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looking to get a 70's jazz bass ... need advice.

#21
THAT is quiet a score! way to go. I assume you did not play it first? Did you have any issues with the 3 bolt neck or the neck in general? Very inspiring!

faulknersj said:
Bought A 73" here on talkbass recently that plays like a dream! They say that it is often the case that vintage basses in really good condition were the duds that did not sound, or play well. I asked a ton of questions about the neck, the setup, how low the action could go, etc.. Mine plays like absolute butter! Also, the bass i purchased was a session players bass for almost 20 years. That added confidence to my purchase. When I found out that Evylyn Champagne Kings bass player originally owned, and played this bass I knew the probability would be that it was a winner. Questions about a basses history can reveal clues as well. Ask for a window to return the bass for a full refund. Mine is a 'player'. I got it for $1500 and purchased almost everything I need to restore her to original condition. One last point; a lot of guys...jazz guys in particular....swear by 77' Jazz basses because the bridge pup is way back by the bridge and really barks like crazy. I have heard cats say the the greatest tonal variation can be acheived on a 77' due to pick-up spacing. Hope this helps! Here is a picture of mine! :hyper:
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#22
thats also an idea i never considered.
Id prolly mess up putting it together but I have a good guitar tech here in houston locally.What did you decide on for pups? Did you go with something that tried to emulate the period?
Thank you

oddgrowth said:
I bought a '76 jazz body (whole parts bass) for $250 last summer.

Just got a '77 (rose, blocked & bound) neck for $500 from nashville.

These 2 combined like they were made to fit together.
The bass feels so solid and smooth. also did an initial setup last night, and got everything real close. I still have "E" string issues. I'm waiting for keys then it will have a proper setup.

I also own a '76 P with a '75 "A" neck. It plays like a dream.

Yea, take it on a case by case basis.

$700 for my '76 P (w/ '75 neck)
$750 for my '76 J (w/ '77 neck)

neither have any vintage guts/or parts (cept/pickguards) but that's fine w/me.
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#23
Thanks Spinal Tapper. I had to purchase pickups, a control plate, thumbrest and a bridge. Hopefully it will sound great once all of these elements are dropped into the bass and i can sell the Sadowsky pre amp and pickups and baddass bridge to recoup some costs. However, It is a player for me and i gig this bass 4-6 times per week, so if the Sadowsky set up wins...back in it goes!!
 
#24
pbass888 said:
THAT is quiet a score! way to go. I assume you did not play it first? Did you have any issues with the 3 bolt neck or the neck in general? Very inspiring!
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Some 73's have 3 bolt necks, but most, including mine, ar 4 bolts. The neck is superb. My 73' was stripped and refinished in 80's (including the neck) and honestly...the way it plays and feels...I am glad it was stripped. It is also nice and light for 70's era jazz with no paint to shlup around!
 
#25
faulknersj said:
Thanks Spinal Tapper. I had to purchase pickups, a control plate, thumbrest and a bridge. Hopefully it will sound great once all of these elements are dropped into the bass and i can sell the Sadowsky pre amp and pickups and baddass bridge to recoup some costs. However, It is a player for me and i gig this bass 4-6 times per week, so if the Sadowsky set up wins...back in it goes!!
Click to expand...

Sweet! That's not too bad. It's always nice when you can sell of a few of the unoriginal parts to make some of that $$$ back towards the purchase of the original vintage parts.
 
#27
most definately and thank you! nice part of the country you live in. love the rock carvings.

Peepaleep said:
If you find a bass within 1 day's driving distance, for the money you are looking to spend it would be worth it it to take a take a ride out to see and play it before purchasing it. The investment in gas and lodging would be a good one, IMO.
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#28
pbass888 said:
What did you decide on for pups? Did you go with something that tried to emulate the period?
Click to expand...

Both basses have Bad Ass II bridges.
The P came with a SD 1/4lb'er. I stuck with it, after owning a Steve Harris sig model with the same configuration. The SH sig was the actual reason for me wanting an actul '70s P.

the J - I'm not sure what is in it. The neck pick up is strong but the bridge pickup is weak w/no visible wiring issues.

This bass is a player, and I'm not really interested in period correct stuff.

I'm open to suggestions.

Thinking about:
SD Hot for Jazz Bass® SJB-2
SD Hot Stack for Jazz Bass STK-J2
SD Quarter Pound for Jazz Bass SJB-3
 
#29
I have the sjb-2 on my mia 96 jazz mentioned earlier and love it. Clear bottom end sounds like my old 82 p bass and great mids and growl. I was leaning towards the vintage sd but the guys at duncan told me about this pup when I told them what I thought was lacking in my sound and sent them a few youtube clips.
Love the sjb-2 and thanks for the idea on the 70's bass

oddgrowth said:
Both basses have Bad Ass II bridges.
The P came with a SD 1/4lb'er. I stuck with it, after owning a Steve Harris sig model with the same configuration. The SH sig was the actual reason for me wanting an actul '70s P.

the J - I'm not sure what is in it. The neck pick up is strong but the bridge pickup is weak w/no visible wiring issues.

This bass is a player, and I'm not really interested in period correct stuff.

I'm open to suggestions.

Thinking about:
SD Hot for Jazz Bass® SJB-2
SD Hot Stack for Jazz Bass STK-J2
SD Quarter Pound for Jazz Bass SJB-3
Click to expand...
 
#31
I know I am lovin' the '72 I just picked up! Obviously you can tell!

BRSP_05.jpg
 
#32
Best bass I've ever owned was a late "70s jazz, 3-bolt, maple board w/blocks, weighed a ton. I replaced the stock pups w/Barts, replaced the stock bridge with more substantial Charvel bridge, and had a Stars Guitars treble boost installed. Wish I still had it.

So, my advice is, if you can play before you buy, audition a late "70s jazz if one's available. Keep an open mind.
 
#33
pbass888 said:
I have the sjb-2 on my mia 96 jazz mentioned earlier and love it. Clear bottom end sounds like my old 82 p bass and great mids and growl. I was leaning towards the vintage sd but the guys at duncan told me about this pup when I told them what I thought was lacking in my sound and sent them a few youtube clips.
Love the sjb-2 and thanks for the idea on the 70's bass
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thank you for the sjb-2 experience.

what did you say you lacked? Reguardless, it sounds like a winner.

I don't really know enough about jazz pick ups to know what I need. I do know I love the 1/4lb splits in my P tho.
 
#35
I have a late 70's MIA Jazz with an S8 serial. Black, white PG, rosewood fingerboard, binding, dots, four-bolt, weighs 9.5 pounds.. Bought it used, circa 1980. If it isn't the best bass I've ever had, it is in the top two. The capacitor went on it a couple of years ago, otherwise no problems.

The other in the top two? Mid-70's black 4001. I wish I had that one back, but I don't think I'd trade the Jazz for it.
 
#37
me<--- green with envy.... that is really great to hear stories like that. fantastic. what was wrong with the neck?h

jeffc2764 said:
i picked up a 74 jazz several years ago for $200. bought a warmth frettless neck what a sweet sounding bass. go to yard sale get there early your not the only one out looking. good luck
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#38
my jazz lacked low end that my p basses had ( i was moving over to jazzes at the time and really missed the thump factor but also did not want to give up the growl (is the best way i would describe it). I was playing more motown at the time and needed a dead thump p bass sound at times. Also this jazz to get a good sound I had the back pickup off and tone off ( the front pup on 10) , I was looking for more tone options and improvement of overall clarity to cut thru ( not just the jaco growl). And yes qpounders are great in p bass.

oddgrowth said:
thank you for the sjb-2 experience.

what did you say you lacked? Reguardless, it sounds like a winner.

I don't really know enough about jazz pick ups to know what I need. I do know I love the 1/4lb splits in my P tho.
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#39
I would just get a reissue. They're better made and they play and sound better than the originals. The chances of you paying $2000-$2500 and getting a completely stock vintage bass with a straight neck and original pickups, especially high in-demand model like a '70s Jazz, is very slim.

I would NEVER consider buying one without thoroughly playing it and inspecting it beforehand.
 
#40
I picked up my '74 Jazz, maple bound neck with pearl blocks, for $263 with hard shell case. But then again it was Dec of 1974, it was brand new. Been a very solid bass all these years, weighs a ton, has sustaiin to die for, and even though I have other basses ('74 Ricky 4001, MM Sterling, 2005 P) this is the bass to come home to. Get a solid one that has been well taken care of it will last forever.
 

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