1977 Fender Jazz Neck Question/Concerns

[Blackhawks55]

Hi guys!

So I pulled the trigger on a '77 Fender Jazz Neck (3 bolt neck). The seller does have the original body, but the clear coat is in rough shape from the hot Texas climate it was in. The body would need some serious work from what I can see. My questions: I need tuners for this damn thing, and I'll most likely be converting it to a 4 bolt body config. Can anybody recommend what I should do? Pictures are attached below of the neck!

 

[lz4005]

Why would you start a parts bass with a neck from near the lowest point in Fender quality when there are reissues and reproductions that are much better?

I could maybe see getting the whole instrument if it was in good condition and played well, but just the neck and doing a 4 bolt conversion?

 

[Blackhawks55]

Why would you start a parts bass with a neck from near the lowest point in Fender quality when there are reissues and reproductions that are much better?

I could maybe see getting the whole instrument if it was in good condition and played well, but just the neck and doing a 4 bolt conversion?

I'm a big fan of the vintage necks. I had a similar neck that I let go of, and I regretted it ever since.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

You might check Hipshot to see if they have Fender style tuners with a matching screw hole and baseplate size, otherwise you will be drilling new holes if you don't use stock Fender tuners, kinda sucks on a "vintage" neck. I graduated high school two years after that neck was built, guess that makes me "vintage" too. That looks like a plate for a tilt-adjust screw set into the neck, why change it to four bolt? My 83' G&L L2k has a three bolt neck with a tilt screw, never had one iota of trouble with that neck, it's rigidly attached, and Leo designed that one too. Might be really hard to find the right 3 hole neckplate though, never looked for one.

 

[Blackhawks55]

You might check Hipshot to see if they have Fender style tuners with a matching screw hole and baseplate size, otherwise you will be drilling new holes if you don't use stock Fender tuners, kinda sucks on a "vintage" neck. I graduated high school two years after that neck was built, guess that makes me "vintage" too. That looks like a plate for a tilt-adjust screw set into the neck, why change it to four bolt? My 83' G&L L2k has a three bolt neck with a tilt screw, never had one iota of trouble with that neck, it's rigidly attached, and Leo designed that one too. Might be really hard to find the right 3 hole neckplate though, never looked for one.

Yeah I don't want to have to ream the tuner holes if I don't have to. Fender sells a 3 hole neckplate kit, I just think I'd have a hard time finding a 3 bolt neck body. That's my main concern at this point

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

You can get Fender vintage tuners. I bought a set on Amazon.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Can you get an un-drilled body?

 

[Blackhawks55]

Can you get an un-drilled body?

I suppose that's an option too!

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Pricey, but I’m sure Warmoth can make an undrilled body. Hundreds of body suppliers out there, particularly Jazz and P style, finish paint yourself?

 

[Blackhawks55]

Pricey, but I’m sure Warmoth can make an undrilled body. Hundreds of body suppliers out there, particularly Jazz and P style, finish paint yourself?

I'm looking into that option now. Ideally, I'd like to get the original body, and have it refinished, but it's in pretty rough condition. The clear coat literally looks deformed badly like it sat out in the hot Texas sun for a while lol

 

[Blackhawks55]

Here is the original body.. I think this is my best bet. I'd really like to pair it with the original body

 

[fu22ba55]

Here is the original body.. I think this is my best bet. I'd really like to pair it with the original body

Dude. Get the original body. Have MJT refinish it in any color you want. If you don't buy that body, please sell me that neck and I'll buy that body.
Bass will be heavy though. if it's a typical late '70s Jazz.

 

[BobKos]

I agree that you should buy the original body, but it all together, and go from there.

 

[Corevalay]

Count me in on the original body train... seems like the most logical solution. Get a nice refinish and you're good to go.

 

[Alper Yilmaz]

I would be careful about the 3-bolt neck design. There is already an issue with the neck-joint connections (too wide neck joints) of the most Fenders from the 70s even with the 4-bolt versions; if you shake them in one direction while playing, the neck would tilt a little bit and you will see that the string placement on the neck will be quite asymmetrical. In other words, the G string would look closer to the edge at the neck joint and E string way more inside the neck. With the 3-bolt designs, it is even worse. I do not know what they were thinking when they came up with this...

 

[smcd]

You can find new tuners that will fit perfectly, no problem.

What kind of work does that body need? It looks weatherbeaten, but original and free of damage. If you refin that body, no matter how rough the finish, you're diminishing the value considerably.

 

[Ostie]

Get the body and put it back together like it should be. Besides it should be cheaper to buy together rather than parts. That paint job ain’t so bad. It’s kinda cool if you ask me. That old gal is a player.

 

[Blackhawks55]

I just need new tuners, a vintage replacement bridge, and some pickups that I'll probably use from one of my CIJ Geddy's. I'm unsure of whether or not I'll decide to refin the body or not..

 

[Blackhawks55]

I can see both sides of the coin... I think I'd regret it if I refinished it especially for potential resale value even though many other components won't be original.

 

[Blackhawks55]

What tuners should I get??