1964 Fender Jazz bass pre-CBS - black

Fender Jazz Bass – 1964 Pre-CBS

Fullerton, California | L-Series Serial | Player’s Vintage Instrument

This is a genuine pre-CBS 1964 Fender Jazz Bass, made in Fullerton, California, serial number L36022. While not fully original, it's a superb player’s bass with classic feel, tone, and lightweight balance.

The bass features the original alder body that has been roughly refinished in black, the original maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, and includes the original black hard shell case.

Neck

The neck is dated 7 MAY 64 A and is currently fretless. It appears to have been defretted early in its life (not a factory fretless), with no signs of recent work. The rosewood fingerboard is unbound with pearl dot inlay.

The back of the neck was lightly sanded long ago and is now down to bare wood, offering an exceptionally comfortable, broken-in Fender feel. It has clearly been well-played over decades and remains smooth and stable. The headstock is in excellent condition aside from the missing Fender decal, which was removed during a past refinish.

Electronics & Hardware

Much of the original hardware remains intact. The bass retains its original bridge with serrated saddles, which is notably clean and largely free of corrosion. The pots are the original matched set dated 6410 (10th week of 1964).

The pickups are not original and were upgraded to Bartolini pickups at some point in its history. The electronics cavity was widened to accommodate modern electronics during that period; the original electronics were later reinstalled. An additional pickup was once added between the bridge pickup and the bridge, then removed, with the cavity professionally filled using matching wood (see photos).

Original / Non-Original Breakdown

ORIGINAL TO 1964

• Alder body
• Nitrocellulose pickguard
• Bridge with serrated saddles
• Pots (date coded 6410)
• Control plate
• Nut
• Neck pickup knob
• Strap buttons
• Tuners
• String tree
• Neck plate with original L-series serial number
• Original black hard shell case
  
  NON-ORIGINAL / MODIFIED
• Body refinished in black (original decal removed)
• Pickups replaced with Bartolini pickups
• Electronics cavity widened (original electronics reinstalled)
• Additional pickup route added and later filled
• One pickup mounting screw missing
• Control plate screws not original
• Bridge volume and tone knob replaced
  
  Condition & Playability

This bass is in excellent playing condition. There are small paint chips and dings throughout the body consistent with an instrument over 60 years old. The neck feels outstanding—fast, broken-in, and very comfortable.

At 8.5 lbs, this is a relatively lightweight 1960s Fender Jazz Bass. It balances well and is comfortable for long sessions.

While not a collector-grade example, this is a serious gigging and recording bass that delivers the sound, feel, and presence of a true pre-CBS Jazz Bass.

Specifications

• Overall length: 46 in. (118.1 cm)
• Width at lower bout: 14 in. (35.6 cm)
• Depth: 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm)
• Scale length: 34 in. (864 mm)
• Nut width: 1 7/16 in. (37 mm)
• Weight: 8.5 lbs
  
  “Priced accordingly given the modifications; reflected honestly for a working musician rather than a collector.”