Chiliwailer

Pre-rant disclaimer: I’ve previously owned some great Custom Shop basses, so am not painting all with the same brush... ...but I’ve just seen one for sale on line elsewhere - AND IT DOES NOT DESERVE TO WEAR A VINTAGE FENDER LOGO - Looks shocking, IMO. 😁 I won’t go any deeper than that for risk of offending. And please don’t take me too seriously, it’s just an interesting flip side.

Urgh! Have you seen a Nash ‘logo’ 😂 Im a Fender fan, even worked for them years back, but after the price fixing scandal I have no qualms about my Bravewood - it’s just a bit of fun. And easy to see it’s not real if you know, and if you don’t know and you’re buying vintage, you know the risks....

I’m lucky to have a stunning Bravewood, it puts some Fender Custom Shop basses to shame - so the fact it wears a Fender logo, to me, is not a problem. It’s a respectful homage, and not a con. And other logos or headstock shapes just look shi*te on a vintage replica 😂

Clearer one - I presume exposed is ground.

From google images

Yeah, does make a difference. Good hunting for the A neck 👍

For 60s, the the std nut width got slimmer around 68, when the logo and lacquer changes came in. Being finished by hand back then there are sometimes little differences in the necks. I’ve played some very comfy late 60’s necks, 68 to early 70s could be worth checking out... but if it’s not an A, you may struggle if preferring Jazzes? A shapes are out there, you’ll find one 👍

I took NWRs Jazz apart once, think it dated both 61 & 62, I remember that as I was suprised at the time it had the mute holes despite being a 62. It was a good while back though - cracking bass, but his ‘Rhythm Stick’ 70s P Bass is truly something magical , what a bass 🤤

Cheers, though the original post could easily read that way 👍

Mine was BC and local!!

Round about 2014, a Wal in my neighbourhood for £2.5k 😢😢😢 edit - it was on BC

GHS Precision are the best I’ve had on mine. Nice warm tone with some punch.

If after getting used to playing again it doesn’t go away, then a short scale is worth a try IMO - a short scale was my main gigging bass for many years, definitely helped with my physical issues and at the time made it easier on me than a full scale. Could also be a reflection on underlying issues with your neck, shoulder or back; or posture. Just mentioning that as something to look out for perhaps. Best of luck.

I tend to think gold hardware should be banned - but there’s some absolute stunners here so I’ll ask Frank to put John Hall into Room 101 instead 😊

I stand corrected - turns out they sound great on my ‘95 2 Band Ray 👍

There can be a few factors here. On one hand it could be as the Jazz is different to what you’re used to, or the set up or strings are different. I’m sure other folks will give views on factors. But sometimes I’ve found it’s just the character of that particular bit of wood , so in some cases the same model of bass can sound different, so also noticeable when playing up the neck - I’ve experienced this before on guitars too.

Similar thing happened with a duff Custom Shop Fender P Bass my mate bought, it’s a shame some retailers don’t spot this. Was obvious the neck was gone yet the shop didn’t spot, or give two hoots about, the cr*p set up and had absolutely no idea - and even needed to take it to a tech to work it out 🙄 Same shop later sold him another duff used Custom Shop Jazz with a messed up neck, they tried to bulls*it us that it was fine and ‘typical Fender’, but for the next few months it was off the website but still in the shop for sale - I know that as a guy I sold a CS Jazz to had tried it there and was also surprised they had it up for sale. Made my blood boil tbh. Anyway, they’re not trading anymore, but it’s a shame they didn’t get into learning how to set up basses or spot blatant issues.

I have EB Group on my Smoothie, and EB Cobalt on my 2 band Ray, both 40-95 as I prefer the tone and feel of that gauge on Rays. Both strings are excellent, I probably just favour Groups as they are a more middle ground flat - not too modern, not too old school. I have Thomastik on my P & J basses, but for me those strings didn’t suit me on any Ray.