Help understanding my 1966 Fender Bass

[dkelley]

FWIW if it's FUIJIGEN, I would prefer that instrument to many american made basses of many different eras.

I found Fujigen instruments to be absolutely incredible, for the most part, with quality that matches the bets from any country.

I proudly own two vintage japanese Fujigen instruments that don't have japanese sounding names (although not with badges from fender or whatever either... just "off" name instruments), and love the fact that they are easily equals of the usa instruments they are copies of.

 

[christpncher]

Yep, its still likely a fantastic bass

 

[Todd Grendon]

1966 Jazz bass necks have paddle tuners.

 

[Squidrush]

I don't/can't see an "F" on the neck plate.

If it is an actual 60s neck with faux pearl dots, that would be around '65 (give or take a few months) - after clay dots, before binding, which I thought started pretty early in '66.
Cloverleaf buttons.


Curious why you think it has a "different body"?

At the end of the day, hard to tell dates without pulling the neck and seeing what any date codes might reveal.

If the neck is a 66, it should have paddle (aka "lollipop) tuners, right?.

 

[wolfbass82]

1966 Jazz bass necks have paddle tuners.

You mean lollipops? 66/67 JBs CAN have them but there were all kinds of variations. By no means a distinguishing feature.

 

[J-Bass RMR]

If the neck is a 66, it should have paddle (aka "lollipop) tuners, right?.

Well, both of mine do. (one is dot, one block, both are bound)
'66 was the transition year where Fender started making their own tuners; lollipop and "guitar-type" non-reverse tuners (which in my book are backwards!)

Just as others have stated there are examples of '66 necks that were not yet bound, and there are probably '66 necks out there with the original-style tuners. Waste Not! was Leo's motto.

However, I think it's been established by now that the neck in question is an early-period MIJ.
(with a peculiar headstock shape around that E tuner)

Nonetheless, it doesn't take anything away from it being potentially a great bass.

As others have eluded, the Japanese were (and are) crafting instruments that rivaled (or exceeded) the US Fender Basses of the time. I picked up a mid-90s P in March. It's hands down my favorite P.
Another "vintage-Fender" buddy of mine also just picked up a MUJ '62 P after seeing mine...
I would not hesitate to pick up another one...

Hopefully, the OP/OP's husband acquired the bass at a fair price and wasn't misled at the time (1998 IIRC), and also, despite facing some skepticism, hopefully now knows a bit more about the bass that was inquired about.

 

[JMacBass65]

You mean lollipops?

Also called paddles by many.

Unless I'm wrong about that. Maybe @dan1952 can enlighten us, but I doubt it. He knows more than me, you know.

 

[wolfbass82]

Also called paddles by many.

Unless I'm wrong about that. Maybe @dan1952 can enlighten us, but I doubt it. He knows more than me, you know.

Yes, he's made that pretty clear. I mean, he made clear that he knows more, not exactly what.

 

[DrThumpenstein]

Thanks so much to anyone that he offered advice and helped decoding the guitar, it has been very interesting!

Sorry for all the chaff in this thread. I enjoyed reading most of the responses. Wouldn't worry about what some troll who obviously is trying to provoke a response may think. Good luck to you and your husband and I hope he enjoys lots more years with it!

 

[candiehappy]

Ya'll talkbassers please let me know if my wife ever logs on and starts inquiring into the value of my basses lol

exactly, that probably means she is a soon to be "ex wife" I would expect.

 

[Frank Vozak]

Hello,
My husband has this Fender Bass which I think it has a Fender Jazz Bass neck but a different body. Could anyone help me understand what combination it is.
The serial number on the neck says DES 169062 plus a few PAT number and reads Fender Jazz Bass. The number printed on the neck plate at the back says 217266. It has a Badass Bass II bridge and it is a creamy colour. I will attach some pictures. ThAnk you!

My best guess is a JazzBass neck on some other body

 

[cdngtrplyr]

Serial number: 217266


Production year: 1967 or early 1968
Made in Fullerton, USA

Fender Guitars Serial Number Decoder - GuitarInsite

 

[Matt O]

Curious to know if people are reading the thread at all before posting this late in the game?

This bass was already identified as a Japanese copy from the early 80s.

 

[Real Soon]

I'm going to say what all of the insanely rude people in this thread* SHOULD have said:

I don't know much of anything about vintage instruments, but that's a cool-looking bass.




(*meaning not everybody in the thread of course, but some of these responses... those cats should be ashamed of themselves)

 

[TomB]

I wonder if the OP knows she can close the thread at any time. ...overdue.

 

[dan1952]

Also called paddles by many.

Unless I'm wrong about that. Maybe @dan1952 can enlighten us, but I doubt it. He knows more than me, you know.

Jeez, brother...lighten up...

 

[BadSanta1281]

This is the TalkBass-iest thread I've read all month.

 

[Frank Vozak]

I owned a 67 Jazz bass 1968-70. What always struck me about the instrument were 1-Color, the three tone Fender sunburst 2-details- bridge cover, string cover and pull bar 3-How incredibly fast the neck was. It just looked so much more impressive than my '67 Mustang Bass in white with tort pickguard. Unfortunately it is hard for me to play 34 inch necks so I sold the Jazz Bass for way too little money (not much of a market in my little home town Alton. IL for basses of any kind plus there was a cult like following for Hagstroms) Sold my Fenders and kept my Gibson 67 EB-O until the mid 90'swhen I sold it. Looking at the bass shown by Zelda 123 I am struck by the old screw holes-----only screwholes for the pickup cover "ashtray" but none for the string cover or pull bar. I am in agreement with those who enjoy giving their opinions about Zelda's bass and enjoy the conversation about possibilities, it is an interesting read. Since my retirement finances leave me firmly in Squier territory (along w/ one Glarry GP II) my interest is not in what things cost or will bring to the collector, but rather how well does the bass play. If it plays well, has decent appearance, and you enjoy playing it thern its a great bass. I'm finally getting away from being concerned about manufacturer labels. And there are no other basses in my future since my wife says no more bass guitars, die cast cars and air craft, CD's books, and model trains since she worries that t 69 I might up and die and leave it to her to disposition all my stuff.

 

[TomB]

Ok, I take it back. This post was worth keeping the thread open for. Frank, 69 here as well, with fond memories of Oak Park in days gone by. I know you didn't ask my advice and it's none of my business, but you might remind her that you just might not go first . PS: I've owned and sold a few nice Hagstroms.

 

[trickyric]

Thank you. Deffo not trying to fool anyone! If I wanted to fool anyone I certainly wouldn't do it on a super expert page or with a bunch of stranger! Hubby paid £300 for this Bass and has been loving it for almoner 15 years, he truly couldn't care less if it was a chap copy, it was just a bit of curiosity. Thank you for your kind words.

That is the most important part.. got it relatively cheap and loves it.. I have many expensive basses but I love a Charvel I have had since 1987.... it was cheap and over the years I have changed the tuners, bridge and pickups.. and I love playing it.. which is the most important thing