[quote name='project_c' timestamp='1495614055' post='3305220']
I think you're right about looking for a non-pristine one. Here's a pic of the one I'm talking about, whilst it's not pristine it's definitely all original, but there's discolouring on the wood, chips on the headstock and body, hairline cracks in the binding, and the pickguard is pretty warped. The neck is straight enough but the action definitely needs to come down a bit, and I couldn't really gauge the state of the saddles and bridge because of the cover. But as it is all original, and sat in a posh shop, it has an almost 3K price tag which I can't justify.
However if these mid 70's jazzes really sound this good, I think it would make more sense to look for a refinished one instead, because it seems like a refin reduces the price by almost half. Someone suggested that the the tone I'm after is a result of the 70's electronics as well as the pickup configuration, and they said that a lot of 70's jazzes don't have the typical mid scoop with both volumes up full, they're really focussed on the mid-range. I don't know if this is true or not but I'm going to try a few 70s jazzes and see if that characteristic is there in all of them. If it's not then this bass is a one off.
[/quote]
I suppose it also depends on your resale policy. My '66 is going nowhere (barring massively unforeseen and serious circumstances). When I stop playing the kids can decide what they want to do with it. Although post CBS Leo & crew were still making the basses at this point so I think it will have risen in value by then but that was never the prime motive for buying the bass.
The neck on the bass is superb, arrow straight and no dead spots I can find, nice and light too. exceeded all my expectations
A couple of pics for you:
[attachment=245979:_MG_0002.JPG] [attachment=245980:_MG_0026.JPG]