My new 1969 Fender Jazz

[matti777]

I posted a thread last night looking for some help on a possible jazz bass purchase. Another Vintage Fender Jazz ID Question

After a 5 hour round trip this afternoon to a small town I brought it home. I realize there are some things about this bass that are not 100% original but I really like it and it plays and sounds great. It came with its original case and ashtray. The seller owned it since the mid 80's and hasn't done anything to it. All the wear and tear was prior to his ownership. He was a great enthusiast and was happy to talk bass for a couple of hours and show me his collection. Perhaps I paid too much or too little I don't really know for sure. It doesn't much matter at this point.

I have no idea if this started life yellow or was Olympic white at one time (matching headstock). You can certainly see white underneath the yellow where it wore off. Perhaps this was a primer. Did Fender even use primers? It also is yellowed under the guard and where the ashtray was. The buckle rash on the back is fairly severe. It more than just took the finish off. Apparently it has had a refret at one time too. Interestingly enough I found another picture earlier today of a very similar jazz bass with the yellowed finish, black pickguard and top mounted thumb rest which is supposed to be a 70's things. The owner says there are no screw holes under the guard for a lower thumb rest. Very odd.

I plugged it in. Its a little mellower than I thought it would be. It was wearing GHS Boomers of unknown vintage (I didn't ask) but it sounded great. A couple of the interesting things I noticed is that the tone is great even when the tone knob is rolled all the way off. With my newer Fenders I can't say this. It is very honest sounding which is perhaps just another way of saying it sounds like an old jazz should. Once I got it home I did play it back to back with my 64 AVRI with Fralins. The 64 is quite a bit louder and still sounds good. They are just slightly different animals. I wonder if this whole pickup output thing is misunderstood.

I have often wondered if these old vintage Fenders were worth the money, time and trouble or if perhaps the new stuff was at least as good. All I can say is that I am quite happy with it! If anybody has any thoughts on the original color I would certainly like to hear them.

[matti777]

more

[mjac28]

I love it looks like she plays well congrats.

[TN WOODMAN]

Reminds me of Walter Trout's Strat. I always liked it's color as well. Probably originally Olympic white. Nice score.

[Beano_z]

Congrats on the new bass, she looks lovely. Unfortunately I'm no vintage expert, but I did find this nice page on vintage colors which contains tons of information, perhaps helpful to you: http://home.provide.net/~cfh/fenderc.html

[johng999]

Congrats on your purchase. I have a sunburst 69 that I have had since new. I too find that it is a great sounding bass, and yes is a bit "mellower" than you might expect.

[matti777]

Originally Posted by Beano_z

Congrats on the new bass, she looks lovely. Unfortunately I'm no vintage expert, but I did find this nice page on vintage colors which contains tons of information, perhaps helpful to you: http://home.provide.net/~cfh/fenderc.html

That is a very interesting article (I skimmed it quick). He knows a heck of a lot about Fenders!

[DJJazzV]

That is awesome! Did you play it through the DB359?

Originally Posted by matti777

I posted a thread last night looking for some help on a possible jazz bass purchase. Another Vintage Fender Jazz ID Question

After a 5 hour round trip this afternoon to a small town I brought it home. I realize there are some things about this bass that are not 100% original but I really like it and it plays and sounds great. It came with its original case and ashtray. The seller owned it since the mid 80's and hasn't done anything to it. All the wear and tear was prior to his ownership. He was a great enthusiast and was happy to talk bass for a couple of hours and show me his collection. Perhaps I paid too much or too little I don't really know for sure. It doesn't much matter at this point.

I have no idea if this started life yellow or was Olympic white at one time (matching headstock). You can certainly see white underneath the yellow where it wore off. Perhaps this was a primer. Did Fender even use primers? It also is yellowed under the guard and where the ashtray was. The buckle rash on the back is fairly severe. It more than just took the finish off. Apparently it has had a refret at one time too. Interestingly enough I found another picture earlier today of a very similar jazz bass with the yellowed finish, black pickguard and top mounted thumb rest which is supposed to be a 70's things. The owner says there are no screw holes under the guard for a lower thumb rest. Very odd.

I plugged it in. Its a little mellower than I thought it would be. It was wearing GHS Boomers of unknown vintage (I didn't ask) but it sounded great. A couple of the interesting things I noticed is that the tone is great even when the tone knob is rolled all the way off. With my newer Fenders I can't say this. It is very honest sounding which is perhaps just another way of saying it sounds like an old jazz should. Once I got it home I did play it back to back with my 64 AVRI with Fralins. The 64 is quite a bit louder and still sounds good. They are just slightly different animals. I wonder if this whole pickup output thing is misunderstood.

I have often wondered if these old vintage Fenders were worth the money, time and trouble or if perhaps the new stuff was at least as good. All I can say is that I am quite happy with it! If anybody has any thoughts on the original color I would certainly like to hear them.

[JimB52]

That is a sweet looking bass.
OK, I'll be the first to say it. - You should put a Tort pickguard on that puppy.

[matti777]

Originally Posted by JimB52

That is a sweet looking bass.
OK, I'll be the first to say it. - You should put a Tort pickguard on that puppy.

Already eyeing a Road Worn jazz pickguard unless I can find a real vintage guard.

Originally Posted by DJJazzV

That is awesome! Did you play it through the DB359?

Not yet. It sounds pretty good through my GK MBFusion though.

[RickC]

My main player for about 7 years was a '69 Jazz. I don't recall it being particularly mellow, but I didn't A/B it directly with anything else. It was a very *big* sounding instrument. It also seemed to like light gauge Boomers (.095). That's what was on her when I got her, and not being used to that light a string I tried some heavier sets. Nope. The instrument just seemed to come alive with the 095s.

From the pics the finish looks pretty authentic to me, and in any case it looks pretty freakin great. Congrats

[matti777]

Thanks Rick. Perhaps mellow isn't the right word. It is not overly bright and yes, fairly big sounding. We'll see what new strings do to it but I am quite happy never the less. Its interesting that you mentioned the light gauge strings. I noticed that the strings on it seemed more flexible than I am used to. I'll have to check the gauge. Also, I haven't weighed it but it is light.

[matti777]

Originally Posted by DJJazzV

That is awesome! Did you play it through the DB359?

Plugged into the DB359 after work. Wow. It sounds unbelievable. I'm afraid to even change the strings now. I hope the DB359 doesn't sell. Its on Ebay this week.

[jim777]

Damn, that is a gorgeous! Play her in health