Superb 1967 Fender Jazz Bass, in very nice original and preserved condition.
Here is a very nice example of this model, introduced to the Fender catalog in 1960, with the intent of bringing up to date the line of basses produced in Fullerton (until then represented only by the Precision Bass) in the same style of offset body with chrome accents as the new Jazzmaster guitar model and, 2 years later, the Jaguar.
The characteristics of the instrument presented here have evolved somewhat since the early 60s, particularly with regard to the electronics: while the initial version of the Jazz Bass has two stacked potentiometers to adjust the volume and tone of each of the pickups, the second version has three potentiometers – a volume for the neck pickup, a volume for the bridge pickup, and a master tone control.
It is also worth noting that this instrument was produced exactly two years after Leo Fender’s company was acquired by the audiovisual giant CBS in January of 1965, launching a whole new era for Fender and bringing a number of changes to the instruments: the most obvious is the move from an unbound rosewood fingerboard with simple dot markers to one bound in white binding and adorned with large rectangular pearloid markers. Also notable are the Fender-produced tuners with distinctive oval-shaped buttons, as well as a much more evenly applied 3-tone Sunburst lacquer finish thanks to the masking techniques now employed at the factory – this one bears the expected patina from regular use over several decades, and remains well preserved to this day.
We find this instrument complete with all its original parts and hardware, including its two pickups dated January 1967, its electronics and the two chrome pickup covers. This Jazz Bass has been fully prepared and optimized for playing in our workshop, with a full fret levelling and polishing job, adjustment of its action and intonation at the nut and bridge, and its complete cleaning – it is now set for a new life, ready to play.
Sold in its original hardshell case (this is a Jakob Winter case, produced in Germany in the 60s, the same manufacturers who supplied cases to Höfner instruments – it is therefore very likely that this bass was exported as soon as its production was completed, and sold by Selmer London or another European distributor who will have assigned it this locally-made case).
