1962 Fender Jazz Bass Value?

[Bass Junkie]

Originally Posted by Jamezinski

I feel like I'm taking bass porn ...

I'm really just trying to stress that this bass is in F*CKN crazygonutsbananas great shape.
The only flaw it has is this chip/dent thingie. You guys don't know? No clue? No guess at the value? Is it true Japanese people like to buy our vintage stuff?
Help a girl out here. I'm obsessed until I meet with the appraiser.

Please, do not sell this bass to the Japanese or a dealer that will send it overseas. PLEASE!!

[Jim C]

Highly unlikely IMO that this is a dead mint, original, unmolested 60's bass
However, if it were, and you had the time, patience, and a good dealer, one could expect 15K-20K minus commision

[tomshepp]

It should also have mutes under the bridge cover.

[Bass Junkie]

Originally Posted by Jim C

Highly unlikely IMO that this is a dead mint, original, unmolested 60's bass

I've been dealing with preCBS Fender basses for 30 years and I see nothing in the pics that indicates it has been molested in any way.

Originally Posted by Jim C

However, if it were, and you had the time, patience, and a good dealer, one could expect 15K-20K minus commision

Late '62's aren't bringing that kind of money, especially these days. More like 10k-12k. If it were an early '62 maybe 15k.

[TreeFitty]

Originally Posted by Jim C

Highly unlikely IMO that this is a dead mint, original, unmolested 60's bass
However, if it were, and you had the time, patience, and a good dealer, one could expect 15K-20K minus commision

Few things, first the "Custom Contour Body" sticker appears to be placed away from the main decal, which Fender started doing in early 64. Second, the 12 fret dot spacing is not far enough on this bass. Original basses have a wider spacing between the two dots.

Without see bigger and higher resolution pics, it's hard to tell for sure...but in looking at the grainy pics i've seen, I'd say it's a reissue. Too bad, because the real deal pre CBS' are OUT OF THIS WORLD!

[Bass Junkie]

Originally Posted by TreeFitty

Few things, first the "Custom Contour Body" sticker appears to be placed away from the main decal, which Fender started doing in early 64. Second, the 12 fret dot spacing is not far enough on this bass. Original basses have a wider spacing between the two dots.

That's not entirely true regarding the decal. Starting late '62 they were done both ways until '64. As far as the dot spacing spacing I can't see any difference in this bass and my '62 I have in front of me. Also the 86xxx serial # on this bass seems correct compared to my 84xxx # on my early '62.

[narud]

Originally Posted by Bass Junkie

That's not entirely true regarding the decal. Starting late '62 they were done both ways until '64. As far as the dot spacing spacing I can't see any difference in this bass and my '62 I have in front of me. Also the 86xxx serial # on this bass seems correct compared to my 84xxx # on my early '62.

is it possible the bass in question is maybe a late 64 and the owner has the serial number confused or that plate has been switched? not saying it hasnt happened, but i havent seen any 62's with the split decal and i never even thought about the dot spacing, but after looking at my own 62, it does look like the dots are out closer to the edge of the fingerboard than on some pics im looking at of some 64's. my bass is a slab with an 83xxx serial.

[Bass Junkie]

Originally Posted by narud

is it possible the bass in question is maybe a late 64 and the owner has the serial number confused or that plate has been switched? not saying it hasnt happened, but i havent seen any 62's with the split decal and i never even thought about the dot spacing, but after looking at my own 62, it does look like the dots are out closer to the edge of the fingerboard than on some pics im looking at of some 64's. my bass is a slab with an 83xxx serial.

Anything is possible without better pics to know for sure, but given the serial # indicates it's a late '62 and they were laminate boards during that period I tend to believe it's all correct. I personally saw an all original late '62 with a split decal just last summer and have confirmed with someone I trust with Fender history that they do exist. As far as the dots go, I think the camera angle is making them appear to be off. Better pics would make this a lot easier to be sure.

[TreeFitty]

Originally Posted by narud

is it possible the bass in question is maybe a late 64 and the owner has the serial number confused or that plate has been switched? not saying it hasnt happened, but i havent seen any 62's with the split decal and i never even thought about the dot spacing, but after looking at my own 62, it does look like the dots are out closer to the edge of the fingerboard than on some pics im looking at of some 64's. my bass is a slab with an 83xxx serial.

Another thing that I noticed is that the pickguard doesn't seem to have any aging...it almost has too much red in it. I have a '62 J and a '69 P and both are tortoise shells that have aged to perfection...this one doesn't seem to have.

Neck plates can be switched...in fact on Ebay they're going for around $300...

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-1960-FEN...item439d1da7f5

Bottom line is we need more detailed larger pics to tell for sure...

[PJRL]

If this is truly a 62 or mid 60’s J Bass, you want to talk to George Gruhn to get a real appraisal. I’d be careful with the “Antiques road show” people. I’ve seen some strange things on there with guitars, I wouldn’t trust them with something like this..Another thing to look at with the serial #.. Does it start with a V on the neck plate ? It also will have a Date on the heal of the neck, that will tell all. Don’t try to remove the neck with-out knowing what you are doing though, it can be a little tricky, especially if this is a mid 60’s guitar.
This is the Gruhn web site. http://www.gruhn.com/

Another good place would be www.larkstreetmusic.com in NJ. Not sure where you are located but I bet the owner Buzz could help IDing this Bass.


Good luck !

[rebelscum]

Originally Posted by Jamezinski

I don't want to go into the story of how I got this bass, I don't even play bass.
I've got the original case. And there's a warranty card in the case but I'm not sure if the warranty card goes with the amp or not.

This is actually the most intriguing part of the OP. (For me)
How about letting us know, and maybe a nice shot O' that warranty card?

[hdsk]

are you looking at selling it, or did anyone buy it, whats the word?