1966 or 1969 jazz, different history to each!

[johnk_10]

while it's a nice bass IMO, the '69 has some pretty strange finish issues on the back of the neck (chipping off or sanded as opposed to wearing off). that makes the 66 look like alot better deal to me.

 

[mikeswals]

To us US folks, 700euros is $809 dollars. Usually they are a much bigger difference.
I'd still go for the 66 in that case if indeed the 66 price is marked lower than usual. Hopefully the seller of the 69 isn't asking near what a 66/67 usually goes for.

 

[Spinal Tapper]

To us US folks, 700euros is $809 dollars. Usually they are a much bigger difference.
I'd still go for the 66 in that case if indeed the 66 price is marked lower than usual. Hopefully the seller of the 69 isn't asking near what a 66/67 usually goes for.

Yep. Not enough difference (to me) to buy the "newer" model

 

[RickC]

that is something I often hear and read about 69 jazz basses, that they are magical!!!

Not just J-basses - I've heard of (and experienced for myself) the '69 magic with P's, Strats, and Teles too. And in a perhaps related story, '69s seem overly prone to finish issues as well. The wear on the one in your photos is very typical '69. Maybe there's a connection.

Here's my machine in action.

/rick

 

[RickC]

while it's a nice bass IMO, the '69 has some pretty strange finish issues on the back of the neck (chipping off or sanded as opposed to wearing off). that makes the 66 look like alot better deal to me.

very common on 69s in my experience. I think they were doing some experimenting with finishes at the time.

/rick

 

[mikeswals]

My '69 has a pretty durable finish. The only wear spot I have is the tip of the forearm contour, and maybe 3 finish checks and 2 or 3 dings on the entire body. The back of my bass is as clean as the front, and the neck has a pretty thick finish on it.

 

[black.rose1402]

here is another 69 that I found! can you tell me your opinions, and if everything seems original?

so what do you think of this one??

 

[black.rose1402]

My '69 has a pretty durable finish. The only wear spot I have is the tip of the forearm contour, and maybe 3 finish checks and 2 or 3 dings on the entire body. The back of my bass is as clean as the front, and the neck has a pretty thick finish on it.

damn, she's hot! it looks like a brand new one!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[black.rose1402]

very common on 69s in my experience. I think they were doing some experimenting with finishes at the time.

/rick

yeah, you know the finish on the neck is still here, it's just brownish in certain zone, and saw this on some vintage basses too!

the neck was so break in, so worked that it felt so great in my hand!

 

[black.rose1402]

Not just J-basses - I've heard of (and experienced for myself) the '69 magic with P's, Strats, and Teles too. And in a perhaps related story, '69s seem overly prone to finish issues as well. The wear on the one in your photos is very typical '69. Maybe there's a connection.

Here's my machine in action.

/rick

dude you are so in the flow!

and your jazz is a real looker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[black.rose1402]

here is another 69 that I found! can you tell me your opinions, and if everything seems original?

so what do you think of this one??

so nobody to tell me about this one???

 

[black.rose1402]

Côme on nobody to tell me about the pics of the last 69???

 

[johnk_10]

it look genuine to me. the closeup pics are blurry so you can't really see much, but what do you want to know about it?

 

[black.rose1402]

it look genuine to me. the closeup pics are blurry so you can't really see much, but what do you want to know about it?

just want the opinion of you guys, and if you think that it's all original,
for example, the capacitor under the tone pot is blue, is it the good stuff for a 69

 

[soulman969]

Given that choice if both sounded about the same I'd take the 66. Pre or very early CBS which should make it a little more valuable than the 69 if maybe not a little better finished product. I wouldn't be too hung up on the cosmetics. Consider it relicing by nature rather than by the custom shop.

 

[godofthunder59]

I would Def get the '66! CBS hadn't f'd things up yet, some of Fender best stuff. Just Like McCartneys

 

[mikeswals]

Yes the 69 tone cap would be the round blue Ajax cap, only year for it.
After that, the caps became the silver tootsie roll cap for about 2 years.

 

[johnk_10]

fender used those caps in some of them (early '69's) the blue ones like that were .022uf:

one the ones that i've owned, in mid to late '69 they usually had an .05 uf cornell dubilier ceramic disc about the size of a dime in them like this:

..............but that bass looks original to me.

 

[Pickebass]

Ok, I'm going to be the kill joy... I've been watching your thread with alot of interest. As you know, you are splitting hairs, which is this price point is understandable. From your comments on this and your other thread you are looking for something that is your primary PLAYER. I get the impression that you want something that will sound great and have a really "magical" quality. This bass will be a keeper, not something you plan on selling or have a concern about resale. IMO based on those comments the key thing is for the bass to sonically appeal to you and have aesthetics that are appealing to you. I know you want to check under the hood to make sure it is the real deal, but I have the feeling that you haven't found "the one" yet. You are ready to pull the trigger and want validation from all of us (which is easy... it's TB!)

If you haven't found "the one" yet, hide the money until the instrument speaks to you. Otherwise the gas pains will continue


BTW, the blue cap, does look suspect. I hope this doesn't come off the wrong way. But, I've been in the situation where I am ready to buy now, but the market doesn't have what I want.

 

[black.rose1402]

Sometimes , i just tell myself that it's a spoiled child problem, that I should just pick up something like a custom shop bass and play it...