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I think I need a 70's Fender :)

deBont Amps

deBont Amps

Commercial User
Apr 10, 2007
293
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Netherlands
debontamps.com
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deBont Amps
#1
I've been keeping my eyes and ears open for a new Jazz bass for about a year now. Listening a lot of music and other soundclips. Funny thing is, it always seems to come down to 70's Fender Jazz basses. Happened many times; I hear a great tone, later find out what bass, you got it, Fender Jazz. Check out these youtube clips for example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSV4K6czp7w&playnext_from=TL&videos=RlouQXjzbqc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y40jFnPtyjU&playnext_from=TL&videos=zHiVuFhhL2Q
I found out the second clip uses a 70's J. I won't even start about all those 70's funk tracks...

So there it is. BUT, I read a lot of people think they are overrated, overpriced and not all that special. So is this a coincidence?? Am I hearing things that aren't there?? Or are there alternatives with roughly the same tone??

Also, if I decide to go check some out, does anyone have some tips what to look (or look out) for with these type of bases?? I understand they weren't the best quality back then :)

Any help, tips and insights are very welcome.

*Oh yeah, and I really dig rosewood necks with block inlays*
 
#6
'73 and some '74's are the cutoff point for the lightweight alder jazz basses (8 1/4-9 1/2 lbs). after that, most of them were very heavy hard ash and 12 1/2 - 13 1/2 lb ones are not uncommon. the tummy cut and arm relief cuts were also usually not as deep on the heavy ones too. the block bound ones, received a bullet trussrod adjuster around late '74 along with the three bolt micro-tilt neck. there are a few transition ones that don't follow the rules, but they are the exception.

to me, the best of the block bound rosewood board ones was a '66, but IMO, they were also really great bass all the way up to '72 and early '73.
 
#9
Aspidites said:
My 76P weighs 7.5 lbs.
Click to expand...

I second the vote for the Classic 70s Jazz reissues. With a good setup, they fit the bill and then some.

There are some examples of lightweight 70s Fenders but the average weight WAS higher in that period and the variation was huge. For every lightweight 70s Fender I've played in a store, etc. I've encountered several considerably heavier ones.

Some of the wood-matching on the natural finishes of that period is just plain strange - indicating that there was more of an emphasis of using up the plank than getting a good aesthetic. I've seen natural 70s Ps where the shade of ash or alder was a different shade entirely among the three pieces of wood used - almost like you're zooming in on a cross-section of plywood.
 
#10
#13
There are allot of great 70's Fenders and you just have to find one that fits you and your style. I have a 73 Telecaster which is light and have my eye on a heavier 78 walnut P bass. Its funny these basses get allot of slam's but i see allot of national cats who list mid to late 70's P and J's as their main basses.I love old Fenders and only can afford 70's on up or i would go older.
I hate to say it but I think some on TB are jealous that the 70's fenders they once had are worth so much now. Like it or not they are collectible and always will be.
 
#15
danroche said:
For every lightweight 70s Fender I've played in a store, etc. I've encountered several considerably heavier ones.
Click to expand...

Thinking cause and effect, the high sampling of heavy 70s basses in stores could also be due to people not keeping them around as much. Not necessarily the case, but a plausible explanation. I have three 70s fenders, two are around 9 lbs, one is definitely at least 10.5 lbs. I'm keeping all three, but it's because they all have features not found on fenders from other periods. Admittedly I could find the same features on a lakland or some other knock-off brand :hiding: but I'd also pay as much as or more as I did for these three basses (average price was 1400).

danroche said:
Some of the wood-matching on the natural finishes of that period is just plain strange - indicating that there was more of an emphasis of using up the plank than getting a good aesthetic. I've seen natural 70s Ps where the shade of ash or alder was a different shade entirely among the three pieces of wood used - almost like you're zooming in on a cross-section of plywood.
Click to expand...

They probably weren't originally natural finish. Alder trees are small hence the need for multiple pieces in the body. Also, in the 70s fender started buying lot more ash since they were doing the natural finish and needed pieces with a good grain, so they started using multiple pieces of poorly grained ash on solid finishes. (Most of this info is on here: Link Removed the rest of it I've read around the net).
 
#16
Budget?

If you really wan't to do it right, then go for the MIA 75 re issue.
They aren't as expensive as the originals and they don't have the same quality control problems. And unlike geddy and the MIM 70's, these actually have ash bodies.

The MIM 70's one can be great basses too, but do shop around and try several to find a good one if you decide to go down that road. Of course that applies to all basses, but the cheaper the instrument, the less you wan't to rely on the quality control.
 
#17
Just a motivational picture for you....

It's an early '74, with the 4-bolt neck plate. Weighs 9.5 pounds. We call it Ghost Bass in my house, as "Things Happen" if it doesn't get played for a while or if I do teaser play (play it 2 minutes then put it down)

Plenty of choices to go 70's pickup spacing, like the Geddy and the MIM mentioned above. However, the pickups I think play a huge part in it too. I have yet to find a set of pickups voiced like the ones here - just strong, aggressive and funky.

However, I also owned a '73, but it was very tame in comparison.. Also original pickups, so go fig.

If going true 70's, try and play one if you can as you will find that they will vary, some you'll love, but some just won't feel right. There are lots, and though still expensive, this seems like the time to buy. 2 or 3 years ago prices were probably twice as high.
 

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