Fender introduced the Jazz Bass in 1960 as a “deluxe” model to augment the Precision Bass. Since its debut, the Jazz has stayed remarkably similar to its original design. There have, however, been many smaller changes over the years that are important not only to Fender Jazz bass history in general, but also as valuable year indicators for vintage Fender bass buffs.
The 1960 Fender Jazz Bass
The 1960 Fender Jazz Bass had two single-coil pickups with stacked knob concentric controls. The top knob would adjust the pickup volume, and the bottom knob would adjust the tone of that pickup.
The bridge was identical to the threaded saddle that was found on the Fender Precision Bass, but the mute system was more complicated. Instead of a simple foam strip glued under the bridge cover, the Jazz featured an individual mute for each string. The mute holders were screwed into the body and were hidden by the bridge cover.
The new, thin Jazz Bass neck, which was only 1 1/2″ at the nut, had a slab Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with “clay” dot position markers. It was rumored that Leo Fender used old floor tile material for the “clay” dots, but it’s generally believed now that it was a type of wood putty.
The Fender Jazz Bass Throughout the 1960s
By late 1961, Fender changed the stacked knob controls to a simpler three-knob design. The first two knobs controlled each pickup volume, and the smaller third knob served as a master tone. The individual mute system was also changed around this time to the more basic foam strip that was used on the Precision Bass.
Sometime in 1962, Fender changed the slab rosewood fingerboard to a radiused laminated rosewood board which was much thinner.
In 1964, Fender changed the clay dot markers to faux pearl dots. They also replaced the nitrocellulose pickguard with a vinyl one. Fender also moved the offset contour decal out to the ball end of the headstock around this time.
In 1965, Leo Fender sold his company to CBS. The era before this time is now known as the pre-CBS years by collectors, and it encompasses the most coveted of Fender’s instruments.
Binding is added to Fender Jazz necks in early 1966, and later that year “mother of pearl” block inlays are set into the rosewood fingerboards. These features are not added to Precision basses.
The smaller, thinner vintage frets are replaced with medium jumbo frets in mid ’66. Fender starts using its own tuning machines, known as “paddle” or “lollipop” tuners on the Jazz the same year. The tuners no longer turn backward for tuning up.
Fender starts offering maple cap fingerboards with black block inlays and black binding for Jazz Basses during the years of 1967-68, although they are quite rare. The following year, Fender switches from nitrocellulose finishes to polyurethane for the neck and body. The headstock face remains nitro due to chemical reactions with the decal. Also in 1969, Fender starts using a much larger logo on the headstock.
The Jazz Bass in the 1970s
In 1970, Fender replaces the threaded bridge barrels with single slotted versions. The bridge pickup is moved about 1/4″ back towards the bridge on the Jazz sometime in late 1970. This has a significant impact on the sound, giving the Jazz Basses of this era a tighter and brighter tone. This change lasts until about 1982.
Ash is used on all natural-finished bodies starting in 1970, and Fender starts offering one-piece maple necks for the Jazz bass in 1972.
Sometime in 1974, Fender moves the finger rest from under the G string to above the E string, turning it into a thumb rest. Black pickguards start to replace tortoise shell guards around this time as well. Maple fingerboards on the Jazz at this time feature pearl block inlays and white binding.
In 1975, Fender starts using three-bolt necks with bullet truss rods on all Jazz Basses. This feature is never used on Precision Basses.
The logo on the Jazz is made smaller in 1976, and the serial numbers are moved from the neck plate to the headstock. The offset contour decal is no longer used.
In 1977, Fender replaces the normal skirted control knobs with Stratocaster style knobs with numbers. This change lasts until about 1983.
The 80s and the Jazz Bass Reissue
In 1980, Fender started offering white covers for the pickups, and gold hardware was available on some models.
Fender introduced its vintage reissue series in 1982, offering a 1962 Jazz Bass model with classic design features, such as stacked knob controls, nitrocellulose finish, vintage-style tuners and bridge, and a slab rosewood fingerboard. The Precision Bass models are available in ’57 and ’62 models.
As you can see, Fender Jazz Bass history is full of small adjustments that the company made to the instrument over the years. Some Jazz Bass collectors love the changes, while others don’t. Let us know in the comments if you have a favorite Jazz Bass year and why.
I have a Fender Jazz bass and the block inlay is white mother-of-pearl and the neck binding is light in color. The pots inside are dated 1967 … I have photos if you’d like to see them… The pickups and bridge are not original.
I had a ’67 exactly the same, with the lollipop tuners. Sold it on eventually through Bass Centre in London, and Barry there (the expert) immediately looked at it and called it a ‘transition’ Jazz. He explained that after CBS took over there was a period of about 3/4 years where parts stock was being used up so some basses came through that were in transition.
While most of us realize that Fender moved the bridge pickup about a 1/4″ closer to the bridge on the Jazz bass for the 70s models, I think very few realize that Fender also moved the bridge itself back about 1/4″ towards the end of the body for the first few years of the 70s. I have yet to uncover an explanation as to why. I only learned this after buying a Fender American Original 70s Jazz which replicated this unfortunate decision. What initially led me to this discovery was that when the bass arrived, the G-string intonation screw was not there though the saddle was still in place. I searched the case and found the screw and spring embedded in the fur in the corner. I installed it and set the intonation, or, I tried to. It could not be properly intonated. The screw needed to be longer. I tracked down the Fender parts list which verified that the G-string screw was to be 3/8″ longer than the rest. Fender installed the wrong screw and the screw vibrated off in transit. More on this later. I didn’t have the longer screw needed so I thought I’d install a Hipshot KickAss bridge on it that I had but it hung off the rear of the bass. The same will happen with a BadAss though the Fender High Mass bridge will work though the G-string spring will be slightly loose. If you search for the American Original 70s Jazz, look for closeups of the bridge and you’ll see that the G-string screw actually hangs over the end of the bridge plate (looks ridiculous, Fender must have gotten a deal on that size rather than using one that did not extend that far). You’ll also notice this on vintage models from 1970-2. As to Fender’s original thinking, I am clueless but it did have unfortunate consequences. Yes, the longer screw looks silly. Since the saddle will now be located further up on the bridge plate relative to the ball-ends, the break angle over the saddles will be reduced which can have a horrible effect, especially if you like low action as I do. The downward force created by that break angle is also needed to keep the saddle from sliding laterally while playing. Making matters worse is that the spring on the G-string saddle screw is too short relative to the longer screw needed and serves no purpose. Even after I replaced that screw with the correct length from Fender, I had issues due to the combination of the smaller break angle and the “short” spring which are important to keeping the saddle in proper position and under tension. For example, after a couple of hours of playing, I had to keep raising the action on the G-string as it would lower while playing because the saddle was sliding around so much. It came to a head when after a few hours of playing, I noticed a screw under my foot. What’s this? Looks like an intonation screw. What’s this? I see a spring on the floor too. Look at my bridge. The saddle is in place but without the spring and screw. I added a spring from a pen which, even though is was too soft and fully compressed, provided the needed force to keep this from happening again. I also ended up shimming the neck just to be able to raise the saddles more to maintain a healthy break angle.
Adding to the hodge podge of Fender parts in the early 70’s, I have a serial numbered ’73 Jazz Bass with maple neck , pearl block inlays, thumb rest above the E, and three screw tilt neck plate. I have heard about my ’73 prototype relative to the new tilt plate for 74/75 even though the 73’s are four bolt. I bought my Jazz in ’79 before there were knockoffs or forgeries because back then none of our guitars or basses were expensive enough to encourage forgeries and parts were not available to do so. My original tolex case is also in perfect condition.
That’s an awesome tidbit of history. Thanks for sharing!