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Post subject: jazz bass with a precision decal
Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 3:00 pm
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When I was in high school in 1973, I scraped together $220 and bought a second hand jazz bass. Straight Fender everything, rosewood bound fretboard, sunburst finish, etc. Serial no. is 298207 putting at a 1970. Positively a J-bass neck. But the decal is "Fender Precision Bass" with patent numbers below. No "Contour Body" decal though. Nobody's touched this except me (refinished the body) since '73. Neck head looks totally factory. The underside of the neck base has R or K KRAUSFELDT in green, under the lacquer.
Anybody heard of anything like this?
Thanks
Mike


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Post subject: Re: jazz bass with a precision decal
Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 5:59 pm
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I'm not sure about 73 but my 74 P bass has a Jazz width neck. They call it an "A" width neck. So that would explain the P decal. Maybe someone took the neck from the jazz and put an "A" width P bass neck on it.

I'm looking at the serial # chart and it appears that number is from 70 or 71.

Something odd is that I don't think I've seen a 70's bound P bass neck at all. Not saying it can't be though.

I'm not sure when Fender quit making Standard P basses with the "A" neck either.

It would be good to see pictures of the bass and to see the pot codes etc. Maybe then someone could clear up the mystery.


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Post subject: Re: jazz bass with a precision decal
Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 8:09 pm
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It is for sure not a P bass neck, I'm sure this is a Jazz neck. I've played a lot of both and the nut width, scale and pearl blocks are exactly Jazz. The only thing weird is the decal! Some online guy looked at my photos (from my iphone, not great) and said it was almost impossible that it could be a factory slip-up. However, I don't think this guy was even alive in '70, almost anything was possible if you lived through it!
I'll post some decent photos tomorrow.
thanks!


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Post subject: Re: jazz bass with a precision decal
Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 8:45 pm
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OH-- you did not say it was pearl blocks in the first post.

The "A" width neck on my 74 is exact to a Jazz neck . Same nut width, scale. It only differs in that it has the P bass decal. It is not bound and doesn't have pearl blocks.

If your bass is that way ( blocks and bound) from the Factory and is a Jazz with a P Bass decal-- that would half to be super rare and worth a whole lotta dough. In 40 years I've never seen a Jazz with pearl blocks and binding and a P bass decal. But then again I haven't seen every Fender Jazz.

I'm eager to see the pics. :D * note- on page 54 of "The Fender Bass An Illustrated History" there is a picture of a late 60's P bass with blocks and binding. They say it must have been a custom order.

On my 72 J the name on the heel is X Armenta (spanish name) yours has a German type name-- AH- HA Watson this could be something-- probubly not.
Just searching.........for clues....... :)

Maybe you have some of these names in the pocket or on the heel-- Torres-- Gayala- Armenta-- ?? mine also has a red sticker with "F 7 CO" written on it in black pen.


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Post subject: Re: jazz bass with a precision decal
Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 12:36 am
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stroker vance wrote:
note- on page 54 of "The Fender Bass An Illustrated History" there is a picture of a late 60's P bass with blocks and binding. They say it must have been a custom order.


+1, SV

I just happened to be re-reading that book this evening and have it on the table beside me. I love that Charcoal Frost body with the maple furniture!

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: jazz bass with a precision decal
Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 1:48 am
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stroker vance wrote:
note- on page 54 of "The Fender Bass An Illustrated History" there is a picture of a late 60's P bass with blocks and binding. They say it must have been a custom order.


I've found a picture of Carl Radle (EC's former bassist) playing the bass you're talking about.

Image

From my experience Fender Japan produces a couple of Tuxedo neck P-Basses for the Japanese domestic market.

Recently the Custom Shop introduced a Closet Classic P-Bass Pro with a bound tuxedo block-inlaid rosewood neck, a BadAss II bridge and a P/J config.

Image

I would be happier if Fender offers this bass with a natural ash body, a black pickguard and a bound maple neck/fretboard with black tuxedo blocks and binding.


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Post subject: Re: jazz bass with a precision decal
Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 6:51 am
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The blocks and binding on a P bass are really nice. I'd like to know how many Fender made back in the 60's and seventies.


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Post subject: Re: jazz bass with a precision decal
Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 8:50 am
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I have seen a few P-basses with the blocks on the neck,I even saw one being played by the infamous Jaco Pastorus,Twas a red p-bass,maple neck w/blocks(w/out binding)some years back in an old guitar mag,Fender could/would make any design or style you wanted if you were willing to wait.

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Post subject: Re: jazz bass with a precision decal
Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 7:15 pm
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I'd still like to see pics from the OP.


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Post subject: Re: jazz bass with a precision decal
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 8:45 am
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I have some pics now, but I can't seem to figure out how to post them... help! anybody?


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Post subject: Re: jazz bass with a precision decal
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 9:57 am
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Sorry, it got a little hectic. Here are some pics. Please no laughing at my spray can refinish!
But please take a look and let me know what you think. The body signature is L. CRAW****. Can't read the last part of the name. Neck looks like a 2A, so '72 A? Got all the original hardware, the volume and tone pots, knobs and plate are original. I Installed the Fender Custom Pickups and Badass ll bridge, but still have all the original pickups/parts and bridge. Even the Fender shoulder strap. Anything else you'd like to see?
Image
Image
Image
Image


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Post subject: Re: jazz bass with a precision decal
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 12:48 pm
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I'd say the 2 A designates the A width nut/neck- I just don't know. I hope some of the guys and Brother Dave check these pics out. I'm still thinking about it-- I'll look thru some of my books. Thanks for posting pics.


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Post subject: Re: jazz bass with a precision decal
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 5:40 pm
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Hey, thanks for the feedback!
First, my photos suck. I'm not an instrument builder, but restoration of fine antiques was my line for several years. I would not recommend lemon oil. It's just a fancy name for mineral oil with a lemon scent. Mineral oil never polymerizes, but stays wet and sticky. A hard drying wax is tried and true, and won't collect dust, finger grime, etc. But hey, whatever works for you. If you want to change to wax, I suggest you clean a rosewood fretboard with alcohol (keep it off your finish), let it dry, and wax it. Let the wax dry completely then buff it up! Clean soft cotton cloth. It keeps your fretboard in great shape, and doesn't gum up your strings. :mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: jazz bass with a precision decal
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 9:00 am
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The experts say Lemon oil. I guess the idea is not to put a wax finish on it but to moisturize the wood to keep it from drying out. I've seen very brittle rosewood boards that were at the point of chipping away at the nut ater I would remove one (nut). I don't use Lemon oil but rather I use Bore oil. That's the same stuff they use to lubricate horn instruments. It works great. I only put it on sparingly ( rub in with my finger)and give it only 30 seconds to a minute to absorb then I buff it . It leaves the wood moistureized and it will dry away after awhile and then I do it again. Sorry I wouldn't put wax on a rosewood fretboard.


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Post subject: Re: jazz bass with a precision decal
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 10:23 am
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:shock: UHT OH,DID HE JUST SAY WHAT I THOUGHT HE DID...About lemon oil..? as Bruce Dickerson sings"Run to the hill's...Run for your lives..."
Just joking,to each is they're own and should you decide to go against all of which is HOLY and NOT use lemon oil then you have done this to yourself,I cannot help you now for they have probably been on to you for some time,if you see a red nose,some big clown shoes,a couple of balloons followed by an annoying yet overwhelmingly calming horn HONK!.....Its already to late my friend,alrea :( dy to late.

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