After playing a particularly bass-friendly worship service at our church last week, I was approached by an older gentleman who offered some kind props on the bass work. He told me that he'd 'always loved the electric bass' (that should give you a visual of his age) and had even bought one a long time ago, thinking he'd like to learn, but never found the time.
My curiosity piqued, I asked him what it was he'd bought. "Oh, I disremember now, but I'm sure it was a Fender... they almost all were back then." Palms beginning to sweat and knees weakening, I told him I'd love to see it sometime. He said it had been in its case for many years now and he'd have to find it in the attic.
Last night at church, he tells me that he's 'got that old bass out in the car' if I'd like to see it'. I tried not to lift him and carry him in a dead-man's run out to his car.
Original black tolex Fender case with the chrome Fender logo. I crack it open and find this old girl lying inside (attached).
As best I can tell, it's an early '70's Jazz in cream. Maple neck with block inlays and binding. Weighs about a hundred pounds. the setup was the worst I've ever seen and there was a gunky, sticky buildup covering every inch of her.
I offered to take her home and clean her, set her up, restring her, and look into any issues compromising her playability/value. Should take about a year ;0)
He said, "Oh, I don't b'lieve I'd be int'sted in sellin' it, seein's I've held onnit this long—might'swell keep it a bit longer. But you're welcome to borrow it for a wee bit."
So I got it home and broke it down. I expected to find a date stamp on the neck heel, but the only stamps there aren't numbers, they're words. I'm sure one of the Fender guys here can date it from the sn.
I cleaned it as best I could, but the finish will never be totally free of whatever that crap was blotching it all up. I cleaned the electronics, put new foam under the pups (the original foam had turned to dust and the pups were settled down into the body). I shimmed the neck and restrung it, then went about trying to get it playable.
This is where it gets sad. The rod was completely loose it the neck. Good sign, right? That means a few twists should straighten the neck right out. Wrong. Over a few hours, I turned the rod as far as I dare—probably six full turns—and it had no effect. The neck is still bowed. And what's worse, it's a bit warped: The treble side is more bowed than the bass side. I'm afraid that without serious neck surgery, this bass is wall candy.
Still, I thought you guys would enjoy the story and the pics...
My curiosity piqued, I asked him what it was he'd bought. "Oh, I disremember now, but I'm sure it was a Fender... they almost all were back then." Palms beginning to sweat and knees weakening, I told him I'd love to see it sometime. He said it had been in its case for many years now and he'd have to find it in the attic.
Last night at church, he tells me that he's 'got that old bass out in the car' if I'd like to see it'. I tried not to lift him and carry him in a dead-man's run out to his car.
Original black tolex Fender case with the chrome Fender logo. I crack it open and find this old girl lying inside (attached).
As best I can tell, it's an early '70's Jazz in cream. Maple neck with block inlays and binding. Weighs about a hundred pounds. the setup was the worst I've ever seen and there was a gunky, sticky buildup covering every inch of her.
I offered to take her home and clean her, set her up, restring her, and look into any issues compromising her playability/value. Should take about a year ;0)
He said, "Oh, I don't b'lieve I'd be int'sted in sellin' it, seein's I've held onnit this long—might'swell keep it a bit longer. But you're welcome to borrow it for a wee bit."
So I got it home and broke it down. I expected to find a date stamp on the neck heel, but the only stamps there aren't numbers, they're words. I'm sure one of the Fender guys here can date it from the sn.
I cleaned it as best I could, but the finish will never be totally free of whatever that crap was blotching it all up. I cleaned the electronics, put new foam under the pups (the original foam had turned to dust and the pups were settled down into the body). I shimmed the neck and restrung it, then went about trying to get it playable.
This is where it gets sad. The rod was completely loose it the neck. Good sign, right? That means a few twists should straighten the neck right out. Wrong. Over a few hours, I turned the rod as far as I dare—probably six full turns—and it had no effect. The neck is still bowed. And what's worse, it's a bit warped: The treble side is more bowed than the bass side. I'm afraid that without serious neck surgery, this bass is wall candy.
Still, I thought you guys would enjoy the story and the pics...
