flyguitars logo
I'm happy with this
This website uses cookies to personalise content and adverts, to provide social media features, and to analyse traffic. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. See terms and conditions

Fly Guitars Interview: Jack Casady - part 2: Fender Jazz bass

Intro | Fender Jazz | Guild basses | Alembic & Modulus | Epiphone Jack Casady Signature | Amps | Other guitars


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

Jefferson Airplane - White Rabbit Jefferson Airplane - High Flyin Bird

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.



Thanks to Graham Fieldhouse and Jack Casady

Further reading: JackCasady.com | HotTuna.com

Fender Jazz bass guitars for sale

Flyguitars.com is funded by its visitors. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. For more info see terms and conditions.
Vintage Fender 1963 Stratocaster telecaster jazz bass precision bass strap butto

Vintage Fender 1963 Stratocaster telecaster jazz bass precision bass strap butto

Fort Mill, South Carolina, 297**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$199

Up for sale is a set of 1963 Fender strap buttons. Matching pair with original screws to go with anyone??s vintage guitar who needs them! Strap buttons do show slight tarnish from over the years but should still go along well with someone vintage guitar. Any questions please feel free to email me. Thanks!

... more
eBay logo
Fender Squier Jazz Bass 1984 - 1987 Made in Japan MIJ

Fender Squier Jazz Bass 1984 - 1987 Made in Japan MIJ

Lubbock, Texas, 794**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$800

This is a rare Made in Japan Squier by Fender Jazz Bass. The serial number indicates that it was made between 1984 and 1987. It is finished in black paint, presumably with a maple neck and a rosewood fretboard (although I can't verify the wood species myself)
I have replaced the pickguard with a new aftermarket version. It required some fitting around the neck, neck pickup, and the knob plate. I also did not want to drill extra holes where any of the screw-holes of the new pickguard do not ... more
eBay logo
1965 Fender Jazz Bass Lake Placid Blue Finish Left-Handed Electric Bass w / OHSC

1965 Fender Jazz Bass Lake Placid Blue Finish Left-Handed Electric Bass w / OHSC

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

$14995

1965 Fender Jazz Bass Lake Placid Blue Finish Left-Handed Electric Bass w / OHSC
In Very Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
Headstock Has Been Cracked And Expertly Repaired (See Photos)
All Original
Original Lake Placid Blue Finish Shows Dings And Beautiful Vertical Checking
Alder Body
Maple Neck With Rosewood Fingerboard
Weight 9lbs 6oz
Nut Width 1 469 "
Neck Depth At 1st Fret .75 "
Neck Depth At 12th Fret 1 56 "
Comes With Original Fender ... more
eBay logo
1980s Fender Japan Jazz Bass Special - P / J Configuration - E Serial! Pro Set Up

1980's Fender Japan Jazz Bass Special - P / J Configuration - E Serial! Pro Set Up

Pompano Beach, Florida, 330**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1350

1988 Fender Jazz Bass Special P / J-40
Serial: E976615
Nut Width: 1 49 "
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: 0 81 "
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: 1 00 "
Weight: 7 lbs 10 oz's!!!
Comes in Original Fender Case
$$$ It has just been professionally set up and dialed in for optimal tone and playability. It has low action with no buzzing. The frets are in perfect condition and polished to shine like a mirror, it is truly stage or studio ready / worthy. ... more
eBay logo
Fender Jazz Bass Special 1984 - 1987 - Black Japan

Fender Jazz Bass Special 1984 - 1987 - Black Japan

Huntington, Indiana, 467**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1100

For sale is a Fender Jazz Bass Special 1984 - 1987 - Black Japan in Good Condition!
This beautiful bass comes from the famous Fujigen factory which has become synonymous with high quality! These are becoming harder to come by and are very collectible!
Just cleaned and set up with super low action!
Electronics have been modified (Vol - Vol - Tone - Input)
This can easily be modified back to original as they used the existing holes. The original jack is still intact on the side of the... more
eBay logo
Vintage Fender Jazz Bass Sunburst 1968

Vintage Fender Jazz Bass Sunburst 1968

Brookfield, Wisconsin, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$7999


Vintage Fender Jazz Bass Sunburst 1968
PLEASE CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR FOR AN IN-HAND DESCRIPTION
An outstanding Jazz Bass offering superb tone & playability. The perfectly shaped neck is exceptionally comfortable & plays great up & down the fretboard. The body is very resonant & the pair of single coils deliver warm, rich, dynamic tones. Professionally set up with fresh strings & low action so it's ready to play straight out of the case
Cosmetic ... more
eBay logo
Vintage 1984 Fender Jazz Bass

Vintage 1984 Fender Jazz Bass

Flossmoor, Illinois, 604**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1000

Vintage fender jazz bass. Excellent condition plays beautifully. Tones are smooth as can be and easy to play. You won??t be disappointed. See recent appraisal. Happy bidding any questions feel free
... more
eBay logo
1982 Fender American Vintage ?62 Jazz Bass Stacked Knob Vintage White

1982 Fender American Vintage ?62 Jazz Bass Stacked Knob Vintage White

Salt Lake City, Utah, 841**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2699

For sale is a 1982 Fender American Vintage ?62 Jazz Bass Stacked Knob in a stunning Vintage White finish. This bass guitar comes with its original hard-shell case. Despite being played, it remains in very good condition and in perfect working order. There are some light scratches, dings, finish checking, and faint sticker marks on the front of the bass. The bass appears to have been professionally refinished, and it looks amazing. I would confidently rate the condition at a solid 8 out of 10 ... more
eBay logo
Classic 1983 Fender Jazz Bass 3-Bolt with Ash Body & Bound Maple Fretboard

Classic 1983 Fender Jazz Bass 3-Bolt with Ash Body & Bound Maple Fretboard

Pompano Beach, Florida, 330**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$3983

1983 Fender Jazz Bass -Sienna Burst Finish
Made in the USA
Serial # S865079
Ash Body & Bound Neck!
Classic Medium U Shape Profile Neck
Radius: 7 25
Nut Width: 1 42
Weight: 12 lbs
Measures .80 at the first fret
and .91 at the 12th
Authentic Vintage Mojo, No Fake Aging!
Upgraded Vintage Dimarzio Pickups
Neck is Straight & Truss Rod Works Perfectly
2 Dimarzio Pots 1 CTS Pot
$$$ Professionally Set-Up and Dialed in for Optimal Tone & Playability. ... more
eBay logo
left-handed. 1962 fender jazz bass, old reunion, blues gig bag

left-handed. 1962 fender jazz bass, old reunion, blues gig bag

Wallingford, Connecticut, 064**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$9000

left-handed. 1962 fender jazz bass, old reunion, blues gig bag. Condition is Used. Shipped with USPS Ground Advantage.... more
eBay logo
1979 FENDER 250K CTS POT DATED 7917 TELECASTER PRECISION JAZZ

1979 FENDER 250K CTS POT DATED 7917 TELECASTER PRECISION JAZZ

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

$43

FREE USA SHIPPING!
This is a nice original 1979 Fender CTS pot in superb condition. It's a 250K pot that came from a 1979 Fender Telecaster and still has the .01 tone capacitor, pickup leads and ground wire attached. Dated 17th week of 1979 & it's for solid-shaft pots
FREE USA SHIPPING and a 30-day return privilege if you are not happy for any reason. The Bass Palace will be listing LOTS of parts, tubes and a few basses this month so check back often. Thanks for visiting us at recent ... more
eBay logo
1985 Fender Boxer Series Jazz Bass Special PJ-555 Vintage PJ Bass, Japan MIJ

1985 Fender Boxer Series Jazz Bass Special PJ-555 Vintage PJ Bass, Japan MIJ

Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1500

The Hot Rod J-50 single coil bridge pickup has lots of presence and midrange character, and the Hot Rod P-40 split-coil pickup has bold punch and treble growl, accentuated by a set of roundwound 50-105 strings. Both pickups have oversized pole pieces and are wound hotter than Fender Japan's vintage series pickups, delivering a sound worthy of the instrument's slick '80s looks, that are governed by a three-way selector switch, dedicated Volume knobs for each pickup, and a TBX Tone control. From ... more
eBay logo
1964 Fender Jazz Bass Pre-CBS Vintage Bass Olympic White w /  Gold Hardware, Case

1964 Fender Jazz Bass Pre-CBS Vintage Bass Olympic White w / Gold Hardware, Case

Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$16500

Up for sale, a 1964 Fender Jazz Bass in perfect working order, featuring factory-installed gold hardware and the original custom color Olympic White nitro lacquer finish. While Pre-CBS era Fender Jazz Basses in custom colors enjoy a certain reverence for their relative rarity, the all-original gold hardware certainly elevates this example above the pack
With extremely heavy playwear and a super jumbo refret, this Jazz Bass looks mean yet has a vitality and breadth of tones well-suited to ... more
eBay logo
2023 Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass Olympic White Underwood Aged

2023 Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass Olympic White Underwood Aged

Lexington, Kentucky, 405**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2800

Excellent condition!
Neck Measurements: 1st- .78 12th- 1 02
Featuring a neck that's narrower at the nut for a faster and more effortless feel, plus sleek new body style that mirrored the offset contoured style of the Jazzmaster, the first Jazz Bass models were developed after Fender Salesman Don Randall requested a more sophisticated, high-end bass model. By 1966, the evolution of the instrument reached new heights with striking new features.
The American Vintage II 1966 Jazz ... more
eBay logo
FENDER 1970s USA JAZZ BASS 3-BOLT NECK TILT METAL INSERT WITH ORIGINAL SCREWS

FENDER 1970s USA JAZZ BASS 3-BOLT NECK TILT METAL INSERT WITH ORIGINAL SCREWS

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

$38

SALE PRICE & FREE USA SHIPPING
This is from a 1975 3-Bolt Fender Jazz Bass and is in excellent condition. This is the piece that attaches to the body of your bass. The metal is nice with just a hint of oxidation and no warping or stress, there is no rust or pitting. Includes the original wood screws that mount the plate to the neck. I don't have the set screw but aftermarket ones are easy to find. Besides, it's hidden from view! You can tell this is a real one because the screw holes are ... more
eBay logo
Original 1966 Fender  Jazz Bass Body 4 Bolt Natural USA Vintage 69??s World Ship

Original 1966 Fender Jazz Bass Body 4 Bolt Natural USA Vintage 69??s World Ship

Vancouver, Washington, 986**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$1275

.
Original vintage 1966 fender jazz bass body.
Beautiful natural stripped body
Originally was a sunburst
Natural color smooth on front and more stripped on back
Some wood wear removed at upper arm rest contour as seen in pictures
Small amount of control cavity route as seen in pictures
Super nice solid vintage 55 year old bass body Originally
Priced to sell
You will be very happy with this cool fender vintage bass body Originally Priced

Thanks for ... more
eBay logo
1962 Fender Jazz Bass Black / Reverb. In Excellent Condition.

1962 Fender Jazz Bass Black / Reverb. In Excellent Condition.

Oroville, California, 959**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$10000

Fender Jazz Bass-Electric Bass guitar, 1962
Made in Mexico. Well kept guitar. It??s black and has the Reverb feature. A real Classic piece
... more
eBay logo
Fender Jazz Bass Vintage Electric Bass Guitar Sunburst w /  Case. Rosewood Fret

Fender Jazz Bass Vintage Electric Bass Guitar Sunburst w / Case. Rosewood Fret

Tucson, Arizona, 857**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5999

Fender Jazz Bass Vintage Electric Bass Guitar Sunburst w / Case. Rosewood Fret. Condition is Used. Local pickup only.... more
eBay logo
1962 Fender Jazz Bass Sunburst Pre-CBS

1962 Fender Jazz Bass Sunburst Pre-CBS

Syracuse, New York, 132**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$20000

... more
eBay logo
1965 Fender Jazz Bass pretty refinish in Sonic Blue & ready for its next gig !

1965 Fender Jazz Bass pretty refinish in Sonic Blue & ready for its next gig !

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$8995

This cool 1965 Jazz Bass has been refinished in their rarest custom color, this stunning Sonic Blue finish is over an alder body. She has a stamped neck date of August 1965 still sporting its original logo making it 1 of the last w / an ??Unbound?? pearl dot inlaid Rosewood neck. By January ??66 all necks were White Bound from that day forward as all CBS production traits took over from that point in time on. Its original White pickgard pulls this all together. Its 2 pickups are super smooth w /... more
eBay logo