1966/67 Fender Jazz Bass, Candy Apple Red

Fender's Jazz Bass made its debut in 1960 as the company sought to expand its lineup of electric basses and offset models. Priced at $279.50, the Jazz was $50 more expensive than the Precision and was Fender’s most expensive bass model.

Fender's timing on launching a new top-of-the-line electric bass in 1960 proved serendipitous, as the company's first official custom color chart debuted shortly after, in 1961. The upscale Jazz Bass proved to be a perfect canvas for Custom Color finishes, with custom color orders for the model placed in significantly greater numbers than for the Precision Bass. 

While Fender's Custom Color guitars were well received overall, several finish options proved less popular than others – among them Shell Pink. Fender revised their color chart in 1963, and replaced Shell Pink with Candy Apple Red. This new metallic red finish was an immediate success and went on to be one of Fender's most ordered Custom Colors throughout the 1960s.

A stunning example of a Custom Color Jazz Bass from the mid-1960s, this early 1967 build has a remarkably well preserved and largely unfaded Candy Apple Red finish. Playwear to the body is minimal, with only a handful of small dents and light finish crazing to hint that this is a six-decade-old guitar. Two areas of finish wear in the middle of the neck are the only real signs that this bass has ever been played. The instrument is completely original apart from a professional refret, new nut, and fresh foam for pickup height adjustment. The original pickups are unmodified and all solder joints appear to be untouched. 

Built in the sweet-spot of CBS's ownership of Fender, this Jazz Bass is more consistent in quality and workmanship than instruments made just a few years deeper into the CBS era. With an October 1966 neck date and 13th week of '66 potentiometer codes, most of this Jazz Bass dates to 1966. The pair of original and unmodified pickups are dated January 1967. We’d call this a 1966 Jazz, but technically, it was finished in very early 1967.

A remarkably fine and exciting Jazz Bass from the early CBS era, this 1966/1967 Candy Apple Red Jazz bass offers rich, airy, and responsive tones with the perfect amount of punch, excellent playability across the fingerboard, and an amazing aesthetic.

Scale length of 34". First fret depth of 0.844", ninth fret depth of 0.929". Nut width of 1-1/2". Pickup DC values of 7.0K in the neck, 7.2K in the bridge. Weight of 6lbs 14oz.

With period hardshell case.

**USD Price includes Shopify fees