Fender® Jazz Bass 1969, Sunburst - Sold

First introduced in 1960, this model had a narrow nut (1.5") compared to the Precision Bass. In the first two years these instruments came with concentric (stacked) volume and tone knobs and felt tipped string mutes. Leo Fender felt that they gave a more accurate acoustic string bass sound, which the jazz bass player would prefer. The pickups were designed with two pole pieces per string. This produced a mellower tone and a less percussive signal that was more forgiving on the less-than-efficient bass speakers of the era. Unlike the Precision the Jazz had an offset waist and a non-symetrical lower bout, matching the Jazzmaster and Jaguar guitars that were being introduced around this time.

Here is a summary of the changes in specification that the model went through in getting to the 1969 version that is for sale here.

1960 - Contoured Alder body with three color sunburst finish.
Slab Rosewood fingerboard.
Concentric (stack) volume and tone knobs.
Individual string mutes.
Tortoise grain celluloid three layer pickguard.
Three knob electronics replaces concentric knobs, August 1961.
Veneer Rosewood fingerboard by August 1962.
Mutes removed by mid 1963.
Pearl fingerboard dots replace "clay" dots, late 1964.
Tortoise plastic three layer pickguard replaces celluloid, late 1964. Note the tortoise part of the pickguard is still celluloid, but the underlying 3 W/B/W layers are no longer celluloid. This is easy to tell; the black layer is MUCH thinner, which can be seen on the beveled pickguard edge.
Binding added to fingerboard in mid to late 1965.
White pearl block inlays replaces dots in mid 1966.
Forward turning Kluson tuners started in mid to late 1966. Tuner button shape changes to oval shaped buttons.
1968 - Black Fender decal.
"F" style tuning gears replaces "no-name" Kluson gears. Tuner buttons are now "club" shaped.
Polyester finish replaces nitrocellulose lacquer.

This instrument is all original; it has a normal amount of wear for its age and it is lovely.

Sale Price: $4 800.00

Freight cost (contiguous USA): $35.00

Reference #: 3885

Out of stock.

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