In the event you’re a fan or aficionado of classic devices, odds are that any early-’60s Fender Jazz Bass catches your eye. And “lefty” variations are particularly intriguing, given their rarity.

The Jazz was Fender’s second electrical bass, following the groundbreaking Precision, which was launched in late 1951 and underwent three stylistic modifications by the point the Jazz Bass got here alongside in 1960. Searching for to take versatility and luxury past the P-Bass, the Jazz included a thinner neck that was 17/16″ huge on the nut, in comparison with the Precision’s 13/4″. The unique Jazz additionally had an unbound rosewood fretboard with dot markers, and a 34″ scale – contemplating the success of each fashions, it’s not shocking that the 34″ scale finally turned the trade commonplace. The Fender emblem on the Jazz’s headstock was a brand new fashion that changed the “spaghetti” emblem with what turned referred to as the “transitional” emblem, in inaccurate reference to CBS’ buy of Fender in ’65. In actuality, the Jazz Bass had this emblem from the get-go.

Among the many Jazz’s most distinct design parts are its offset carves within the midsection of its alder physique; the carves on the P-Bass have been symmetrical, however the offset “waist” made the Jazz extra snug for enjoying whereas seated.

One disadvantage might have been that the Jazz Bass was barely bigger and (often) heavier than the Precision. It was 3/4″ longer (461/4″ vs. 453/4″) and 1″ wider (14″ vs. 13″) than its predecessor, however maintained the identical 11/4″ physique thickness. Nonetheless, within the eyes (and arms) of many gamers, the ergonomic improvements on the Jazz greater than made up for minor variations in measurement or weight.

The electronics of the Jazz went past the truth that it was a two-pickup instrument, whereas the P-Bass had one. Jazz pickups are single-coil items with two pole items for every string, and their location on the physique assist it create quite a lot of tones. The controls on the first-generation Jazz consisted of two Quantity controls and two Tone controls (one for every pickup) on concentric knobs mounted on a chromed-metal plate, with the Quantity being the higher/smaller knob, whereas the decrease/bigger knob managed its tone/EQ. The knobs on the junction of the plate and the pickguard managed the pickup nearer to the neck, and the knobs nearer to the jack managed the bridge/treble pickup. This “stack-knob” configuration was short-lived, and advanced right into a three-knob (two Quantity controls, one grasp Tone management) in early 1962. Just like the Precision, the Jazz’s bridge had intonatable saddles for every string.

The Jazz Bass was launched in a regular sunburst end with a tortoiseshell pickguard. Blond or customized finishes turned obtainable inside two years.

The instrument proven right here belonged to southpaw bassist Joe Lengthy, who began his first band, the Rockets, in 1957. “We have been a five-man group that performed R&B and the rock of the day,” he stated. “A variety of teams adopted, till I joined the 4 Seasons in 1965.”

Lengthy ordered the bass previous to becoming a member of the 4 Seasons. “Left-handed devices have been made to order at the moment,” he stated, including that the blond end was additionally a customized request. It served as his main bass for recording and live performance appearances, and has by no means been modified. He performed it when the band recorded lots of its hits, together with “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You,” “Opus 17,” “I’ve Obtained You Beneath My Pores and skin,” “Beggin’,” and “C’mon Marianne.” It was additionally performed on the 4 Seasons’ Real Imitation Life Gazette album from 1968 – the group’s “idea album” response to the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper. And Lengthy used it onstage at Carnegie Corridor, Madison Sq. Backyard (4 instances), the Coconut Grove in Los Angeles, and London’s Palladium.

Lengthy left the 4 Seasons in ’76, and subsequently labored as a session musician. Right now, at age 75, he’s “…retired, for essentially the most half. I nonetheless do some assistant manufacturing work.” And whereas he parted with this bass in 2008, it was by no means retired or saved, remaining a working instrument till it was offered.

This text initially appeared in VG‘s Could 2009 problem. All copyrights are by the creator and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.