1975 Fender Jazz: Not Impressed

[Dr. Cheese]

The bass has seen a lot of use and maybe I was not eq’ing the MarkBass amp properly, but this bass did not have any sort of tonal mojo.

The funny thing is that this GC had a heavy ash 1974 Jazz with the original pickups covers that clearly had that tone. It was either cheaper or the same price as the dud.

 

[selowitch]

Every piece of wood (body/neck) is different from another. Sometimes you luck out, sometimes you don’t.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Probably a good thing you didn’t like it.
Your Brazilian Tagima for the win !!!

 

[T McClure]

This is the reason I'm afraid of buying anything decades old without playing it. I've tried quite a few 70s basses at this point, and the only one I thought had something special was very much priced accordingly. It was worth it if I could have justified it.

The others all had serious flaws or just weren't any better than what you'd find on the wall at GC. I remember picking up one old Gibson that was a true piece of junk, but they were still priced like they were special all because of how old they were.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Every piece of wood (body/neck) is different from another. Sometimes you luck out, sometimes you don’t.

This makes me think of that thread about the dud Sadowsky Metro Express Modern. When production is ramped up, it becomes impossible to really be selective about the wood being used.

Music Man knew their production would likely drop when they raised prices, but I think they are better than ever now.

 

[elgranluis]

The pickups might have been swapped. I find the sound of the 70s jazz bass to be exactly the same as the American standard from the early 2000.

 

[bobyoung53]

The bass has seen a lot of use and maybe I was not eq’ing the MarkBass amp properly, but this bass did not have any sort of tonal mojo.

The funny thing is that this GC had a heavy ash 1974 Jazz with the original pickups covers that clearly had that tone. It was either cheaper or the same price as the dud.

How was the set up? Sometimes lousy set up can make a good bass sound and play dead. It didn't sound bad to me. First thing I do when I get a new or used bass is make sure all the screws are tight and set it up to my liking, put my favorite strings on it, etc. Price seems low for a 75, has a new bridge?

 

[jjk2007]

A guy I have known since the mid 90’s had a 75 jazz bass that was in 9.5 out of 10 condition. I was able to play it a couple of times in some live band situations. It played very nice but I was underwhelmed with the tone and it weighed a ton! He ended up selling it for a good sum several years ago and picked up a nice Spector. Some have got the mojo….and some just don’t.

 

[billiard]

73 and forward was a tough era for Fender quality

 

[Pet Sounds]

73 and forward was a tough era for Fender quality

I have a very nice '73, but my '74 was horribly heavy.

 

[Hawk620]

As the '70s was not a prime era for either Fender or Gibson quality I'm not all that surprised that many instruments from that era were poorly built. What I am surprised by is their asking prices. To me it would be like asking vintage pricing for the POS 76 Plymouth Volare wagon I once drove that stalled out at stoplights.

 

[Kindness]

I've played 100+ Fenders from the 60s and 70s with the intention of buying any that tickled my fancy. I own none.

 

[billiard]

As the '70s was not a prime era for either Fender or Gibson quality I'm not all that surprised that many instruments from that era were poorly built. What I am surprised by is their asking prices. To me it would be like asking vintage pricing for the POS 76 Plymouth Volare wagon I once drove that stalled out at stoplights.

Dad had a 74 Plymouth Duster that was dog mess and boobies at the same time. It was neglected all kinds of ways and ran like a top.

 

[logdrum]

I had a 72 precision that sounded very meh - Even after setup and new strings. Sold it.

 

[roccobass]

Thanks for the review, @Dr. Cheese

Could be the Markbass not being kind to it. Dunno. To me, this bass sounds typical. Maple neck with single coils. Nasal bright which ain't a bad thing to get funky on.

I like Bad Ass bridges. It probably helped it sustain wise, but the previous owner took away the "vintage-ness" once he did that. It's been modified. If the pick up change out was proven, (as per the previous comment from @elgranluis), then that's the nail in coffin.

You'd have to buy it, take it home and take them out to inspect to make sure. I don't think I would pay $2999 for this unless I was dealing with a private party. Then I would depend on confirming on the pickups and ask him if he still had the original bridge as well as few more questions. This being from GC, I get concerned about its provenance. Just my opinion, of course.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

How was the set up? Sometimes lousy set up can make a good bass sound and play dead. It didn't sound bad to me. First thing I do when I get a new or used bass is make sure all the screws are tight and set it up to my liking, put my favorite strings on it, etc. Price seems low for a 75, has a new bridge?

I’m sure a setup and strings would help, but I’m not sure how much.

 

[Relsom]

I started my bass journey in the early '70s with an EB-0. By the mid '70s I tried to conform to the popular Fenders of the day. I found every one to be unwieldy behemoths that fought me every step of the way and sounded dull and lifeless.

I went the Rickenbacker route instead. Eventually I picked up a StingRay and then a L-2000 when they were released. I didn't actually own a single Fender until the late '90s when I picked up a MIJ 62 Reissue P-Bass cheap from a pawn shop. By then, Spectors were my daily.

Although I still find most passive Ps and Js less aggressive sounding and slower playing than my Kubickis, I've managed to hang on to a dozen or so. My favorites are the 1990s Jazz Plus and Deluxe models.

I'm never often drawn to the '70s Fenders when I see them advertised, although I gotta admit, the Mocha finishes and maple boards with white blocks and bindings is a turn on for me. I just harken back to the early days when I tried to make Fenders work and gave up. That's about as far as I get, let alone some of the crazy asking prices these days.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

You know, thinking about it I’ve never played a 70’s Jazz that I was totally in love with. I’ve played em all model years ranging from 1970-1979 and have come to the conclusion that I simply don’t enjoy them as much as the 60’s Jazz Basses or the American Vintage Jazz Basses. Each one seemed vary quite a bit when it came to build quality, with very inconsistent neck pockets, weights, truss rod life, and tone. Chunky necks, too with a thick layer of poly.

I’m sure there are great 70’s Jazzes out there. I’ve heard 72-73 are particularly good years…

I think a used Vintera or AVRI 70’s J reissue is MILES ahead of 99% of Jazz Basses made in the 70’s quality and price wise.


Edit: a lot of the squier classic vibe 70’s Jazz Basses beat out some of the vintage stuff I’ve tried.

 

[pfschim]

kinda already been said, but having been there in person for the 70's Fender production issues, it felt like you had to play quite a few of them to find any gems.

The 70's were very hit or miss for Fender basses.

So I'm not at all surprised that you were not impressed by one. Bet the price was kinda silly too!

 

[Makten]

This is the reason I'm afraid of buying anything decades old without playing it.

I'd say it applies to new instruments too. No two pieces of wood are the same.