Just got a 61 Jazz from a friend

[TonyP-]

61 or not, that is a cool bass.
Stoked for you enjoy

 

[96tbird]

Wow, I mistakenly assumed that the date stamp would be on the pocket of the neck so did not even look at the heel. Here's the shot.

That solves that.

 

[MegaSwing]

That solves that.

Still, a major acquisition. Major congrats!

 

[nonohmic]

Wow, I mistakenly assumed that the date stamp would be on the pocket of the neck so did not even look at the heel. Here's the shot.

Dang that's a thin fretboard.

 

[Dynacord]

Dang that's a thin fretboard.

Probably from an old ski jump repair. Also interesting the wood that was in the neck pocket, which could have been from trying to address the same.

 

[Stephen]

Probably from an old ski jump repair. Also interesting the wood that was in the neck pocket, which could have been from trying to address the same.

There was actually a thin shim on the pocket which I removed to look for any identification signs. Looked like it was a piece of thin cedar

 

[groooooove]

normally the all black would be boring

but this one is very cool. has so much character.

enjoy it!!

 

[Pdaddy1978]

Theres no way I wouldn't name that bass Mary Lou...
Sorry Phil.

 

[brianrost]

Switch to three knob was mid '61 so '61 could be either layout.

So why do so many from 1962 have stacked pots? Just curious where your info about the switch being in 1961 came from.

 

[Stephen]

Theres no way I wouldn't name that bass Mary Lou...
Sorry Phil.

If we only knew the story behind that inscription .........

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Yeah super thin fingerboard, I would recommend flats only for that bass. I like TI's and the Labella Olinto set.

 

[Dynacord]

So why do so many from 1962 have stacked pots? Just curious where your info about the switch being in 1961 came from.

I've yet to see a legit one from '62 with stack pots. I've seen three '62s with stack knobs but all had broken solder joints or other 'issues' that pointed to swapped parts (there was already a premium on stack knobs in the 70s). I've seen quiet a few '61s with three knob set up. More than with stack knobs. A friend has a 3 knob '61 with 7/61 neck date. There has been talk of a small batch of '62s that were stacks to use up some found parts. Not sure if myth or legit but, again, I've yet to see a confirmed example, while I've seen many legit 3 knob '61s (and it looks like there's another example of a 3 knob '61 in this thread).

What I heard (back when working in a Fender warranty shop) was that Fender first called the 1980s reissues "62" (rather than, say, "60") was the fingerboards switched from slab to curved construction in '62 so it left open the option to switch if they later decided to.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

So why do so many from 1962 have stacked pots? Just curious where your info about the switch being in 1961 came from.

I havent seen a single 62 stack pot. Do you have a pic with documented pot codes?

 

[Dynacord]

I havent seen a single 62 stack pot. Do you have a pic with documented pot codes?

Same. And the swapped parts ones I've seen had earlier pot codes - solder joints (both at the pots and the pickups) is the first thing I look at. I had a '62 with stack controls but pot dates were 1960. It was original finish but, again, broken solder joints. I would have liked to have wished it into being correct... I've never seen a stack with '62 dated pots. If there are any factory '62s with original stack controls they are outliers as 99%+ of '62s are 3 knob and there are probably more 3 knob '61s than stack '61s.

This myth seems to never die, much like those with '65 dated necks insisting they are "leftover parts" and pre CBS (necks were stamped at the beginning - any leftover necks were dated earlier than '65...)

 

[mikeswals]

So why do so many from 1962 have stacked pots? Just curious where your info about the switch being in 1961 came from.

Nope, that was Fender guessing wrong for their reissue.

 

[Stephen]

Well… just got the whole story. I live in Seattle so I was able to go down to Emerald city guitars [the instruments and amplifiers they have there is insane].
They disassembled the bass for a full inspection
64 neck. Approximate value $2500
65 pickups new leads so possibly rewound. Approximate value $1000
Body NOT Fender Approximate value $ 00

 

[GodsLove66]

Well… just got the whole story. I live in Seattle so I was able to go down to Emerald city guitars [the instruments and amplifiers they have there is insane].
They disassembled the bass for a full inspection
64 neck. Approximate value $2500
65 pickups new leads so possibly rewound. Approximate value $1000
Body NOT Fender Approximate value $ 00

Maybe it was Jaco's at one point (He's smashed a few including the Bass of Doom)

 

[Dynacord]

Well… just got the whole story. I live in Seattle so I was able to go down to Emerald city guitars [the instruments and amplifiers they have there is insane].
They disassembled the bass for a full inspection
64 neck. Approximate value $2500
65 pickups new leads so possibly rewound. Approximate value $1000
Body NOT Fender Approximate value $ 00

Still looks like a cool player. Some more value in the hardware as well.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

64 neck.
Body NOT Fender

So much better than the other way round

 

[brianrost]

I havent seen a single 62 stack pot. Do you have a pic with documented pot codes?

I’m no collector and am definitely not as well informed as you guys, but over the last forty years I recall a few stack knob basses being sold online as from 1962. No, I can’t tell you exactly when and where I saw any of those basses for sale. All of the real 62s on Reverb right now have three knobs. It’s only AVRIs and Custom Shop basses with stacked pots.

I’m sure it's because the AVRI basses were marketed as being true to the originals that misinformation has been passed along for 4 decades. This is literally the first time I’ve ever heard that the AVRI was in fact built like earlier Js.

Apparently Fender hasn’t given up on misinforming buyers.

Here’s a link to a Fender CS Relic of a 62 J supposedly made in 2023 that’s up for sale right now. It’s got stack knobs

Here’s another one that was sold on Reverb.

At least they say that the Flea bass is based on a 61, not a 62.