Despite having a very well-executed Olympic White refin on the body, we're calling this 1963 Fender Jazz Bass "Chocolate Bar" due to its incredible Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard. Get a load of the figure and color on this one!
In true pre-CBS fashion, this Jazz Bass hits on all of the great features that made this electric bass the classic it is today. The fast playing 'A' neck was stamped in May of 1963 and has a wonderful feeling profile. The original frets remain, and while low offer a great unhindered playing experience.
The electronics and pickups are original to the bass, with the former balancing out very well at 7.30k and 7.33k respectively, and the Stackpole harness dating it to May of '63 just like the neck. The 4-ply tortoise guard has held up well with some signs of the common shrinkage around the neck heel and control plate, and with a thumbnail chip over by the treble-side waist. There's evidence of a different bridge having been installed by way of some plugged/doweled holes below the rear pickup, but a proper period-correct bridge is installed along with original saddles. The refin masks those plugged holes very well!
At a touch over 8.5lbs on our scale, it's right in the sweet spot of Fender bass weight range - comfortable, balanced, and very resonant. It includes a set of repro pickup and bridge covers as well.
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