Heavy 77 Jazz...New Body?

[petrus61]

If I had a neck I really loved attached to a boat anchor, I’d also seek out a new body. You’re not doing any harm whatsoever just reattaching it to an appropriate, lighter body. That way, it can be played and utilized to make music, which is kind of the point. It’s not like you’d be hacking it up or doing anything that isn’t reversible. Plus, it would really get under the skin of those who think it should be put in a time capsule or hidden under a bed the rest of its days. Show that lovely neck the respect it deserves. If there isn’t a way to attach it to a new body without disrupting the integrity of the neck, then skip it and play something else, but being a Fender, it shouldn’t be a problem. People who actually use and play their instruments do things to make those instruments suitable for their needs.

There is zero shame in simply attaching it safely and perhaps temporarily to a lighter body.

 

[klejst]

I agree with if you can swing it to just get a new lighter bass of whatever sorts fits your fancies.

 

[Mosfed]

So...I have a 77 Jazz that been in a family for years and was my older brothers.
Ive had the frets and fretboard re-done professionally, and it plays and sound great...only problem is it weighs like 13lbs. I was thinking of just getting a new body to put the neck on....of course I would get good passive electronics and pickups for it and keep everything so it could be switched back.
Has anyone done this...know where I can get a good quality finished body in the $300-ish range? Im thinking a 2-piece/classic Alder, tobacco burst or black?

You would be so much better off selling the 77 for good cash and buying something light that you like.

 

[Dub56]

If the bass has sentimental value and you don't want to sell it, I see absolutely no issue doing what you're talking about doing! That's a nice looking neck, and honestly there are several mods to the body/electronics already to begin with. I say go for it if you like the neck! Sounds like you're planning on keeping all the components either way, so why not?

I bet you could find a really nice VINTAGE body to place that on if you wanted to, as well. Could even go outside the box and put it on a P Bass body or something, since you'll still have the original as well. I think it sounds like fun.

This may not be the most cost-effective route, but the bass has been in your family for years and has sentimental value! That alone could make it worth taking this route vs. just straight flipping it and moving on.

 

[bumperbass]

I don’t see the downside. Keep the original body and you can always swap it back.
IMO It’s better to have an instrument you want to play, than one that’s too heavy and you just look at.

Sell it to somebody who'd rather look at a bass than play it. Then buy something you can PLAY.
It's all about music, and a heavy bass hanging on a wall isn't music at all.

 

[pudge]

You could keep it around to play only when sitting.I'd just get a whole new complete body and sock that original one away.

 

[petrus61]

Sell it to somebody who'd rather look at a bass than play it. Then buy something you can PLAY.
It's all about music, and a heavy bass hanging on a wall isn't music at all.

That’s why OP is asking for options. He really likes the playability of the neck, just not the weight of the bass. I say throw the neck on another body to ensure the thing gets put to good use and out of the hands of flippers and speculators. Actually, screw it. Keep the neck, sell the body, buy a new body and a new bass with the proceeds, and enjoy. Two nice basses for the price of one unreasonably heavy and questionably desirable hunk of dead weight.

 

[bumperbass]

That’s why OP is asking for options. He really likes the playability of the neck, just not the weight of the bass. I say throw the neck on another body to ensure the thing gets put to good use and out of the hands of flippers and speculators. Actually, screw it. Keep the neck, sell the body, buy a new body and a new bass with the proceeds, and enjoy. Two nice basses for the price of one unreasonably heavy and questionably desirable hunk of dead weight.

Perfect answer.

 

[bassmanrocke]

While I understand everyone's concern with modifying a vintage Fender, it is ultimately a bass that is designed to be used. I currently own a pre-CBS Jazz that weighs more than I am comfortable with playing out. As a result it barely gets played. If the OP wants to use what he feels is an exceptional neck that's his business. Putting the neck in another body is completely reversible,so why not. The only thing I would say is don't get rid of the original body because later the OP might want to sell the bass, and it will be worth more as a complete vintage piece.

Personally, I would probably find a nice classic vibe or Vintage Mod Squier Jazz to play out. Might be no reason to switch out at all, and it would cost about the same as a body alone.

 

[sawzalot]

I wouldn’t mess with it. Keep it all together, get a gym membership, and heft those 13 lbs with ease.

 

[jongor]

That type of irreversible mod does wonders for resale value. To end up with a 12 lb. bass. A win-win.

I guess I don’t view a ‘77 boat anchor as something with a huge resale value.

 

[jallenbass]

I had a really good experience ordering a body from [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I had a target weight in mind and it came in an ounce or two over that. They also do anything from closet classic to heavy relic so you can match the general appearance of the neck.

 

[Gord_oh]

What's the point of a musical instrument that doesn't get played? It's not as if it is in mint, unmodded condition, either.

I was going to say leave the electronics untouched in the original body. But... Not even a point in doing that since they aren't original.

- John

What's the point if having an instrument that's unplayable? If it's too heavey that doesn't make it a smart choice to be gigging with anyway, so naturally you either hurt yourself in the process or it sits. Sentimental reasons and practical reasons have to have a middle ground.

Original, mint, whatever. That bass is what it is because of a family member that did it, hence sentimental. Leave it alone.

Getting a new bass that is comfortable and gets the sound you want, that is practical.

 

[DirkP]

1. Sell it
2. Buy a Flender reissue, new socks, liquor and whores.

Sounds good, but the american made reissues are still more expensive than the originals. An AVS '74 is more than 2 grands, you still get a '77 in decent shape for a little less.
So he has to live without socks, liquor and whores for a while...

 

[Fun Size Nick]

I guess I don’t view a ‘77 boat anchor as something with a huge resale value.

Check the classifieds...you might be surprised.

 

[DirkP]

sound/weight - take alder

That's true in general, but not always. I own an ash MIJ '75 bass and an original ash '75 Precision and both are lighter than most of my alder basses. Go figure...

 

[Brad Johnson]

I guess I don’t view a ‘77 boat anchor as something with a huge resale value.

I just sold one for $2k. Fortunately for others, your view has nothing to do with the market.

Then again, cut away and prove your point.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Sell it to somebody who'd rather look at a bass than play it. Then buy something you can PLAY.
It's all about music, and a heavy bass hanging on a wall isn't music at all.

There are plenty of bassists who play heavy basses

 

[bumperbass]

There are plenty of bassists who play heavy basses

You are absolutely correct, sir. However, the OP doesn't wish to be one of them.
Furthermore, his original post says so.

 

[jongor]

I just sold one for $2k. Fortunately for others, your view has nothing to do with the market.

Then again, cut away and prove your point.

There’s one born every minute.