Fender American Jazz "BIG HORN"?

kbaxter26 · #1 03-09-2013, 04:42 PM

Anyone ever seen one of these? I found a 1993 Fender American Jazz Bass with the top "horn" being substantially bigger than normal.
I have never seen one before.

Lublin · #2 03-09-2013, 04:45 PM

They're called boner basses.

kbaxter26 · #3 03-09-2013, 05:04 PM

Any ideas what there are worth?

johnson79 · #4 03-09-2013, 05:12 PM

Last one I saw in great shape was $800.

Webtroll · #5 03-09-2013, 05:20 PM

I think the neck is slightly longer and the bottom cutaway deeper making the upper horn look longer. The "boner"

Papersen · #6 03-09-2013, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Webtroll

I think the neck is slightly longer and the bottom cutaway deeper making the upper horn look longer. The "boner"

That`s right.
First runs also had TBX control knobs (with the F logo).
Has 22 frets and the longer upper horn was designed to accomodate the longer fretboard.

They`re usually a bit cheaper than a MIA Standard Jazz.

msb · #7 03-09-2013, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lublin

They're called boner basses.

Heh , he said ... boner .

JDLowEnd · #8 03-09-2013, 06:37 PM

Pics please? Very curious about this

Papersen · #9 03-09-2013, 07:08 PM

Here`s one I used to own (built in 1993)

Joe Louvar · #10 03-09-2013, 07:35 PM

Hmm, I don’t see it - in the pic the horn looks like it’s at the 12th fret, which is normal - what am I missing?

Mtnman · #11 03-09-2013, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Louvar

Hmm, I don’t see it - in the pic the horn looks like it’s at the 12th fret, which is normal - what am I missing?

I think it only appears longer due to the deeper cutaway on the treble side.

Texsunburst59 · #12 03-09-2013, 08:24 PM

Here's pics of my '89 "Boner" Jazz bass:

sanderic · #13 03-09-2013, 08:50 PM

I used to have one of these. The bass has 22 frets instead of 20, causing the cutaways to be deeper. It also has strat type knobs and a TBX tone controle. They were made like this from 87 to, I believe, either 94 or 96. Despite the odd shape, it will fit into a post 97 case.

ljazz · #14 03-10-2013, 05:48 AM

Upper horn extends about a fret further than a typical jazz bass, in addition to deeper cutaways. I think they ran from '89 thru '94. I have a '92 that I played a bunch back in the 90's. Great build quality, horrible design quality...... horribly tame pups, and a bridge that is just too freakin' wide. I modded mine a bit (new bridge, pups, tort guard, bone nut, hipshot, knobs) in order to overcome what I thought it lacked. Now it's a great bass! My ear gravitates more towards P basses these days, so mine doesn't get a ton of play, but it sounds and plays great. I keep it around for those times when a J is required.

And since they usually run a hundred or two less than typical AmStd's, it's a good deal. Put a few bucks into a std bent plate bridge, and some new pups, and you're good to go! The TBX is actually a killer feature...... up past the detent and it sounds very modern and hot. Below the detent, and it sounds like a good ol' passive jazz.

sanderic · #15 03-10-2013, 04:09 PM

I changed the bridge on my 93 to a Badass and changed the pickups to Seymore Duncan quarter pounders. I also ditched the tax ( a mistake) for standard wiring. It was a good bass, but just never looked right to me, a think it was the angle of the pickguard at the neck. I switched to a 97 American Standarrd Jazz and never looked back.

sanderic · #16 03-10-2013, 04:10 PM

Oops should be TBX not tax.