Getting an early start on New Year’s Resolutions, the big one is not to keep more than one bass that covers exactly the same ground as another. So unfortunately (even though this is the most amazing ‘everything just fits right’ project I’ve ever put together) this bass completely overlaps a custom maple-necked 70s-style Jazz I had built and delivered recently. I’d considered keeping this one and selling the custom, but I spent way too much on that build and wouldn’t come close to recouping the funds. So, sadly, this one’s up.
Squier VM Jazz neck, from the original 70s natural model—thin and fast, with black blocks and binding. SX Jazz body, alder with a blue finish that’s close to Lake Placid with a bit of metallic flake. Apparently this is an older model SX and the neck sits in the pocket perfectly snug with no sanding/shaping required. The bridge pickup is located in the ‘70s’ position. Off-white pickguard, aged just slightly to take the ‘new’ off. Badass II bridge, standard Jazz tuners and neckplate. Pickups are the John Suhr-designed ones that came on US and MIM Deluxe models in the late 90s, they are humcancelling and (I think) hold their own against other aftermarket/boutique pickups in output and presence. A J-Retro onboard preamp is installed as well, I’ve never had a wider range of control over tone and output plus it really sounds great.
I collected and assembled the parts, also applied the 70s logo on the headstock (I left the original serial # and origin info on the back, not intending to misrepresent) and covered it with several coats of spray nitro. Then I brought it to Rock ‘n’ Roll Vintage where Ben crowned and leveled the frets, dialed in the top nut, slotted the BA bridge saddles and intonated. It’s capable of ultra-low action, I had to raise it up just a bit to get it to a comfortable (but still pretty low) height.
Very, very flexible sound range, the J-Retro is a 3-band EQ with sweepable mids and a push/pull bright, can pan from bridge to neck or blend any proportion in between. I think it’s at its best being aggressive and dishing out the funk, but can do more mellow, more grindy, whatever. Really easy to play, and the Suhr/Fender pickups are quiet, hum-free, and have a nice range between ‘bark’ and ‘clarity’ depending on EQ/gain/blend settings.
I’d like $575 (firm) for this bass, and will pay for shipping within the lower 48. I’ll also include a RoadRunner gig bag and a thick leather black/tan southwestern petroglyph imprinted reversible strap. Trades? Not much I'm looking for currently but I'd consider a 2 (of mine) for 1 (of yours), PM for more info. I will consider selling the J-Retro separately for $200 shipped but want to give you guys a chance to get this as a whole, complete instrument first.
Thanks for looking! Let me know if you have any questions or want more info. Here's some pics:
