Is it possible that a jazz bass from 72 has a 3-bolt neck plate or was it introduced in 74. I have tried to search the web but I haven´t found any clear info about this.
/Hugo
/Hugo
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Did Fender jazz have 3 bolt necks in 72?
- Thread starter HipCity
- Start date
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
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Ive never seen one early as a 73 with a 3-bolt, but it's definitely possible. I have definitely seen 74's with the 3-bolt.
That's a lot earlier than I have seen them. My '74 Jazz has a four bolt neck and a serial of 510xxx....I would be suspicious..
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,350
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
74 was the overlap year on the Jazz for the 4 to 3 bolt. Same thing with the finger rest moving from below the G string to above the E string.
If somone is only using the pots to date it a 73, it's probably more likely a 74 if it has the 3-bolt and thumb rest.
If somone is only using the pots to date it a 73, it's probably more likely a 74 if it has the 3-bolt and thumb rest.
Fender introduced the 3 bolt system in 1972. It is more common to find a Strat or Thinline Tele of that year with a 3 bolt system, but there are a few 72/73 Jazz Basses with a 3 bolt system. 1975 was the year when the full transition was made and most Jazz basses from 75 are 3 bolt, but even then you will find the rare 75 and 76 Jazz Basses with a 4 bolt neck.
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i've have never seen a '72 or a '73 with the 3 bolt. the first year on a jazz bass was mid 1974.
I know this is an old thread, but with 70s Fender getting much more interest than before, this info can be useful.
My 4 bolt Jazz bass serial number is 410409. One of the pickups looks like its from early 74, but the other date stamp is illegible. Alder body with maple fingerboard and white faux mother of pearl inlays and weighs 8lbs 14oz.
Anyone know when they stopped making 3 bolt necks, obviously I'm not referring to reissues.
My 4 bolt Jazz bass serial number is 410409. One of the pickups looks like its from early 74, but the other date stamp is illegible. Alder body with maple fingerboard and white faux mother of pearl inlays and weighs 8lbs 14oz.
Anyone know when they stopped making 3 bolt necks, obviously I'm not referring to reissues.
Excellent information with this thread.
A tangent. It's always been strange to me that the Jazz Bass went to 3 bolt but never the Precision.
A long time ago, I bought a brand new 1977 Jazz Bass (3 bolt) at a music store in Cleveland, Ohio. Even at that "young and dumb" age, I noticed that the neck shifted around in the neck pocket. That bass didn't even have the quality of a Squire.
Ahhh, the CBS years!
A tangent. It's always been strange to me that the Jazz Bass went to 3 bolt but never the Precision.
A long time ago, I bought a brand new 1977 Jazz Bass (3 bolt) at a music store in Cleveland, Ohio. Even at that "young and dumb" age, I noticed that the neck shifted around in the neck pocket. That bass didn't even have the quality of a Squire.
Ahhh, the CBS years!
When it comes to Fender (or Gibson) vintage basses one has to be careful before saying "never." That's said, Fender never used 3 bolt necks before late 1973. Maybe the problem is this: dating Fender basses from 1970-1974 by serial numbers is impossible because the serial numbers often covered multiple years. A bass with a serial number in the 300,000's could have been made any time from late 1969 to late 1973.
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Thanks for that!
I'm guessing that the guitars and basses that were given 3 bolt necks were Fenders more 'deluxe' instruments, hence the basic Telecaster and Precision didn't get a three bolt neck, whereas the Jazz bass and Stratocaster did.
Regarding the 3 bolt design, it might be ok if the neck pocket is a tight fit, but that was rarely the case with 70s Fenders.
I think the popular wisdom of 60s good, 70s bad, pre CBS the absolute best, has changed somewhat, and quite justifiably so. My recent acquisition, a 73/74 Jazz Bass weighs under 9lbs, and due to the 70's Bridge pickup position, has a quite different sound.
So, did the arrival of the 3 bolt necks coincided with the much heavier bodies?
