New bass player, really need help!

[dragtime]

Tomorrow I am going to look at my potential first bass and I could really use a few pointers about how to properly inspect the bass.

I've been drumming for 10 years and I've accumulated a few too many drum sets. The bass I'm looking to pick up is at a pawn shop and we've agreed to possibly do a trade. A set of drums for the bass. The bass is a used Fender American Jazz Bass and a hardshell case will be included. The craigslist ad for the bass states that the bass is in very good condition, but the pawn shop is not sure about the year made.

Unfortunately, I'm not entirely sure about what potential negatives I should be keeping an eye out for. Could you bass players give me a few pointers? Maybe like a checklist of things to inspect. Also, pointers specific to the american jazz bass would be very much appreciated.

One last thing. I've read somewhere that the manufacturing year is printed on the neck somewhere. Can any american jazz bass owners confirm this?

Thanks!

 

[Rickenhofner45]

Tomorrow I am going to look at my potential first bass and I could really use a few pointers about how to properly inspect the bass.

I've been drumming for 10 years and I've accumulated a few too many drum sets. The bass I'm looking to pick up is at a pawn shop and we've agreed to possibly do a trade. A set of drums for the bass. The bass is a used Fender American Jazz Bass and a hardshell case will be included. The craigslist ad for the bass states that the bass is in very good condition, but the pawn shop is not sure about the year made.

Unfortunately, I'm not entirely sure about what potential negatives I should be keeping an eye out for. Could you bass players give me a few pointers? Maybe like a checklist of things to inspect. Also, pointers specific to the american jazz bass would be very much appreciated.

One last thing. I've read somewhere that the manufacturing year is printed on the neck somewhere. Can any american jazz bass owners confirm this?

Thanks!

An MIA Jazz for your first bass? Wow, lucky!
I'm no expert, but definitely check if the neck is straight, if there's buzzing when you play, any defects in the finish, just that general stuff.

I'm sure someone is going to chime in any second now with a gigantic post either saying how to inspect a bass, or how to use the search function.

If you end up getting the bass, post pictures!

Good luck, hope it all works out.

EDIT: And I believe to get the date, you have to decode the serial number, or take the neck off of the body, and check the neck heel.

 

[Bassamatic]

Can you get a bass player friend to go with you? There are a lot of things to know.

 

[peledog]

Some of the 'bassics'

Neck/body joint - make sure it's nice and snug

The nut - the little piece between the neck and the headstock that holds your strings in place - check to make sure your strings don't wiggle around

Truss rod - this is inside the neck, and usually keeps the neck straight, and can be adjusted - usually with a hex/allen wrench

The bridge - check the saddles - the parts that hold the strings at the very front of the bass above the volume and tone knobs

Check the volume and tone knobs - when testing the bass out, makes sure their are no 'scratchy' noises

Check the pickups, make sure they are sitting snugly and there isn't rust on the pole pieces

If you can take another musician/bassist with you, check the inside of the control cavity - check the electronics, check the shielding - single pickups can cause hum in conjunction with other single pickups

Check the headstock, make sure there's a serial number and it says 'made in USA' on it.

That's about as basic as you can get.

 

[SurferJoe46]

Make a quick friend with a bass player - any bass player - by offering him a Subway Sandwich (the one-footer with chips and a soft drink).

Bass players will do a lot of things for that much attention.

Take him with you to look at the bass. If he picks it up and tears come to his eyes and he won't let go of it - you should buy it.

If tears come to his eyes and he puts it down fast - don't buy it.

 

[Dr. Eagle]

Make a quick friend with a bass player - any bass player - by offering him a Subway Sandwich (the one-footer with chips and a soft drink).

Bass players will do a lot of things for that much attention.

Take him with you to look at the bass. If he picks it up and tears come to his eyes and he won't let go of it - you should buy it.

If tears come to his eyes and he puts it down fast - don't buy it.

+1

 

[steelhead2]

witch may be hard to do,just so many copies a body could have been used(non Fender) or a miriad of mods that may enhance value or detract a whole bunch..just talking value here.

def. plug it in and pluck every string/fret every fret,twist every knob,looking for an electrical issue or buzzy fret,if you havent done a 'setup' ever,,well,look at the neck,do the strings lay fairly even releif wise all down the neck,i mean(this is hard to translate),,if the neck is'bowed' and there's a half inch between the 12th fret and a string;she'll need a setup,they all do as the seasons change around here but i'm talking obvious huge gap.

then i would heartily recomend twisting the truss rod,at least to know that it moves quietly without a cross threaded GRONK and that it has lost it's anchor(spun),also sight down the neck from the side,is it'S'd EDIT>,,from the side the neck looks crushed/squished,has an S shape>meaning there's a ton of torque on the truss rod,,witch,without going to deep;the bass prolly has never been properly setup,owner just torqued the truss rod and the neck actually needed shimming

anyway,i'm nobody,however i can set up a bass because i started with a Squire(new) that had a cross threaded truss rod,neck was made from a wet sapling,then the truss rod spun,add a few odd brand basses behind it,,i learned the hard way how to get the strings'right down on the neck',so i always look for a low action,strait neck no matter what brand bass it is(talking used as that means whoever owned it knew their shtuff.

i'd just make sure the bass is as described,everything functions as it should,make pals with a great guitar tech to do the setup and you're good to go,,but if it isn't(Fender) all the way or the neck has an issue it'll be a nightmare,modded pups or bridge,pickguard is normal,doesn not nec. detract value,,keep us posted and have fun

sorry for all the wind eh!?

 

[skychief]

If you can take another musician/bassist with you, check the inside of the control cavity - check the electronics, check the shielding - single pickups can cause hum in conjunction with other single pickups

Check the headstock, make sure there's a serial number and it says 'made in USA' on it.

its not likely the guy will allow you to disassemble the instrument--removing the neck to check the date stamp or removing the knob plate to check the shielding in the control cavity. But checking the headstock for 'made in USA' & a serial # is a good indication that its the real deal.

is it advertised as a vintage instrument? if not, maybe the date of manufacture might not be a critical factor.

 

[SurferJoe46]

Ya know - if you are going to see it at a pawn shop - they'll have the guitar bluebook - there or several other names/versions of books they use to price and estimate the value of guitars, etc.

If he lets you look into the book, get the proper area for the bass and read the paragraphs!

You'll learn things like: when/if the decals were on top of the clearcoat and when they weren't - and other 'pawn secrets' in estimating the value and age of the bass you want to look at.

HTH

 

[steelhead2]

to figure value,,long story short i do autobody work for a manager and that's what he told me they did=figure half of what it goes for on ebay'

ok keep us posted

 

[One Drop]

Unfortunately most MIA Fenders don't have Made In USA written on the headstocks. Good guess, though.

Take someone knowledgeable. Most pawn shops will burn a newb without hesitation.

 

[JakeAndAirwaves]

Unfortunately most MIA Fenders don't have Made In USA written on the headstocks. Good guess, though.

Take someone knowledgeable. Most pawn shops will burn a newb without hesitation.

I think the serial will start somewhere along the lines of "US" or "USA" then the numbers. Check the whole bass to make sure it doesn't say Made in Mexico, Indonesia, Japan, or anything else. Also, if at a shop where price is negotiable, don't lowball them, but have them throw in an action adjustment. If at a bigger chain store, and are paying sticker price, ask for the setup.

 

[One Drop]

I think the serial will start somewhere along the lines of "US" or "USA" then the numbers. Check the whole bass to make sure it doesn't say Made in Mexico, Indonesia, Japan, or anything else.

No, not really about the first part, the second is good advice. Traditionally other countries of manufacture are indicated on non-US Fenders, but MIA ones have nothing but the serial number indicated, which alone or in conjunction with other features can be used to confirm US prevenance.

 

[Mirios]

I'm wondering how the experience went.

 

[mcnach]

Make a quick friend with a bass player - any bass player - by offering him a Subway Sandwich (the one-footer with chips and a soft drink).

Bass players will do a lot of things for that much attention.

Take him with you to look at the bass. If he picks it up and tears come to his eyes and he won't let go of it - you should buy it.

If tears come to his eyes and he puts it down fast - don't buy it.

Post of the week!!!

 

[basssist]

Check how easy it is to press the string to the neck

 

[Ray C Parrish]

Make a quick friend with a bass player - any bass player - by offering him a Subway Sandwich (the one-footer with chips and a soft drink).

Bass players will do a lot of things for that much attention.

Take him with you to look at the bass. If he picks it up and tears come to his eyes and he won't let go of it - you should buy it.

If tears come to his eyes and he puts it down fast - don't buy it.

Couldn't agree more with SurferJoe and Bassomatic....get another bass player to go with you and do a quick once over. Beyond that, ask around for who the best bass tech in town is [you should be taking the bass to him right after taking ownership anyway] and make an agreement with the shop that you want 48 hours to have it checked out before it's a done deal.

 

[bassbenj]

Make a quick friend with a bass player - any bass player - by offering him a Subway Sandwich (the one-footer with chips and a soft drink).

Bass players will do a lot of things for that much attention.

Take him with you to look at the bass. If he picks it up and tears come to his eyes and he won't let go of it - you should buy it.

If tears come to his eyes and he puts it down fast - don't buy it.

This is funny and oh so true, only dragtime won't realize it until it's too late and he's one of us!

(I'm also a drumber)