Marc S Posted July 1, 2014 Author Share Posted July 1, 2014 Thanks for that Hutton, I tried the bass briefly, and was quite impressed with it The guy wants around £350 for it and I just thought a USA Jazz for that money seemed a great offer It's just about mint condition too.... He just changed the pickguard, and played about with the bass at home.... I wanted to be sure the components etc were of good quality I still find it odd that the neck is a different / slightly chunkier shape from every other Jazz I've played Thanks again anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hutton Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 (edited) £350? What are you waiting for? Don't worry about neck width/shape. I play precisions and jazzes and move between the two without any difficulty. Don't think about it, just play! Edited July 1, 2014 by Hutton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 £350! ssshhhhh you'll have a queue at his door Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 I agree, bite his hand off and enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1404216580' post='2490359'] I agree, bite his hand off and enjoy. [/quote] Aggressive posts will be deleted or moderated. Lets keep it on topic and not fall out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted July 1, 2014 Author Share Posted July 1, 2014 I wasn't so much concerned with the neck being a "different" profile, but wanted to make sure they weren't made of lesser quality materials etc I know I should go for it ...... just gotta sneak it past the wife now Cheers again for all your help / suggestions guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 [quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1404218498' post='2490391'] Lets keep it on topic and not fall out... [/quote] Yes, let's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1404218617' post='2490396'] ... just gotta sneak it past the wife now [/quote] I keep several gig bags and hard cases round the house... some may be empty, some not... who knows? Edited July 1, 2014 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted July 1, 2014 Author Share Posted July 1, 2014 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1404218925' post='2490408'] I keep several gig bags and hard cases round the house... some may be empty, some not... who knows? [/quote] Ah, I use the same tricks..... I'm sure she knows though I could of course hide a few basses behind some of the clothes she never wears! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 [quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1404219374' post='2490417'] I could of course hide a few basses behind some of the clothes she never wears! [/quote] I do exactly the same! She's a big girl and some of her dresses are like sofa covers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliwailer Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 (edited) [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.... Edited July 1, 2014 by Chiliwailer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxx Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 (edited) I have one of these, bought brand new in 1999 for £350 ish,there were 3 left reduced to clear at the time in fairdeal in brum. They were a short run made in that year only from what little info I've found on them, as chilliwailer said, they are a mix of parts from US and mexico, the whole lot being finished, assembled etc in the USA factory, I changed the pickguard on mine to standard jazz config, as i never liked the all over white one, changed the pots for full size CTS ones, as it had those mini pots fitted as standard, otherwise it's stock, the neck is superb and the body is very resonant. I'd never part with mine, was my first proper good quality bass, and still puts some US standards to shame in terms of fit and finish, the others i've come across have all had good reviews, and seem consistent. snap his hand off, I would. Edited July 2, 2014 by Foxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted July 2, 2014 Author Share Posted July 2, 2014 Chiliwailer and Foxx, thanks again guys I've asked him to put it aside for me, and he's agreed I don't really "need" this bass but I always find it's good to play several different basses and I do like the look of this one - especially for the money plays quite nicely too Great to hear your positive comments and experiences with your bass Foxx That's just the sort of background info I was looking for Cheers again all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 [quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1404304262' post='2491332'] I don't really "need" this bass [/quote] "Want"? "Need"? It's all the same really, isn't it..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hutton Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 [quote name='Foxx' timestamp='1404292291' post='2491123'] I have one of these, bought brand new in 1999 for £350 ish,there were 3 left reduced to clear at the time in fairdeal in brum. They were a short run made in that year only from what little info I've found on them, as chilliwailer said, they are a mix of parts from US and mexico, the whole lot being finished, assembled etc in the USA factory, I changed the pickguard on mine to standard jazz config, as i never liked the all over white one, changed the pots for full size CTS ones, as it had those mini pots fitted as standard, otherwise it's stock, the neck is superb and the body is very resonant. I'd never part with mine, was my first proper good quality bass, and still puts some US standards to shame in terms of fit and finish, the others i've come across have all had good reviews, and seem consistent. snap his hand off, I would. [/quote] Do you still have the original pickguard? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliwailer Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 [quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1404304262' post='2491332'] Chiliwailer and Foxx, thanks again guys [/quote] Cheers pal, been a pleasure. Enjoy the bass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxx Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 [quote name='Hutton' timestamp='1404306660' post='2491379'] Do you still have the original pickguard? [/quote] Sorry mate, long since gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 I believe these were the 90's equivalent of the Highway Jazzes and Precisions. There was also another earlier series 'California Series' before the American Traditional, which was constructed with Mexican parts but put screwed together in the USA. Todays equivalents would be the American Specials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted July 7, 2014 Author Share Posted July 7, 2014 Interesting this The parts all seem to be American I spoke to someone in a guitar shop over the weekend, The guy was considered something of an expert on Fender matters He reckoned that some USA parts were actually made in Mexico anyway.... The pickups seem fine on this bass Glad I went for it now A good bass for that money IMO PS. SWMBO hasn't found it yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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