Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Fender Jazz Bass Special - Circa 1984-87
- Thread starter Bullitt5135
- Start date
1. Basswood. Don't get hung up on that though.
2. Standard P body, but I think the roundover is greater than 1/4"
3. 70's placement.
What do you mean by roundover? What would be a good alternative to basswood? I definitely don't want maple or mahogany. Alder, poplar?
When they make bodies, they run a router around the edges so that they're not a square edge from front to side. Which router bit they use (1/8", 1/4", other) determines the roundover.
I seem to recall that they are basswood bodies. I'm sure it's been discussed somewhere up thread.
EDIT: Ok, I'm slow on the submit button. I guess "up thread" means three times right above my answer!
For sure basswood and a 70s position bridge pickup. I once had a Jazz special body on craigslist and the guy asked if it was standard thickness and I said yes and he showed up and threw a fit and said it was thinner, I really dont think they are. I think the edges are rounded over more, like more bubbly looking.
Thick as hell paint lol mine is one of the most beat I've seen and no bare wood is shown. If you need any measurements let me know
What is the body thickness on JBS and is it the same as the Duff Sig? Further, are the bodys the same, shape wise?
I had a rogue lock washer/nut let loose at a gig on Saturday night but didn't notice until I was packing up at the end of the night and saw my plug dangling by a wire. I've had this '86 JBS for several years now and I'm embarrassed to say this is the first time I've opened the rear cavity to fix/tweak something. I will say I was caught off guard by the copper shielding very nicely applied throughout the cavity and on the back of the cover. I was always impressed with how quiet it is and now I know at least partially why that is. I have to believe this is NOT stock but let me know if yours has this as well.
Last edited:
The additional .725mm is probably poly and paint as it has a very thick coat.
Your Squier body is 1 1/2" whereas my JBS is ~1 5/8" so you're about 1/8" thinner.
I few years ago, as an experiment I made a top route body into a rear route. I filled the routes with wood. It came out alright but I can see where it was done. I painted it flat black so it wasn't an issue. I've decided to try and fix it up and paint it metallic black. Think I'll use some Bondo to cover the area. I put foam around the P pup since it's a large area not form fitted. I'm doing this because it's the best sounding p/J I have even though I have the same electronics in other basses.
Are there any other famous players that played a JBS other than Duff?
I've seen pictures of Simon Gallup playing one (but no video) and once read Bakithi Kumalo used a fretless JBS on Paul Simon's Graceland but it turns out that was actually a fretless Washburn.
I've seen pictures of Simon Gallup playing one (but no video) and once read Bakithi Kumalo used a fretless JBS on Paul Simon's Graceland but it turns out that was actually a fretless Washburn.
