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Retiring my '66 Jazz bass

#42
EdwardofHuncote said:
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.
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I think the whole point of "retiring" the bass is so that it *doesn't* get stolen, not so he can cash out on insurance if it does. I'd much rather have the bass that my dad bought me 45yrs ago than cash when it comes down to it.
 
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#43
lowfreqgeek said:
I think the whole point of "retiring" the bass is so that it *doesn't* get stolen, not so he can cash out on insurance if it does. I'd much rather have the bass that my dad bought me 45yrs ago than cash when it comes down to it.
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Yes, for sure I'd be heartbroken if this bass were to get stolen or destroyed - the reason for keeping it safe at home go way beyond financial loss. I'll continue to play it for certain "safer" gigs.

My daughters are both musicians, and I'll end up passing it down to them (eventually lol).
 
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#44
jmlee said:
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.:meh:

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.:)
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That is interesting. I'm certainly open to going in a different direction than the Fender route...I'll still have the ol' gal ready whenever it need her (honey, I'm talking about my bass, not YOU if you're reading this!!).
 
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#45
bikeplate said:
road worn jazz
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^^^

I too have a retired '66/7 Jazz, my "#1"

About 6 years ago, I got the Flea Roadworn Jazz. It's fantastic.
Little reason to ever take the vintage out again (but not that I wouldn't under the right circumstances)

MIJs are also a great option. Haven't played a Vinter Jazz, but I have a bass with a Vintera roasted P neck that I really like.

This would certainly be a fitting tribute; (and 45 days return)
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All options are cheaper in today's dollars than yours was back in '78...
 
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#46
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#47
I kind of have the same worries gigging my Wal, except most people don’t now what the hey it is, luckily. But I just keep playing it out because it’s the best bass I’ve ever had and sounds perfect. I don’t want to waste my time playing something else anymore. It’s one of those things I just don’t worry about too much anymore as life is meant to be enjoyable.
 
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#48
Man that is the coolest Jazz ever. Yeah I wouldn’t take that out unless I never left it’s side and fully trusted the gig location - definitely not a bar.

I think the natural choice is the Vintera in Firemist. However...what I am waiting on is a Firemist Gold body in nitro from MJT. Mine is coming in closet classic, but you could send them pics and they would nail your current bass with the wear in the right spots. Body will run about $500. Then I would find a Roadworn neck, bridge, and some Lollar or Fralin pups. May be a little over $1000, but it would be visually very close to your incredible 66.
 
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#49
denton57 said:
a Firemist Gold body in nitro from MJT. Mine is coming in closet classic, but you could send them pics and they would nail your current bass with the wear in the right spots. Body will run about $500. Then I would find a Roadworn neck, bridge, and some Lollar or Fralin pups. May be a little over $1000, but it would be visually very close to your incredible 66.
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This is EXACTLY what I'd do.
 
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#50
Mike Goodbar said:
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!
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Fender Aerodyne Jazz bass. Sonically versatile . Beautiful binding. Made in Japan and under $1000. Just a really cool good sounding instrument.
 
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#53
I hear you - I don’t take my 68 Jazz out on live gigs anymore, though I have taken it to a studio recently, where the producer fell in love with it.

I also recommend taking a look at the Sire basses. The V5 is the passive version, and the V7, which I own in a fretless, has their very versatile preamp. They punch way above their price range, and are easily (well as easily as anything is these days with supply chain issues) replaceable.
 
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#54
@Mike Goodbar There are so many basses out there besides Fender (or versions thereof), if you're really curious about trying something different and keeping a low price point, may just go to your music store and try out what you can. On the other hand, if you don't want to stray too far from the familiar Jazz, you're hearing great options above for the price. If I were in your shoes I'd perhaps be thinking about the Sire basses, they offer a lot of "bang for buck" and are easily replaced if stolen.
 
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#55
Mastermold said:
@Mike Goodbar There are so many basses out there besides Fender (or versions thereof), if you're really curious about trying something different and keeping a low price point, may just go to your music store and try out what you can. On the other hand, if you don't want to stray too far from the familiar Jazz, you're hearing great options above for the price. If I were in your shoes I'd perhaps be thinking about the Sire basses, they offer a lot of "bang for buck" and are easily replaced if stolen.
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Yes, I'm all for expanding my horizons outside the Fender zone. I've heard some great things about Sire for sure. I'm not necessarily going for the "Jazz bass" ethos...I've just always liked the two-pickup configuration for the tone variety.

Last time I was at Guitar Center or Sam Ash here in CLT, their selection was pretty slim. Headed to Pittsburgh this weekend - any well-stocked guitar stores up that way?
 
#57
Go play examples of the basses you're considering. That's the only way to really know which one(s) will float your boat.

Re pau ferro: Two of my basses (Sadowsky J and a Tobias Killer B 5) have that for fretboards. Not a thing wrong with 'em.
 
#60
Mike Vee said:
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.
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Personally, I really like the Pao Ferro boards. It’s a bit snappier than Indian(or similar) rosewood.

I’d definitely lean towards the vintera jazz. They are fantastic gigging instruments!
 

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