Vintage Fender J Bass

[Smooth_bass88]

The serial # is in the known range for 1970. It looks to be unaltered, at least as far as what's visible in the pics. Interestingly, the bridge pickup looks to be in the "60's spacing" position, so that hadn't changed yet.

I had a Jazz from 1970 that was almost identical - another one that got away.. Enjoy!

Looks like 70s spacing actually. Bass is probably a '70. If original, it's worth a decent amount.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Thats a sweet only bird, love me some bound and blocked jazz. Ive played a few late 60's and early 70's high dollar Vintage Fenders and didnt notice any magic fairy dust sprinkled on them, but the accumulated honest wear, dirt, and rust does lend them a nice "old leather belt" comfort appeal. The first bass I remember handling with any serious intent was a Jazz, and its still on my bucket list, though I'll probably build my own.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

A buddy and band mate of mine is playing bass in the jazz band at the community college. The college owns a loaner bass for their students to use, and he brought it over to band practice last night to show us. Holy cow, what a rad bass! I don't know much about it, but my guess is it's an early 70's? I absolutely love the old sunburst, with that nice wide band of red. Wish they'd do that more.

This bass sounds so good with the neck pickup soloed. Very comfortable to play, too! The only standout negative was that the neck was shimmed at some point with what looks like a paper towel!

One thing I did find myself thinking was, while it's a nice bass with a good sound and a cool history, it's no more special than a great sounding and feeling new bass. That is to say, I didn't have one of those "I didn't know what I was missing until now!" kinda moments. Still, super great full I got to play it at all.

Anyway, figured I'd come here and see what all you experts can tell me about this thing!
View attachment 4598145 View attachment 4598146 View attachment 4598148 View attachment 4598149 View attachment 4598151 View attachment 4598152

Frankly I don't the attraction of 70's basses other than they are old. I was gigging a lot back then and played considerably more than a few of them, guitars and basses alike. In general they were pretty much hit or miss. By comparison, you bought a Gibson or a Rick back then and the difference in quality was obvious. Of course they were significantly more expensive.

To your point, basses made today on the average are more consistent, not to mention with more companies making quality instruments, more options, and price points.

 

[bassinflorida]

Hey cool. So, where is this school...?

I didn't run the serial number, but by memory I think it is a '71 or '72? It looks great, especially considering it is a loner bass.

Micro-tilt?

 

[HardNHeavy]

whoops, i forgot the vintage 70's j bass at home.....will this cheap err um nice squire cv VM do?

 

[Criswell60]

Mine is a confirmed 1970 (the year, not the decade) Jazz... This looks VERY similar. Pictures below for your own comparison:

 

[Smoove-Groove]

Very nice. When I was in highschool in the early 90's, my schools music department had a really nice beat up old, sunburst 60's jazz bass. Not sure what the exact year was, but it could have possibly been pre CBS. I would always play that one over my Ibanez in the Jazz band.
I wasn't as hip to vintage instruments back then, but now when I think about it, I lust over it. And the school is just up the road from my house and it's most likely still there. The thing was always just sitting around out of its case, sometimes just left on the floor by the drum kit.

 

[txhawaii]

That bridge pickup is on the 4.0" spacing (the wider spacing). That along wit the long G screw, and the tuners are pre 'R' logo tuners, seems to be a 70-71.

can you explain the 4.0" spacing and the g screw, etc to those of us who don't understand?

 

[txhawaii]

Very nice. When I was in highschool in the early 90's, my schools music department had a really nice beat up old, sunburst 60's jazz bass. Not sure what the exact year was, but it could have possibly been pre CBS. I would always play that one over my Ibanez in the Jazz band.
I wasn't as hip to vintage instruments back then, but now when I think about it, I lust over it. And the school is just up the road from my house and it's most likely still there. The thing was always just sitting around out of its case, sometimes just left on the floor by the drum kit.

i'd go see if it was there and convince the music teacher you'll buy them a new jazz in exchange for the junk on the floor. lol

 

[Lownote38]

can you explain the 4.0" spacing and the g screw, etc to those of us who don't understand?

The bridge pickup was moved closer to the bridge for unknown reasons in the '70s. Jazz basses were only like that for a period of time in that decade. The bridge has a longer screw on the G saddle because Fender moved the bridge back as well for unknown reasons. This made it difficult to intonate with the normal length screws. The G string saddle ran out of screw with the original length, so rather than put the bridge back where it was supposed to go, they just put a longer screw on it. The bridge location thing didn't last very long, so it's a good way to narrow down what year the bass is from. They did it to Precision Basses, too.

 

[txhawaii]

i recently came across a 72 with that long g screw and was unsure if it was original. glad to know i didn't modify it.