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FENDER 1974 all-original JAZZ BASS (authentic CLASSIC)


cameet
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[b]FENDER 1974 all-original JAZZ BASS (authentic CLASSIC)[/b],
Black, Black scratch plate, Maple neck. Bought in 1980, not really gigged since around 1987 and not really played for past few years - hence the sale.

I thought until recently it was from 1978, but checking neck code, serial number and pots I now know it's from 1974 (Neck built 1972, pots 1973, serial number 74 - usual Fender mix). It's showing the expected signs of 38 years on bodywork (see pics for dents in varnish, dapples in varnish, dinks etc.) but the neck is straight and true and has 1 small dent on reverse (about 4 x 5 mm wide, 1mm deep - doesn't notice when playing) and octave is accurate. It's a 34 inch scale (nut bridge to tail bridge), and is set up exactly as when I got it.

Maple "skunk stripe" neck with classic Jazz C profile – Gloss Urethane finish, white edging – very easy to play. 20 frets, little sign of wear, 4 bolt neck plate, internal truss rod. 1.5 inch (38mm) wide at the nut. First MOP marker has crack but is all there and crack can't be felt when playing.

Original 70s Fender stamped open gear machine heads.

Original two Fender single-coil, pick-ups, neck and bridge, black / original Bridge with single groove saddles / Black pickguard with white binding / chrome control surround / 3 black control knobs (neck p.up volume, bridge p.up volume, tone control)

The bass weighs less than 8 Lbs, and has the original tail plate and pick up guard (though I took them off from start and haven't got the 6 small screws - shouldn't be hard to get), and weighs 16Lbs in the well-battered hard case (non-Fender).

The bridge nut is worn on the A slot which makes open A buzz a bit (no buzz from 1st fret upwards). I get round this by sticking a small paper wedge under string on nut - doesn't change the tone and stops the buzz.

I'd like [b]£1300[/b] for this bass but will consider offers in that region. If no-one on Basschat is interested, It'll go on ebay soon, but I'd rather sell to a player. Not really interested in a trade - I'm parting with this bass because I rarely play it, and I can always rely on my 1964 Framus Star cello bass. I'm in St Albans / Herts, and would deliver within a 100 mile radius (maybe further) for some petrol money. I'll put a new set of quality strings on confirmed sale. This is a lovely, versatile bass with a great tone but definitely suited to funk, soul, jazz, reggae etc.

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+ 1 to that. Never understood what use a thumb rest was down there!!

[quote name='cameet' timestamp='1329845812' post='1548433']
Don't have a clue Gunsfreddy2003 - that's where it was when I got the bass some 32 years back. There aren't any extra holes so I don't think it's been moved and it's in a useful place where it is.
[/quote]
[quote name='cameet' timestamp='1329845812' post='1548433']
Don't have a clue Gunsfreddy2003 - that's where it was when I got the bass some 32 years back. There aren't any extra holes so I don't think it's been moved and it's in a useful place where it is.
[/quote]

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Looks like that was right around the time they moved it. I think It was down below so that you could rest your fingers on it and play with your thumb, which was what Leo F originally envisiged electric bass players doing.
[url="http://www.fender.com/community/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=45043"]http://www.fender.co...php?f=9&t=45043[/url]

Edited by Roland Rock
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Nice work - must be bang on the changeover.

Even the thumb rest on the later 74's is in the wrong place as I need to be plucking near the bridge for them funky tones!!

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1329846081' post='1548444']
Looks like that was right around the time they moved it. I think It was down below so that you could rest your fingers on it and play with your thumb, which was what Leo F originally envisiged electric bass players doing.
[url="http://www.fender.com/community/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=45043"]http://www.fender.co...php?f=9&t=45043[/url]
[/quote]

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Yes, it's me who is buying it! thanks Tony! :) :) I am a very lucky man.
Oh, and it is a 1973 Jazz bass not 1974. Pots also indicate 1973
serial no' 502*** indicates 1973.

[url="http://home.provide.net/%7Ecfh/fender.html#serial"]http://home.provide....der.html#serial[/url]

Edited by clarkpegasus4001
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Are you sure about that?

If it is a '73 then surely the finger rest would be below the G string given the earlier info on the link that was put in the thread earlier?

[quote name='clarkpegasus4001' timestamp='1329852880' post='1548612']
Yes, it's me who is buying it! thanks Tony! :) :) I am a very lucky man.
Oh, and it is a 1973 Jazz bass not 1974. Pots also indicate 1973
serial no' 502*** indicates 1973.

[url="http://home.provide.net/%7Ecfh/fender.html#serial"]http://home.provide....der.html#serial[/url]
[/quote]

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And here is another.......

[url="http://www.normansrareguitars.com/product.php?productid=1579&cat=45&page=1"]http://www.normansra...9&cat=45&page=1[/url]

I'm pretty sure you can't always authenticate a basses age, based on where the thumb rest is.

Tony (cameet) is correct about the neck date it is from 1972 and is typical of Fender using older parts.

Edited by clarkpegasus4001
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[quote name='molan' timestamp='1329860140' post='1548798']
Wow, if this is all original then it's a good £500 under-priced, maybe even more. I've seen refin 4 bolt 70's Fenders priced at clost to £2K.

Looks like a '73 to me, can't remember when the long G bridge saddle was removed?
[/quote]

Even i'm not 100% sure on that although I think it is original. However, this guy on Talkbass has a 73 precision and his has the long G by sounds of of, so it looks correct to me.
I have underlined his quote Here:


Quote:
Originally Posted by [b]JTE[/b] [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/1973-fender-jazz-bass-advice-seeking-parts-732633/#post10309193"][/url]
[i]Other than the date-codes on the pots and the dates on the pickups, these items simply didn't change for a LOT of years. I don't understand why anyone would WANT to, let alone be able to, tell the difference between a '73 thumbrest, PUP cover, or bridge versus a '74, or a '76.

Heck, most of those are so generic a current replacement would generally be indistinguishable.

John[/i] I just got a 73 P and have been doing some investigating on the parts used that year that differ from later years.

First thing is the thumbrest. Its not black like the one used in later years, its a very dark brown/maroon color.

On the P basses, their pickup and bridge covers have more angular bends than later years as well. I dont know if its the same for Jazz basses though.

[u]****The bridge has the long g screw, so a reissue bridge or later 70's bridge isn't exactly "correct"[/u]*****

Also if you're looking for a pickguard, i believe 73 was the last year they had celluloid tortoise shell. My P-bass has a celluloid guard that's shrunk over the years and developed a tiny crack. I will say that it is still the nicest looking tort I've seen, even though its got plenty of wear.

Good luck with your search. [url="http://www.ebay.com/"]Ebay[/url] seems to be your best bet. I myself only need a thumbrest, pickup and bridge cover, and possible a case. Everything else on mine is all original.
[i]Last edited by thisSNsucks : 01-20-2011 at 09:59 AM. [/i]

Edited by clarkpegasus4001
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