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Vintage Fenders


Reggaebass

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On 08/07/2023 at 07:40, BassAgent said:

Oh by the way, is there anything else specific I have to look out for? Tuners without the trademark-R of course, pots with the correct code and the works, but anything specific for that time period?

If my experience with my constantly gigged since new ‘72 jazz is anything to go by, you’ll be lucky to find anything original beyond the body and neck. And probably the bent bit of metal they call the bridge, which is indestructible. Everything else has not survived the intervening 50 years. 
And no I have not abused it, just used it, a lot. 
 

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7 hours ago, Burns-bass said:


People are talking up the “Dan Smith era” Fenders, and some of the early 80s stuff is appearing in some vintage shops. Objectively speaking, the stuff from about 1975 onwards is pretty appalling. 
 

Tried a 1975 jazz that weighed 5.2kg. Insane. 

Hmm, my ‘78 P bass is lightweight, under 9 lbs, has good fit and finish, and plays really well, and very well balanced on a strap. It has slightly lower output than my ‘73, but in a way I like that, it’s a bit more of a clean machine. Agreed that there are some really heavy ones from this period, but if you find a light one, and a good one, they are all that you’d hoped they’d be.

Rob

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1 minute ago, Cliff Edge said:

If my experience with my constantly gigged since new ‘72 jazz is anything to go by, you’ll be lucky to find anything original beyond the body and neck. And probably the bent bit of metal they call the bridge, which is indestructible. Everything else has not survived the intervening 50 years. 
And no I have not abused it, just used it, a lot. 
 

My '66 Jazz and '71 Precision are still pretty much original except for the finish and the frets, though😎

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12 minutes ago, BassAgent said:

My '66 Jazz and '71 Precision are still pretty much original except for the finish and the frets, though😎

I accept my experience may not be typical but I’m naturally suspicious of any Fender from that era described as totally original.  Many of the bits I have had to replace did not last the first 20 years, including the pickups. And I’ve just remembered, the strap buttons are original, with a bit of surface rust. 
It weighs a healthy 10 pounds. 

Edited by Cliff Edge
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29 minutes ago, Cliff Edge said:

I accept my experience may not be typical but I’m naturally suspicious of any Fender from that era described as totally original.  Many of the bits I have had to replace did not last the first 20 years, including the pickups. And I’ve just remembered, the strap buttons are original, with a bit of surface rust. 
It weighs a healthy 10 pounds. 

My 76 Jazz is totally original right down to the screws, was hardly played and spent much of its life in a case by the previous owner

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The pots and case also turned out to be non-originals. To be honest: I don't care. It sounds amazing, looks absolutely stunning and it can be set up really smoothly. I will give it some new strings and oil the fretboard. I got a little discount because of the case and pots. The case is pretty old but I hate cases so I'm definitely selling it.

IMG_3693.jpeg

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20 hours ago, briansbrew said:

My 76 Jazz is totally original right down to the screws, was hardly played and spent much of its life in a case by the previous owner

There’s the difference.  Mine has spent almost all its life out of a case, being used. 
 

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13 minutes ago, CHRISDABASS said:

Hey Folks! i hope you’re all doing well.
 

I thought this one might be of interest to some of you!

 

it’s my all original 66p! The lacquer checking is pretty special right?? She’s the perfect weight too at 8.5lbs! 
 

👍🏼

79466BF7-7FE3-4805-8BF1-EE7ACBD7284E.jpeg

5DC6093A-82DE-4DAA-BD47-E4A20AD6AC0C.jpeg

54C35C01-8614-4AD4-BC3F-AC2108917A6D.jpeg

D390FC72-60DE-4876-8A9F-10709570F770.jpeg

9C847EBE-7EA5-42AE-9EA5-20374DCBAE37.jpeg

F3CA2D53-C764-49DF-9B9C-6D9F827A46F4.jpeg

8DDAB3DC-860B-400D-8752-45F1E3DCF535.jpeg

That’s really nice 👌 

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5 hours ago, CHRISDABASS said:

Hey Folks! i hope you’re all doing well.
 

I thought this one might be of interest to some of you!

 

it’s my all original 66p! The lacquer checking is pretty special right?? She’s the perfect weight too at 8.5lbs! 
 

👍🏼

79466BF7-7FE3-4805-8BF1-EE7ACBD7284E.jpeg

5DC6093A-82DE-4DAA-BD47-E4A20AD6AC0C.jpeg

54C35C01-8614-4AD4-BC3F-AC2108917A6D.jpeg

D390FC72-60DE-4876-8A9F-10709570F770.jpeg

9C847EBE-7EA5-42AE-9EA5-20374DCBAE37.jpeg

F3CA2D53-C764-49DF-9B9C-6D9F827A46F4.jpeg

8DDAB3DC-860B-400D-8752-45F1E3DCF535.jpeg

Reminds me of my old ‘63.

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44 minutes ago, greavesbass said:

Have to say in all the years I've owned and seen old white P's I have never seen an original finish stay white and check like that., anyway nice weight.

I guess there’s a first time for everything….
 

It’s certainly more yellow in person when away from the direct light of the window where i took the photos.

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6 hours ago, CHRISDABASS said:

Hey Folks! i hope you’re all doing well.
 

I thought this one might be of interest to some of you!

 

it’s my all original 66p! The lacquer checking is pretty special right?? She’s the perfect weight too at 8.5lbs! 
 

👍🏼

79466BF7-7FE3-4805-8BF1-EE7ACBD7284E.jpeg

5DC6093A-82DE-4DAA-BD47-E4A20AD6AC0C.jpeg

54C35C01-8614-4AD4-BC3F-AC2108917A6D.jpeg

D390FC72-60DE-4876-8A9F-10709570F770.jpeg

9C847EBE-7EA5-42AE-9EA5-20374DCBAE37.jpeg

F3CA2D53-C764-49DF-9B9C-6D9F827A46F4.jpeg

8DDAB3DC-860B-400D-8752-45F1E3DCF535.jpeg

This is absolutely perfect. The checking, the colour, the birdseye in the neck, everything. 

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Not many of those around , I don’t think I’ve ever seen a first year one in the flesh, I translated the description,

 

1st year of production of the Fender Jazz Bass

-Slab Board / Stack Knobs

-Serial number: 57229 (Pre CBS)

-Date of the handle: 10-60 (October 1960)

-Date of potentiometers: 1376039 (I.e. 39th week of 1960)

-Body date: 8-60 (August 1960)

-Blonde Finish original (unfortunately the former owner started removing the paint and fortunately it's stopped!). Without it, this bass would be worth double.

-Truss rod works perfectly

-Original case: Brown tolex/ Orange interior

-Delivered with the 4 original mutes (very rare), the 2 silver microphone covers and original Fender strap.

-Professional repair: Surface crack on the head, tuner E repaired (see photos). This is unfortunately common in some early Fenders.

-Prised and professionally settled by "Southside Guitar" (Vintage Guitar Store of reference in the USA)

-Invoice and Certificate provided

Its incredible, Jaco's model...

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9 hours ago, Reggaebass said:

Not many of those around , I don’t think I’ve ever seen a first year one in the flesh

Back in around 2004 an all original blond 61 stack knob was for sale in a shop I worked in. I thought it was by far the nicest vintage bass I’d played, and it started me off buying pre-cbs, albeit starting with a ‘64 refin Jazz. It sold for £10k. 
 

Then in about 2007 it came to a specialist vintage shop I was at, and again it was still the best vintage bass I’d played (IMO) felt unique and sounded huge for a Jazz. It then sold for £18k to an ex rock star that collects vintage blond Fenders - but it was then just sat in a case doing nothing ☹️

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