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1973 jazz bass authenticity

steviecsg

steviecsg

Aug 16, 2002
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#1
Would appreciate some help here. I have some photos here of a 1973 jazz bass. As far as I know, the pick ups have been changed as well as the pots and knobs. I would be grateful for some input as to whether the decals/features and appearance of the bass are accurate of that period. :)

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#3
It's actually a '77. At least the neck is. S7= 1977. The body looks refinned and most likely used to be a solid color since the pieces making up the body are so radically different. They usually did a slightly better job on true Naturals. Actually the face of the necl looks re-shot possibly. Can't tell with the pickups. Knobs are obviously wrong. Bass looks okay otherwise
 
#14
Definitely a 77, and I'd agree that it has been refinished, the clear coat isn't tinted enough to be original unless it sat in a closet for the last 30 years and even then it should be a little more yellow than that. The strap buttons are wrong, they should be more Y shaped, while these are more T shaped. As said above, check under the pickguard, there should be a serial number sticker on the back that matches the headstock number so you'll know if the guard is original (not that that's really important).

I think the Jazz Bass part of the decal looks ok. They shrank in the late 70s, but it might be aligned slightly different than mine. It might be the angle of the pics, but mine looks to reach a little closer to the curve of the headstock.

Here is a pic of my 78 for comparison:
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#16
looks like i'll be getting it...the 77 jazz its on its way..

Been offered its brother, a 77 P. Any comments besides the pickup route under the pickguard? How would you rate its condition?

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#19
I also noticed the pickguard is non-original (no holes for pickup cover) and the output jack has been tampered with, though i was informed that the pickup has been replaced with a nordstrand. original pickup still available though.
 
#20
I guess it is too obvious to point out the over-sprayed neck and refinished body.
Did you notice the string wrap? This bass was not strung by a bass player.

This one comes from that nadir (lowest) quality point in Fender production.

I wouldn't consider buying this instrument without playing/hearing it and seeing it in person.

Can you play it first? If weight is an issue, I'd insist on an accurate weight.

Since it is seriously hacked-up in just about every way, I would expect other issues.

My main concern would be the neck. We have no information about fret condition or truss rod.
How straight is it? What type and gauge strings will it handle?


Big question: why do you want this instead of a new P-bass or an MIA '62 RI?
It had better be real cheap. BTW, terrible case.
 

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