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

[pbass888]

i agree with the last point about playing it first. I ve never spent anywhere near this kind of money on a bass so I would like to have a once over and play it. I may not get original everthing (may be refin etc) but we will see

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.

 

[anonymous111813]

I would not buy a vintage bass on the internet. I got mine from a friend, so I was sure it is really and old bass and not a fake, and I could try it before buying.

 

[Spinal Tapper]

i agree with the last point about playing it first. I ve never spent anywhere near this kind of money on a bass so I would like to have a once over and play it. I may not get original everthing (may be refin etc) but we will see

If you want a good player for a nice price, you most likely will have to settle for a refin.

There are 3 main things I am concerned about when purchasing a good player Fender from a vintage era...I've scored a couple great deals in the past and as long as they had these, I was a really happy dude:

1. Original PU's
2. Original Neck
3. Original Body

Another great thing about having a refinished bass, is if you ever get sick of it, you can change the color and it won't devalue the bass more than it has been already (assuming they don't sand too much of the original body wood/contours off during the refinishing process) or you can just play it as-is and be happy!

 

[pbass888]

There is a 78 natural color jazz on the guitar center site in winter park that a friend (horn player) checked for me. He said the gc guy opened the neck for him and showed him the stamp which was orig. It was a 3 bolt neck and my friend said it was about a 7/10 in terms of wear and tear. I might take a trip out there anyway on my sons spring break later this month and check it out.
Let me know if you guys see anything funny about it.
And Spinal tapper yes i think you are right with the checklist as it seems the mint ones are out of my reach.

Incidently a great older jazz cat here who has a few vintage jazz basses from the 60's told me to get a used lull if I can find one. .... said the one he has nails the 70s vintage tone.

If you want a good player for a nice price, you most likely will have to settle for a refin.

There are 3 main things I am concerned about when purchasing a good player Fender from a vintage era...I've scored a couple great deals in the past and as long as they had these, I was a really happy dude:

1. Original PU's
2. Original Neck
3. Original Body

Another great thing about having a refinished bass, is if you ever get sick of it, you can change the color and it won't devalue the bass more than it has been already (assuming they don't sand too much of the original body wood/contours off during the refinishing process) or you can just play it as-is and be happy!

 

[Spinal Tapper]

Incidently a great older jazz cat here who has a few vintage jazz basses from the 60's told me to get a used lull if I can find one. .... said the one he has nails the 70s vintage tone.

It might nail the tone perfectly, but take it from me, that vintage GAS doesn't just go away by buying something else...I wish it was that easy

Take my word for it, and get what your heart desires despite what other people tell you comes close

 

[ClassicJazz]

Take my word for it, and get what your heart desires despite what other people tell you comes close

+1111 Well said!

I had no intention on buying another bass until that '72 came up for sale in the TB classifieds. I mean I have three beautiful Sadowsky basses! Hard to top those. But my heart desired a vintage Jazz too.....and I ended up with an amazing bass!

 

[pbass888]

there is a jazz at rocknroll vintage in chicago. might have to make a trip. its a 76 in decent shape .....
i wonder if i could talk em down to 2500 area.
here is the link

http://tinyurl.com/4de225c

what do you think?

There are places like Chicago Music Exchange that is basically a museum of basses and guitars, but honestly, if you're gonna drop $3k on a bass, u might as well play it first...maybe a trip to Chicago for the weekend would be in order? Truthfully, I've heard some shady things about CMX, but its a cool place with some overpriced pieces. I'd also check out Rock N Roll Vintage or at least give them a call to see if they have some 70's jazzes in stock if you're coming to town. Last time I check, they had like 3. I've done good business with them in the past and my close friend is best buds with the owner. They have a smaller selection than CMX, but are more trustworthy and more reasonably priced IMO.

You WILL "spend less money" on the deal if you look on Ebay or Craigslist for a vintage piece, but you also run the risk of getting something with un-original parts, or as not-described completely.

Personally, if I were buying a bass off Ebay, I'd MAKE SURE the seller was posting pictures of the electronics guts, the neck heel, all the markings that represent an original bass or otherwise...if you don't know your stuff, Fender Bass: An Illustrated History is a FANTASTIC book and a great way to identify originality of parts, period changes, etc. If you don't know what you're getting into, it's a great way to start researching...

 

[Spinal Tapper]

there is a jazz at rocknroll vintage in chicago. might have to make a trip. its a 76 in decent shape .....
i wonder if i could talk em down to 2500 area.
here is the link

http://tinyurl.com/4de225c

what do you think?

Looks like someone snagged it already...but I talked to my buddy today, RNR Vintage has a new shipment of vintage basses and got a few jazzes in right now. U should give them a call on the phone maybe...the owner is Heith

FWIW, I think 3k is too much for a late 70's Jazz (3 bolt neck)

I'd look for a 4 bolt jazz - preferably a 75 or older if I was gonna drop that much. Case in point...a BEAUTIFUL example right here...

http://cgi.ebay.com/1975-Fender-Jazz-Bass-/180634708674?pt=Guitar&hash=item2a0eaaeac2

 

[thisSNsucks]

Looks like someone snagged it already...but I talked to my buddy today, RNR Vintage has a new shipment of vintage basses and got a few jazzes in right now. U should give them a call on the phone maybe...the owner is Heith

FWIW, I think 3k is too much for a late 70's Jazz (3 bolt neck)

I'd look for a 4 bolt jazz - preferably a 75 or older if I was gonna drop that much. Case in point...a BEAUTIFUL example right here...

http://cgi.ebay.com/1975-Fender-Jazz-Bass-/180634708674?pt=Guitar&hash=item2a0eaaeac2

Wow under 8lbs for a Jazz bass is light. If it had 2500 I know what I'd be bidding on.

 

[pbass888]

Thanks for talking the time to look for me. i really appreciate it and i will call them in chicago thank you.
g

Wow under 8lbs for a Jazz bass is light. If it had 2500 I know what I'd be bidding on.

 

[pbass888]

calling rnr this evening thanks pal

Looks like someone snagged it already...but I talked to my buddy today, RNR Vintage has a new shipment of vintage basses and got a few jazzes in right now. U should give them a call on the phone maybe...the owner is Heith

FWIW, I think 3k is too much for a late 70's Jazz (3 bolt neck)

I'd look for a 4 bolt jazz - preferably a 75 or older if I was gonna drop that much. Case in point...a BEAUTIFUL example right here...

http://cgi.ebay.com/1975-Fender-Jazz-Bass-/180634708674?pt=Guitar&hash=item2a0eaaeac2

 

[Spinal Tapper]

calling rnr this evening thanks pal

No problem. You can try Chicago Music Exchange too, if you're calling Chicago stores...worth a shot, but they do ask "retail" prices on their vintage stuff

 

[Lenny]

Have you seen this?

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/1973-fender-jazz-bass-700364/

 

[pbass888]

I have seen it... looks great thank you lenny for keeping an eye out!

Have you seen this?

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/1973-fender-jazz-bass-700364/

 

[treekiller]

I would also suggest buying the book, "The Fender Bass, An Illustrated History"

A great book pack with photos and information about Fender basses from the beginning to current models. It has photos of what to look for in the different year basses like logos, serial numbers and hardware. I got mine from Amazon. Even if you are just into Fender basses, it is a great book!

Sent from my iPad using TalkBass

Defintely +1!!! I got it for christmas a couple of years ago and refer to it often. It doesn't cover absolutely everything, but there is enough info to give you a solid base to expand on.

 

[pbass888]

Thanks treekiller ordered it and on the way from amaZon right now.

Defintely +1!!! I got it for christmas a couple of years ago and refer to it often. It doesn't cover absolutely everything, but there is enough info to give you a solid base to expand on.