LeftyBassist.com

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1972-Fender-Jaz ... 4d02ff479d



Pickups aren't original... seller has ZERO feedback... only a few shitty pics... no details to speak of... but that is a great price if everything is legit and it's in good playing shape.

I wonder how much it weighs... ?

If I didn't already have a "perfect" Fender Jazz, I'd be foaming at the mouth for more info.

I was all over this yesterday to today.... Saw the pics. You wouldnt be foaming at the mouth so much.... it went on the road and got played hard. You cant see the body damage in the pics. Think playing low and consistent wear. Enough said. Good guy tho and probably fair price BIN price if your looking for a player, not a future collector. But the BIN is gone so the bidding wars begin................. I passed.

I sent the seller the following message yesterday:

Hello:

Do you have any other photos? If it's a real '72 lefty Jazz people are going to want to see more verification (i.e. headstock, neck plate with serial #, body/neck stamping, etc.

Thanks

And here's his response:

Yes, It is real, it was made at the fullerton plant, Cali in 1972.



Thanks, but I'll pass as well.

Do you guys want pics? I'll post shortly. I talked to him for a bit this morning. It is a true 72' J bass. Everything checks out. He has played with some BIG names as a hired gun for tours, recording, etc. Nice guy over the phone. I just didn't care one I saw the overall condition not seen in the listing. If it were just a player and I played a Fender out, I guess it would be ok but I always think resale later when I purchase and well.... I passed.

a few pics compressed from original.... Pic 2 is pretty buckle worn from wearing low (straplack moved to back of horn as well) and Pic 3 is actually a few chunks taken out (hard to tell compressed), not your average wear.

Peter (PJ), can you confirm the Fender logo is in the correct place as far back as it is? My 73' Jazz was a bit more forward than that. This one is kicked all the way to the edge. Just curious. But, if you just want a player, it might be nice. Refin would drop the value a lot.

Headstock logo is definitely a bit close to the edge, but I don't doubt it's original. Fender's done all sorts of wacky logo positions over the years, especially on lefties.

I still have a problem with a guy listing a (potentially) valuable bass like this and giving zero description or sufficient photos. Maybe he's just green to ebay, but common sense would dictate that you give as accurate a description and photos as possible. When stuff comes out like this after the fact, I have to assume he has something to hide (or is not willing to reveal everything if he isn't asked). These additional photos clearly show some gouges in the finish, a moved strap button, Basslines PUPs, etc. Who knows what else he hasn't bothered to mention or what's under the hood.

Passing.

Maybe it's me, but aside from collectability, one of main reasons to get a vintage P or J is for its original PUPs and resulting original sound. Other reasons might be to get combinations you can't get today, such as maple w/pearloid block fingerboard.

Granted, these don't come along every day, but if you're going to shell out $1,500+ on something like this, you might as well pony up to the bar with the extra cash to get 100% original or closer to it.

@bpa11: The main reason to get those vintage Fender, to me, is the shape and feel of the neck and the frets (I love those wide '70s frets): there is something about it that I've never experienced in new basses, and second, the resonance of the wood. Even though this is thick poly finish, I'm convinced that time does wonders for wood and sound. My '73 P and my '82 Jazz have this magic sound that I have just not heard on new basses, cheap or expensive.

I wouldn't worry much about the pickups. . . most Fenders that age have the pickups gone microphonic, so they would need potting or replacement, and unlike wood, pickups don't sound better with age. Lindy Fralin, Lollar and Fender Custom Shop pickups are as good or better than any vintage pickups, IMHO. On several occasions I've paid close and more than $3000 for a bass, just to find out they lack that "magic" thing that old Fender have.

The most difficult thing about buying a vintage Fender is that the neck is straight and the truss rod work, and in my case, that they are not too heavy. Everything else is secondary.

I think the mojo on that bass is kickass... There's nothing cooler than 40 years of original wear in a vintage Fender, IMO. The fact that it's so used tells me it's a quality player that someone loved... No way would I get that refinished.

On the other hand, if I ever see an old bass that's too clean I get a little skeptical. Did someone buy it and it got closeted and never played because it's a dud? There are entry of duds out there... That's for sure.

I'm with C-Los... If it has a working neck and isn't a boat anchor, I'm interested. I'd rather it have original electronics, only for resale... But I'd probably swap them out anyway.

And it's pulled. So much for the bidding wars. Hope someone here got it (not I). FYI: he did have the original pickups for the bass.

The holes for the bridge cover have funny positions

Yup. That was one of my beefs too. Why was the hole not centered... Fender shipped with the ashtrays on so the holes should have lined up.

It wasn't pulled. Somebody paid $2,200 for it. Damn, I was going to bid on it. I once had a blonde 1972 Jazz and this would have cured my "kinking my self in the ass for selling it for $200" self-loathing...


pete

Hey Pete,
I think your wrong here. It had a bid at $1500 (originally 1500 start and $2200 BIN). I have been watching this. I think the seller canceled the $1500 bid and sold it off the bay. The message reads this:
This listing was ended by the seller because the item is no longer available

...and Gravesbass bought it...right?

You funny guy... I inquired on it when it first posted and talked to the seller but still never saw the front and back of neck. Due to a few things, I walked. Also, that misaligned bridge ashtray hole led me to believe possibly it wasn't a true Fender body. Fender has done some shady QC in the past but that ashtray has to be straight. The left hole is far from it.
Nope, I didn't buy it..!