1968 Fender Jazz Restoration

[Thebassman75]

So, my new project is a 1968 body, wiring, bridge and pick-ups with a 78 de-fretted neck. It plays like a dream but has a few issues. The first is that the pick-ups are microphonic so they're going to need to be wax-potted. These will be going to Jaime at The Creamery to do. I've already sourced the pick-up covers from a lovely female player who sold her bass a while back and forget where she'd put the covers. I got them for a good price and they're on their way as we speak. I've also sourced an original tortoise pickguard which is coming from the US. It was cheap because the laminates are coming apart but that can be fixed too..

The main sticking point is finding a neck. I really like the fretless maple but to me, it doesn't suit the body (which has been refinished really well). I think that a seafoam green body, tortoise pickguard and bound MOP neck is a winning combination. If it doesn't look right then I'll refinish it again, possibly black, although I'd be interested to know its original colour.

if anyone out there knows of or hears of a 67/68/69 bound neck, please let me know..

I'll update in coming weeks..

[attachment=146292:JazzBass.jpg]

[Thebassman75]

So, the covers arrived this morning and went straight on and suddenely I'm thinking 'Actually, that doesn't look too bad'. I'm starting to think that once the pickguard arrived and gets repaired, this could be a done-deal.. The neck plays really really well and as it's exactly the same as my black 78 precision, I feel very comfortable on it. Hell, I'm even playing in tune!

[discreet]

Loving the covers with no guard, well pervy!

[Thebassman75]

Yeah, it's quite a look isn't it? I results in a totally different playing style and sound too, which I really like