1963 FENDER JAZZ BASS

1963 Fender Jazz Bass, in superb condition.

This is a great example of a pre-CBS Jazz Bass, which clearly has thousands of hours on the clock but remains incredibly unaltered and original. The introduction of the Jazz Bass in 1959 was a major milestone for Fender and for the electric bass in general: by this time the Precision Bass had already been launched for about eight years and Fender was facing increasing competition in the solidbody bass market it had practically created. The Jazz Bass was introduced as a deluxe model to give the line a new start, a hot-rodded bass with chrome accents, an offset body adapted from the Jazzmaster and a narrow nut width offering a more elegant feel than the Precision. The dual pickups also offered a wider range of tones, with a clean, defined attack – ideal, precisely, for jazz.

The features of the instrument presented here have evolved somewhat since the early 1960s, particularly in terms of the electronics: while the initial version of the Jazz Bass had two concentric potentiometers for adjusting the volume and tone of each of the pickups, the second version has three potentiometers – individual volume controls for the neck pickup and bridge pickup, and a tone control. We also find the veneer board rosewood fingerboard with clay dots inlays, a splendid three-tone Sunburst finish (somewhat roughed up by a belt buckle on the back of the instrument) and the celluloid pickguard typical of the pre-CBS era.

This instrument is absolutely complete with all its original parts and hardware, including its two black bottom pickups, its electronics, its two chrome pickup covers, as well as its complete set of mutes – absolute unobtainium! Another unusual fact to mention, we are adding to this bass photographic prints from its original owner, who owned and played it until recently – a touching testimony of the past life of the instrument. Finally to complete the lot, the original instructions manual is also present – for anyone needing clarification on the operation of the Jazz Bass or on the basics of accompaniment! Fully setup, ready to play.

Sold in a period no-logo Fender case.