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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

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1971 Fender Jazz Bass a groovy example in Sunburst w / a 4 bolt rosewood neck.

1971 Fender Jazz Bass a groovy example in Sunburst w / a 4 bolt rosewood neck.

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

$6995

Another cool one just acquired its a pretty clean & very original 1971 Fender Jazz Bass w / all the right features, its has its original Sunburst finish over a nice Alder body, its White Bound & Block inlaid 4-bolt Rosewood Neck is pretty clean w / a perfect logo & frets, there's no date stamp on its neck typically from this period but she has pot date codes from the 16th week of 1971, its original Tortoise-shell pickgard pulls this all together making it one of Fender??s last great ... more
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1965 Fender Jazz Bass

1965 Fender Jazz Bass

Loveland, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$14900

1965 Fender Jazz Bass, Sunburst finish, ??L?? Plate, Both covers, Sounds amazing, Stunning clean example of a sought after model, EC, Original hard case... more
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1961 Fender Stack Knob Jazz Bass

1961 Fender Stack Knob Jazz Bass

Loveland, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$37500

1961 Fender Jazz Bass, Rare Stack Knob, Brazilian RosewoodSlab Board with clay dot inlays, Lovely Sunburst finish, Tortoise Pickguard, Two Pickups, Both covers, One of the finest basses ever made, VG++, OriginalBrown hard case.
... more
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1963 Fender Jazz Bass Pre-CBS Vintage Bass Sunburst w /  Case

1963 Fender Jazz Bass Pre-CBS Vintage Bass Sunburst w / Case

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

$17500

Up for sale, a 1963 Fender Jazz Bass in perfect working order, complete with the original brown tolex hardshell case. This Jazz Bass is 100% original save for a professional refret with vintage-spec slender fretwire, a corresponding bone nut, and one pickup rewind. Tonewoods include an alder body, maple neck, and dark Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, and at 9lbs 4oz ( " fully clothed" with its ashtray bridge and pickup covers), this bass is a medium weight example that's well-balanced on a strap.... more
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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

$21000

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
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Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass - Olympic White - SUN FADED! - PLEK

Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass - Olympic White - SUN FADED! - PLEK

New Orleans, Louisiana, 701**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2200

For Sale: American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass - Olympic White but faded by sun to yellow
I'm selling my American Vintage 1966 Jazz Bass, originally in Olympic White, now faded to a unique yellow color (body). The headstock is not faded, or back of the bass. It's hard to capture the changing color in the pics, I can send video or FT
The bass features a Nitrocellulose paint finish, known to start wearing off the more it's played giving it the true road worn look (not factory). This Jazz ... more
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1969 Fender Jazz Bass rare all original last of the 60s great Post-CBS basses !

1969 Fender Jazz Bass rare all original last of the 60's great Post-CBS basses !

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

$7995

Just in is a really clean & original 1969 Fender Jazz Bass w / all the right features, its has its original Sunburst finish over a lightweight Alder body, its White Bound & Block inlaid 4-bolt Rosewood Neck is super clean w / perfect logo & frets, its white block inlays have faded to almost see-thru over time, its ink date stamp is that typical odd set of #??s dating it to 1969 & she has pot date codes from the 42nd week of 1966, its original Tortoise-shell pickgard pulls this ... more
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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
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Fender 1979 Jazz Bass. Vintage. You Won??t Find Another One This Nice.

Fender 1979 Jazz Bass. Vintage. You Won??t Find Another One This Nice.

Sebastian, Florida, 329**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$7900


Fender 1979 Jazz Bass.
This bass sounds as amazing as it looks. I??ve played many Fender basses, including at least nine 1970s Fender basses. This 1979 Fender jazz bass has an amazing sound. It has a low growl. The neck and fretboard on this bass plays like a dream and is perfect
I bought this Jazz Bass from the original owner who purchased it new, on August 5, 1980 at Windy City Music in Chicago. A Copy of ... more
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Fender 2020 MIM Jazz Bass Guitar TV Yellow Maple Neck

Fender 2020 MIM Jazz Bass Guitar TV Yellow Maple Neck

Oswego, Illinois, 605**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$700



Fender MIM Jazz Bass Guitar TV Yellow Maple Neck
Any questions, please feel free to contact us!
Great item by DeMont Guitars!
any questions, please ask!
Returns not accepted from overseas and buyer should assume item is 'as-is' please feel free to ask any and all questions prior to auction end. Please email if you plan on bidder, or would like to purchase item for out-of-USA delivery
WE DO NOT DO PARTIAL REFUNDS
will accept most returns - return shipping and / or ... more
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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
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1978 Fender Jazz Bass:   " Mint" Condition (Collector-Grade @ 95%

1978 Fender Jazz Bass:   " Mint" Condition (Collector-Grade @ 95%

South Plainfield, New Jersey, 070**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5500


I bought this Bass brand new after spending an entire summer hustling all over Queens, New York on my Bicycle selling nickel bags and loose joints. I bought it from Mannys Music in New York City and I bought it brand spanking new. When I realized there was more money in selling car parts that??s how I really got the cash. But all good things must come to an end and before I knew it, I was in youth authority. LoL 2 years later I got out but while I was in my mother put my bass guitar at ... more
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1974 Fender Jazz Bass Natural w / HSC

1974 Fender Jazz Bass Natural w / HSC

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

$4995

1974 Fender Jazz Bass
This Bass Is Located At IVG Sherman Oaks
In Very Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
Shows Cosmetic Playwear Including Various Marks, Dings, And Scratches
Some Finish Checking Throughout
Lightweight Alder Body With Natural Polyurethane Finish
Maple Neck With Bound Maple Fingerboard And Block Inlays
Original Frets Are Low But Playable
Pickups And Electronics Mostly Original With One Pot Replaced, Original Included
34" Scale ... more
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Vintage Fender Jazz Bass Black 1972

Vintage Fender Jazz Bass Black 1972

Brookfield, Wisconsin, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$6499


Vintage Fender Jazz Bass Black 1972
PLEASE CONTACT US WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR FOR AN IN-HAND DESCRIPTION
Killer vintage styling & a superb player thanks to a pro set up from the experts here at Cream City Music. With a comfortable, slender neck & a pair of rich sounding single coils, this gorgeous Jazz Bass is the epitome of classic Fender basses. Professionally inspected & ready to play upon arrival
Cosmetic Condition: Good, honest play wear, just the way we like to see ... more
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Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass 4 String Electric Bass Guitar w /  Case

Fender American Vintage II 1966 Jazz Bass 4 String Electric Bass Guitar w / Case

Barton, New York, 137**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$2100

The Fender American Vintage II series presents a remarkably accurate take on the revolutionary designs that altered the course of musical history. Built with period-accurate bodies, necks and hardware, premium finishes and meticulously voiced, year-specific pickups, each instrument captures the essence of authentic Fender craftsmanship and tone.
When Don Randall at Fender Sales requested a more sophisticated, high-end bass model, the now iconic Jazz Bass was the result. The ... more
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1965 Fender Jazz Bass Fiesta Red Relic w /  Case

1965 Fender Jazz Bass Fiesta Red Relic w / Case

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

$7100

Up for sale, a 1965 Fender Jazz Bass in excellent condition, featuring a Fiesta Red relic'd finish and complete with a hardshell case. The body and neck of this instrument are genuine vintage components, and the bass has been fitted with a later set of vintage gray bobbin Fullerton-made Fender pickups, along with a combination of vintage and modern hardware / plastics
Lightweight at 8lbs 8oz, tonewoods include an alder body, maple neck, and dark Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, and the ... more
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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
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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
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1995 Fender Jazz Bass MIM Rosewood Fretboard ??XINT COND?? - With Chainsaw Case

1995 Fender Jazz Bass MIM Rosewood Fretboard ??XINT COND?? - With Chainsaw Case

Redlands, California, 923**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$750

1995 Fender Jazz Bass MIM - Black

Bass Body has Very Little Play Time & Play Wear.

Electronics Work Perfectly, Neck is Straight and the Trust Rod Perfectly, Stays in Tune as well

Body is Very Clean in Amazing Condition. Near Mint. Pick Guard Does have light scratches.

Fender Chainsaw Case, all latches work. Case is in Decent Shape.

Look at the Pictures, there are part of my Description! There is Glare from Lighting. This Instrument ... more
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FENDER 1966 P JAZZ TELE BASS CHROME BASS TUNER FERRULES MATCHED SET

FENDER 1966 P JAZZ TELE BASS CHROME BASS TUNER FERRULES MATCHED SET

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

$65

FREE USA SHIPPING!
Small parts like this are often overlooked because you never know when you're going to need them! Yes, these are from a 1966 Fender Precision Bass and are correct for basses from 1966 thru 1973 where chrome ferrules are desired. These will not fit Kluson Tuners because those have a slightly thicker string post. This is a great set with nice, even wear and very slight aging consistent for the period. FREE USA SHIPPING and a 30-day return privilege for any reason. The Bass ... more
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