Fender Jazz Bass Guitar
Solid body long scale electric bass

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Fender Jazz bass. Image taken from the 1970 Fender catalogue

Fender Jazz bass. Image taken from the 1972 Fender catalogue

The Fender Jazz bass (or J-bass) is a classic instrument, as well known and played today as any other bass. It found favour with so many bass players, from legends like Noel Redding of the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Jaco Pastorius (who now have signature models) to small time artists who just love that thin neck, and bright sound.

The Jazz bass was launched in 1960; a two-pickup companion to the Fender Precision.

In the late fifties, buyers were still wary of solid-bodied basses, being used to upright acoustic basses, and so string mutes were standard until 1962, giving a more 'upright bass' sound.

As the sixties wore on, this became less relevant, and the Jazz bass was accepted for what it was.

The bass went from strength to strength, and has been made ever since, with only minor changes in half a century of manufacture. Vintage Jazz basses change hands for very large sums; not only are they highly collectable, they are also desirable players instruments, particularly amongst jazz and funk musicians.

Have a look at some Jazz bass publicity in the Jazz bass adverts section, technical information and catalogue appearances.

Back to the FENDER INDEX

Fender American Deluxe Ash Jazz Bass Tobacco Sunburst Maple Fretboard

This premium ash-bodied J Bass represents the production Fender instrument at its very best. It's beautifully crafted and finished and features great hardware and electronics. Equipped with a deluxe chromeplated bridge that allows both string-thru or top-loading and 2 dual-coil Samarium Cobalt Noiseless Jazz pickups. It also has 3-band active EQ with master volume and a pan pot for pickup blending. Includes Fender hardshell case.

Fender Standard Jazz Bass V

First introduced in 1960 as the "Deluxe Model," the Fender Jazz Bass has stood the test of time to become one of the most played instruments in modern musical history. Many Fender firsts such as the offset waist body, ultra-slim fast-action neck, and full-range bi-pole pickups are standard features on the Standard Jazz Bass. This is an affordable update of Fender classic designs that incorporates 2 bi-pole pickups fashioned after the American Series pickups.

Fender 64 Jazz Bass Closet Classic 3-Tone Sunburst

Built to the exacting specifications of its vintage, including body contours and radii, neck shape, fingerboard radius, pickups, electronics, and hardware. Original materials, tooling, and production techniques were employed wherever possible. This Closet Classic is designed to replicate a bass that was bought new in 1964, played perhaps a dozen times a year, and then carefully put away. It has a few small "dings," lightly checked finish, oxidized hardware, and aged plastic parts. Classic alder body and maple neck wood combination with round laminate rosewood fretboard, 20 vintage-style frets, 34" scale, and 1.5" nut width. Chrome hardware including pickup guard, control plate, and "ashtray" bridge cover. Custom '60s Jazz Bass pickups crank out the gorgeous tone that made this model a classic. Comes in a brown textured vinyl-covered hard case with strap and cable.

Fender Standard Jazz Bass Fretless

Updated specs for the new millennium. Classic body shape, rosewood fingerboard, standard J Bass pickups and controls, 3-ply pickguard, and chromeplated hardware. Pickups are the traditional sizes with slightly longer bridge pickup, making pickup swapping easier because no body routing is required.