NBD! Classic 70s Jazz Bass – first ever bass!

Sorry about the blurry pic – I don't have a proper camera at the moment.

Picked up this used MiM classic series 70s Jazz Bass. It's my first ever bass!

Very snappy, with a good range of sounds due to the position of the bridge pup. I wanted a funky sound and a classic design and I've got it! I've set it up and it plays really nicely. Apart from tarnishing on some screws etc and two paint chips toward the back it's in great condition.

Loving it. :D

Thing of a beauty!
As much as I don't like sunbursts, this kind of SB is pretty neat (I instantly fell in love in my T-40 with similar SB).
Congrats!

Nice Jazz! Congrats!

Sweet!!!

Tim

Cheers guys.

I've only been playing through a 90s Kustom Tuck N Roll practice amp (quietly so not to blow the speaker!) and it sounds really great. The bridge pup is a bit quiet compared to the neck. I guess that's due to it being so far back in the 70s spec. I'll keep fiddling with that.

I need to get some new saddle height adjustment screws as some are a little too corroded. This has a US vintage bridge – are the screws the same as a US vintage tele bridge? WD Music seems to think so...

Impressions after a few days, with my limited bass experience:

Neck: Chunky for a "slim" neck but nice and comfortable. I tweaked the truss rod and straightened it a bit. Relief's about 0.3mm now and I think and action's about 2mm on the E and and 1.5mm on the G (17th fret). Might have to raise that later, but I wanted to see what was possible. The pic was taken when the relief was about 0.5mm. The way the edges of the binding are finished, it's hard to see exactly how straight it is, but the thing plays great and the frets are pretty much perfect. The inlays are awesome.

Finish: As the chips reveal, surprisingly thin. The sunburst is great with nice (if subtle) grain and you can't see the joins on the wood. Which probably means its veneered. But hey, it looks nice. The neck is a little bit pale. I'd have preferred a bit of a deeper vintage tint.

Bridge: Supposedly, this is the American vintage bridge. It does the job, Although the sideways wiggle to the saddles isn't ideal. I'll stick with it for now for the sake of looks.

Tuners: Amazing. Best tuners I've had on anything. I think these are the same as on the US 70s basses.

Fit: The fit is really good too. The neck looks VERY tight. the only thing that's slightly off is the bridge pickup is mounted a very small amount to the treble side, but not enough to affect anything.

Sound: Remember this has only been straight into a soundcard or into a clean guitar amp. Lots of mid range, very springy with a great texture. I'm addicted to playing the mellotron riff to Superstition on the bridge pup. Very funky. The independent volumes are great and the tone control is usable in its full range. Always feels lively. After adjustments, the bridge is still a chunk quieter than the neck, but not ridiculously so. I will continue to tweak.

Weight: I don't have scales, I'm afraid, so I can't tell you how heavy it is. But I'd say it's not too hefty. A little bit of neck dive when playing in sat down, but on a short-ish strap it balances well.

Overall: A very well put together instrument. The sound quality is brilliant and it plays well. As a first bass, it's been a really easy move from guitar. I'd say it feels like a pro instrument (but what do I know). Forgetting the small chips, I think before I bought the bass it was well looked after, although not particularly well set up. It might play better than it's ever done now! Very impressed with the quality coming out of Mexico. Perhap a little above my 90s Japanese Tele.

I've got one of these on order. I can't find the soundclip - did you post one?

congrats nice bass . I got the natural with maple neck squier VM, they sound and work great as well!

I've got one of these on order. I can't find the soundclip - did you post one?

you tube has many clips . Good day eh!:lol:

She a keeper Matthias!

Very nice. Enjoy finding your inner Jaco Pastorius meets Bootsy Collins.

I have some awesome basses but I'm still looking for that Jazz Bass, pearloid block inlays, preferably with a white body. I'm jealous, you got a good one!

That's a beauty Matthias. Love the SB color. I've got a 70's Ventura bass that looks like yours. The minute I saw it, I have to have it. The $165 price didn't hurt either. Here's a pick of mine.

It's the 3rd bass from the right:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/Texsunburst59/DSC00361.jpg