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1973 Fender Jazz (3TS, rosewood/blocks)


Clarky
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Embarrassing admission time. I recently acquired a 73 Jazz in the classic 3TS, rosewood and blocks to match my 72 Precision, having spent a long time searching for one. Having bought a lovely 76 fretless Precision last week I have over-spent on basses this year which would be fine if I really adored the Jazz. Trouble is I don't, I have come to the conclusion that I am simply not a Jazz man and am unlikely ever to be (my band much prefers the Precision sound too).

The Jazz itself is an absolute beauty with a medium amount of natural relic'ing and has ultra-low action (courtesy of The Bass Gallery set-up with EB Hybrid Slinkys) but I just prefer everything about Precisions from the sound to the way they hang/feel/play etc... so good looker though it is (and probably great investment proposition too) I am serious thinking about selling my vintage Jazz on.

All-in it cost me £2,225 (bass on eBay £1850, sourcing original pickups £220 and a period 70s bridge from Bass Doc £85 plus set-up by The Gallery £70). Not looking to make a profit, at least not fom a BC'er! Vintage dealers would list this at about £3,000. I will call it what I paid, so its FS at £2,225 plus post. Incidentally comes with original tweed case (slightly battered but fully functioning with key) and one ashtray cover (the large bridge one). Not got scales (apart from bathroom!) but bass is medium weight, probably 9-ish pounds (certainly not as much as 10 lbs).

I would prefer to sell but might be interested in certain specific basses as part-ex (Fender Pino, Fender Tony Franklin fretted in white or other Precision-shaped 'high end' PJ).

You can click on link ('A bunch of Fenders') in my sig below for pictures. There is also a Gear Porn thread for the bass [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=75927&hl=73"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=75927&hl=73[/url] Here is one to whet appetite:

[attachment=45102:clarky_basses_038.JPG]

If this doesn't sell on BC I will probably eBay it, including an 'eBay premium' to cover Paypal/ebay fees.

Cheers Clarky

Edited by Clarky
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Another pic
[attachment=45188:Clarky_J...bass_071.JPG]

Saturday morning-type [attachment=45186:yellow_bump_sign.jpg]


Please note that, although I would prefer the cash, I might be interested in certain specific trades as part-ex - Fender Pino (not a cat in hell's chance I know), Fender Tony Franklin fretted in white (also rare as rocking horse poo-poo) or other Precision-shaped 'high end' PJ.

Edited by Clarky
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Some pics of the heel, back, pots, serial number plate, case, as requested by a BC'er (sorry about the pyjamas in first pic, what a rock god!):

[attachment=45197:Clarky_J...bass_010.JPG]
[attachment=45198:Clarky_J...bass_007.JPG]
[attachment=45199:Clarky_J...bass_003.JPG]
[attachment=45200:Clarky_J...bass_004.JPG]
[attachment=45201:Clarky_J...bass_001.JPG]

Edited by Clarky
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[quote name='Legion' post='780610' date='Mar 20 2010, 10:57 AM']Stop staring at me - you're making me nervous :)[/quote]
Hey Legion! I KNOW you are not selling either of your beautiful basses :rolleyes: But maybe someone somewhere has a Pino and needs a funkier Jazz sound instead. New price on a Pino £2400, ouch!

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[quote name='Clarky' post='780634' date='Mar 20 2010, 11:27 AM']Hey Legion! I KNOW you are not selling either of your beautiful basses :) But maybe someone somewhere has a Pino and needs a funkier Jazz sound instead. New price on a Pino £2400, ouch![/quote]
It's a lovely looking Jazz - I'm sure someone will want it, although I think the options on BC get exhausted pretty quick so if it doesn't get any bites here I'd get it on ebay asap.

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[quote name='Legion' post='780662' date='Mar 20 2010, 11:58 AM']It's a lovely looking Jazz - I'm sure someone will want it, although I think the options on BC get exhausted pretty quick so if it doesn't get any bites here I'd get it on ebay asap.[/quote]
Thanks Jase. If no interest this weekend I will definitely put it on eBay (TBH could probably extract a higher price from someone on the Continent due to sterling being weak v Euro)

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[quote name='Clarky' post='780667' date='Mar 20 2010, 12:01 PM']Thanks Jase. If no interest this weekend I will definitely put it on eBay (TBH could probably extract a higher price from someone on the Continent due to sterling being weak v Euro)[/quote]
Definitely agree with that - I don't think you need to lose out on this one, just need to find the right buyer.

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Have you tried the bass with steel wound strings? I've noticed recently that nickelwounds sucked all the tone out of my j basses. I bunged some hard rocking steels on and suddenly everything sounded completely amazing. Mid presence, harmonics, growl etc etc

Maybe it's just me but I can't bear nickels at all now....

CB

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[quote name='Cairobill' post='780849' date='Mar 20 2010, 03:26 PM']Have you tried the bass with steel wound strings? I've noticed recently that nickelwounds sucked all the tone out of my j basses. I bunged some hard rocking steels on and suddenly everything sounded completely amazing. Mid presence, harmonics, growl etc etc

Maybe it's just me but I can't bear nickels at all now....

CB[/quote]
Hi CB, no I haven't tried steels but tried two different sets of nickel rounds (EB's on it at the mo) and flats and it doesn't coem close to cutting through in my band. Its not just the sound though, I just like the way a Precision hangs and feels better. Funnily enough my/your old Nash came closer to what I wanted than this bass as it was chunkier!

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[quote name='fretmeister' post='782188' date='Mar 21 2010, 10:21 PM']Arse.

I'd love that. Always wanted a good '73[/quote]
Thats OK, I will trade it to you for two thousand, two hundred and twenty five of your English pounds. Simples :)

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In my experience the only bass I've had that took on a seriously overamped bunch of guitarists and a heavy drummer was a stingray. Bass dominance. If I was playing rock I would use a 'Ray. For now I'm in jazzland and my J Bass is sounding amazing...

Although loads of rock players use J basses don't they?

CB

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Yep, CB it is absolutely true that countless rock bands have used Jazzes, including very heavy ones (eg, Judas Priest in 70/80s) but I can only assume they had a combination of breaking-up valve amps and pedals to beef up the sound, plus good sound-people - I have tried but just cannot get it to work in my band, even with different amps and employing a valve-emulating distortion pedal (MXR M80 DI+) direct

But as I said, its not just the sound. Jazzes are just not as comfortable for me to play as Precisions. Maybe I need to try a 'Ray (never played one)

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As a reminder would also be prepared to do a trade/part-ex (depending on value of other instrument)

Not likely to get the Fender Pino I really want (Legion, look into my eyes, not around the eyes ....!) but have recently been attracted to Wals, so if anyone wants to do some kind of Wal trade please contact me. Must be a 4-string, preferably a flat colour (eg, black or red) or, if wood, not highly figured (ie, not Wenge or spalted)

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[quote name='Clarky' post='789220' date='Mar 29 2010, 10:36 AM']As a reminder would also be prepared to do a trade/part-ex (depending on value of other instrument)

Not likely to get the Fender Pino I really want (Legion, look into my eyes, not around the eyes ....!) but have recently been attracted to Wals, so if anyone wants to do some kind of Wal trade please contact me. Must be a 4-string, preferably a flat colour (eg, black or red) or, if wood, not highly figured (ie, not Wenge or spalted)[/quote]

Clarky with a Wal! Actually, I can see that working well :)

One thing I thought of, and im just thinking out loud so apologies, but did I see you mentioned you havent tried a Stingray before?

I think you should definitely have a tinker with one...to me they just fit with the classic Leo trio.

I went to see 3 great bands last night, one with a Precision and one with a Stingray. It was apparent that the Precision filled the low end amazingly well and just worked. The Stingray just cut through like crazy almost sounding like the bass was a lead instrument but when he hit the lower notes it filled the room like a bass should.

Good luck with the sale dude :rolleyes:

Edited by Musicman20
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