Fair Price for a 1965 JAzz bass?

Zentner · #1 04-23-2011, 02:23 PM

Hi Guys,

I've been looking for a Pre-CBS J for a little while - this one looks to be in pretty decent shape with the original finish, L-serial, original frets, supposed to be all original, missing pickup and bridge covers, non-original but still a pre-CBS fender case...

Price is looking like $5500... seem fair?

Dbassmon · #2 04-23-2011, 02:57 PM

Seems fair if you have the bread and want this bass.

I would not spend that kind of cake on a vintage instrument so for me, not a good deal.

You have specific criteria this bass meets and you want it, go for it. Life is short!

TheDialog · #3 04-23-2011, 02:59 PM

Pre-CBS is mid '64 and before.

Zentner · #4 04-23-2011, 04:04 PM

I thought CBS bought our Fender in early '65...

Are L-serial # instruments not considered Pre-CBS?

baileyboy · #5 04-23-2011, 04:11 PM

Yeah, I didn't think CBS actually started production until early to mid '65...

Zentner · #6 04-23-2011, 04:16 PM

L-Series (1963 to late 1965)
Serial number on neckplate preceded with an "L". Considered Pre-CBS (even though CBS bought Fender in January 1965). Sometimes an "L" serial number can be seen on a late 1962 model. Used on Telecaster, Stratocaster, Jazzmaster, Jaguar, Jazz Bass, Precision bass and other models. Lots of overlap in numbers from adjacent years. Don't read too much into these serial numbers, it's not the best way to date a Fender guitar.

L00001 to L20000 = 1963
L20000 to L55000 = 1964
L55000 to L99999 = 1965

So can we consider this a pre-CBS bass or not?

Mojo-Man · #7 04-23-2011, 04:17 PM

$5500 is a good price.
I've seen basses like this go in the $7000-$8000 range.

ric3xrt · #8 04-23-2011, 04:20 PM

I'm a cheep a$$ 2500-3000 is all I would spend on that jazz.....that being said I have to agree with "life's short" its your money, If need to have it, really only you can decided if 5500 is a good price,economy suxs wait it out there will be another one , could be a better deal , could be a POS .

TheDialog · #9 04-23-2011, 04:22 PM

"CBS purchased Fender (officially) on January 3rd 1965, it took some time till the guitars changed (though by mid 1964, six months before CBS bought Fender, things were already "on the way down")."

For true collectors '65 doesn't count as Leo didn't own the company then.

GM60466 · #10 04-23-2011, 05:44 PM

very very very good price

flipper_gv · #11 04-23-2011, 05:46 PM

good price indeed.

77PBass · #12 04-23-2011, 05:48 PM

Assuming the neck is true and the electronics are untouched, $5500 is a great price for a private sale '65 with an L plate. Mojo-Man is correct in the price range for '65 SB's in this condition.

I saw a SB Nov. '65 with early '66 pots and lollipops in better condition than the one in the photos at a big name NYC dealer for over $7k with original case AND gig bag.

**colcifer** · #13 04-23-2011, 05:50 PM

Just so this is a rule abiding thread, how much is this J worth (see OP for pics)?

Zentner · #14 04-24-2011, 10:57 AM

Very Informative, thanks. I should mention that bass is at a dealer for that $$, not a private sale.

If I wanted era-correct covers, what could I expect to pay for some?

TheDialog · #15 04-24-2011, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zentner

Very Informative, thanks. I should mention that bass is at a dealer for that $$, not a private sale.

If I wanted era-correct covers, what could I expect to pay for some?

Depends whether you purchase it straight or from an auction. I'd say min. $200, but you can always get lucky and trip over a deal. Hard to say since it's such a specific thing (year).

Meddle · #16 04-24-2011, 11:21 AM

Even then surely a 1965 CBS Fender is not going to suffer the 'character traits' that get CBS basses marked down. CBS didn't implement the heavy industry profit grabbing right away surely?

Caca de Kick · #17 04-24-2011, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zentner

Very Informative, thanks. I should mention that bass is at a dealer for that $$, not a private sale.

If I wanted era-correct covers, what could I expect to pay for some?

The CBS sale details are correct for when the paperwork finalized, but the CBS folks were already moving into the building before january. But that shouldn't discourage anyone from buying a great bass, and that price seems very resonable for todays market.

The chrome covers are going to be hard to prove they came off a particular period Jazz Bass from 64 and later (the 60-63 used pan head screws and non countersunk holes. 64-later used pickguard screws and countersunk holes in the covers). I believe Fender had been using the same Jazz Bass cover stamping die for several decades. I inspected the die markings on the original covers from my '69 Jazz, and there are tell-tale marks left from the way metal bends and stretches over the die. I inspected a late 70's Jazz and and ealry 80's RI Jazz, all had the same exact die markings. Even a mid 90's Jazz covers had the same die markings, but of course the color hue of the chrome is very different after the 80's (old chrome has a blueish hue, newer chrome has a yellowish hue). Sorry for being nerdy there.

You can try believing someone is selling covers from a particular year, but I'd probably stick with any old chrome (mid 60's-70's) covers that look right.

Zentner · #18 04-24-2011, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

The CBS sale details are correct for when the paperwork finalized, but the CBS folks were already moving into the building before january. But that shouldn't discourage anyone from buying a great bass, and that price seems very resonable for todays market.

The chrome covers are going to be hard to prove they came off a particular period Jazz Bass from 64 and later (the 60-63 used pan head screws and non countersunk holes. 64-later used pickguard screws and countersunk holes in the covers). I believe Fender had been using the same Jazz Bass cover stamping die for several decades. I inspected the die markings on the original covers from my '69 Jazz, and there are tell-tale marks left from the way metal bends and stretches over the die. I inspected a late 70's Jazz and and ealry 80's RI Jazz, all had the same exact die markings. Even a mid 90's Jazz covers had the same die markings, but of course the color hue of the chrome is very different after the 80's (old chrome has a blueish hue, newer chrome has a yellowish hue). Sorry for being nerdy there.

You can try believing someone is selling covers from a particular year, but I'd probably stick with any old chrome (mid 60's-70's) covers that look right.

Awesome info, thanks very much.

Yea, I'm just kinda wanting a Jazz that will hold it's value well- I feel like a couple years down the road when I'm tired of it I'd like to get at least what I paid for it... and in the meantime have a jazz to play, record, etc.

Figured this looks like a pretty decent deal, so I might as well jump on it if it looks like I could have a bass to play in the studio, and maybe make a buck on in a few years.

TheDialog · #19 04-24-2011, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zentner

Awesome info, thanks very much.

Yea, I'm just kinda wanting a Jazz that will hold it's value well- I feel like a couple years down the road when I'm tired of it I'd like to get at least what I paid for it... and in the meantime have a jazz to play, record, etc.

Figured this looks like a pretty decent deal, so I might as well jump on it if it looks like I could have a bass to play in the studio, and maybe make a buck on in a few years.

A bass that plays great is worth its weight in gold. I like a jazz with dots over blocks (aesthetically speaking). If it plays well go for it

.

chronicbass · #20 04-24-2011, 02:55 PM

personally, i can think of 55 basses (at least) that i would prefer over a jazz for that kind of $. but, i have owned 2 pre-cbs, and 4 cbs jazz basses. if this jazz is really "it" for you- then i would say that the price is somewhat fair.