Here is a truly unique vintage Fender Jazz Bass. This instrument combines a rare 1964 “L Series” Jazz bass neck with Brazilian rosewood fretboard with a solid and well functioning 1971 Fender Jazz bass body. The end result is a killer player grade vintage bass with a whole lot of character and vintage authenticity. 

This bass presents in very good condition. The durable poly finish on the body has held up well over the years, despite clear evidence of being played considerably. A 2mm groove has been worn into the front of the bass where the players thumb has rested for countless hours of playing. All the original controls and electrical components are present on the body. The three original Centralab pots all show a date of 1971. We believe these pickups have never been unsoldered from these pots. This indicates that these controls have never been removed from the instrument. This, combined with the poly finish, 11 hole guard, absence of paint nail holes, and the style of burst finish, point to the body as being from 1971. 

The coolest part of this bass is its neck. A beautiful slim and straight example of pre CBS craftsmanship. The slim “A stamped” Jazz bass neck has a nut width of 38mm and a neck depth of 20.2mm at the first fret give this instrument that slick, easy playing feel that you'd expect from an L series Jazz Bass. This bass has reproduction vintage style reverse wind tuners. The original frets have plenty of life with minimal signs of pitting. Original clay dots are present. This bass has some light pink dot marker paint on the side of the fretboard over the original side dots. This neck has received an overspray a long time ago. There are several chips on the outer layer showing a lighter nitrocellulose lacquer underneath. 

This bass has a reproduction plastic tug bar with new screws. The pickguard is an old 11 hole white three ply guard (11 hole guards were introduced mid 1965), it is likely not original to this sunburst body. The bridge of this bass is also not original to this body, as the threaded saddles were phased out in 1966/67. It is possible the bridge belonged to the original 1964 body. White guards where typically available on custom colours. There is evidence of different colours inside of the chrome neck plate. At this stage the original colour is purely speculation as there is not enough evidence for us to know for sure. 

A vintage bridge cover comes with this bass, it does not have the neck pickup cover. 

There are several areas where the black finish has been touched up with a felt tip marker, and give of a distinct purple hue under light. This is most prominently on the outer side of the lower horn.

At 6.5k in the neck and 6.9k in the bridge, these pickups are well balanced. This bass has that classic, punchy “piano” sound with excellent articulation that vintage jazz basses are renowned for.

This is an very cool old jazz bass, constructed with a lot of valuable vintage parts, but offered here at a considerably lower price than an original example. A fascinating vintage puzzle with appeal to players and collectors alike. 

 
Brand: Fender
Model: Jazz Bass
Country: USA
Year: 1964/1971
Serial: L25XXX
Case: Stamford
Body Colour: Sunburst
Neck Colour: Natural
Finish Type: Nitro/Poly
Body Material: Adler
Neck Material: Maple
Fretboard Material: Brazilian Rosewood
Scale Length: 34”
Frets: 20
Fretboard Radius: 7.25” 
Action (Low E): 2.3mm
Neck Profile: Slim “A” Stamp
Nut Width: 38.1mm
12th Fret Width: 56.1mm 
1st Fret Depth: 20.2mm
12th Fret Depth: 25.1mm
Pickups: Jazz Single Coil
Resistance: N-6.5k, B-6.9k
Electronics: Volume, Volume, Tone
Knobs: Black Plastic
Pick Guard: White 3 ply
Tuners: Chrome, Reverse wind
Hardware: Chrome
Weight: 3.95kg
Mods, Repairs: 1964 “L Series Jazz Bass neck on 1971 Body. Nitro neck with overspray, poly body. Original controls,
Notes: no evidence of soldering in control cavity helps confirm this body is of 1971 vintage, as the controls have never been removed.