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Post subject: 1969 Fender Jazz Bass
Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 12:01 pm
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Hi

I have a 1969 Fender Jazz Bass. It has been used quite a lot and unfortunately, has a number of scratches on the back from my belt buckle. How can I find out what the value might be?


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Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 7:52 pm
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Hey Carl: Throw us a bone here! Post some photos. A few scratches, even if more than superficial, on a '69 are no real big deal. But pictures speak 1,000 words. More than cosmetic, are the hardware, pickguard, and electronics all original?

Don't expect a mint here, as post-CBS era Fenders rarely command big money, but a good player in nice shape might well bring over $2,000.

I base this on ebay research (dealer prices are just silly, so don't delude yourself there) on ~'72-'77's for several months. Jazz basses sell a bit better than P-basses, and there are a number of high-priced items that just don't sell. There's room for wiggle in my estimate, but not without pictures.


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Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 9:52 am
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Hey Carl, the Blue Book of Electric Guitars might help you out. Personally I wouldn't take any notice of Ebay prices, Ebay is a monkey's world when it comes to spending more than a few cents. Try a general look around on the internet, it'll take a while but you'll get a decent average price eventually and, of course, it all depends on it's condition. Post a few pics if you want opinions on here, and pretend your great Aunt Nellie just passed away! Ask for a few prayers, you'll get more responses that way :roll:


Last edited by Kegs on Tue May 04, 2010 6:04 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 11:33 pm
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Tuxedo-necked '69 Jazz Basses can command $4500 and upwards depending upon several factors. Factor in a premium if the instrument is factory-equipped with the Fender/Schaller "paddle" tuners. Likewise, add appropriately for factory custom colors and a maple fretboard. Deduct for any modifications, missing or non-original parts, signs of serious abuse or damage, and lack of the original HSC.

And despite what was previously noted, your bass is a "CBS-era" instrument. Columbia finalized the purchase of Fender on January 5, 1965 and maintained ownership until February of 1985 when Bill Schultz and a consortium of employees bought the company.

HTH

Arjay


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Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 2:55 pm
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I would love to see some photos too. I've always wanted a classic Fender Jazz Bass!


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Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 1:42 pm
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Retroverbial nailed the situation with your bass.
There is just one minor clarification that I wasn to make for those of you interested readers of this post.

The correct tuners for a 1969 Jazz bass will be Fender branded Kluson tuners, not Schaller tuners. The paddle or lollipop tuners may have been used on some 69 Jazz basses and these are chrome plated, but most 1969 through 1976 Fender basses have the clover-ear, nickel plated, large kluson tuners that are stamped Fender on the back.

Schaller didn't start making tuners for Fender until 1977 and they are much better tuners than the Klusons ever were, but not original to your bass.

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Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 6:59 pm
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You may indeed be correct about the paddles being Kluson-made, BC. But their use actually began in 1966 (they are illustrated in the 1965-66 Fender catalog) and extended to circa 1970 or thereabouts. As well, their use was not restricted solely to the Jazz Bass. I've seen numerous Mustang Basses and a few Telecaster Basses also so equipped plus at least one '66 Precision Bass -- my brother's all original P (and his are in nickel). I've never seen any Fender bass made after 1970 that had the paddles.

HTH

Arjay


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Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 7:39 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
And despite what was previously noted, your bass is a "CBS-era" instrument.


What I meant to type was "post CBS acquisition."

What do you mean by "Tuxedo-necked," since it seems unlikely that Carl will be back?"


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Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 8:20 pm
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Tuxedo necks are those with the block inlays and fretboard binding.

Vanilla = maple
Chocolate = rosewood

HTH

Arjay


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Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 7:49 am
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Retroverbial is right about the paddle tuners except they actually started using them in Dec of 1965 because my Dec 65 Jazz Bass has them.

I too have seen them on Mustang basses, with a smaller paddle, as well as Tele, Jazz and Precision basses and they seemed to run out of them by 1970.

My only clarification was to distinguish the Schaller tuners of the late 70's from the Kluson made tuners of the late 60's to '76.

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Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 10:50 am
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BCbassman wrote:
I too have seen them on Mustang basses, with a smaller paddle, as well as Tele, Jazz and Precision basses and they seemed to run out of them by 1970.


I think you're right, sir. The last documentable use for the paddles that I've found thus far was a 1970 Dakota Red Mustang Bass on Ebay a few months back. I also believe that these were not regarded as "unique" or "special" at the time of their use -- merely a variation of an existing tuner that nobody gave a second thought to. As well, many if not most Fender basses of the era were fitted with the more-common "shamrock" key. The ratio of '66 Jazz Basses fitted with paddles seems to be around 10%, decreasing incrementally with progressively newer instruments until (perhaps) 1970 when the paddles seemed to disappear altogether.

Post some pics of your J-Bass if you get a chance, BC. I'd love to see it.

Arjay


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Posted: Thu May 20, 2010 3:16 pm
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I'd love to see some photos of this classic and I certainly wouldn't use eBay as any kind of guide. Sometimes you pick up a bargain and sometimes people just get excited


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Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 10:31 am
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That reminds me that I have to take some good pictures of that bass.


I do have some picts of my 1972 Jazz that spent 30 years in the Navy Band.

It was customized with Dimarzio pickups, a BA bridge, and a brass nut.
Here is a picture from an outdoor gig a couple of years ago:

Image[/img]

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Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 3:16 pm
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You a rust-picker, BC?

:mrgreen:

That's an outstanding natural-finish Jazz Bass! Ash or alder?

Rawk on!

Arjay


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