Is this a 72 Jazz?

[rtslinger]

My thoughts exactly. Not a fast one. A confusing one but not a fast one. A serial number by Fender is still a serial number by Fender. This has been a really informative thread. Lots of good info cited.

I said a fast one because years later some guy is trying to sell a 75 as a 72 it makes seller look bad when things start coming to light on a place like Talkbass where a bunch of knowledgeable people start throwing up red flags, now let's just assume you are the seller let's say on Ebay this could damage your reputation and you actually going by the neck plate serial# thinking you are not misrepresenting your offer but it turns out Fender just happen to throw a Tele bass neckplate with a # that = 72' on a 1975 bass now your 1972 bass that you most likely paid a market price for that year is a 1975 which would have cost you a much lower price point

 

[RickyWoo]

I said a fast one because years later some guy is trying to sell a 75 as a 72 it makes seller look bad when things start coming to light on a place like Talkbass where a bunch of knowledgeable people start throwing up red flags, now let's just assume you are the seller let's say on Ebay this could damage your reputation and you actually going by the neck plate serial# thinking you are not misrepresenting your offer but it turns out Fender just happen to throw a Tele bass neckplate with a # that = 72' on a 1975 bass now your 1972 bass that you most likely paid a market price for that year is a 1975 which would have cost you a much lower price point

Completely understand why you said it. Was just stating how confusing it was that they would do that. I agree with you and I was just playing on semantics. As with all vintage gear purchases it's always considered "buyer beware". That's why these threads are so great as they point out the MANY things to look for!

 

[UNICORN BASS]

Maybe i missed something or i am confused. If someone had replaced the 4 bolt with a 3 bolt plate, wouldn't there be some kind of evidence of the old screw holes? It makes more sense that this body has always been 3 bolt, at least to me, and as you can tell i am no Fender expert.

 

[ptensioned]

If someone had replaced the 4 bolt with a 3 bolt plate, wouldn't there be some kind of evidence of the old screw holes?

I don't think that's what anyone is suggesting. Only that either a newer '74/75 3 bolt plate had been replaced by an older '72 plate from a Tele bass (highly unlikely), or that Fender just used a plate on a '74/75 bass that had a lower serial number on it (most likely, as backed up by other very similar basses).

 

[Rip Van Dan]

Except that many necks from that period exhibit no marks at all. It doesn't help with the dating thing.

Did the OP look? He took pictures of everything else. It certainly can't be seen on the end of the neck if you don't look for it. If it's there, it will help. If it's not there, at least know that benchmark is missing from this bass.

 

[Flaked Beans]

Back in '75 when fender switched to 3 bolt necks, they used some of the old telecaster bass (3 bolt microtilt) neck plates from '72.

Yep i've seen a few of them ('75s) with a 3xxxxx serial number stamped on the 3 bolt neck plate.

As I said above, this one is a fine example of a stock '75 /3 bolt '72 s.n. neck plate/ fender jazz bass:

If I remember correctly Fender did not offer the maple neck with blocks on the J until late 74 and then 75. I have a Jazz I scored last year with these same features. A 72 or 3 serial number, three bolt tilt neck and maple board with blocks.

View attachment 893029
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[RickyTee]

it sold this morning for $1700