Played an AVRI '74 Jazz Bass today...(Review)
 

I'll get right to the point:

Nice, yes. $2400, no.

I would say it weighed 9 pounds. It sounded fantastic with both pickups on, but the bridge solo'd was a little thin. I didn't solo the neck pickup (I would rather just grab a P). Neck was thick and beefy, but not EXACTLY like a 70s bass. Can't put my finger on the difference, but there is a difference. Somehow, it was just a little more round.

I can't say there is much difference from the latest '75 RI I played, other than the '74 RI is more period correct in its appointments (logo, thumb rest, etc). The only thing I could spot were the tuners, which are the kind that came out in '76. Odd, because the Jaguar Bass has the correct 66-75 tuners (although they don't say Fender on them).

Pole pieces are still raised out of the cover (not period correct). I don't care for that because, A: they chew up my fingers, and B: with low action the strings can hit the poles. The action on this one was medium high (just like the latest '75 RI I played).

It had a "1 of 46" stamped neck plate, so this was one of the first 46 to hit stores.

At that price point, I guess the player would have to decide whether or not it is worth it. If I had that kind of dough to spend on a bass, I would look for a real 1974 model. It is not out of the question that you can get one for $2400.

Great post! Thanks for the review and your opinions. I have not seen one in person yet and this helps a lot!

thanks! if anyone knows the '74 Fender Jazz, it's tdizzle!

Thanks. That is my 1974 on the left (with my 1980 Stingray).

tdizzle, I agree with your assessment. I played a 74 AVRI at NAMM. Pricey. Not a bad bas at all. But not wholly original. BTW, I owned a 75 back in the day and it was a mixed bag at best--good sound, lousy hardware.

What was lousy about the hardware? If anything people complain about weight and the way the neck pockets were cut, but the bridges, pickups, and tuners (hardware), are nearly identical to what Fender was using in the 50s and 60s.