Chiliwailer

[quote name='jassbass' timestamp='1404664675' post='2494533'] Mine might be 80's then [/quote] Given that it has white plastic parts I reckon it's safe to say it is.That's ok though, it's still a very cool bass. The only 3 ways to really date it - 1) take off the neck and check if there is a stamp. 2) take out the pickups to see if they are dated 3) the final and easiest way to get an idea is to look at the pots. This is super easy to do, just remove the 3 screws on the control plate and look at the pots for a code, I've attached a picture for you to see. You're looking for the code starting 137 or 304 depending on the type of pot they used (because of the Strat knobs it could be either but is probably 137 as they are better for those knobs). Though this isn't a definitive way to date the bass it may give you a pretty good clue. .[attachment=166221:CTS-1978-1meg-Pot2.jpg]

[quote name='tonyclaret' timestamp='1404663370' post='2494510'] Yeah, sorry mine dates to 1980. Haven't checked the pots and pick ups. Need to do a bit more research perhaps. [/quote] Researching Fender can sometimes be like a dog chasing its tail....

[quote name='jassbass' timestamp='1404647382' post='2494367'] I hope its a 78 aswell.sounds great.just put some newer strings on.sounds just like a jazz should So far.as long as I havnt lost money on the deal and sounds like it should im happy [/quote] That looks sweet, good catch! If you need any help deciphering the pots or pickup codes just take and peek and post them, The pots dating code should start 304 if they are stack pole pots or 137 if they are regular (due to the Strat knobs)

[quote name='tonyclaret' timestamp='1404646062' post='2494355'] Not strictly true, I'm led to believe. I have one with dots and after some research apparently there were quite a few made with dotted fret boards. Although can't believe every high you read on the net. I bloody hope so though! [/quote] Really, a 1978 with dots? I'd love to get a look at that. Are the pots and pickups dated to '78 too? I always thought that the transition was from late 1980.... Just to note, though many sites, including Fender, state that the S8 serial number was used for 1978, they were often used until a lot later if Fender were clearing out old necks, for instance on the International Colour series which came out in 1981 and used old 70's parts. It could be that the info on the net is of people who have had early 80's ones with dots and S8 or S9 logo's and presumed it to have been made in '78 or '79. Though perhaps they used some of the necks with dots and serialed E0 in 1979 to trial them? Would be pretty cool and quite rare if they exist. At the end of the day though, I'm just interested in the Fender oddities, it shouldn't really matter at all what year the bass is

Nice one, enjoy!

How was it?

Must be going through a killer valve head too.....oh for that house in the country....

Nice grooves! Sounds likes a Fender Jazz Bass to me, possibly even an ash body with rosewood fingerboard as it's got some lovely boom.

That could very well be a 1980-2 with a 1978 serial number. Good price then.

The dots instead of block inlays is wrong for the period so be suspicious. Maybe it had a new fingerboard (which is reflected in the price). If it has a new fingerboard, then other stuff could typically be changed too. £750 is fair if you like the bass and it actually is mostly original. Take caution though mate,

Mid to late 70's Fender's can certainly split opinion. Typically, they are heavy, have dodgy neck joins and can have lower standard pickups. That said, I've played many which sound awesome. Heavy ash bodies can have that affect. It all comes down to how you feel about it. The prices of some late 70's Jazz Basses are wild, and I would always chose a Custom Shop over one if the price is high, but others players may disagree, so once again, it all depends on how you feel about the particular bass. There were some lighter ones from '78, they are very very rare, but often quite nice too so worth grabbing at the right price. Note that many people date these Fenders from the serial number, but the '78 serial number was used all the way up to 1982 in some instances so check for a neck date or decipher the pot codes if the year is an issue for you.

A 70's invention to allow the player to adjust the angle of the neck. This could be needed when the neck isn't sitting properly in the pocket or if the saddle adjustments aren't enough to get the action you want. Is it a coincidence that these came about when the Fender quality control began to need as much as help as it could get?

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1404500507' post='2493322'] Sea Foam Green and Surf Green are essentially the same colour, by the way - foam is another word for surf in American English- but , as with any colour, one manufacturer's hue may be slightly different from another. [/quote] You're certainly right about the language barrier altering the recognition of the Greens. People are forever discussing the custom colours and correct names. There actually was a DuPont colour that Fender used called Foam Green which is darker than Surf Green and was around at the same time. It's like Chinese whispers I guess and Foam green becomes Sea Foam Green but is actually Surf Green Fender Custom Colours never cease to keep me on my toes.... (it beats watching sh*te TV).

That age old question... For 16 years I watched people buying guitars on a daily basis in my old job working in guitars shops. I repeatedly saw this scenario: What was right for Fred was different to Bob, he liked what Joe liked but Charlie thought they were all nuts...if you get my drift? In my view from seeing people fall in and out love with basses, it all comes down to the tone of the bass matching the expectation of your ears. Occasionally a cheaper bass really does sound that good, but often it's just that the people who like them do so because they haven't had the opportunity to play greater quality basses or because it's pleasing to their ears and expectations. Nowt wrong with that at all, they're just as right as anyone else and better off financially too! Personally I must admit I'm a snob when it comes to guitars, I've pretty much repeatedly owned most varieties of basses and guitars from all angles and price points. And all those years working in guitar shops meant I played a fair amount too. I've owned some fantastic cheaper basses but to my ears they didn't survive the cull. There is a reason pro's [u]typically[/u] (not always) stick with higher end gear, and it's not kudos. It's just great quality and you usually need to pay for that. Sub £1000 there are a ton of lovely basses. When talking about Fender, Mexico reissue basses and American Strandard's are fantastic basses in my opinion. I'd happily play them and recommend them to folk. However I prefer Custom Shop and I value and appreciate the differences these basses attain, doesn't mean I'm right though, just £100's more out of pocket!

[quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1404304262' post='2491332'] Chiliwailer and Foxx, thanks again guys [/quote] Cheers pal, been a pleasure. Enjoy the bass!

[quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1404202352' post='2490144'] Thanks for that Chiliwailer, This bass does indeed say "American Traditional" in small typeface on the end of the headstock Also, the original scratchplate WAS indeed a one-piece The guy showed it to me He had replaced it with a more fetching 2 piece, in rather nice tort Anyone know of how well these basses were built, or the quality of components?? It seems a fair bass for the money I'm tempted to go for it, and maybe get my local luthier to re-profile the neck to more of the traditional Jazz shape.... I do like the profile of Jazz bass necks Cheers again for your help folks [/quote] I'm pretty sure these have Mexican parts - pickups/bridge/tuners etc. I checked the pictures of a Trad against a 1990 Jazz and bridge differs so that's a big clue, plus Fender like to go cheap where possible on cheaper special run USA gear. These parts aren't great, but easily changeable so if the wood is good then you're all set to go. £350 is good, but perhaps factor in new pickups to get it really going. The wood should be USA quality, given Fender's previous history of using up old parts this probably has the remainder of the pre 1989 20 fret Jazz Bass necks and bodies, the pickguards would most likely come from the 1983 Jazz Basses which although great basses, took penny pinching to a whole new level....

Hi Paul, I had two JV0 P Basses - these basses are serious in every sense of the word I've also had 2 x '83 JV P Basses - they are not even close to the JV0's. The typical Basswood body on the later JV's aren't as resonant as the Sen on the JV0, the necks are slightly different too. The Basswood JV's are light weight, both of my JV0's were 9.5lbs, too heavy for my dodgy spine so sadly they got sold. I never compared one with a Fullerton, but thought I'd chip in with some JV0 love.

[size=4][b]American Traditional Jazz Bass!![/b][/size] That was bigging the sh*t out of me The pickguard and control plate have been changed on the one in the eBay link. They should be a one piece. Fender using up old bodies and pickguards.... If yours is one, it'll say it on the end of the headstock in small writing.

Doh, I just remembered, the Jazz Bass turned into the 22 fret long horn version around 1989 to about 1995-ish, so yours could be a special model if it's a 1990 regular body shape and 20 fret neck ????

If yours is like the one on your eBay link then it is a 1990, the 1999's had a spaghetti logo. Pictures would really help mate because Fender have sometimes very briefly made cheaper USA models which are hard to spot, for instance some used cheaper parts, older parts or were made outside the usual factory. I remember the Corona series of the mid 90's so I Googled it to get you a link, turns out there is one right here on Basschat, check out the post from bleedproof [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/835-help-fender-corona-series/"]http://basschat.co.u...-corona-series/[/url] (not that I'm saying yours is a Corona, it's just an example. It could simply be that it was a B grade stock one sold cheaper, Fender do that a lot to slightly damaged or returned basses and leave it to the dealers to tell, or not tell, the punters).

Oooh, I remember selling these first time round - stunning flammed top

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1403048744' post='2479324'] I'll sell you my fretless Stingray if you like! [/quote] Uh oh, I've got serious GAS for one of those right now. I could be in trouble if you bring that one over in a couple of weeks time......

[quote name='Joeyfivebags' timestamp='1403010520' post='2478799'] Did the P serials start from 0001? I know the first 100 or so Strats had serials starting 0100 in '54. [/quote] They went; 100 - 400 in 1951 - 1952 0001 - 0999 in 1952 - 1954