Fender 70's Jazz Bass pickup spacing...wrong?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Interspace Station, Jun 11, 2019.

  1. Interspace Station

    Interspace Station Director at THE SPACEPORT Supporting Member

    Apr 13, 2010
    New York
    Hey all, I've been driving myself crazy GASsing over a 70's styled J bass lately, so much that I went up to GC this afternoon to try out the newer MIM 70's Jazz model. I noticed though that the spacing of the bridge pickup was actually the same as the American Pro model on the rack right next to it, and the Special P/J had more extreme bridge spacing than the 70's. Anyone know if there were erroneous versions of this bass put out on the market?

    Not the exact bass but this stock photo illustrates what I'm talking about:
    [​IMG]

    And I've definitely seen the same model online with the bridge pup in a visually more appropriate 70's placement.
     
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2019
    Indiana Mike likes this.
  2. murphy

    murphy Supporting Member

    May 5, 2004
    Canada
    yes...fender Japan and mexico has some 70's Jazz basses out there with 60's spacing .....Don't trust the marketing unless it states 70s spacing
     
  3. Interspace Station

    Interspace Station Director at THE SPACEPORT Supporting Member

    Apr 13, 2010
    New York
    Thanks @murphy. Is that intentional? I mean I could see wanting the 60s spacing with the bound and blocked neck, but curious they would have variation of such a distinct model and marketed as 70s. Come to think of it, I don’t recall a bullet truss rod on the one I was playing today, but perhaps I wasn’t focused on that detail.
     
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  4. hypercarrots

    hypercarrots

    Jan 28, 2009
    california
  5. Indiana Mike

    Indiana Mike

    Nov 18, 2005
    20190611_200920.jpg The above is a made in 2019 fender MIM '70s classic jazz. I recieved it a couple weeks ago.
    Should be the '70s spacing .
    The way I understand it is the bridge pickup poles should line up with the tone knob. Not just above it.
    Correct me if I'm mistaken.

    the below is a photo I found awhile back here on talkbass.

    60sJazzspacingcomparedto70s.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2019
  6. Interspace Station

    Interspace Station Director at THE SPACEPORT Supporting Member

    Apr 13, 2010
    New York
    Thanks for the supporting info - I’m well aware of the “70s spacing” and was pretty sure this would have been discussed previously, but the search feature as it is doesn’t always give the most obvious results. I appreciate the linked posts, which confirms the bass I played today is NOT the one I want to buy ;)

    The GAS continues...
     
  7. murphy

    murphy Supporting Member

    May 5, 2004
    Canada
    The picture isn't really helpful as Marcus miller has a badass bridge and tone control is not in the same place as a non butchered Jazz bass
     
  8. Indiana Mike

    Indiana Mike

    Nov 18, 2005
    This is what I'm talking about .
    The white is a '60s
    The burst is a '70s
    Both are MIM classics series by Fender
    Now is it exactly period correct to the thousandth of an inch? I have no idea.
    20190612_061930.jpg Screenshot_20190612-061908_Samsung Internet.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2019
    shojii, HardNHeavy, JettBlaq and 2 others like this.
  9. Interspace Station

    Interspace Station Director at THE SPACEPORT Supporting Member

    Apr 13, 2010
    New York
  10. eli

    eli Mad showoff 7-stringer and Wish lover Supporting Member

    Dec 12, 1999
    NW suburban Chicago
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