The story of my '65 Jazz Bass

[finlover]

When I was a kid in the late '70s, my dad played keyboards in a local band with a guitarist named Danny Thorpe who worked in a music store there in Waco. Danny was way into vintage guitars at a time when they were still semi-affordable.

One day he asked my dad to buy a guitar for him that the store had just taken in on trade, with the understanding that Danny would buy it back when he could come up with the money. It was an early '60s Telecaster Custom in Lake Placid Blue with a tortoise 'guard. When Dad brought it home, I remember thinking that the color combo was pretty ugly, but now I'd KILL to have it!

Dad held onto the Tele for a few months, then traded it back to Danny for a new Fender Rhodes 88 and this bass. He played out with it a little, but mainly used it for home recording. It spent most of its time in the closet.

Meanwhile, I was given a Fender Musicmaster short scale bass as a teen and went on to own various versions of the J-bass: an '80s Special, MIJ Standard, a '90s American Standard, and a USA '62 Re-issue in Ocean Turquoise (wish I still had that one!).

Recently I re-joined a band after a 10 year hiatus. Having sold off all my gear, I asked dad if I could borrow the old '65 until I could find the right bass for myself. To my surprise, he just GAVE it to me, saying that it had just been gathering dust and liked the idea of it being played again. That was three months ago and I'm still on cloud nine! Do I have the best dad ever or what?!

It needed to be cleaned and set up of course, but seems to be in excellent condition overall. The brazilian rosewood fingerboard is really beautiful on this one. The original case is in nice shape except for a broken handle. I decided to get a new Fender deluxe case in black tolex with the later '60s chrome logo, and put the original one in the closet.

I think most collectors consider '65s "transitional" because big changes didn't really start happening until '66. As far as I can tell, the only real difference between this one and a '64 is the neck plate. Pearl fret markers were introduced in '64, and I've seen a '64 with the same headstock decal, where "Offset Contour Body" is on the scroll part of the headstock, like a Strat.

The Custom Shop re-issues are incredible, and arguably built better than the originals in some cases, but to my eye the tortoise pickguard material isn't even close! It's way too brown and swirly. I realize it's a different kind of plastic, but how hard could it be to get the color right? Also the pau ferro they often use for the fretboard is pretty but looks nothing like rosewood--IMO a nice piece of indian rosewood would be preferable.

I'm playing this bass through an SVT-7PRO and a Pro Neo 410, which is a killer little rig! Sounds like the SVT Classic and 810 I used to lug around, except it weighs about 2/3 less. Thanks for wading through my rambling post--enjoy the pictures!

[Martinp]

very nice indeed. it's hard to believe it's 45 years old.
Your Dad Rocks!

[bobbybigmac]

That's a lovely bass ! All original and super sweet !

Nice to see she's outta the closet and being played. Thanks for sharing those lovely photos.

I agree with you on the PG colour. New re-issues and classic series PG's just don't have the same depth of colour and tint

Is your dad looking to adopt another son ?

[russ]

Nice one!

[Jerry J]

Congrats - what a great bass and story. As you noted, the color of the pickguard isn't close to what they use today but what about the sunburst colors used on real 60's and 70's Fender instruments? Modern era Fenders aren't even close - your pictures show what a real sunburst from '65looks like - black edges, really red bursts and that putrid, fullerplast yellow center. I should know, I own a '65 S/B Strat.

Come to think of it, I like the more natural looks of today's burst - the honey/golden brown center is easier on the eyes than the old yellow but if the custom shop is going to create a authentic NOS instrument, then they should use the authentic colors from that era.

[bottled]

Goodness gracious great bass of fire! Lovely.

[quackerz]

That is a beautiful J, treat her well! All I ever got from my father was a earful of "Turn that ******* down!"

[finlover]

Thanks for all the nice words, gentlemen!! I know how lucky I am to be the caretaker of this Jazz. It's funny, but I don't think Dad sees it as anything particularly special, just a good old bass.

[finlover]

Originally Posted by Jerry J

Come to think of it, I like the more natural looks of today's burst - the honey/golden brown center is easier on the eyes than the old yellow but if the custom shop is going to create a authentic NOS instrument, then they should use the authentic colors from that era.

I agree with you, Jerry--a more natural looking burst is prettier and more tasteful than the rather severe look of a '60s sunburst. Then again, it does match the bright red of the pickguard perfectly. I think the Custom Shop is finally catching on though. Recent versions of the old style sunburst seem pretty close (see photo). But until they get the pickguard and fretboard right they'll still scream reissue to me.