‘78 Or Not?

[Ace Of Bass]

Yo..I need my vintage Fender guys to come through on this one..I’ve found a Jazz bass that is a part of the Fender International Series that I’m considering buying....the owner says that the bass is a ‘78 even thought the series didn’t really start until 80-81(?)....He seems to want a price for it that reflects it”s ‘70s Jazz designation as I’ve seen early ‘80s Basses prices far lower... Do you guys think that the pricing is higher because of the color alone or can this technically be called a ‘78 Jazz Bass because the parts probably came from ‘78 even though assembly and sale didn’t happen for a couple of years..?

 

[eastcoasteddie]

Not sure if this is the one you’re looking at..

1978 Fender Jazz Bass Maui Blue International Series Vintage Bass Guitar w/OHSC | Imperial Vintage Guitars | Reverb

this is the first I’ve heard of the International Series. Looks cool and seems pretty rare.
I’m not sure I’d spend that much money on a 78-81 jazz...might be better to go CS at that point...

 

[stefanb]

The prices for mid 70s-early 80s has jumped considerably lately. The international's do command a slight premium and also it's plausible coded parts could have been produced in '78 and not installed until the early 80s due to production numbers being lower / over producing parts etc..

Just some cursory reading on the series, they used a ton of leftover parts to assemble them, so sounds about right based on your dating.

 

[mikeswals]

I bet a dollar he's calling it a 78 just because the serial starts with an S8, which is incorrect.
The color is really going to be the price factor.

If you want him to prove the dates, ask for pics of the pot codes, the underside of the pickups codes, and the heel of the neck.

 

[Ace Of Bass]

Not sure if this is the one you’re looking at..
1978 Fender Jazz Bass Maui Blue International Series Vintage Bass Guitar w/OHSC | Imperial Vintage Guitars | Reverb

this is the first I’ve heard of the International Series. Looks cool and seems pretty rare.
I’m not sure I’d spend that much money on a 78-81 jazz...might be better to go CS at that point...

It is indeed... and I thought about going the CS route, but it would actually be a bit more expensive...the trade off is the quality for sure....a bass with these specs built the right way would be amazing...still, I’ve seen three or four other ‘78s floating out there for at least a grand or less...I’d much rather go that route than pay that kinda premium just for a rare color...I’m sure if you kept it clean it would never lose its value though..

 

[Ace Of Bass]

I bet a dollar he's calling it a 78 just because the serial starts with an S8, which is incorrect.
The color is really going to be the price factor.

If you want him to prove the dates, ask for pics of the pot codes, the underside of the pickups codes, and the heel of the neck.

Yeah it’s all there from what I can tell...my eyes aren’t good enough to read those pot codes....

Not sure if this is the one you’re looking at..

1978 Fender Jazz Bass Maui Blue International Series Vintage Bass Guitar w/OHSC | Imperial Vintage Guitars | Reverb

this is the first I’ve heard of the International Series. Looks cool and seems pretty rare.
I’m not sure I’d spend that much money on a 78-81 jazz...might be better to go CS at that point...

 

[mikeswals]

Yeah it’s all there from what I can tell...my eyes aren’t good enough to read those pot codes....

Oh, so it is that blue bass in the above link? Then it's a 1980

I read that neck code as '80
And at least two of the pots also say '80

 

[Ace Of Bass]

Oh, so it is that blue bass in the above link? Then it's a 1980

I read that neck code as '80
And at least two of the pots also say '80

That’s what I saw from the neck...thanks with the he’ll know the pots...that’s actually pretty cool bevy that’s what makes it the same age as I am...still, kinda pricey..

 

[80jazz]

Depending on a few factors, maui blue paint is available from Gracey's. If it's the color you want, you could paint a body.

 

[MG Wolf]

At that price point I would not expect rusty screws on the neck plate...I would go CS instead.

 

[210superair]

Expensive, but pretty cool bass!

 

[Ace Of Bass]

At that price point I would not expect rusty screws on the neck plate...I would go CS instead.

Even better..I found two other ‘80s in the past 45 minutes In better condition for over $1k less...the color is not a must for me...

 

[mattj1stc]

I agree that it is a cool looking bass. No idea about its specific designation (international series from '78). Still, seeing something like this makes me wonder what's up with vintage instruments in general. I get that for someone like Geddy Lee might assemble a formidable vintage bass collection (definitely in the bass business and certainly wealthy enough to indulge a passion for collecting). I can also see a general fascination with relatively rare instruments (early Fenders, Rics, Gibsons, etc.) as these set the foundation for all that came after - I can understand wanting to own a piece of history. It also makes sense that some people will want a bass from the year they were born, or they'll want to get a bass that they once had (or wanted) back in the day. Other than that, I'd have to think that there are so many better options out there that are either new or relatively new. Bass is mostly a traditional instrument - I still play a P bass (a 5 string, but it's a P bass), still it's hard to understand nostalgia for a bass from 1978.

 

[dalkowski]

this is the first I’ve heard of the International Series.

Same here. I'm pretty sure back then you bought a J or a P or maybe a Tele —no "Series." And that "original case" ain't 1978.

 

[bassstrangler]

At that price point I would not expect rusty screws on the neck plate...I would go CS instead.

From what I see every screw on that bass is rusty. That's not good.

 

[stefanb]

Same here. I'm pretty sure back then you bought a J or a P or maybe a Tele —no "Series." And that "original case" ain't 1978.

The series was 1981 only

 

[Ace Of Bass]

At that price point I would not expect rusty screws on the neck plate...I would go CS instead.

The rusty screws did bug me out a bit, but I don’t think it’s a deal breaker...

 

[Ace Of Bass]

I agree that it is a cool looking bass. No idea about its specific designation (international series from '78). Still, seeing something like this makes me wonder what's up with vintage instruments in general. I get that for someone like Geddy Lee might assemble a formidable vintage bass collection (definitely in the bass business and certainly wealthy enough to indulge a passion for collecting). I can also see a general fascination with relatively rare instruments (early Fenders, Rics, Gibsons, etc.) as these set the foundation for all that came after - I can understand wanting to own a piece of history. It also makes sense that some people will want a bass from the year they were born, or they'll want to get a bass that they once had (or wanted) back in the day. Other than that, I'd have to think that there are so many better options out there that are either new or relatively new. Bass is mostly a traditional instrument - I still play a P bass (a 5 string, but it's a P bass), still it's hard to understand nostalgia for a bass from 1978.

It has to do with more of the personal experiences I’ve had with late ‘70s Jazz bass...I guess fortunately (or unfortunately) I’ve had nothing but good experiences with them, physically and sonically...the Cole makes it more interesting, sure, but I actually think it’s cool that it came out the same year I was born...I’d rather find a cheaper option though..

 

[80jazz]

The series was 1981 only

I thought it started in 1980. Silly me.

I am one of the crazies who would pick it up for the finish. I forget if the Jazzes tend to command more than the Precisions. It also seems on the market that some colors are easier to find on some models (for example, I do not recall seeing a monaco yellow Jazz. I don't doubt they were built, but I have yet to see one for sale). I like the international colors, and I suspect my 1980 Jazz was an international color someone didn't like. Maybe I am wrong.

OP, if the color is not important but the year I am confident that better deals exist (as you have found).

 

[Fender_Bender]

11 1/2 pounds . I d be a little concerned about being able to remove the neck screws without the heads shearing off with that amount of rust. The neck plate itself is horribly corroded and should be replaced. The guy must live near ocean. The colour is pretty close to Daphne blue fwiw.