1974 Jazz Bass body confusion

[mlaren]

Hey guys
I bought a '74 jazz bass recently. All electronics, neck, tuners, bridge are original. The body was refinished. While replacing the non-orig pickguard I noticed the truss rod notch and lack of screw holes to in neck cavity used to hang the body in the factory. What's up with this...anyone seen this before...what year is it? FYI: The actual body color is more yellowed than the photo suggests

 

[fenderhutz]

That doesn't look like a 74 body to me.

 

[mlaren]

I agree!! Someone told me it might be a Japanese from early 80's...maybe the american jazz bass with the notch in the pickguard? Some of the pre-CBS bodys had it too (wishfull thinking) I'm looking to buy a 73-74 body if you know of a resource

 

[GeneralElectric]

If it was from the 70s the bridge pickup would be closer the bridge.

 

[alembicguy]

That doesn't look like a 74 body to me.

+1

 

[mlaren]

so if a 70's era pickguard doesn't fit it, what year is it? when did fender shift the neck pickup forward?

 

[GeneralElectric]

Neck pickup forward? Huh?

Thats not a 70s jazz by any means.

 

[mlaren]

Here is the axe all together (disregard the replacement decal on orig neck) I've dated as orig all but body and pickguard (obviously not orig)

 

[fenderhutz]

I hope you didn't pay much more than 500-600 bucks for it.

 

[ibnzneksrul]

If it was from the 70s the bridge pickup would be closer the bridge.

Exactly right. Here's a shot of my '74 jazz, note the positions of the pickups to the control plate.

 

[mlaren]

looks like the pickups are in the same position to me...

 

[rustynuts]

Little more of a gap with the bridge pup closer to the bridge on his.

 

[mlaren]

My main question is the approx year and make of the body I have (see orig photo at start of post). Once I know that, I make a reissue parts bass out of this one and buy an orig '72-'75 body (pre 3 bolt obviously) and assemble with my orig parts

 

[GeneralElectric]

Pictures of the neck dates?

Those inlays on the neck look wonky to me as well.

I think you've been had.

 

[fenderhutz]

Pictures of the neck dates?

Those inlays on the neck look wonky to me as well.

I think you've been had.

+1

 

[mlaren]

Thanks for your input. Anybody else out there in the refinishing world who knows the origin of the body?

 

[FranF]

First off, Fender never never never routed a truss rod access in the bodies all through the 50s, 60s, 70,s and 80s. Second observation, if it was a refin, there would be remnants of the old finish in the pocket. No color in there. Even if it was originally Natural, there would be gloss in the pocket. It appears to be an aftermarket body. The headstock also looks to be oddly shaped on the G string side too, but a close up pic would be better.

 

[mlaren]

Good eye! the headstock top was refinished and the edge was rounded slightly at the G string. the tuners and neck are dated to 74. A collector in CA offered around $1000 for orig parts, plus he'd replace them with Fender reissues (less the neck stock and body). I may just make a Frankenbass and start over. I have seen 90's american fender jazz basses with a cutout for truss rods in the pickguard. Might be one of those

 

[Bone]

Check the pot and pickup codes. What makes you think it's a 74? The body could be older, I see screw hole for the thumbrest above the E string and below the G string. 74 was a transitional year that saw thumbrests above and below plus black and white guards and the occasional 3 bolt in late 74. What is the neck date? A lot of repairmen put a trussrod adjustment notches in fender bodys( kind of common in the 70s). That notch was probebly put in when the the body was refinned. I can't remember the year that the pickup was moved but I think it was 73,74 so that could be a fender body(looks like it was chemically stripped which could account for the clean neck pocket.)

 

[mlaren]

I bought it from an instrument buyer and seller who is highly respected among pro players in Los Angeles...he has a back room of gear that is invitation-only sale. I have a message in to him to get more info. I took it to California Guitar in Van Nuys...the big cheese said it could be original Fender body... A collector at a Guitar shop in Studio City.CA disassembled it and dated the components to late '73, early '74...serial number on 4 bolt plate 549646. He dismissed other oddities (label and headstock shape) as stupid things players did with gear back then! He thought the body was Japanese Fender...more questions...What if it is earlier?...would the pickups be in the proper position for a sixties body? Also, I have seen similar nail holes in the neck cavity on pre-CBS instrument photos...I can dream, can't I?