behind my 62 jazz, this is the bass ive had the longest (since 2005). Absolutely killer sounding jazz. 78 serial but a 1980 (bottom of pickups are stamped 80). the only reason im selling is because im just not using it. i have another 74 with a slightly thinner neck profile that i prefer as a well as a 76 thats been modded with a pre thats my main gig bass. so, ive got too many late 70's jazzes.
this one still sports its original finish. there are few checks that mainly originate at screw holes that youll see in the pics. original electronics as well. the bridge pickup has coil tape on the coil but it still has its original windings and dcr is spot on for the era (around 7.7k iirc). the only thing i can think of is someone was trying to help offset some of the tap sensitivity these old fender pickups has as they arent wax potted like todays jazz pickups.
This bass was the one I took into Carey nordstrand and jimmy coppolo's shops while looking for a 70s style 5 string. I made multiple trips and bugged the hell out of both those guys. None of their basses could cop this tone. This guy sounds and plays that good. I ended up not going with either builder and the f bass vf5 ended up coming the closest.
the biggest thing this thing has going is its playability. i guarantee this will be the best playing late 70's jazz you are going to find either here on tb or from a dealer.
ive poured lots of money into this over the years in fretwork tweaks and nuts. the current nut was cut by carey nordstrand. its had fretwork done by michael dolan and jason workman at national resophonic guitars.
you can slam the action boutique style and have it play all the way up to the 20th fret. i play with my necks straight to the point of almost backbowed and strings laying on the neck and thats how i played this bass for years. i introduced a little relief and raised the saddles some since most dont prefer my action preferences but as you can see in the pics, its still very low.
the truss rod is also fully functional and there is no bulging whatsoever at the first fret. this thing really is a gem.
weight on this guy is 11 pounds. say what you will, but that is the magic number for getting that sound we all love. marcus, sekou bunch, slave, etc. its in the density. it adds to the natural compression and solid lows. ive owned 9 and 10 pounders (and have sold them here) and they dont sound like this. theyre slightly hollower and bloomier sounding. the other basses im keeping are also over 11 pounds.
other than the replacement nut, the bridge screws have also been replaced. dont know why, but they were like that when i got it. there are a couple dings here in there and some finish wear on the bass side of the neck near the heel, but all of that is visible in the pics.
the original case to this is a fender molded case. i do have an extra late 70's period correct case that i can replace it with for a bit extra.
2500 shipped with 70's case
2400 shipped with original case
id be interested in listening to fair offers or trade + cash deals. keep in mind i sold this 76 on tb(replaced pickguard,replaced neck pickup cover, non original pickups, non original case) for 1900
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/...burst-tv-logo-clean-not-back-breaker-1018364/
and this 78 here on tb (refin, non original pickups, non original case) for 1600
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/1978-fender-jazz-bass-clean-light-one-875421/
as good as those basses were,neither played anywhere near as nicely as this one.
soundclips
[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/undergroundelements/birdsong?in=undergroundelements/sets/underground-elements-demo[/soundcloud]
video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUwfV4cQLlI
pics
this one still sports its original finish. there are few checks that mainly originate at screw holes that youll see in the pics. original electronics as well. the bridge pickup has coil tape on the coil but it still has its original windings and dcr is spot on for the era (around 7.7k iirc). the only thing i can think of is someone was trying to help offset some of the tap sensitivity these old fender pickups has as they arent wax potted like todays jazz pickups.
This bass was the one I took into Carey nordstrand and jimmy coppolo's shops while looking for a 70s style 5 string. I made multiple trips and bugged the hell out of both those guys. None of their basses could cop this tone. This guy sounds and plays that good. I ended up not going with either builder and the f bass vf5 ended up coming the closest.
the biggest thing this thing has going is its playability. i guarantee this will be the best playing late 70's jazz you are going to find either here on tb or from a dealer.
ive poured lots of money into this over the years in fretwork tweaks and nuts. the current nut was cut by carey nordstrand. its had fretwork done by michael dolan and jason workman at national resophonic guitars.
you can slam the action boutique style and have it play all the way up to the 20th fret. i play with my necks straight to the point of almost backbowed and strings laying on the neck and thats how i played this bass for years. i introduced a little relief and raised the saddles some since most dont prefer my action preferences but as you can see in the pics, its still very low.
the truss rod is also fully functional and there is no bulging whatsoever at the first fret. this thing really is a gem.
weight on this guy is 11 pounds. say what you will, but that is the magic number for getting that sound we all love. marcus, sekou bunch, slave, etc. its in the density. it adds to the natural compression and solid lows. ive owned 9 and 10 pounders (and have sold them here) and they dont sound like this. theyre slightly hollower and bloomier sounding. the other basses im keeping are also over 11 pounds.
other than the replacement nut, the bridge screws have also been replaced. dont know why, but they were like that when i got it. there are a couple dings here in there and some finish wear on the bass side of the neck near the heel, but all of that is visible in the pics.
the original case to this is a fender molded case. i do have an extra late 70's period correct case that i can replace it with for a bit extra.
2500 shipped with 70's case
2400 shipped with original case
id be interested in listening to fair offers or trade + cash deals. keep in mind i sold this 76 on tb(replaced pickguard,replaced neck pickup cover, non original pickups, non original case) for 1900
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/...burst-tv-logo-clean-not-back-breaker-1018364/
and this 78 here on tb (refin, non original pickups, non original case) for 1600
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/1978-fender-jazz-bass-clean-light-one-875421/
as good as those basses were,neither played anywhere near as nicely as this one.
soundclips
[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/undergroundelements/birdsong?in=undergroundelements/sets/underground-elements-demo[/soundcloud]
video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUwfV4cQLlI
pics