Stunning 1962 Fender Jazz Bass in perfectly aged, original custom colour Fiesta red over Dakota Red with desirable slab Rosewood fingerboard. This bass has been with the previous owner since 1967 and was a working instrument for a large part of its life.
The Jazz bass was released in 1960 as the upmarket Bass in the Fender range sharing the same design philosophy and aesthetics as the new Jazzmaster guitar with an offset waisted body and and advanced features. The Jazz Bass would also feature a new slimmer shaped neck with a narrower width at the nut and two newly designed multi-pole pickups offering a wide range of sounds thanks to its concentric volume and tone controls.
Featuring a lightweight Alder body with no additional routes/repairs in a Fiesta Red finish. The Fiesta Red is over a darker Dakota Red with Desert Sand evident beneath. The nail holes are free from paint and the neck pocket is fully painted with 'butterflying' of the finish on the neck plate as you'd want to see. There is lacquer checking and play wear throughout giving this bass a lot of character, with some edge wear through to the undercoat and buckle rash on the back through to the wood - a reflection of this bass' regular use over the years.
The neck has a stunning dark ‘slab’ Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard with wide spaced clay dots. The neck is stamped March 62A putting it comfortably before the shift to the curved veneer fingerboard. The neck, like the body shows wear and has a wonderfully smooth feel in the only way a naturally worn and played in lacquered neck can be. The Jazz Bass decal is original and the correct type used between ’61 and ’64. The Bass retains its original Tortoiseshell pickguard which is crack-free and has resisted twisting or warping. Tuners are the correct reverse gear Kluson type used between 1957 and 1963 and the bridge has the soft radiuses plate with grooved steel saddles. Electronically the solder looks untouched throughout with matching Stackpole pots dating to the 12th week of 1962 and with Bass and Treble pickups measuring 6.75 and 7.22K respectively.
Weighing in at a good 8.8lbs or 4.03kg it has the feel of a well played and loved instrument, the neck feels smooth and overall this bass has a wonderful tactile quality. Playability is good, frets are on the low side and the nut is a touch low but we have decided in the interest of originality to leave any changes up to the new owner.
This wonderful instrument comes with the pictured case. A very rare custom colour example with a huge amount of character and vibe. A stunning addition to any collection.