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NBD: Fender Classic '70s Jazz

#41
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Dayum, that's just plain sexy.

Like yourself, I also have a weakness for stealthy black and blocks :ninja:
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#47
Willicious said:
I read in a recent TB thread that the Classic series necks and bodies are US built, then shipped down to MX for final finish and assembly. Also read somewhere on here that the hardware is same as on the US AV basses. Does anybody know if any of this is really true?

When I look at my Classic 60s Jazz, it seems possible. It's fit and finish is beautiful. ( and that neck! . . . like butter, it is. )
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Yes, they are made in the US and sent down for assembly and paint to Mexico to reduce cost. The pups and hardware are USA as well. I have not found a MIA P bass that felt or played as well as the classic 50's i owned...great bass and for half the cost of a MIA.
 
#48
tdizzle said:
I just got one too for a really good price new. I won't say how much, but GC is trying to move them out, so if your local GC still has one, now is a good time to go get it.
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I thought I'd never do it, but I couldn't hold back. I posted my '06 Highway One on Craigslist today after I got back from putting my '70s Classic on Layaway at GC. It was a new arrival and had only been on the floor for about a week. I got it for $622 OTD, after a canned food donation. Pretty good deal in my estimation, considering their MAP is $889.

I was all stoked that I finally sold my Ibby BTB (after a month), so I went to ogle a bit. I struggled between the Highway and the Classic a year ago, and chose the Highway, mainly because it was USA. I've since found that I love the neck on the Classic. Aside from the beautiful block inlays and binding, it feels fatter than other Jazzes. Almost like a P-bass. Is that just my imagination?

I told the salesman that it needed to be set-up before I got serious, and he said it wouldn't be a problem, as long as it was done before the bass was technically mine.

I hope the Highway moves quick, so I can get my Classic. The only mods I have planned are a BadAss II and chrome dome knobbage.
 
#51
picked mine up from craigslist for $450 itwas mint...added a tort pg, badassII bridge, straplocks, and thats about it for now. The bass feels great but I think my MIA Jazz deluxe V feels better

sorry for the crappy phone pics

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#55
Valerus said:
Nice score!! pics?
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Dunno if you were referring to me or not, Val, but I don't have to be pressured much to show my favorite bass. Mine is modded only with the BadAss II I sniped off my Highway before putting it on CL. I don't think it makes that much difference, really...but I have them (or Gotoh 201s) on all of my basses. Oh, and I forgot... they all have StewMac roller string trees, too (tunes 'em up in a breeze).

Sorry for the big pics...
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#56
I wasn't referring to you, but no biggie! I did the same mod to mine, I added the BAII bridge. It just felt right. It'll be the only mod I'll do. It's perfect otherwise!

And I take it you're a fireman, eh? :p
 
#57
Valerus said:
new tort pg :)

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Whoever they've got shooting sunbursts down in Mexico is doing a great job.

Here's a pic of my MIM '62 reissue:

JazzBassBody2.jpg


I agree about the quality of the current Mexico basses. They are right on par with the MIA's, or very close to it. That wasn't true in the 90s but it is now. I wonder what Fender is thinking, letting their mid-tier line rival their top of the line models?
 
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#58
bassbully said:
Yes, they are made in the US and sent down for assembly and paint to Mexico to reduce cost. The pups and hardware are USA as well. I have not found a MIA P bass that felt or played as well as the classic 50's i owned...great bass and for half the cost of a MIA.
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I would like proof if this. The classic series is made in Mexico to keep the cost low. If we are doing a bulk of the labor here and then shipping it to them then they would be more expensive. PLUS it would make more sense for them to advertise that or if they just finished them here they could say Made in the USA. If the body parts and electronics were all US then it would be nearing the percentage required to say it was a US bass.

The electronics I can believe but since the RW instruments use the same body parts I would say the body and necks are made in Mexico unless there is proof showing otherwise.
 
#59
Johnny Alien said:
I would like proof if this. The classic series is made in Mexico to keep the cost low. If we are doing a bulk of the labor here and then shipping it to them then they would be more expensive. PLUS it would make more sense for them to advertise that or if they just finished them here they could say Made in the USA. If the body parts and electronics were all US then it would be nearing the percentage required to say it was a US bass.

The electronics I can believe but since the RW instruments use the same body parts I would say the body and necks are made in Mexico unless there is proof showing otherwise.
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At the risk of sounding argumentative, there has been much debate about MiM vs. MiA and which part is from where and what side of the border a neck is bolted on. Fender is located right here in Scottsdale, and I have a few buddies who work there. My understanding is that there is a ****load of marketing decisions, cost analysis, and quality controls that go into the decision about what's stamped on the headstock and why.

Me...I'll just refer to my sig and put the bass in my hands and play. If it feels good and sounds good and looks good, I'm gonna play it, regardless its pedigree. :bassist:
 
#60
All I see is "rodent anus" :p


And yeah, I won't go into a quality debate.

Bottom line is I love my instrument and it's a "Mexican" jazz.
And I paid half of what I could have for a bass that is probably less satisfying than the one I own!
 

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