Those screws in those bridge even loosen up on brand new ones but I'm sure they get worse over time. I just check them here and there, I still like those bent plate bridges better than any other though, they are so easy to set up.
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1965 Fender Jazz
- Thread starter SonnyMorrow
- Start date
Those screws in those bridge even loosen up on brand new ones but I'm sure they get worse over time. I just check them here and there, I still like those bent plate bridges better than any other though, they are so easy to set up.
Turnaround
Commercial User
It's just as crazy in the antique business with respect to things like "patina" and what is just dirt. Depending on what antique we are talking about, the criteria change. I spent many years restoring antique furniture - its entirely a different consideration depending on whether you are dealing with a grandfather clock or a chest of drawers.
Incidentally try some nickle round wounds, they don't eat frets like SS round wounds. I use DR Sunbeams on my Jazz, they sound really good and don't eat frets, I even have them on my fretless basses. My birthday is March 11. Pisces and bass go well together.
I’d leave it as is and take it out for special occasions. Play it, but don’t make it a player. If it were stolen or damaged by a drink at a gig it would be a crime.
This is a seriously cool bass. The period photo seals the deal for me. Check out that ultra '70s rig with the bowel-loosening backwards-firing folded horn monstrosity for a cab.
The black headstock, with the econo 'Fender' decal is peak Fender Custom Colour. I wager they never clearcoated the black finish; simply hosed a body in black nitro and called it a day. Black text doesn't show up on black lacquer so they snip the decal down to size.
People making relic pickguards need to give this bass a long, hard study. The 3-ply white '60s pickguard here is still white! People make '60s Strat pickguards by staining them with tea, wood stain etc. '60s pickguards didn't all turn out brown. The difference is the slight wear to the pickguard, the subtle shrinkage, and the shallower angle on the bevel versus a modern 45 degree angle.
The black headstock, with the econo 'Fender' decal is peak Fender Custom Colour. I wager they never clearcoated the black finish; simply hosed a body in black nitro and called it a day. Black text doesn't show up on black lacquer so they snip the decal down to size.
People making relic pickguards need to give this bass a long, hard study. The 3-ply white '60s pickguard here is still white! People make '60s Strat pickguards by staining them with tea, wood stain etc. '60s pickguards didn't all turn out brown. The difference is the slight wear to the pickguard, the subtle shrinkage, and the shallower angle on the bevel versus a modern 45 degree angle.
Meanie...shoulda let him think it was a magic bass.
Next you'll be telling us there is no Santa??
Probably the best story I've ever read on Talkbass, great bass too. IMO get it to a pro, someone you trust.
Cool bass! 
Thanks....please don't spoil the tooth fairy for me....I have been pulling my own teeth hoping for a late nite rendezvous.
I'll start with the Easter Bunny first. Christmas is too close...
I think I know what you mean, I saw another black '65 online with the smaller "snipped" decal. This one actually has the full decal but exactly as you say, it is near impossible to see unless you look super close:
I guess there was just differences in who working? Weird.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,582
- 221,924
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Always thought they just left off the black lettering part of the hs decal.
I'd never seen that "snipped' or "econo" decal as you guys are calling it. Learned something new about old Fenders today! Nice. 
hi SonnyMorrow
What a nice bass! And what a story!
Like Mike pointed out, the stamp is not a "date stamp" but a production code stamp.
But still, to have a kid with a matching birth date…
Your dad had a good timing! You should tell him!
It 's a priceless part of family history!
Okay!
CBS bought Fender on January 3 1965 but didn't introduce their own designs until later in the year.
Your bass still has the long neck, riveted, clover reverse tuners which are typical for pre CBS basses
and the strapholder on the headstock back.
CBS introduced two other tuner types in 1966.
Looks like your dad changed the screw on the A string tuner (and maybe on the G string tuner too)
In 1965 black was still a custom colour. => Matching headstock
Other details about the neck: pearl dots and no binding.
(CBS introduced the white plastic binding in October/ November '65)
In late 65 CBS introduced new neckplates with a big F- logo.
Yours is the older neckplate. (would be interesting to have a close up pic that shows the serial number)
I would love to tell you more about your bass!
Just like I did here:
Calling the PROs folks on this JB 73 "Geddy Lee" authentication
Just post some pics and feel free to ask!
greetings
Wise(b)ass
What a nice bass! And what a story!
Like Mike pointed out, the stamp is not a "date stamp" but a production code stamp.
But still, to have a kid with a matching birth date…
Your dad had a good timing!
You should tell him!It 's a priceless part of family history!
Okay!
CBS bought Fender on January 3 1965 but didn't introduce their own designs until later in the year.
Your bass still has the long neck, riveted, clover reverse tuners which are typical for pre CBS basses
and the strapholder on the headstock back.
CBS introduced two other tuner types in 1966.
Looks like your dad changed the screw on the A string tuner (and maybe on the G string tuner too)
In 1965 black was still a custom colour. => Matching headstock
Other details about the neck: pearl dots and no binding.
(CBS introduced the white plastic binding in October/ November '65)
In late 65 CBS introduced new neckplates with a big F- logo.
Yours is the older neckplate. (would be interesting to have a close up pic that shows the serial number)
I would love to tell you more about your bass!
Just like I did here:
Calling the PROs folks on this JB 73 "Geddy Lee" authentication
Just post some pics and feel free to ask!
greetings
Wise(b)ass
hi SonnyMorrow
What a nice bass! And what a story!
Like Mike pointed out, the stamp is not a "date stamp" but a production code stamp.
But still, to have a kid with a matching birth date…
Your dad had a good timing!
It 's a priceless part of family history!
Okay!
CBS bought Fender on January 3 1965 but didn't introduce their own designs until later in the year.
Your bass still has the long neck, riveted, clover reverse tuners which are typical for pre CBS basses
and the strapholder on the headstock back.
CBS introduced two other tuner types in 1966.
Looks like your dad changed the screw on the A string tuner (and maybe on the G string tuner too)
View attachment 3600537
In 1965 black was still a custom colour. => Matching headstock
Other details about the neck: pearl dots and no binding.
(CBS introduced the white plastic binding in October/ November '65)
In late 65 CBS introduced new neckplates with a big F- logo.
View attachment 3600554
Yours is the older neckplate. (would be interesting to have a close up pic that shows the serial number)
I would love to tell you more about your bass!
Just like I did here:
Calling the PROs folks on this JB 73 "Geddy Lee" authentication
Just post some pics and feel free to ask!
greetings
Wise(b)ass
Yeah I noticed those screws were wrong, any ideas where I can get two of the correct ones? Ill see if I can get a pic of the neck plate. Thanks for all of the great info!
hi SonnyMorrow
Every good hardware store that sells screws /piece should have them.
Sadly these stores have become rare. You might end up buying a whole pack.
You are welcome!
When you want to know more, post a pic of the neck pocket, the electronics (pots) and the pups too.
The real "vodoo magic" is in the guts.
greetings
Wise(b)ass
Every good hardware store that sells screws /piece should have them.
Sadly these stores have become rare. You might end up buying a whole pack.
You are welcome!
When you want to know more, post a pic of the neck pocket, the electronics (pots) and the pups too.
The real "vodoo magic" is in the guts.
greetings
Wise(b)ass
