

With BF cabs, I'm now on my 6th. I started with 10's (One10's) and really liked them, then got Two10's and really liked them. Then, for various reasons, I changed to the 12's and was actually disappointed. I thought I was just going to get the same experience, but bigger. I didn't. To me they are really very different. If I were to boil it down, the 10's are old school, rounded, warm and punchy, like a velvet hammer. The 12's are Hifi and reproduce every frequency across the spectrum from huge lows through to faithful top end. It's not what I want. I'm in a blues/rock band playing a P bass with flats, I don't want hifi ! Running the 12's, also required much more diligent choice of amp and eq in order to achieve that sound in my head. With the 10's, most of the work is done already, so more amps sound good with their 10's to me. The GK's have been a revelation though, nothing comes close, even the Bergantino I had, which was super expensive. They are rated at 200w, but with a good BF 4ohm cab, it's more than I ever need. Would a 400RB and a BF 2x10 cope with a loudish rock band with no PA support? Absolutely! Only the biggest venues would need further reinforcement, but bear in mind, without PA support, it would work, but your backline would be LOUD. I have recently bought another RB, it's still with my step son in Bristol (he collected it for me), it's an 800RB-II, a classic. When it's back, I'm going to consider parting with my 400RB-III. It won't be expensive, so if you're not sorted by then, perhaps that's something to consider buying until you can find a classic RB-I or II, because those don't crop up very often, and would get you close.

Thank you sir. I've finally settled on the RB series amps paired with BF 10's (that's a 3x10). The basses are a '70 left, and a '73 right. The '70 is more articulate, clear and defined. The '73 is thick and woody. They both saw action this weekend.