I have a 70s jazz bass i recently got in a trade and it's a pretty great instrument, very worn but sounds and plays nice. I see a huge gap in the neck pocket and it makes me wonder is it something worth worrying about? I don't care about it cosmetically speaking cause the bass itself has been through it but I wouldn't want it to damage the neck somehow.
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Should this bother me?
- Thread starter Komadinic
- Start date
That is a pretty good gap.Parts can change size and shape over the years,But something there looks super wonky with the neck or pocket . Does the neck move if you move it? Are the mounting screws tight? If yoo can, maybe post pics of the whole bass and the neck pocket from all angles?
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No problem I can see as long as the neck is securely bolted on. I’m doubtful that a looser neck pocket would make any difference in the sound. Looks like it’s had the neck taken off a few times by the paint chipping I see there. If it sounds good, it’s good.
Fender precision engineering (TM).
From what i know neck is original and considering it's a fender from 70s imperfections don't surprise me. I will post more pictures from different angle ASAP but i also don't think it's too big of a deal, just wanted to ask. Doesn't really move at all, it's quite solid and sounds quite lovely 
thanks for all the responses!
thanks for all the responses!I did some work in a studio a while back and they had a 70s Fender as a shop bass and it had a gap like that. Seemed to play OK and they were happy with the sound so I wouldn't have an issue with it unless it moves or is somehow mechanically unstable.
From what i know neck is original and considering it's a fender from 70s imperfections don't surprise me. I will post more pictures from different angle ASAP but i also don't think it's too big of a deal, just wanted to ask. Doesn't really move at all, it's quite solid and sounds quite lovely
I just like bass pics. It’s what we do lol.
Yep, just as I suspected,that neck is... err... wonky. You should send it to me right away.
It wont bother me, to what address should I direct my courier...?
There are other things about the bass that would call to my attention, but not the gap. You shouldn’t be able to move the neck when the screws are properly tightened anyway.
Yeah you can't move it, just seems odd that a reputable builder such as Fender would let this one slide (it sounds and plays great in my opinion). What else about it seems off to you? You might know something i don't
The 70's ones I've had in my hand have been dire in terms of QC and fit and finish, which is why they were so scared of the lawsuit era stuff coming out of Japan, which were very well made and finished.
Not really mate
Then it would seem our work is done here.
Yeah you can't move it, just seems odd that a reputable builder such as Fender would let this one slide (it sounds and plays great in my opinion). What else about it seems off to you? You might know something i don't
The pic is bad , but it looks like maybe some parts have been swapped with others from the same time period, because they would not be available as a combination from the factory.
Tuners are not original, other than that i was told it's all original. Only other black 72 Jazz i saw with tortoiseshell pickguard is actually from the late bassist of Mad season:
They look quite similar to me, but you might be right about it I'll send you some pics
