I got a call from a friend who is a "professional Craigslister" that he had a 1976 Fender Jazz Bass he was selling. I checked it out. It was all original and in good playing shape, and sounded great unplugged and plugged in even with terrible strings and set up and in a state of... Well gross. 40 years of bar. Sticky, men (and ladies.) The bass was sticky... 
We haggled for a bit and agreed on a price that worked for him and me, knowing there was some mojo there under the gross. And I definitely won out.
And mojo there is. I've spent a LOT of time these last few days cleaning and cleaning and setting up this guy, and tonight it became worth it. This bass has the vibe and tone. So cool and inspiring. I'm pretty confident it has already established itself as a "lifer" instrument for me like my favorite 1963 Precision baby, and it has been a great confidence builder that I turned it over from crap to amazing.
Cleaning is one thing, but the big deal this time around was the set up. I've been playing for something like 19 years now, so you'd think that bridge adjustments wouldn't be too outside the ordinary, but taking this instrument from 0 to 100 was a huge confidence builder. I do in fact know what I'm doing!! Ha ha ha.
Heavy ash body, natural finish. The clear coat is basically completely gone now in a way I think looks nice. Lots of wear from 40 years of playing that I also think is cool. I wish I knew the other owner like I do my '63. Maple neck. Pearl blocks that crazy shined up. Basically the quintessential 70s Jazz Bass. I'll post a few pictures later.
We haggled for a bit and agreed on a price that worked for him and me, knowing there was some mojo there under the gross. And I definitely won out.And mojo there is. I've spent a LOT of time these last few days cleaning and cleaning and setting up this guy, and tonight it became worth it. This bass has the vibe and tone. So cool and inspiring. I'm pretty confident it has already established itself as a "lifer" instrument for me like my favorite 1963 Precision baby, and it has been a great confidence builder that I turned it over from crap to amazing.
Cleaning is one thing, but the big deal this time around was the set up. I've been playing for something like 19 years now, so you'd think that bridge adjustments wouldn't be too outside the ordinary, but taking this instrument from 0 to 100 was a huge confidence builder. I do in fact know what I'm doing!! Ha ha ha.
Heavy ash body, natural finish. The clear coat is basically completely gone now in a way I think looks nice. Lots of wear from 40 years of playing that I also think is cool. I wish I knew the other owner like I do my '63. Maple neck. Pearl blocks that crazy shined up. Basically the quintessential 70s Jazz Bass. I'll post a few pictures later.
