Vintage L Series Fender Jazz Bass 1964/1971 - Sunburst

Here is a unique and interesting vintage Fender Jazz Bass. This instrument combines a rare 1964 “L Series” Jazz bass neck with Brazilian rosewood fretboard with a 1971 Fender Jazz bass body. The end result is a killer player grade vintage bass with a whole lot of character and vintage legitimacy.

This bass presents as in very good condition. The durable poly finish on the body has held up well over the years, despite clear evidence of being played a lot. A 2mm groove has been worn into the front of the bass where the players thumb has rested for many, many hours. All the original controls and electrical components are present on the body. The three pots all show a date of 1971. All wiring is clean and unmarred. This indicates that these controls have never been removed from the instrument. This, combined with the poly finish, absence of paint nail holes, and the style of burst finish, point to the body as being from 1971.

The coolest part of this bass is its neck. A beautiful slim and straight example of pre CBS craftsmanship. The slim “A stamped” Jazz bass neck has a nut width of 38mm and a neck depth of 20.2mm at the first fret give this instrument and effortless and easy playing feel. The original frets have plenty of life with minimal signs of pitting. Original clay dots are present. This bass has some light pink dot marker paint on the side of the fretboard over the original side dots. This neck has received an overspray a long time ago. There are several chips on the outer layer showing a lighter nitrocellulose lacquer underneath.

This bass has a reproduction plastic tug bar with new screws. While the pickguard is vintage, it is likely not original to this sunburst body. The bridge of this bass is also not original to this body, as the threaded saddles were phased out in 1966/67. It is possible these parts belonged to the original 1964 body. White guards where typically available on custom colours. There is evidence of different colours inside of the chrome neck plate. At this stage the original colour is purely speculation as there is not enough evidence for us to know for sure. 

A vintage bridge comes with this bass, it does not have the vintage pickup cover.

There are several areas where the black finish has been touched up with a felt tip marker, and give of a distinct purple hue under light. This is most prominently on the outer side of the lower horn.

At 6.5k in the neck and 6.9k in the bridge, these pickups are well balanced with one another. This bass has that classic, punchy “piano” sound with excellent articulation that vintage jazz basses are renowned for.

This is an incredibly vibey old jazz bass that someone clearly enjoyed playing. A fascinating vintage instrument with appeal to players and collectors alike.
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Brand: Fender

Model: Jazz Bass

Country: USA

Year: 1964/1971

Serial: L25XXX

Case: Stamford

Body Colour: Sunburst

Neck Colour: Natural

Finish Type: Nitro/Poly

Body Material: Adler

Neck Material: Maple

Fretboard Material: Brazilian Rosewood

Scale Length: 34”

Frets: 20

Fretboard Radius: 7.25”

Action (Low E): 2.3mm

Neck Profile: Slim “A” Stamp

Nut Width: 38.1mm

12th Fret Width: 56.1mm

1st Fret Depth: 20.2mm

12th Fret Depth: 25.1mm

Pickups: Jazz Single Coil

Resistance: N-6.5k, B-6.9k

Electronics: Volume, Volume, Tone

Knobs: Black Plastic

Pick Guard: White 3 ply

Tuners: Chrome, Reverse wind

Hardware: Chrome

Weight: 3.95kg

Mods, Repairs: 1964 “L Series Jazz Bass neck on 1971 Body. Nitro neck with overspray, poly body. Original controls. No evidence of soldering in control cavity helps confirm this body is of 1971 vintage, as the controls have never been removed.

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