HELP THIS DATE this Fender JAZZ BASS

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Bring flowers and lead with a compliment.

 

[devnulljp]

late 1973 pot codes, so most likely 74

 

[J-Bass RMR]

Why, if you don't mind saying, does it have to be a 73 vs a 74?...

Well, it's one less, innit.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

Those pots were built 52nd week of '73.
So that should make this a 74.

I was having a hard time trying to read those numbers and sure enough they say 7352 on them. I had to date my Jazz the same way. The numbers on mine are R137824. That's a tone pot and the R137 means it's a CTS pot; 82 is the year it was made, and 4 is the week of that year. So my bass, that according to Fender's serial lookup page has a '77/'78 serial number, was actually made in 1982. My neck just has J. Serna on it meaning it's one of thousands of necks that Jose Serna made over the 50+ years he worked for Fender making necks. It had no date stamp on the heel of the neck as was common at that time.

That neck was made (or at least finished) by Xavier Armenta who worked for Fender from the late 60's into the early 70's.

 

[HeadWind]

Wow, yet another of these black and maples from the same time period. I had the same 73/74 question.

For Sale - 1974 Jazz Bass (all original)

Some discussion about serial numbers, tug bars, and 3-bolt vs. 4-bolt: Did Fender jazz have 3 bolt necks in 72?

 

[Admiral Akbar]

View attachment 4959142 View attachment 4959143 View attachment 4959144 View attachment 4959145 View attachment 4959146 View attachment 4959147 View attachment 4959148 Can anyone help me to date this Fender Jazz Bass?

Seller says it’s all original but the neck has been refretted & finished.

I believe it’s 73/74, but I’m specifically wanting to buy a 1973.

So if anyone can help to shed some light on its manufacturing date, please do!

Or if you have any tips or spot anything that isn’t right, please let me know.

Thanks all!

Looks 1974/1975. Four-bolt neck ended mid 1975, but the thumb rest moved to E-string side (from the G-string side) of the body in 1974.

Lovely bass, but likely not 1973.

 

[Jazz Bass Girl]

Wow, yet another of these black and maples from the same time period. I had the same 73/74 question.

For Sale - 1974 Jazz Bass (all original)

Some discussion about serial numbers, tug bars, and 3-bolt vs. 4-bolt: Did Fender jazz have 3 bolt necks in 72?

I wish I was in the states as I’d be buying that!
The other issue I had with the one I found is that it’s almost mint, so there’s I’m guessing it’s been refinished at some point.

 

[Jazz Bass Girl]

Yet another request for higher knowledge…

Anyone able to work out the originality of this Olympic white?

I’m unsure whether it’s had a repaint and whether the pickguard should’ve been black/tort

 

[Sparky Mark]

The neck plate serial number 547345 and pots are consistent with 1974 at the earliest.

Fenders are conventionally dated by the latest date on any of the components. The latest date could be on the neck, body, pots, pickups etc. The neck plate serial number can also help narrow the year of assembly but anomalies do occur.

 

[Jinobass1]

View attachment 5000853 View attachment 5000854 View attachment 5000855 View attachment 5000856 View attachment 5000857 Yet another request for higher knowledge…
Anyone able to work out the originality of this Olympic white?
I’m unsure whether it’s had a repaint and whether the pickguard should’ve been black/tort

From what I can see,
Olympic white is the original color.
Pickguard wise I’m not sure but it could be original but I need to see the back side to be sure.

From the late 1960s onwards, Fender used an eight-digit code.

neck indicates:0203-4343

First two number indicates the model:
02(Jazz Bass)

The next two number indicates the fretboard material:
03(Maple Neck)

the next two number
:43
indicates week of the year
43rd week in 1974 is
(October 21〜October 27)

The next number 4:
indicates
the year in 70’s so it’s
(1974)

last number 3
indicates
Day of the week (Wednesday)

Nice Jazz Bass!
hope this helps^_^Kanpai!

 

[Deleted member 394181]

We need a picture of the number at the bottom of the neck. PS. Looks like a 73 to me. Also check out the numbers stamped on the pickups.

Fender has a lookup you can use if you have the serial #.

 

[Jazz Bass Girl]

From what I can see,
Olympic white is the original color.
Pickguard wise I’m not sure but it could be original but I need to see the back side to be sure.

From the late 1960s onwards, Fender used an eight-digit code.

neck indicates:0203-4343

First two number indicates the model:
02(Jazz Bass)

The next two number indicates the fretboard material:
03(Maple Neck)

the next two number
:43
indicates week of the year
43rd week in 1974 is
(October 21〜October 27)

The next number 4:
indicates
the year in 70’s so it’s
(1974)

last number 3
indicates
Day of the week (Wednesday)

Nice Jazz Bass!
hope this helps^_^Kanpai!

Really useful, thank you!

Should the back of the pickguard have the sticker if it’s original?

 

[Jazz Bass Girl]

 

[FenderOli]

The neck heel usually looks like this.

The screw holes might need dowel repair.
https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/54887411-3b9e-40b1-ac64-c1b6ba18129e-jpeg.5001526/

 

[Jinobass1]

Really useful, thank you!

Should the back of the pickguard have the sticker if it’s original?

you’re very welcome^_^
The back of the pick-guard thingy:
Some has stickers or dates or name written but not all of them.

 

[Jazz Bass Girl]

you’re very welcome^_^
The back of the pick-guard thingy:
Some has stickers or dates or name written but not all of them.

Here’s the back of it:

 

[Timothy Brosnan]

I agree with it being a 1974

 

[elgranluis]

Really useful, thank you!

Should the back of the pickguard have the sticker if it’s original?

Those stickers started when the serial number moved to the headstock (76).