Someone to peice together 70s J for me?

quadrogong · #1 10-03-2011, 10:36 AM

Looking to build a pre CBS type J w matching Headstock and a Fender logo, or painted and blank so I can add a waterslide decal.( yes, I meant "60's, the thread title is a type-o)

Someone on TB or someone u trust to do GREAT setups and who knowledgable on the subject of
Fender vintage-y stuff?

I may go Bill Nash, I like the Relic thing a lot( when done well)

but I like being able to design the specs,colors and components..
any names?
Thank u.

Mongo Slade · #2 10-03-2011, 10:48 AM

Just so you make sure that you get the colors and decals correct, I wanted to tell you that a 70's Jazz would not be
Pre-CBS, because CBS bought Fender in 1965. I'm not telling you this to be snarky, just so that when you speak to your
builder you get the era that you want.

Peace

Pilgrim · #3 10-03-2011, 12:11 PM

If it's not a Fender made with Fender parts, it's not a Fender and the logo should not go on the headstock.

You can build a very nice bass in a pre-CBS style, but unless you pick up all pre-CBS parts and electronics (and pay stupid money to do it), you won't have a bass that is very similar in sound. Even at that, if you believe the guys who obsess over body wood, you'll need a body that's at least 40 years old.

Given that Fender has had about 350,000 styles with mix-and-match parts, I don't see the reason to do anything but please yourself with the selection of pieces that make it up. If that means moving the tugbar to the G string side, have fun with it.

quadrogong · #4 10-03-2011, 06:50 PM

yeah, thought about using some used Fender parts,may be wise..finding a body and neck, on Ebay,TB..etc
thinking CAR w matching headstock,
It doesn't have to be a replica, just a Jbass in the same spirit.

I considered that anniversary model , w the matching head and high mass bridge.
Also seriously considering Nash,
trying to do this without costing an arm n a leg if i can,

,just want to piece together a J bass..maybe some used parts, new parts,not picky

fenderhutz · #5 10-03-2011, 06:54 PM

Buy a 70's modified Squier jazz used (175 bucks)with the blocks. Sand headstock, add decal and swap for better pickups and pots and anything else down the line you think needs it. Also the Japan reissues from about 20-25 years ago are almost a dead ringer for the real thing.

Just my .02

It amazes me how you can find Fender jazzes with matching headstocks, blocks and binding, and colors people want. Too bad the US doesn't do it.

quadrogong · #6 10-03-2011, 07:25 PM

i'm not into the blocks n binding as much,more a 60's rosewood look.
but it's good advice.
I'd like a good alder or ash body, good pickups, etc
I can really go cheaper than Warmoth if I find good parts,
2k for the 50th anniversary model isn't what I invisioned,
but I'd like to keep it quality.. so whatever that requires.

bbarthol2003 · #7 10-03-2011, 07:39 PM

It really depends on how much you want to spend on this project. If you want something that was a standard model you could go with a Nash. I believe they have 2 Jazz bass models, a sixties style w/ dot inlay and a seventies style w/ block inlay.

Talkbass' own Johnk_10 does phenomenal work and knows more about vintage Fenders than most mere mortals. Whatever you want on the bass is possible if John is building it for you. May want to shoot him a PM.

quadrogong · #8 10-03-2011, 09:37 PM

Thank you! Found his link,
looks great.. What a collection he has listed on his profile!
http://johnkvintageguitars.homestead.com/

I really appreciate the help!

basswave · #9 10-04-2011, 01:31 PM

Hi quadrogong

I have had plenty of J built for me and those are the ones I like best.

If I was going for a luither based J bass then just 2 come to mind.

Valenti and Nordstrand.

If you really want that Fender headstock then the Allparts is the way to go. Its also the way to go if you are want to build a 70's style instrument since I believe that slightly chunkier neck from Allparts feels just like a real 70's Fender J to me.

Warmoth bodies to me are excellent and I would rather have a warmoth then an actual Fender any day of the week.

You cannot go wrong with a build using a Warmoth body, Allparts neck and Nordstrand pickups. Plus the price will be in check. I prefer building then off the rack and even some of the name brand instruments brands that I work with I have modified.

You going to get a ton of opinions on here the above is just might take.

I'm not sure if you are going with a pre or just going passive but if you go for a pre then let me suggest the Audere drop in. I have in all my J basses. (I have 4 Js now and I'm building another)

Pilgrim · #10 10-04-2011, 03:29 PM

If you want a 70's look J, here's an idea:

- Buy an MIM J
- Install covers

Done. Play it. and it's a Fender, so it already has the Fender logo.

You can do this for less than $300.

quadrogong · #11 10-04-2011, 04:09 PM

Thanx
I want a matching Headstock early sixties look, maybe a metallic color, CAR, LPB, charcoal frost, something from that era,

I love those matching HS's, my basses all look so modern, all have modern preamps and humbuckers, I want something with a traditional, retro vibe,

Maybe stay passive, keep a vintage vibe, ..vintage spec J's,
the right pots and tone cap,wiring etc..

I also considered going with the vintage LOOK, but using Bartolini stacked J-buckers and an OBP3,
;which is my usual setup)

I know I'd use it a lot that way,
I'm comfortable w this setup.

but I used to enjoy my passive J SOOO much, it caused me to play differently, expressively.. I used to use my fingers a lot more to vary the tones,
It may be more fun for me, plus I can always toss a sansamp on my board if I want a thicker vibe.

I tend to bring active basses to gigs and rehearsals, they get used more,

But I'm considering a more vintage, passive bass for this next one, I think I'll really enjoy it.. and another active/HB 4 would be really redundant.

Thanx for all the tips, they've all been useful. ; )

Marton · #12 10-04-2011, 04:15 PM

Is James Johnston CV Squier released now ? LPB with Matching headstock, should be around $350.

quadrogong · #13 10-04-2011, 07:10 PM

It's nice,
http://www.fender.com/products/searc...tno=0301078502
I thought it was "Europe-only"?

Btw, I'm trying to list the parts I'd like for this build, organize my "list" ..
Does anyone know if I could find a replacement J neck with a 16" radius?

Is that common or kind of hard to find?

I havnt gotten into looking at allparts/Warmoth sites yet.
But I'd like rosewood, dots, bound or unbound, and I'm trying to emulate the neck of another bass somewhat, or keep it kind of close.
Would anyone stock that fingerboard radius in a J neck?
Thanks.

dane22 · #14 10-04-2011, 07:29 PM

I bought a vintage modified neck, classic vibes body, 62 RI pickups, loaded usa control plate, pickguard,all from Ebay. Waterslide decal, too. I'm not trying to scam anyone. I just like the look. It plays and feels great. 400+ bucks. It's my " Betty Lee" bass.

quadrogong · #15 10-04-2011, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dane22

I bought a vintage modified neck, classic vibes body, 62 RI pickups, loaded usa control plate, pickguard,all from Ebay. Waterslide decal, too. I'm not trying to scam anyone. I just like the look. It plays and feels great. 400+ bucks. It's my " Betty Lee" bass.

Nice job,
pix?

I just realized my title says,"70's J" that's a Type-O, I meant to write,"60's" (That explains a lot of comments!)
tiny iPod touch keyboard!