Fender Jazz Bass Special - Circa 1984-87

[dave120]

I only have the P pickup. If I decide to go with PJ pickups in a set I will sell the P one to ya.

I could go for just the P also...one of my JBS has the original P with the SD Hot Stack Jazz in the bridge (basically the Duff signature config, though maybe not since it's unknown what P pickup is actually in there...) and I dig that combo so I wouldn't mind setting up another one that way. Could be something you want also if you're into that kind of sound.

 

[Nocturnal]

Thanks man, I think I may go with Dimarzio's, the P pickup works well but I want a matched set and I already have a bone stock Jazz Special and maybe buying another all stock one, which I will keep as is. I guess if I am going to modify one it may as well be the beat up, unoriginal and missing parts one. All the original electronics work great so it would be cool to hear some newer pickups with the TBX control.

I have a Dimarzio DP126 PJ set with a TBX control in one of my basses. I think it sounds great together.

 

[Session1969]

This was the bass I wanted when I was a teenager but the music store in the small town I lived in only had a Guild Pilot so I bought that instead.

 

[Jnagol]

A question. Is it true that the earliest models had the truss rod adjustment at bottom of neck as opposed to located in the neck....

As on this Serial Number: E526269

Or as on mine: E502371

Was there a specific year they made this change?

(I have a few others E6xxxxx E7xxxxx . They have the truss rod adjustment coming through the head stock)

 

[A-Step-Towards]

It transitioned from heel to headstock adjustment in 1986 like mid year. I have 2 1986 models they are both headstock adjustment but my friend has a 1986 that is heel, someone actually routed a channel to adjust it, I am going to take a photo of all 3 together when we get together next and write there serial numbers down.

 

[dave120]

My white one has the adjustment at the bottom, which also has the black neck. The fretless I used to have had the adjustment at the headstock and had the natural color neck, so they definitely made them a few different ways.

 

[rojo412]

I just had one with the headstock adjustment, painted neck, 86 I believe. FREAKING AWESOME basses. Such a fantastic tone, great playability.

 

[Jnagol]

It transitioned from heel to headstock adjustment in 1986 like mid year. I have 2 1986 models they are both headstock adjustment but my friend has a 1986 that is heel, someone actually routed a channel to adjust it, I am going to take a photo of all 3 together when we get together next and write there serial numbers down.

Thanks! I figured someone on this thread would know.

 

[Jamvan]

My '86 is at the heel as well.

 

[MarkoYYZ]

I will also chime in and advise against stripping of the paint to perform a refin. There is so much clearcoat on these things, that you're better off doing an all-around sanding and then applying your new color+clear. I'm in the process of refinishing two of mine, and this is the way I'm going, after learning the hard way with with the 3rd (which is becoming a 5er anyways).

The bodies were lightweight basswood and easily damaged, which is why they went so heavy with the poly coat. I think this combination is part of what creates the feel and sound of these basses.

Pearl White sounds about right, if the neck is a player. You know that even if you put a different set of pups in there for the time being, you'll want to swap in an original set at some point. The bridge too. Just keep your eyes peeled and they'll come around, or maybe someone you know will find themselves with an extra set.

 

[A-Step-Towards]

I will also chime in and advise against stripping of the paint to perform a refin. There is so much clearcoat on these things, that you're better off doing an all-around sanding and then applying your new color+clear. I'm in the process of refinishing two of mine, and this is the way I'm going, after learning the hard way with with the 3rd (which is becoming a 5er anyways).

The bodies were lightweight basswood and easily damaged, which is why they went so heavy with the poly coat. I think this combination is part of what creates the feel and sound of these basses.

Pearl White sounds about right, if the neck is a player. You know that even if you put a different set of pups in there for the time being, you'll want to swap in an original set at some point. The bridge too. Just keep your eyes peeled and they'll come around, or maybe someone you know will find themselves with an extra set.

I sold my original P Pickup to Dave who posted above. I bought a new set of Dimarzio's for $90 brand new in the box from someone here. So those are going in it. I have a red 100% stock and clean 1986 Model, my buddy bought my old 1986 Model in white which is also all stock. Me and him lend each other gear and are a few miles apart so between both our stock '86's I have that tone at my reach easy. Since the black one was so beaten and messed with I truly dont mind it being fitted with Dimarzios, the stock pickups are great but there is no sense in repeating what I already have so unless a original full set pops up and I see them I am not hunting for them. I would never modified a 30+ year old bass but when its already been left for dead and mangled I have no problems in doing so. The only reason why I didnt just piece it out and scrap it once it came ( it was really that ugly) is that the neck had potential and really this neck ended up being the best JBS neck I have owned.

 

[MarkoYYZ]

The only reason why I didnt just piece it out and scrap it once it came ( it was really that ugly) is that the neck had potential and really this neck ended up being the best JBS neck I have owned.

Yeah - in a rush to pick up a different (and even more rare) bass - I let go of one of mine that in hindsight, was maybe a mistake. The body had aged and yellowed, but the neck was easily the nicest of any of the JBS that I've had my hands on. I'm no pro player so it's not that big a deal, but it really does come down to the neck for most basses. If that one's a keep and you're not at all worried about restoring to original, then experimenting with other pups gives you two models of the same bass, but with different sounds. A nice set of DP126's are a really good choice. I like those a great deal and they're actually somewhat period correct, as that line came out in the 80s and was used in a lot of basses from Ibanez, BC Rich, Kramer, etc... (the old cream ones with PAF stickers were the first generation).

 

[A-Step-Towards]

Yeah - in a rush to pick up a different (and even more rare) bass - I let go of one of mine that in hindsight, was maybe a mistake. The body had aged and yellowed, but the neck was easily the nicest of any of the JBS that I've had my hands on. I'm no pro player so it's not that big a deal, but it really does come down to the neck for most basses. If that one's a keep and you're not at all worried about restoring to original, then experimenting with other pups gives you two models of the same bass, but with different sounds. A nice set of DP126's are a really good choice. I like those a great deal and they're actually somewhat period correct, as that line came out in the 80s and was used in a lot of basses from Ibanez, BC Rich, Kramer, etc... (the old cream ones with PAF stickers were the first generation).

I sold my white one to my buddy and I regret that. Actually my white one is the one you sent me a link to on guitar centers used site. It was super clean but it was a truss adjustment at the heel and rather then take the neck off the previous owner adjusted it with the neck on and literally smashed the wood on the body a quarter inch deep and chewed out a tunnel. With no guard to hide it I let it get to me as I really want just 1 super clean one in white or black, a early 1986 or 1985 so I sold it and havent found once since. My friend took it to a guy who cleaned up the channel and made it look like a truss rod route on a MIA standard and painted the bare wood black, looks really sharp now. I know I will end up selling my red JBS, I just cant dig a CAR bass.

Yes thats the model of Dimarzios, I forgot what they were called. I salvaged the original bridge on the bass and all the wiring/pots is original ( I cleaned them with pot cleaner) so besides the pickups its going to be a original bass. With how clean the neck is and having fresh pickups the beat on body and worn bridge are going to look strange so I gotta debate a refinish. I have painted bicycles often, tore them down, did lots of prep etc but I never worried about orange peel or anything like that. I gotta figure out whats the easiest color to paint something. I am guess black or maybe white, but I doubt I could match the pearl on the white models. I have debated doing all the prep work and getting it ready to shoot and going to a local Maaco ( chain of cheap car painting stores) and seeing if they could just spray it whatever shade of black or white they have in the gun after a paint job. I just cant justify a pro like Pat Wilkins refinishing the body for $200-$300 when I could just buy a new Duff sig body off that eBay store for the same price.

If I had a endless budget I would go with a Metallic Orange, Green or Shoreline Gold but right now with selling off the original pickup and buying new ones and tuners I am into it for $215, id like to stay at $300 and under so if I sell it I dont loose any cash just my time. I love these basses so putting time into them isnt a issue just dont want to drop a ton of money into it when I could have just bought a cleaner one for a few bucks more. Thus if I can do the paint job for $75 I will repaint it.

 

[mc900ftj]

I have a fretless Jazz Bass Special (E serial #). Kind of an off white color with all black neck and headstock.

Plays and sounds great but I would like to get a humbucking version of the bridge pickup.

The nut measures 1.55" on my calipers and is definitely not brass (looks like black plastic).

Has a black Schaller roller bridge that looks like it is stock.

Any thoughts on cheap ways to spice up the look would be welcome.

Owner's manual for the Japanese jazz special says the nut is "Carbon Graphite".

 

[Gorn]

Just got an 86. It's missing knobs and it's filthy, but it's awesome nonetheless.

 

[Road-Dog]

Yea, they are great basses, but if you have a fretless like mine they are incredibly hard to sell. Have had mine since around 1990 and it served me well. A great bass with flats, worked good for acoustic/electric type music, instead of lugging an upright. I am retiring from playing and have been trying to sell mine for 9 months, not one bite. Not sure where the love is.

 

[nothing_special]

I found some modded JBS on ebay.

This one is a Duff sig with Babitz bridge.
Fender Jazz Bass Special Duff McKagan | eBay

This one is a little bit interesting with golden hardware, without the switch and 4 knobs.
Fender Japan Jazz Bass Special Black | eBay

I love these JBS basses so much

 

[nothing_special]

Do you know Cimar basses?

The 2220 looks like a JBS.
I have a blue one, if you'd like to see, I can post some pictures of it, it's wonderful.
Unfortunately it seems I'll sell it tomorrow.
But my black JBS stays with me

 

[Jamvan]

I found some modded JBS on ebay.

This one is a Duff sig with Babitz bridge.
Fender Jazz Bass Special Duff McKagan | eBay

This one is a little bit interesting with golden hardware, without the switch and 4 knobs.
Fender Japan Jazz Bass Special Black | eBay

I love these JBS basses so much

I think the Duff for $1200 is way off, especially considering the "Fender customized" string through holes aren't even aligned.

Likewise, I think you'd only be buying a JBS neck in that second one. The body contouring, pickup spacing, and knob placement look off to me. I could be wrong though.

 

[dakink]

Huh. Didn't realize that the earliest JBS's didn't have the truss adjustment at the headstock. Mine's an E6 with it on the headstock and it has the black back of the neck, so it must be... mid-'86? When did they switch to the non-painted necks?