For a long time I wanted a 70s Jazz, and I wanted root beer brown. I got my wish, but lately I've been playing my American Deluxe Jazz and my Wilkins custom more, and I have a Stambaugh on order...
So I can't see this beauty getting the playtime she deserves...
PICS ARE UP - sorry for delay - scroll down.
This baby is not completely original, but all the upgrades were done in the interest of making her the best looking and best sounding Jazz bass possible.
The body is likely Northern Ash as it is rather heavy. When I got her it was stripped to natural with some sort of clear coating over it. I had Pat Wilkins do a total refinish in Root Beer Brown (which has a slight reddish cast in certain light.) I then added an Audere Jazz-plate style preamp. She was routed for a battery box and had a Badass bridge when I got her. Pickups are original as far as I know, as is the pickguard I believe. Neck is all original - BUT - I had Wilkins convert it from a 3 bolt neck to a 4-bolt neck.
The neck has a natural flamed maple to the back, very cool looking, nice aged headstock, and pearl block inlays. Like I said, I had it converted to a 4-bolt, so it should fit a standard Fender neck pocket. The neck is in very good shape, with only a few dings here and there. Comes with original chrome tuners which are
amazingly shiny given their age.
I do not have the original neck plate - it sold a long time ago. I don't have the ashtray covers - I put little screws in the holes where they were supposed to go. I added a rosewood thumbrest which I never use but looks kind of cool.
I bought a (modern) black Fender tolex case with felt interior. This bass looks amazing in its case - again - pics up tomorrow!
A couple things:
1. It's probably due for a re-fret in the next few years (depends on how hard you play). I have flatwounds on it now and it plays very well, but it's 32 years old, and the frets have clearly been leveled in the past.
2. I sanded down the back of the neck to make it smoother. I applied a little liquid wax to give it a sheen but that could be taken off. It originally had a thick gloss. If you want the thick gloss back, you'd have to refinish it. I like the way it feels now but everybody has different neck preferences.
3. There is a creme binding that shows a little wear but overall looks in good shape.
Below are pictures of the bass BEFORE the refinish and before the Audere was added. The neck, other than the 4-bolt conversion, is the same as it was in these pics.
These generally go for $2000-$2500 even WITH modifications. I'll take
$1900 shipped or best offer - lower 48 - with the hard case. Paypal is fine as is a money order. I would CONSIDER overseas but you'll have to pay actual shipping and get the bass in two pieces.
Trade bait to consider:
-Custom basses, esp. neck-through 5ers
-Anything with a macassar ebony fretboard
-MAYBE an 80s or 90s reissue (Japanese or American) of this same bass - dark fretboards and pearl blocks only, please.
