1973 Fender Jazz Bass, Black

Super cool, well loved, Factory Black, block and bound 1973 Fender Jazz Bass reminiscent of Geddy Lee’s bass of choice in Rush. We sold this Bass a little over 5 years ago and it’s nice to have it back in the shop again.

Dating to 1973 this would be one of the last of the original 4 bolt neck Jazz Basses before Fender switched to the 3 bolt design in late 1973. The Alder body is finished in Factory Black, still officially a Custom Colour in ’73. The Maple neck has black binding and block inlays as Fender used on early ‘70s Maple boards, ‘Skunk Stripe’ with the truss rod screw at the body end of the neck, again predating the change to the ‘Bullet’ adjuster and 3-bolt design. As is correct for this era the Fender Jazz Bass Decal is under the lacquer.

The hardware consists of Fender branded cloverleaf tuners, white 3-ply scratch plate with the finger rest in the pre ’74 lower position, Fender bridge with slotted barrel saddles and long G intonation screw. The previous owner has paired the bass with a set of modern bridge and pickup covers and aged them to suit. The pots are all CTS with matching early 73 date codes (137 7310), when the bass came in to us 5 years ago the both pickups needed rewinding, the job was done by Bare Knuckle Pickups and they sound as good today as they did then.

The finish is in good overall condition. The body and neck have picked up a few knocks and scrapes associated with general use and gigging but nothing to visually distract. Aesthetically, the bass has plenty of vibe and the appearance of a well loved instrument. Strung with a fresh set of D’Addario Chromes the bass plays well with plenty of life in the frets, plugged in it the archetypal Jazz Bass sound with swelling lows, a growl to the top end with slightly scooped mids.

The Bass balances well and weighs a more than acceptable 9.4 lbs.

Comes with a later Hardshell case and reproduction tortoiseshell pickguard.