NBD: Rare MIJ Late 60s Traditional II Jazz w/ Matching Headstock

[wateroftyne]

Hello!

 

Couldn't resist this one. Never seen another in the UK. Any others out there?

 

A pretty unique spec - ovals, matching headstock, blocks & binding. Board is a lovely bit of rosewood, body is basswood.

 

Pickguard was switched to black at some point, but I've got a correct replacement on there now.

 

It plays and sounds great 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 20 hours ago by wateroftyne

[nige1968]

That looks proper fancy innit. Please tell me it’s an awful baseball bat of a neck to try ‘n’ play …

[wateroftyne]

10 minutes ago, nige1968 said:

That looks proper fancy innit. Please tell me it’s an awful baseball bat of a neck to try ‘n’ play …

Sorry to say it’s a classic 60s J profile. Nice and fast!

[nige1968]

Not helping 😆

[BlueMoon]

Nice! Fender Japan seems to have quite a bit of flexibility to issue “local” models that are both desirable and well screwed together. 

[Shambo]

I used to have a Jap Jazz in this configuration. It was a 75RI. Bought it from a Basschatter in France.

 

 

 

I absolutely love the look, still do. You don't see it very often.

It reminded me of my first proper bass, an original black '75 Jazz... but I just didn't play it enough to warrant keeping it.

I sold all the basses in my collection a few years ago, but kept the Pro Precision that usurped it as top bass in my stable.

 

Did you import yours?

[uk_lefty]

Very nice! I was watching a documentary a while ago and saw a bassist using an original like that with the ashtrays on and ever since thought it was a very tasty looking combination on a Fender Jazz.

[wateroftyne]

1 hour ago, Shambo said:

I used to have a Jap Jazz in this configuration. It was a 75RI. Bought it from a Basschatter in France.

 

 

 

I absolutely love the look, still do. You don't see it very often.

It reminded me of my first proper bass, an original black '75 Jazz... but I just didn't play it enough to warrant keeping it.

I sold all the basses in my collection a few years ago, but kept the Pro Precision that usurped it as top bass in my stable.

 

Did you import yours?

Almost the same - ovals is the main difference, I think. Maybe bridge pickup position too? Lovely bass, though!

 

I didn’t import it. Bought it locally, but don’t know its history before that…

[PaulThePlug]

Have you still got the BWB, as it really ties in the blocks

[wateroftyne]

25 minutes ago, PaulThePlug said:

Have you still got the BWB, as it really ties in the blocks

I do. Don’t like it, tho.

[King Tut]

Beauty!

[HeadlessBassist]

Congrats WoT. Looks lovely. I like those vintage Jazz necks too - just that extra little bit of depth to them, making them really comfortable.

 

Having a look around, these come in some lovely colour combinations. Is it Will at BassBros bringing these in?

 

Edited 1 hour ago by HeadlessBassist

[Shambo]

12 hours ago, wateroftyne said:

Almost the same - ovals is the main difference, I think. Maybe bridge pickup position too? Lovely bass, though!

 

I didn’t import it. Bought it locally, but don’t know its history before that…

Mine also had a 3 bolt neck, but I don't think it had the 70's bridge pickup spacing.

I saw one around the same age (2008) with a white body and matching headstock, which looked fabulous contrasting with rosewood, blocks and binding.

 

If I'd won the lottery last night, I'd fly to Tokyo and try a few out to see which one spoke to me.

I considered importing one but, buying one blind, I'd be concerned it might end up being another perfectly good instrument that I just didn't 'bond' with.

 

But if you decide to move this one on, I'd certainly like to give it an audition. 😉 

I think I'm probably quite local to you these days.

 

Great looking bass.

[Shambo]

37 minutes ago, HeadlessBassist said:

Congrats WoT. Looks lovely. I like those vintage Jazz necks too - just that extra little bit of depth to them, making them really comfortable.

 

Having a look around, these come in some lovely colour combinations. Is it Will at BassBros bringing these in?

I'm thinking about the white version and you post one whist I'm writing! 

[HeadlessBassist]

Just now, Shambo said:

I'm thinking about the white version and you post one whist I'm writing! 

 

Oops. Sorry!  🫣 🤣

[wateroftyne]

And also, which I'd REALLY love:

[HeadlessBassist]

How does the basswood body compare sound-wise to the American Vintage/Original alder bodies?

 

I ask, as I'm just in the middle of having a set of Fender Pure Vintage 66 pickups put into silky999's prototype nitro bass, which has the okoume body.

[wateroftyne]

40 minutes ago, HeadlessBassist said:

How does the basswood body compare sound-wise to the American Vintage/Original alder bodies?

 

I ask, as I'm just in the middle of having a set of Fender Pure Vintage 66 pickups put into silky999's prototype nitro bass, which has the okoume body.

Honestly, I can’t tell the difference. Had I not known it was basswood from the spec, I’d have assumed alder.

Edited 3 minutes ago by wateroftyne

[Dood]

One word. Lush. 😍

[HeadlessBassist]

That's good to know. I know a lot of people pooh-pooh basswood as a cheap alternative, but I've never known a bad sounding basswood instrument. They even use it on top-of-the-line Music Man basses, so can't be bad