Fender CBS Jazz Bass, made in the USA (Fullerton) circa 1974.
A beautiful typical 70s Jazz Bass with a historic Black overspray over the original Sunburst finish, which is still visible in the cavities and starting to show through on worn areas (namely the back). All original electronics, tuners, pickguard, thumb rest and coveted mid-70s ink stamped grey back pickups.
The serial number denotes the date of production as 1973, however the pots all read '74 and the black pickguard came into play during 1974, so it likely actually left the factory floor in 1974.
The original owner had changed some of the chrome hardware for gold parts, which I have reverted back to chrome using all Fender Pure Vintage / reissue period-correct parts. There is also the typical board split to the top of the first block inlay - I believe this was due to Fender introducing the block inlays but not quite accounting for the thickness of the board / proximity of the truss rod. This has thankfully been repaired and while visible, doesn't affect play and the truss rod itself is fine and working. I have factored the above into the price, making for a bargain for someone after a lovely vintage Jazz Bass, fairly close to the price of a modern reissue.
Specs:
- Year of production: 1974
- Country of origin: USA (Fullerton, California)
- Black over original Sunburst finish
- 3 bolt maple neck with pearl block inlays
- Original ink-stamped grey back Jazz Bass pickups (1974)
- Original Fender open-backed Jazz Bass tuners
- Replaced bridge, control panel, knobs, string tree and strap buttons
- Slightly later Fender late-70s Jazz Bass hard case
Condition:
As above, there's a typical repaired fretboard split above the first block inlay. Truss rod is working and unaffected. Some nice genuine wear to the historic black refin, which has revealed the original factory Sunburst finish beneath. Routes all original and display the original Sunburst finish - though there's a minor bit of unaccountable portion of wood missing in the bottom of of the control panel about 1cm wide - assumably from some tooling / pot wear. Frets have a fair amount of wear / divots, which of course isn't so consequential on a bass like this and doesn't affect play - though they appear never to have been worked on so there's plenty to work with down the line, should you wish.
The pickups are original and have concurrent serials (pictured) with replaced riser foam sourced from Fender (the originals had near about crumbled to dust).
Alongside a fair few dings, marks and signs of playing wear, the above makes for a genuinely played-in bass with a finish that some would pay good money for at the Custom Shop.
Modifications/repairs:
- Black over factory Sunburst refinish
- Repaired fretboard split
- Bridge, control plate, knobs, string tree and strap buttons all Fender Pure Vintage period correct replacements
Accessories:
Slightly later '78-'81 ish Fender Jazz Bass hard case, which is very worn and has had its latches replaced, though it protects the bass well and fits very snugly.
A largely original Jazz Bass with a killer finish, attractively priced owing to some minor repairs and hardware changes.