Fender Jazz & Precision "TIME MACHINE" Series

I don't know much about these basses, but what I've heard is they are Custom Shop basses. Which means they will cost a pretty penny. Are they worth it? I don't know, I doubt it though.

 

Both models are made through the Custom Shop. However, they are two completely different monsters. If I understand things correctly, the '51 P-bass is a special run that will be limited to this year...celebrating the anniversary of the original P-bass 50 years ago. You can expect to pay a LOT for these little monkeys! As for the '64 Jazz, I've played several of them and have been impressed-see my profile and you'll know why! : ) For all practical purposes, the '64 is just a '62 Reissue, except that it is made in the Custom Shop and it has the traditional Vol/Vol/Tone controls, as opposed to the stacked Vol/Tone of the '62. You shouldn't have any problems with quality, but they don't sound as "modern" as the '62 does, nor should they be compared to a Lull or a Lakland, which to me seem to have a bit more brightness or "new snap" to them that the Fenders. As for value, they are comparable in price to a Lakland or Lull, and you should be able to get one for $1700-1900.

 

I presently have a Jazz Bass Relic, I've had it for about 5 years, paid $1500.00 new. Didn't look new when I got it. "Hey it's a Relic." When I started playing bass in 1964 the first good bass I got was a 1961 Jazz, boy was it a rag. Wish I still had it. Traded for a new 1965 Precision Bass. Later, about 1972, got a 1963 Jazz Bass. Anyway, this Jazz Bass Relic is about as close as I have been able to get to one of my old basses. The feel, tone, finish, even the smell is like an old classic. It fools a lot of people. They say how old is that bass or you must have had it a long time. There is a difference in new and relic and old. I'm not telling my age.