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Post subject: 1970 Jazz Bass - 72 hours to decide if I should keep...
Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 10:03 pm
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I just purchased a 1970 Jazz Bass from Guitar Center online - I have 72 hours to decide if I want to return it. Immediately upon opening it, I was amazed at the condition of the case. At first I thought it was a modern case - probably the best condition 70's case I've seen yet.

The neck has no stamp, but I know this is not uncommon. The neck is very straight and appears to be original. There was also a shim (see photos).

I took it to my local shop, and they seemed to be pretty impressed. They told me I should definitely keep it, which I was happy to hear. The only thing they noticed at the shop was the ground that was added. They didn't seem to be concerned. I have the bridge and pick up cover, and they seem to be like new. There was also a 1950's Fender catalog in the case!

I ended up paying 3200 plus tax for the bass, which seems to be in line. I've certainly seen basses in worse shape for more money.

I'll attach some photos just in case anyone notices anything seriously wrong... If anyone see's anything I should be concerned about, please let me know. I'll post more pictures of the entire bass and case tomorrow. Thanks!

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Post subject: Re: 1970 Jazz Bass - 72 hours to decide if I should keep...
Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 11:54 pm
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It seems to be "all there" from what I can tell. Do the pickup routs also have the brass shielding inside?

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1970 Jazz Bass - 72 hours to decide if I should keep...
Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 5:36 am
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Good question - I started to remove the pick guard, but it was getting held up by the pick ups, and I didn't want to remove them because I'm not too sure how to adjust their height. I know it can't be that hard, I have all the gauges I just don't want to mess with it too much!

Is it a bad thing if it does?

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Post subject: Re: 1970 Jazz Bass - 72 hours to decide if I should keep...
Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 6:10 am
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Some other facts my local shop pointed out:

The frets appear to have been dressed.
The case is an original case, but not the original case for that bass
Weighs about 9.7 pounds (still felt lighter than the 74 bass he had in the shop)
Neck is straight
Plays great.
Original 1950's fender brochure was in the case!

Any reason why I should return this? I can't imagine it ever being worth less than the 3200 I payed for it, right?



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Post subject: Re: 1970 Jazz Bass - 72 hours to decide if I should keep...
Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 9:39 am
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Spumoni wrote:
Good question - I started to remove the pick guard, but it was getting held up by the pick ups, and I didn't want to remove them because I'm not too sure how to adjust their height. I know it can't be that hard, I have all the gauges I just don't want to mess with it too much!

Is it a bad thing if it does?


It would be a "bad thing" if it didn't. That would tell me that perhaps the bass isn't the original-condition cherry as portrayed by the seller. However, I'm inclined to think the instrument is both authentic and original. The remains of the rubber mute on the underside of the bridge cover is noteworthy -- that's something that a lot of counterfeiters miss.

In my opinion the guitar is a keeper.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1970 Jazz Bass - 72 hours to decide if I should keep...
Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 9:47 am
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Thanks for that Arjay! Unfortunately after replacing the strings and setting it up properly, I noticed a lot of buzzing, so I took it back to my shop. That's when he noticed just how low the frets were, which led him to be skeptical about the originality of the neck.

That's all I needed to hear.

It's going to KILL me, but I'm going to return it.

Guitar Center has been very cooperative.

If anyone knows where I can find a great early 70's Jazz Bass in Sunburst, please let me know!

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Post subject: Re: 1970 Jazz Bass - 72 hours to decide if I should keep...
Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 9:56 am
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Spumoni wrote:
Thanks for that Arjay! Unfortunately after replacing the strings and setting it up properly, I noticed a lot of buzzing, so I took it back to my shop. That's when he noticed just how low the frets were, which led him to be skeptical about the originality of the neck.


By chance you didn't forget to re-install that shim in the neck pocket did you?

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1970 Jazz Bass - 72 hours to decide if I should keep...
Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 2:27 pm
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GOOD QUESTION! But that would have made the action higher, right?

And no, I definitely put the shim back exactly where it was. I'm packing up the bass now and I'm on the verge of tears. It really is beautiful, but I don't want to keep it with some many things in question.

Also, when I had the neck off, I slightly loosened the truss rod and retightened to it's original position, and it felt like it was totally the end. Yet another reason not to keep it.

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Post subject: Re: 1970 Jazz Bass - 72 hours to decide if I should keep...
Posted: Thu May 08, 2014 1:05 pm
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The bass looks like a 1970 to me. The frets on Fender basses were always flattened on their tops back then. It just the way they did the fret jobs, particularly on Jazz basses.
Maybe it was something with the bound fingerboards but they were not the best fret jobs in that era.

My 1971 Jazz has frets the look just like those and the sunburst on that bass is exactly correct for that time period. I think the early to mid 70's are some of the the prettiest sunbursts ever done by Fender.

The pick guards always shrink around the pickup and they are hard to get off as a result.

If you like it I would say keep it. I think you have a legit bass and it is only going to go up in value.

Whatever you do enjoy playing bass. Either on this one or another.

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Post subject: Re: 1970 Jazz Bass - 72 hours to decide if I should keep...
Posted: Thu May 08, 2014 8:39 pm
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It seems like the general opinion of the forum is to keep it... I just got back from another local shop - they guy that looked at it said it looked like a Japanese re-issue neck? He also thought the bridge wasn't original, and even questioned the pick-ups. He seemed pretty unbiased, and recommended I get it authenticated.

Still not sure...

but here's the kicker - they just had a girl bring in her recently deceased fathers jazz bass - he played in a church band... it's a completely original 1965. I think they would take 5k in cash. Judging by what others are going for, it seems like a very reasonable price. They have it listed online somewhere for 7500.

That is certainly out of my budget, but if I sold a few of my things, I could swing it.

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Post subject: Re: 1970 Jazz Bass - 72 hours to decide if I should keep...
Posted: Fri May 09, 2014 6:49 am
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There are going to be a lot of opinions and you have to do what makes you feel right.

If your budget supports making a $5000 investment, than I hope the 1965 Jazz is all original and in great shape. Please post pictures of it if you bring it home for a trial run.

My first Fender bass was a 1970-71 Jazz and I am very familiar with the look of the parts of that bass and I will tell you that ,as far as I can tell, the finish, bridge, pickups and pick guard on the 3200 dollar bass appear to be original.
I obviously don't have your bass in front of me so I could be wrong but I am reasonably sure of my assessment.
The neck is in question only because it lacks a date stamp but the binding is of the correct width and not the thinner binding commonly found on Japanese Fender necks. I have previously commented about the frets and they don't look like Japanese frets.

Good luck with your decision and I hope you are happy with the bass you end up purchasing.

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Post subject: Re: 1970 Jazz Bass - 72 hours to decide if I should keep...
Posted: Fri May 09, 2014 9:22 pm
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Thank you for that assessment... it's actually very helpful. Tomorrow I'll make the two hour drive and bring the bass the Ithaca Music - they should be able to authenticate the bass for me. Apparently it's not uncommon for the neck not to have a date for those years.

As for the 1965, I literally brought the cash (I was advised by an employee) and offered it to the owner - he stalled for a second, then came back and said it was sold to someone for 7500 and he was just waiting to get paid. It was definitely worth the try - and the bass definitely seemed t be all original, but I don't want to think about that now!

I'll let you know what they say about the 1970.

Thanks again!

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Post subject: Re: 1970 Jazz Bass - 72 hours to decide if I should keep...
Posted: Sat May 10, 2014 2:18 pm
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I couldn't live with that bass having such a big chunk into the wood of the lower body. I know it still has collectible value, but to me it's worthless.


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Post subject: Re: 1970 Jazz Bass - 72 hours to decide if I should keep...
Posted: Sat May 10, 2014 9:16 pm
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Yeah I'm with you - that missing chunk was pretty deep.

I drove the bass two hours away to get it authenticated (Ithaca Guitar) - they felt it was pretty legit. However, he said the neck seemed a tad bowed, and I told him the truss rod was all the way at the end. He popped the neck off and verified that for me.

Case closed. It's going back.

Thanks for all your help everyone!

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Post subject: Re: 1970 Jazz Bass - 72 hours to decide if I should keep...
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 10:30 am
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The missing chunk of wood is a battle scar. Honestly earned , not faked as any relic will show a half dozen finish scars that size or larger. Don't fix it because then you are changing an original finish.
If those type of finish scars bother you, then play new basses all of the time. That '70 has a vibe that no other bass will have.

The neck could be fixed with a rod shim- just a tiny washer behind the truss rod nut will do wonders for it but it sounds like you returned it. Good luck with your bass selection.

I personally really like the new American Jazz basses. I would buy one in a minute if I didn't already have a bunch.

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