Jazz Bass Project

[skibisten]

Recently last year, I decided to email my friend who left the school. He’s older than me, so we didn’t talk until he noticed I was leaving the Jazz Band program for French. We had a concert and he brought his Jazz Bass. A beautiful orange with a green Pickguard. I had the opportunity to play it, but chose the upright instead. That was a terrible mistake. Later, I emailed him over the summer and he answered back. I had gotten into the 1970 Ibanez 2030 bass ever since my younger friend got a 1983 Fender, which is actually a 2008 that looked like a 1967. So I asked my older friend: “What year is your bass?” He answers: “Mine is a 1964 Fender.” The at blew me away. Especially because I had the chance to play it but didn’t. That gave me an idea.

I looked up when the Jazz Bass came out. 1960. Okay. I got to work looking one up. $40 thousand dollars. I told myself “forget it, man! If I can’t buy my own vintage Jazz Bass, I’ll make one.” I’m still gathering parts for it. I have the tug bar, which was used to rest your fingers and play with your thumb. I also need the stacked knobs, three strap buttons, and the vintage bridge to get this right. The photos below are from the $40k bass on Reverb.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

For a good replica I would go with Musikraft for the neck and MJT for the body and finishing. A pretty good 1960 jazz bass clone can be had for $1700 or so. I would recommend getting a quartersawn neck from Musikraft, the tiny little early 60’s jazz bass neck profiles are sort of prone to twisting.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

If you’re in America I could sell you my replica 1960 Jazz Bass stacked knob circuit. Click on my account and look at my open classifieds you’ll see it.

 

[Thumpin6string]

There is no Fender worth $40K IMHO.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Probably going to get some lightning coming down on me for saying this, but there are plenty of comparable, non-Fender Jazz Basses for far less money. The Jazz Bass is a very common form factor, you could put one together for fun, but if you're aiming for something to rival the Jazz you played, try reaching out to a custom builder/luthier. Many of them have builds that somebody crapped out on, got returned for aesthetic reasons, or they had a change of heart...these can go for a good discount if the builder is reasonable. Of course there are plenty of production builds that will rival any classic Jazz Bass too.

If this is your first build, I'd recommend grabbing some cheaper parts or modding something like a used Squier VM or Classic Vibe Jazz. A few of them came in 3-Tone Sunburst, lotta people (even Fender) sells the chrome covers, and half the people use tugbars to clean dried grass off their lawnmowers (they're common). Other than the headstock (pro tip, you can buy official replacement Fender necks with their logo on them), you're pretty much there. Loaded two-knob plates are easily found for sale too, or you can grab the parts and wire it up yourself. Haven't even touched on pickups and pot values...

No offense meant, but if it's your first build it's not going to come out like the Jazz you played....might as well spend a more modest sum while you build modding/assembling skills.

 

[skibisten]

Probably going to get some lightning coming down on me for saying this, but there are plenty of comparable, non-Fender Jazz Basses for far less money. The Jazz Bass is a very common form factor, you could put one together for fun, but if you're aiming for something to rival the Jazz you played, try reaching out to a custom builder/luthier. Many of them have builds that somebody crapped out on, got returned for aesthetic reasons, or they had a change of heart...these can go for a good discount if the builder is reasonable. Of course there are plenty of production builds that will rival any classic Jazz Bass too.

If this is your first build, I'd recommend grabbing some cheaper parts or modding something like a used Squier VM or Classic Vibe Jazz. A few of them came in 3-Tone Sunburst, lotta people (even Fender) sells the chrome covers, and half the people use tugbars to clean dried grass off their lawnmowers (they're common). Other than the headstock (pro tip, you can buy official replacement Fender necks with their logo on them), you're pretty much there. Loaded two-knob plates are easily found for sale too, or you can grab the parts and wire it up yourself. Haven't even touched on pickups and pot values...

No offense meant, but if it's your first build it's not going to come out like the Jazz you played....might as well spend a more modest sum while you build modding/assembling skills.

Yeah. This should all cost around $1100. I searched for months now for cheaper and better versions of Fender parts that make a bass. My only trouble is getting the stacked knobs soldered, since they’re disassembled. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I’ve had the chance to play a few early 60’s Fender basses, back when they were just…. a 15 year old bass. I can testify that no Unicorn Poop exuded from them, a couple were nice, a couple just… meh. People who think spending that kind of money guarantees a great sounding bass with magical properties are delusional. They have a nice worn-in appeal, like an old leather belt, but that can be expertly faked these days, which makes it increasingly easy to get hosed. Literally thousands of vendors out there making drop-in compatible Fender knockoff parts, like a gigantic web treasure hunt. Plenty of plans for Jazz Bass kicking around, or just buy an off the shelf body. I have a decent set of drawings for a Jazz if you want, all old public domain stuff, or you can buy a really good set on EBay or Amazon. Good luck!

 

[skibisten]

I’ve had the chance to play a few early 60’s Fender basses, back when they were just…. a 15 year old bass. I can testify that no Unicorn Poop exuded from them, a couple were nice, a couple just… meh. People who think spending that kind of money guarantees a great sounding bass with magical properties are delusional. They have a nice worn-in appeal, like an old leather belt, but that can be expertly faked these days, which makes it increasingly easy to get hosed. Literally thousands of vendors out there making drop-in compatible Fender knockoff parts, like a gigantic web treasure hunt. Plenty of plans for Jazz Bass kicking around, or just buy an off the shelf body. I have a decent set of drawings for a Jazz if you want, all old public domain stuff, or you can buy a really good set on EBay or Amazon. Good luck!

Thanks so much.

 

[DJ Bebop]

As cool as vintage basses are. I thought the Classic 60’ road-worn lacquered Jazzes captured the vintage weight and feel

Trouble is, those parts are harder to find much less the whole bass. Most folks hang on to them, or if they sell them they are priced almost as high as a vintage one.

 

[skibisten]

As cool as vintage basses are. I thought the Classic 60’ road-worn lacquered Jazzes captured the vintage weight and feel

Trouble is, those parts are harder to find much less the whole bass. Most folks hang on to them, or if they sell them they are priced almost as high as a vintage one.

I found some vintage parts, such as the stacked knobs, pickups, the chrome covers, and the really large tuners.

 

[skibisten]

Probably going to get some lightning coming down on me for saying this, but there are plenty of comparable, non-Fender Jazz Basses for far less money. The Jazz Bass is a very common form factor, you could put one together for fun, but if you're aiming for something to rival the Jazz you played, try reaching out to a custom builder/luthier. Many of them have builds that somebody crapped out on, got returned for aesthetic reasons, or they had a change of heart...these can go for a good discount if the builder is reasonable. Of course there are plenty of production builds that will rival any classic Jazz Bass too.

If this is your first build, I'd recommend grabbing some cheaper parts or modding something like a used Squier VM or Classic Vibe Jazz. A few of them came in 3-Tone Sunburst, lotta people (even Fender) sells the chrome covers, and half the people use tugbars to clean dried grass off their lawnmowers (they're common). Other than the headstock (pro tip, you can buy official replacement Fender necks with their logo on them), you're pretty much there. Loaded two-knob plates are easily found for sale too, or you can grab the parts and wire it up yourself. Haven't even touched on pickups and pot values...

No offense meant, but if it's your first build it's not going to come out like the Jazz you played....might as well spend a more modest sum while you build modding/assembling skills.

Anyway, I actually don’t have a Fender bass. Instead of paying a lot for a real one, I just wanted to build one. That way, it can be mine for sure. I also can’t sell it since it’s not a real Fender.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Given the current Fender Lawsuit (coughmoneygrabcough) Insanity, finding a Jazz Bass body or neck might suddenly be......problematic.... but AFAIK, building a one-off copy of almost anything is OK under "fair use", at least as I understand it. I wonder if any this will apply to all the plan sets and templates for Fender guitars and basses available online too? Hold onto your Hat!

 

[Metal Sombreros]

Japanese reissues and 70s American basses are a great alternative they cranked out some awesome stuff