NASTY Early 70's Fender Jazz

[NKBassman]

Any thoughts?

How much do you want for it?

 

[TomB]

I love an honestly weathered bass, and loathe fake relic'd, that's the real deal. I wonder at the path that took getting into that pawnshop. Long, long road. Change nothing!

"Weathered" is a good term here. Those old finishes look like that when they've been exposed to repeated thermal shock, like in a trunk in the sun then into AC, below zero cold into a hot club, etc. It starts with serious checking and then flakes off. You can't fake that look, even if you wanted to. That's separate from player wear - plenty of that too, looks like. It's yours, do whatever you like with it!

 

[JJR58]

Talked them down to $1100 with a 5 month layaway plan...could not pass it up!

i wouldn't pass that up either, great score!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[iiipopes]

That aftermarket Fender logo screwed in by the bridge made me weep.

I don't know...considering the journeyman condition of the bass, I kind of liked it.

 

[RRDieselbass]

+1 for keeping the bridge losing the badge.

 

[AngelsBassBall]

I wouldn't change a thing...even strings! I wouldn't even take it apart to check dates...just play that beautiful beast. Imagine the mojo that is contained in that thing. Nice find!

 

[TripleDouble]

If the bolted on logo is old too, it's worth some reasonable $$

 

[Fxpmusic]

That thing has seen lots of stages, smoke, body fluids and cocaine. Love it!

 

[Kukulkan61]

I ran into this bass at a pawn shop and couldn't help but to put it on layaway because it played so nice!! I'm just wondering how in the world a bass can get to this point. It must have been played on thousands of gigs. The thumb indention by the rear pickup is so deep! I can't even imagine ever playing one to this point of wear. The serial number dates it anywhere between 69-73. I didn't have time to take it apart. I just went for it. Here are some pics. What a fun bass this is going to be!! Any thoughts?

it sure does, with a Mack Truck... actually thats a cool looking axe..

 

[jazz Bass 74]

I'm generally a fan of originality on vintage basses, but in this case, I think I'd leave it just as it is. The Fender badge is actually correct for the period -- it's the same one as used on the case for my 74 J Bass!

 

[Kukulkan61]

If it plays great Id be putting more wear on that, ive never found something like that at a pawn shop. As you likely know the fender logo by the bridge is from a Fender case, probably the original case after it got destroyed from gigs, no way has a bass that worn had its original case survive lol

looks like it was never in a case...

 

[Teacher]

Just...wow! That's an instrument with some imbued magic!

 

[Kukulkan61]

Sweet! Obviously, the pick guard is new, but a bass with a story. Very cool.

i would get a spitfire heavy relic guard correct for that era..

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I was loving it until I saw the BadAss bridge. That destroys the vintage value. I think the wear is more indicative of misuse than a lot of gigging. Although, it was probably gigged a lot. The finish looks like it was kept in a very hostile environment. But, if it plays nice, I'd grab it, too.

 

[UNICORN BASS]

+1 on as is.

 

[tpaul]

If it plays great Id be putting more wear on that, ive never found something like that at a pawn shop. As you likely know the fender logo by the bridge is from a Fender case, probably the original case after it got destroyed from gigs, no way has a bass that worn had its original case survive lol

That thing doesn't look like it was ever in the case.

I wouldn't change a thing.

 

[pedroims]

A bad quality product finish and lot of play will cause that. Looks great thought.

 

[Fresh Eddie]

If it plays great Id be putting more wear on that, ive never found something like that at a pawn shop. As you likely know the fender logo by the bridge is from a Fender case, probably the original case after it got destroyed from gigs, no way has a bass that worn had its original case survive lol

They also used those logos on amps.

 

[ICM]

That's the kind of bass I dream of finding in a pawnshop one day, beat to hell but it's probably one of the best playing instruments you'll ever find.

 

[TerriblePeril]

It's exquisite except for the seemingly mint pickguard on it. Aesthetically I just want it as worn as the rest, like Bobby Vega's (all things lead back to Bobby).