Custom Shop 64 Jazz Bass Relic (review)
 

So, I played this bass at GC last night (sorry for the crappy old school cell phone pic).



It's a Custom Shop '64 Jazz Bass Relic in Daphne Blue over Black. The bass was awesome. It was light weight, 8 to 8.5 pounds tops. It sounded fantastic and felt nice. I would say the neck is identical to the last run of the '62 AVRIs, perhaps a little thicker than an actual pre-CBS, but not too thick (this is actually where the Road Worns shine, but that's another story).

Awesome 60s style tone. I couldn't play over the bridge pickup because of the F-plate ashtray, but the bridge pickup solo'd was more growl than honk, not necessarily a bad thing. I also discovered for the first time, after owning over 30 Jazz Basses in almost 30 years, that if you back off both pickups, you get that deep dub/reggae shake the walls, move someones bowels bass tone. A revelation! Oddly, the tone knob had more play in it than any other Jazz I have played, so the tonal range was wide. Note the oval tuners (Hipshot with Fender logo), not correct, but cool none the less. My only gripe is that the action was mega high.

I'm a sucker for a light weight Jazz Bass, and this one blew my socks off. I so wanted to take it home, but here's the catch, FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS! That's right, $4,000 USD! I mean, this bass was sweet, but it is basically a relic'd '62 AVRI (it is probably ACTUALLY a relic'd '62 AVRI). There is currently an actual 1966 Jazz in the TB classifieds for $6,000, so $4,000 for this bass just seems insane. And shame on Fender for shipping a $4,000 bass with a bad set-up, the other brands selling basses at this price point wouldn't dream of such a thing.

So, I encourage someone on this forum to purchase this bass, then decide you don't want it and sell to me...at a severe price drop. Any takers?

I love a Jazz Bass as much as the next guy, but for 4 grand, I'd be looking at a Sadowsky

I picked up a used (on consignment) 64 CS Relic Jazz last year for ~$1700. Amazing tone! Incredible slap and finger style playability. Huge tonal range. It just kills. I wasn't even looking to buy a bass; I just happened to notice it in the store and decided to play just because.

That said, I wouldn't have bought it at $4k. I think that's close to list. But it's GC, so you're not dealing with reality at that point anyway. I'm sure you could find better pricing (new or used) for a 64 Relic jazz somewhere.

-Alan

I wonder why it's wearing oval tuners if it's classified as a 64 remake?