my 1974 Fender Jazz Bass

[kevin_lindsay]

Well, here's the story - the first bass I ever played was a friend's Fender Jazz Bass. This would have been around 1978/9 or so. The bass was one my friend bought in 1974 from a local store after someone had traded it in.

So, that bass has always been a huge reference point for me. In January this year, my friend was feeling a bit under the weather, so he went to see the doc. He was sent for tests and was then informed that he had cancer - and only had a few weeks to live. Needless to say, his wife and daughters were distraught. Unfortunately, he passed away on 26th February this year.

A couple of weeks ago, my brother received an e-mail from the family saying that Jimmy (my friend) had said he didn't want it lying around the house and he wanted it to be used, and the family were asking if he know the best avenue for selling the bass? I was contacted, whereupon I called The Bass Gallery in Camden, London to explain the situation and get the anticipated sale price. I then called Jimmy's family to advise them of the info I had been given.

5 mins later I received a callback. Carol told me that Jimmy stated that if I had shown any interest in the bass, then he wanted me to have it. So, they then insisted that I have the bass with no charge. I have made a contribution to the hospice which cared for Jimmy in his last few weeks as a token gesture - I felt that in the circumstances it was the correct thing to do.

So - I had the bass delivered to me on Friday.

Jimmy liked the low B sound, but couldn't get on with 5 string basses, so he had his bass set up for BEAD tuning. It was battle scarred from decades of playing, and was pretty grubby. Here's a pic



When the bass was setup for BEAD tuning, whoever did the work changed the bridge for a brass one (which isn't quite the correct spacing for the pickup polepieces), and also changed the original nut for a brass one

[kevin_lindsay]

Okay, so the first thing for me was to verify the age of the bass. The key reference points are - first of all, the serial number on the neck plate


This number could mean the bass was anything from 1973 through to 1975. However, the black pickguard and the finger rest being on the bass side of the strings would indicate a 1974 instrument. so, let's take the neck off and have a look at the date stamp on the neck heel and the also look at the neck pocket on the body for clues.

Oops! No date stamp on either!




Okay, so where else can I look for verification? The control potentiometers! Lets have a look there:


The 137-7343 indicate that the pots were manufactured in the 43rd week of 1973 (the number ref breaks down like this - first 3 numbers (137) indicate CTS, the first 2 digits of the 4 digit part are the year of manufacture ('73) and the last 2 show the week of the year they were made (made in the 43rd week of the year).

Okay, so the pots are from 1973, what about the pickups? Lets have a look at the underside of them to see if there's any date stamp in place:



Let's look under the neck position pickup. That's no use - just a blurred smear.


So let's look under the bridge position pickup. The date stamp here shows they were made in 1974, so it looks like the bass Jimmy bought used was only a few months old at that time!:

[kevin_lindsay]

Okay, so that's the date verified, what about the condition of the bass - a few immediate areas for attention were:

1 - Condition of the frets. Up at the "dusty end" of the fingerboard, they were tarnished with a green hue, so that needed cleaning. Also, the fingerboard needed de-gunked and cleaned up at the same time as the frets.



The body and hardware needed cleaning:



The bridge would need adjusting to get the bass re-intonated for standard EADG tuning rather than the BEAD tuning which was in place. Also, the saddle height screws were proud of the surface - these would need ground down to a setting which would allow the player to dampen the strings at the bridge without tearing up the flesh of your palm/


I will be replacing the brass bridge with a period correct unit, but getting the bass back to a comfortably playable setting was my initial priority.


I cleaned the body - just a light polish. The same was also done to the pickguard, and also the control bell plate. When I was cleaning the chrome bell plate, I noticed the output jack securing nut was a little bit loose, so this was tightened.

When the neck was reattached to the body, I removed the shim which was in the neck pocket - this allowed for a better neck to body fit, and has given the bass a wonderfully solid and woody tone.

[kevin_lindsay]

So, the end result is now this (as I said, I still have the bridge and nut to replace, and get an appropriate case as well). I am extremely humbled and appreciative of having the opportunity to play this bass once again. Every time I play it, it will be a reminder of a true friend.

[OutToPlayJazz]

That's a lovely looking bass and a great story attached, too. Lots of honest playing wear as well. Congrats on the score, but sad to lose a friend in such circumstances at the same time.

[basshead56]

I am very sorry for your loss and my sympathies are with his family.
I lost someone close recently to cancer. It is an awful feeling.

This is truly a beautiful instrument.
He must have considered you a really good friend.
Hopefully, you will get many years of enjoyment from it.
All the best mate,
Colin

[Shambo]

Ah that's a lovely bass and not too dissimilar to one I used to own, (and still covet). Sorry to hear about your friend but good that he wanted his bass to go to someone who would appreciate it.

[Clarky]

A bitter-sweet story, for which many thanks for sharing with us, and a beautiful looking bass. A reminder to all of us that life is too short and to enjoy each day

[BassBod]

Thanks for sharing - a good reminder to us all how things can happen. A friend of mine had major heart surgery a few years ago and mentioned his will and leaving me his bass if things didn't go well. That's a feeling you don't ever forget....I really hope I'm never having a conversation like that again.

On a lighter note - your Bravewoods look fantastic. What is the secret of getting JE to actually build you somethng??!! PM me, please...