Retiring my '66 Jazz bass

[Acoop]

I wouldn't retire it unless the frets are worn to the bone. ... Find an early 70's P-bass to keep her company.

 

[Sam Dingle]

Fender vintra or road worn if you can find one. Jazz or P

 

[Mrtoodamnsabre]

For $1000?

ah hasn’t been that way since they reissued it and then discontinued it. used to be you could get me for 1300, but I think 2100 is the rate for them. Every now and then you’ll see on go for 1700 or 1800, whenever they get sold on talkbass that seems to be the going rate. actually if you’re looking for a pre-eb with a jazz width but still originally musicman neck, @Robert B has one he was thinking of parting with!

 

[BassFalcon]

The problem with the Vintera is the Pau Ferro. I'd go for a used American Special Jazz bass. Less than Vintera, American made and good ol' rosewood fretboards. Some of the best Fender has ever made.

Pau ferro is a problem? How? No one tell Roger Sadowsky!! That or maple are your standard fingerboard choices when ordering a Sadowsky. From the below linked article:

“Pau Ferro: (Also known as Morado, Caviuna or Bolivian Rosewood): Pau Fero is not a true Rosewood, but I have been a fan of this wood for fingerboards for over 35 years. Grain is very tight and silky smooth. More warmth than Maple or Ebony but tighter sounding than the other Rosewoods.”

https://www.sadowsky.com/wood-and-sound-in-amplified-guitars-and-basses/

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

G&L JB?
Duke

Smooth as butter and pure as the driven snow.

 

[Stewie]

Just for grins, try out a Vintera P bass. I played the same Jazz Bass from 1975 til 2015, then bought an MIM P. It was the sound I was looking for. Swapped my old fretless neck on it and was happy as a pig in… …
If there was a fretless Vintera P with a maple fingerboard, I’d own one

 

[mikeswals]

Spector and Ken Smith also all used pau ferro as their standard US fingerboard. And Ernie Ball used it as their fretless wood because of how hard and durable it is.

 

[Mike Goodbar]

Please post pics!

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

If you love playing that bass, I would simply buy an insurance policy from Heritage, or somewhere like that, and keep playing it. If it gets stolen, I would cash in the policy.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

I bet you can find one for 1k.
As if you need help reverbing, but I had a spare moment.
G&L Jazz Bass 2019 Olympic White | Reverb

 

[Mike Vee]

"Pau ferro is a problem? How? "

Aesthetically speaking.

 

[ChickWithaRic]

I just happen to run a retirement home for 60s Fenders. Send it to me, it will be well cared for.

 

[s van order]

Hey Crew:

I'm one of those geezers who's pretty much had only one bass for most of his playing life. Mine happens to be the '66 Jazz bass my dad bought me back in 1978 or so. With the exception of a period of about 2 years during which the bass went missing (stolen, recovered, sat in insurance agent's office) it's been my main gigging bass.

I'll never sell it, but I'm getting leery of taking it out on gigs; a lot of players are getting their gear stolen right off the bandstand in this town. Thinking about retiring the Jazz and going in a different direction, and needing some guidance.

Style-wise, I mostly play and sub in cover bands that cover a wide range. I shoot for a well rounded tone with lots of warmth and a good amount of punch. I play upright as well, so I don't really have an issue adapting to different neck shapes and thicknesses.

I play only semiprofessionally, and I can't see spending a whole lot more than $1000 - a price point that would not be too painful or hard to replace if the thing went missing. Here are some the models I've been looking at:

Cort Rithimic 4 string: Heard some great things and not-so-great things about them. I like it's simplicity, and I'm also a fan of JB's playing. The YouTube demos I've heard have been promising, but some have described the tone as "anemic." Anyone have personal experience with this bass?

Cort B4 Plus RM: I play a bunch of different styles, so versatility of having the active option intrigues me. Cort seems to be a well-respected brand, usually cited as giving a lot of bang for the buck quality-wise.

Fender Vintera: Sounds like it would be very close to my '66; it's even offered in my bass's custom color, Firemist Gold Metallic. Would probably be a very smooth transition from my present bass.

Squier Classic Vibe Jazz bass: Another "clone" of my present bass and very economical, though it sounds like these are usually heavily modded with replacement hardware.

I know Ibanez is often listed as having good options in this price range as well (are they made at the Cort factory as well?).

I guess what I value most out of the instrument is good playability and a warm, punchy sound as its baseline. I have not been bass shopping literally in decades - enlighten me!

I had a ‘66 Jazz for years and loved it but sold it in the ‘80s. In the oughts I bgt a MIM ‘60’s Jazz model and put in Fralin pups. It is just what I need. Even has the reverse tuners. A bit heavier but the neck has that good feel. Maybe you can find one for well under a grand.

 

[porterbass]

I would recommend a used Fender Classic Series 60's Jazz bass, a Vintera 60's Jazz bass or a Roadworn Jazz bass. All 3 of these would get you in the same wheelhouse that you're used to and you can pick up a used one for a lot less than a grand. Check the classifieds here and Guitar Center always has a bunch of these available used. Good luck!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

If you love playing that bass, I would simply buy an insurance policy from Heritage, or somewhere like that, and keep playing it. If it gets stolen, I would cash in the policy.

That is a great idea!

 

[ClusterFlux]

I'm going to go off the reservation and recommend an Ibanez SR.

They're light, playable, affordable, and sound just as good as any FSO.

 

[rhodesjazz]

I like all the suggestions in this thread, but one contender is missing. The Sire V5 with the pickups in the 1970s position should be considered - if you can find one. Check out the Lobster demo.

 

[Ryno1330]

The problem with the Vintera is the Pau Ferro. I'd go for a used American Special Jazz bass. Less than Vintera, American made and good ol' rosewood fretboards. Some of the best Fender has ever made.

There's nothing wrong with P Ferro unless you hate the look.

 

[Ryno1330]

If you love playing that bass, I would simply buy an insurance policy from Heritage, or somewhere like that, and keep playing it. If it gets stolen, I would cash in the policy.

This is a good point. While I hope it's already insured, make sure you're covered on the policy and keep playing it. Unless there's someone you really want to leave it to and therefore don't want to risk it, you can't take it to the grave.

 

[jmlee]

I retired my ‘68 P-bass for the exact same reasons. I'd be devastated if that bass was stolen after I spent so many years beating it up just the way I like it. And for the record insuring it against loss ain't the point.

It's interesting, though, that the retirement didn't lead me to another Fender P. For that sound now, I play a ridiculously light and great-sounding G&L LB-100, one of my many Yamaha BB basses, or a great Yamaha PulserBass 400 from the 70's. I think it's all been for the good.