Fender Jazz bass

FlyGuitars What was your first bass?

Jack Casady One of my pals was Danny Gatton who was a very, very fine guitarist who's since passed on. Danny was a 16 or 15 year old wonder kid when I turned 16. We played in each others bands on the circuit from time to time and his bass player got sick and I filled in for him for a two week gig. I really enjoyed the instrument and went out and brought a 1960 concentric pot Jazz bass, that was my first bass. The Precision is a little tough for the size of my hands but the Jazz bass with that more narrow neck at the top was little easier for me to get around on.

FlyGuitars Can you remember what it cost for the Jazz bass at the time when you bought it?

Jack Casady I remember that the 58 Tele was $115 dollars. I'm sure that the Jazz bass at the time was a little bit more. I bought it in 1960 the first year the Jazz bass came out. I'm sure that's a matter of record, you know you didn't get deals on instruments then. You paid what they charged.

FlyGuitars By today's standards it would be quite cheap but unfortunately back then it was expensive I guess?

Jack Casady Well you know gasoline or as you call it petrol was 19 cents a gallon so it's all scaled down. The dollar was a lot harder to make in those days and I worked six nights a week in a club. When we had a steady gig we got a $115 dollars a week, that was a lot of money. It was enough money for me to go out and get my own apartment when I was 17 but if you paid $300 dollars for an instrument or $500 dollars for an instrument that was a lot of money.

FlyGuitars So when you first joined Jefferson Airplane you were using Fender basses?

Jack Casady Yeah the first three albums are recorded with a Fender Jazz bass, and I customised that by adding a P pickup right butted up against the neck. So in essence I had on the very bassy end of the speaking length of the string an offset P pickup and then two bar pickups of the Jazz bass.

FlyGuitars And how did that the P pickup work?

Jack Casady I took the concentric pots that were used and later on dropped by Fender for there Jazz bass line. You would have a volume and a tone stacked up on top of each other, so that's the configuration I used. I used a volume/tone, volume/tone, volume/tone for each pick up and blended them together. That was my '60 Jazz bass, it got stolen just before I came out to California in 1965.

When I arrived out there I bought a brand new 1965 Jazz bass. That bass originally came with the two volumes and one tone. I took those controls out and put in concentric pots and added a p bass pickup.

Video Clips: Jack Casady with Fender Jazz bass guitars - click the images to view clips

Two clips from 1967 in which Jack plays the Fender Jazz bass. The first mimingWhite Rabbit, on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, and the second High Flyin' Bird live at the Monterey Pop festival.

Fender Jazz bass guitars for sale

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1962 Fender Vintage Pre CBS Slab Board Jazz Bass Refinished

Peckville, Pennsylvania, 184**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$8895

From the vintage vault at Pristine Auctions we are proud to present this amazing 1962 Fender Pre-CBS Jazz Bass Serial Number 77624. This is an absolutely incredible players instrument that is literally oozing with tons of Mojo and Vintage Vibe. First this bass has been owned by the same owner since 1969 and it was purchased at Galucci Music in Scranton PA at that time. This instrument has been gigged since 1969 and it is an incredible instrument in every aspect. The first thing to mention ... more

1973 Fender Jazz Bass Natural | Black Block Inlays, Vintage Electric Bass Guitar

Lee's Summit, Missouri, 640**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3699

1973 Fender Jazz Bass Natural with Black Blocks
Very great vibey early 70's Fender Jazz Bass in Natural blonde and maple neck with black block inlays. The bass plays easy and sounds excellent. Comes with clean original hardshell case! Check out our website for more photos and other important info!
Condition: Good player-grade bass with some nice changes that make this one sound great. There are various dings, scratches and marks all over from years of use. ... more

1969 Fender Jazz Bass Sunburst w / OHSC

San Diego, California, 921**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5395

1969 Fender Jazz Bass Sunburst w / OHSC
This Bass Is In Good Condition With Heavy Wear Visible To The Finish (See Photos)
Located At Imperial Vintage Guitars Orange
All Original 1 Owner Bass, Plays And Sounds Amazing
Weighs 8lbs 11oz
Nut Width 1 39 "
Neck Depth At 1st Fret 0 87 " , At 12th Fret 0 96 "
Comes With Original Hard Shell Case (Middle Latch Top Missing)
Original Pickup And Bridge Covers Included As Pictured
... more

1976 Fender Jazz Bass Bound Maple Neck Workhorse PlayerGrade Studio Legend, OHSC

Woodbury, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3200

1976 Fender Jazz Bass, Bound Maple Neck, Workhorse Player-Grade Studio Legend w / Original Hardshell Case
For sale is a seasoned 1976 Fender Jazz Bass, a workhorse that's been on a few adventures and is back, ready for more. This bass has the character and battle scars of a well-loved instrument, and it's all set for studio sessions or to bring some unique vibe to the stage
This model features Fender??s innovative 3-bolt neck with a micro-tilt adjustment, introduced in the mid-70s. This ... more

1973 Fender Jazz Bass Olympic White Refin

Farmingdale, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3299

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Questions? We can help!
Contact us today!
30-Day Money Back
Guarantee
... more

Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass 4-String Bass Guitar 3-Color Sunburst

Bristol, Tennessee, 376**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1900

This 2023 Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass is used with "used" stamped on the back of the headstock. It is in mint condition and shows no dings, dents, scratches, or any obvious playwear. This bass has been professionally set up and plays great! The neck is straight, the action is low and comfortable, and the frets are in excellent condition. This bass will come complete with the original Fender Vintage-Style Hardshell Case as well as the Certificate of Authenticity, bridge and pickup ... more

Fender American Vintage Jazz Bass 4-String RH - 3Tone Sunburst With Case

Phoenix, Arizona, 850**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2000

Very Good condition. Will come exactly as pictured. Please look through all pictures.... more

Fender American Vintage '62 Jazz Bass 1982 Fullerton - Black

Peekskill, New York, 105**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3495

This is a 1982 Fender '62 American Vintage Reissue Jazz Bass made in Fullerton, CA. It has a nitrocellulose Black finish and like an original '62, It has reverse-wind tuners, a visible bridge grounding strip, and a treble-side finger rest. It has a slim C maple neck with a rosewood board that plays comfortably and easily, and overall the bass feels awesome. Its headstock was long ago painted black and relogo'd to match its body. It looks super cool. It has its bridge and pickup covers, and with ... more

1968 Fender Jazz Bass (All Original) With OHSC

Lake Havasu City, Arizona, 864**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$9500

1968 Fender Jazz Bass (All Original) With OHSC

Totally original and ready to roll! A true closet classic. Original paint, original covers, pickups, case, etc!

This bass is being sold as-is due to the nature of its age
... more

FENDER 1968-72 USA JAZZ OR PRECISION BASS CASE BLACK TOLEX ORANGE SUPER CLEAN!

Berlin, New Hampshire, 035**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$409

FREE USA SHIPPING!
(for a limited time)
This month The Bass Palace will be listing 15 to 20 vintage cases from The Swami's own personal collection. Most of these are in primo condition and some are actually NOS. There are even some seldom-seen ones to be offered. These are the cream-of-the-crop if you are looking for a case worthy of your own special instrument. As an intro I am offering FREE shipping to the lower 48 thru 11 / 15 (a $40-60 savings)! But make no mistake, once the sale ... more

FENDER 1967-71 USA JAZZ OR PRECISION BASS CASE BLACK TOLEX ORANGE SUPER CLEAN!

Berlin, New Hampshire, 035**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$429

FREE USA SHIPPING!
(for a limited time)
This month The Bass Palace will be listing 15 to 20 vintage cases from The Swami's own personal collection. Most of these are in primo condition and some are actually NOS. There are even some seldom-seen ones to be offered. These are the cream-of-the-crop if you are looking for a case worthy of your own special instrument. As an intro I am offering FREE shipping to the lower 48 thru 11 / 15 (a $40-60 savings)! But make no mistake, once the sale ... more

1984 Fender Jazz Bass (Mex) VGC

Milford, Michigan, 483**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$525

This Fender Jazz Bass I have owned for 25 years Purchased from a small music store in Columbus Ohio from an older couple
who owned the store. I mostly played it for recording sessions here at my studio I kept in great shape with regular adjustments by Dan Kalcheck at Traverse City Guitar. Plays great and pickups sound great
Asking 525 00... more

FENDER 1970-76 USA JAZZ OR PRECISION BASS CASE BLACK TOLEX ORANGE VERY CLEAN!

Berlin, New Hampshire, 035**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$389

FREE USA SHIPPING!
(for a limited time)
This month The Bass Palace will be listing 15 to 20 vintage cases from The Swami's own personal collection. Most of these are in primo condition and some are actually NOS. There are even some seldom-seen ones to be offered. These are the cream-of-the-crop if you are looking for a case worthy of your own special instrument. As an intro I am offering FREE shipping to the lower 48 thru 11 / 15 (a $40-60 savings)! But make no mistake, once the sale ... more

Fender American Vintage II 1966 Left-Hand Jazz Bass, Rosewood, Sea Foam Green

Sacramento, California, 958**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1590

Super cool American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass. Recently purchased new in May 2024 and it has seen minimal home use. The build is a big step above standard American Fenders and is much closer in quality to Fender Custom Shop. Makes sense given the original price tag of $2500. It even uses the same G&C case as a Custom Shop (sans the CS logo of course )
It shows regular signs of use but I'm OCD so it still looks close to new. The only blemish I could note is a micro chip of finish came off ... more

1968 Fender Jazz Bass Neck Loaded

Tarzana, California, 913**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2499

1968 Fender Jazz Bass Neck Loaded
Up for sale, an incredible and original 1968 Fender Jazz Bass rosewood neck in Very good condition
It was taken out from an all original 1968 Fender Jazz Bass that had dates confirmed AUG 68, and it's all original, including its finish, decal logo, nut and frets. The neck has been loaded with new Gotoh Chrome Lollipop tuners (just like the ones originally came with it) and string tree, other than these all original.
See last photo, (just for ... more

1978 Fender Jazz Bass USA w / TKL case

Portland, Oregon, 972**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2300

Glossy walnut (poly, of course) finish on this late ?70s 4-bolt electric bass. The knobs, neck plate, and pickups are more modern (00s-20s) replacements (pickups are Fender USA ?70s Jazz style appropriate for this instrument). Body, neck, tuning machines, I assume, and pick guard are all original.
As shown the bass was routed on rear for 9V battery compartment at one time. body has one large spot of finish loss plus several minor chip spots also around the bottom edge
Neck is good and ... more

1978 Fender Jazz Bass Parts Original Owner- Bridge, Pickguard & more FREE SHIP

Spring Branch, Texas, 780**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$480

I bought a new American Fender Jazz bass in 1978 or 1979. I removed the pick guard and the bridge cover (ashtray) as soon as I got it home. The manual with serial number was removed along with the genuine Fender guitar strap. I carefully packed them away along with another genuine Fender guitar strap that I had saved from a Fender Telecaster bass that I bought new around 1970 if memory serves might have been another one in that time frame. The straps appear to be identical except the rivets on ... more

Used Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass - Olympic White w / Rosewood FB

Winchester, Virginia, 226**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2020

ProAudioStar DJ GEAR INSTRUMENT GEAR LIVE SOUND RECORDING MICROPHONES HEADPHONES ACCESSORIES SOFTWARE LIGHTING BUNDLES Authorized Dealer
Used Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass ... more

Used Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass - Sea Foam Green w / Rosewood FB

Winchester, Virginia, 226**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2020

ProAudioStar DJ GEAR INSTRUMENT GEAR LIVE SOUND RECORDING MICROPHONES HEADPHONES ACCESSORIES SOFTWARE LIGHTING BUNDLES Authorized Dealer
Used Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass ... more

Used Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass LH - Sea Foam Green w / Rosewood FB

Winchester, Virginia, 226**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2130

ProAudioStar DJ GEAR INSTRUMENT GEAR LIVE SOUND RECORDING MICROPHONES HEADPHONES ACCESSORIES SOFTWARE LIGHTING BUNDLES Authorized Dealer
Used Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass ... more

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