1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass

ARCHIVED • SOLD

1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass

Fender’s Jazz Bass was introduced in mid 1960 to offer players an upgraded “Deluxe” model to choose from, and to compliment the Jazzmaster that had been introduced a year or so earlier. The first production models featured stacked concentric volume and tone controls for the two pickups, but by mid/late 1961 this circuitry was abandoned in favor of the simpler and less expensive master-tone circuit that remains in use through to today. The “Stack Knob” Jazz bass, as it’s known, is among the rarer and most highly sought-after Fender bases on the vintage market.

This example dates from the spring of 1961 and has a body date of 3-61, a neck date of 2-61, and pots dated 39th and 25th weeks of 1960. The electronics are 100% original and untouched, as are the body’s finish, pickguard and hardware. The neck has been refinished, but the original pencil-date was masked off and remains perfectly legible. Original frets remain, but the nut and tuners have been changed and new tuner mounting screw holes were drilled. There is a small, repaired crack stemming from one of the tuner screw holes in the low E tuner. The mutes and finger rest have been lost to time and a collection of pickguard screws have been replaced. The original body finish is beautifully play-worn.

Pickup DC values are 7.7k (neck) and 7.9k (bridge). The nut measures 1.5” at the nut, and the neck thickness is .8” at the 1st fret and 1.0” at the 12th. The bass weighs 9.4lbs with strings on.

Set-up here, this Stack Knob Jazz Bass sounds incredible and plays well. The original frets appear to have been dressed and play well with minor wear spots.

With original hardshell case
1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass
  • 1961 Fender ‘Stack Knob’ Jazz Bass

SHOP VINTAGE & USED

Don't just browse history. Play it.

If you like what you see in our archive, you’ll love what’s currently in the shop. Explore our hand-picked selection of available vintage and used gear.

 Shop Vintage & Used
Folkway Music in Guelph, Ontario Canada

OUR STORY

Three decades of industry experience

We've spent thirty years building relationships with musicians, collectors, and fellow dealers across Canada and the US. Every guitar we sell has been inspected, played, and approved by hands that know the difference.

Learn More