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Post subject: Getting vintage Jazz Bass into shape...
Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 3:42 am
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Hello,
I'm very new to Fenders and always wanted to get one... I've recently acquired Made in Japan Fender Jazz Bass JB62 model built in probably in between 1984 - 1987 (it has number E6xxxxx). From photos I knew it probably was exposed to humidity as exterior chromes and screws were badly oxidized. After I received it I was suprised that after opening pots and wiring is inside like new... Also frets look like original and are lightly worn (mostly on G string). I wonder if they haven't tried to "age" it to have it look like vintage 62 model. I believe that if they would change the pots, they would change also pickups... That is strange.. Has anybody come across similar thing?

I'd like to change the saddle for new one - do you think its possible to buy this vintage saddle somewhere not having to drill different holes to body?

Thank you very much,
carlos

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Post subject: Re: Getting vintage Jazz Bass into shape...
Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 4:06 pm
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Location: Albemarle, NC
Based on the photos provided I do not think anyone ever changed anything on this Jazz but the strings. I strongly suggest you keep it that way if at all possible.

Electronics (pots, cap and even solder joints) and everything else looks original factory. Since the electronics were inside they were somewhat protected.

Salt air, playing outdoor gigs in rain or even high humidity with big temperature swings like we have here in the Carolinas are all especially rough on bridges and screws, which are the most likely causes of accelerated oxidation here. Screws in general rust first because they were not really plated being just shiny galvanized steel usually. Since bridges are seldom if ever completely cleaned and generally ignored the accumulated gunk on them attracts and holds moisture and that leads to oxidation and the large surface area is more prone to pitting. You can clearly see accumulated gunk on and around the bridge. Dust and gunk attracts and holds moisture that speeds up rusting and pitting in the plating.

I see nothing abnormal in these photos. I seriously doubt anything was done to try to age anything intentionally. If the goal was to make it look more like a real vintage Jazz then they would have added bridge/pickup covers and a tug bar/finger rest which they didn't and those mods are simple with readily available reproduction parts at a very reasonable cost. I do not see a valid reason to suspect any extra aging efforts or that the electronics are in any way non-factory.

I would remove and clean the bridge (after full disassembly) and clean the oxidized screws best I could and keep using them unless they are non-functional. Soaking the removed screws and disassembled bridge down in a little WD40 and letting it soak a while and then thoroughly buffing it off will do wonders. The bridge as it is now is no problem to me so long as all the screws work. But if you can not live with the bridge after cleaning you can get a new 5 screw Fender bridge that would be a direct replacement from a number of online sources including Darren Riley and Guitar Parts Resource. Fender part numbers for 5 screw bridges are 0055257049 Fender Pure Vintage 70s Jazz Bass Bridge which is the one closest to the one on it and 0095613049 Fender Pure Vintage 58 Precision Bass bridge which is closer to the one on the real early 60's Jazz. These reproduction bridges have slotted heads on the height adjusters instead of hex screws which is really the only difference from the real vintage ones.

I am a "if it ain't broke then don't change the bridge" type. But I would remove, disassemble, oil up and then buff the bridge and all bridge components.

The one thing you said that is really odd is the fret wear under the first string, the G string. There are possible explanations on why that happened. One is a player that mixes string types. A few players do that routinely with flats on 3rd and 4th strings and rounds on 1st and 2nd strings. It is also possible but unlikely that they just played more on the G string than most people. Maybe that fret was causing a buzz right there and they decided to file it a tad. Or they had a set of nickle plated strings on when the G string broke and replaced it with a stainless round. Who knows?

However it happened, it is an unusual fret wear pattern since you normally see the most wear under the E 4th and A 3rd strings. Unless this wear is extreme then a fret leveling/dressing and setup by a competent tech with the right tools and skills will correct it and make it play better also.

I agree that it has not been refretted as that is an expensive proposition and for sure should only be done by someone skilled in it. Nothing is worse than a botched refret.

I would not change a thing on this bass. Disassemble, oil and buff the oxidized parts then reassemble yes.


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Post subject: Re: Getting vintage Jazz Bass into shape...
Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2016 2:25 am
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Hello brotherdave!

Thank you very much for very valuable insight! I've been working on bass during the weekend and made sure everything is cleaned from rust, moving parts and fingerboard oiled.

So far everything is working incl. bridge and truss rod (which I was afraid of the most)...

The only thing I'd like to hear your opinion is about partly broken tuner toggle. I'm afraid it can break someday.. Is there any recommendation how to strengthen it?

Thank you very much!
carlos

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Post subject: Re: Getting vintage Jazz Bass into shape...
Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2016 11:59 pm
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I am not sure if you mean the tuner paddle or something on the baseplate. The paddles often wiggle a little in the split shaft and work well for years and years. That is no big deal. But you said something is cracked? You could let a tech have a look at it. I would play it as is as long as it holds tuning.


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Post subject: Re: Getting vintage Jazz Bass into shape...
Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 12:27 am
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Sorry for not being clear...

I'm attaching this photo ...

Is it fixable?

Thank you..
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Post subject: Re: Getting vintage Jazz Bass into shape...
Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2016 11:49 am
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That tuner handle is becoming separated from its shaft. Hopefully, it is still attached and not loose in its slot.
I say leave it alone if it is still attached and avoid any additional hits on that tuner if possible. When those things break loose it is very difficult to get them re- attached. You can try super glue or solder if needed but if that tuner is still functional, I would leave it alone.
One thing that you can do is place that tuner at the A or D string location so that it is not as likely to take a hit.

Good luck with your bass. Those Japanese made Jazz basses are nice.

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Post subject: Re: Getting vintage Jazz Bass into shape...
Posted: Mon May 02, 2016 9:08 pm
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At your own risk, you could try shooting one drop of epoxy per side down the gap between the shaft and the paddle, put a piece of rubber or cloth on each side of the shaft and bench vice it slowly and gently just until the gap closes completely and leave it viced overnight. If the shaft does not crack (and there is a genuine risk it could) the epoxy should hold indefinitely. BC"s advice to move it to an interior position is very sound also.


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Post subject: Re: Getting vintage Jazz Bass into shape...
Posted: Tue May 03, 2016 9:18 am
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Thank you guys for ideas! I've already moved it from G to D which is less susceptible for damage... Guitar is now fully cleaned and reassembled.. low action and intonation tuned.. it sounds beautiful... very good sustain. I'm very happy with this buy...

I'll try to epox it maybe... If it breaks, I'll buy hipshot D-tuner instead and just change it, because I plan to gig with this Fender...


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