Vintage Fender Jazz Real Deal or Not ?

[king_biscuit]

Originally Posted by TN WOODMAN

It's likely to be on the heavy side due to the use of Northern Ash on these natural finish js and ps from the 70s.

Ash is ash, it's just a matter of which part of the tree it came from. My own 76 Jazz (natural ash) weighs 9 pounds.

[narud]

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

Ash is ash, it's just a matter of which part of the tree it came from. My own 76 Jazz (natural ash) weighs 9 pounds.

my recent history with 70's basses ive owned
a white 78,trans red 78, natural 80 (still own), natural 74 (still own), black 78.

only the black 78 was a 9 pounder. the rest were/are 11 pounders (thanks god)

i think the probability/prediction of it being heavy is probably accurate

[groooooove]

like everyone else said, pop the hood and see if it all adds up.

and i've been away from electric bass / this forum for a year or so- judging from the first page of responces, is the "road worn" thing uncool now?

cause i think (assuming its 100% functional..) that bass looks awesome. woulden't have so much wear if it wasent a fun bass to play.

[SneakyT]

Looks real enough to me. I of course would want to see the stamps on the neck and pickups. I have two '76's and neither are heavy. Both under 8 pounds but my '78 tele is at least 15lbs and that is not a joke. Ash will vary greatly in these years. I'd go for it at this price if were in the market. Just don't expect it to appreciate as much as one in great condition would. Looks like a player to me. If it is all original it would probably be worth more in pieces which I would hate to see but likely it's fate. Hopefully someone will buy it and play it.

[JimB52]

I question whether the finish is original. Stripped and refin clear long ago is my guess. Based on the amount of wear, it's definitely a player. Because of that, if it hasn't had a refret, it probably needs one.

[RickC]

Looks very similar to a '70's I owned about 10 years ago. Might even be the same one. That bass was a killer player.

/rick

[cybersnyder]

I saw this bass today. Didn't play it, but it's pretty light. It certainly has "mojo", maybe a little too much for my tastes.

[Keithwah]

I had a similar mint one back in the early 80's and it was a tank! Same type finish and neck, but I agree in regards to the logo. I too think it was a refinished clear bass. Many guys in the 70's thought a Lake Placid Blue or Black Fender would look "groovier" with the natural wood showing all the grain man. But mine was very heavy, so if that was a lighter feeling one, then it was a refin. And then I would guess they bought an aftermarket logo and boned the placement.

But if there are real numbers, and I had the cash, I would buy it and get it cleaned up. Maybe even refinished something in period. I like my 60's Jazz just fine, and would rather have it than a 70's, but if I could I would.

[cybersnyder]

It's hard to tell from the picture, but three of the tuners are gold and one is chrome.