1960 Jazz bass overspray shenanigans?

[Frankie Fender]

I think it is a beautiful bass, but I've never seen a decal that looked like that one. I'd like to know the story behind it. Period correct decal though, maybe someone tried "cleaning" it with acetone?

 

[Jim C]

I think you're thinking of @FranF - @johnk_10 has also struck me as knowing what he's talking about re: vintage Fenders.

Thanks for that. +1 on John K knowing his business too. If I remember correctly, Fran bought and sold a ton of vintage guitars over the years.

 

[Honkey tonk]

Heat or tried to clean it with the wrong stuff who knows? Congrats anyhow

 

[Dynacord]

Thanks for that. +1 on John K knowing his business too. If I remember correctly, Fran bought and sold a ton of vintage guitars over the years.

Yeah, John K seems very solid.

I've gone through dozens of vintage Fenders (had 2 '60 Js), worked in a vintage shop and a repair shop which did tons of Fender warranty work - but don't recall ever seeing a decal do that. But there can always be a first time.

 

[Dynacord]

I think it is a beautiful bass, but I've never seen a decal that looked like that one. I'd like to know the story behind it. Period correct decal though, maybe someone tried "cleaning" it with acetone?

Interesting theory. I'd expect acetone to melt the surrounding lacquer or melt the decal into the lacquer. Not something I'm going to test! That could cause real damage. Can also dissolve the nitrate/celluloid pickguard material.

Yes, correct decal design for '60/early '61.

 

[onamission]

Doesn't Nitro shrink? Could that cause this?

 

[Roxbororob]

Nice bass! It has a lot of stories to tell (like the time its decal wrinkled). Im sure you love it just the way it is.

 

[magnaton]

Thanks all for the comments so far. Following closely.

I'll give WellStrung a call today too but was poking around their site and they have a 1960 Jazz which seems to have the exact same two things that are raising question marks on my side -- the wrinkled decal and the slightly darker nitro on the neck itself compared to the back of the headstock. Can't say it didn't go through a similar overspray story in its past but would be a bit unusual

 

[Dynacord]

Thanks all for the comments so far. Following closely.

I'll give WellStrung a call today too but was poking around their site and they have a 1960 Jazz which seems to have the exact same two things that are raising question marks on my side -- the wrinkled decal and the slightly darker nitro on the neck itself compared to the back of the headstock. Can't say it didn't go through a similar overspray story in its past but would be a bit unusual

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Interesting with the decal similarity. Perhaps something about that first run (?) Wellstrung are as reputable as it gets. Francesco Balossino (C'èsco's Corner Guitars) is another great resource who's WAY into the minutia.

 

[LeFunk Machine]

IMHO, it looks like a waterslide replacement decal that was poorly done. You can buy those exact same decals with in the link below and other websites, if you consider replacing it.

1960 Fender Jazz Bass Waterslide Headstock Decals

 

[LeFunk Machine]

I just have to ask....is that the REAL selling price on the case? OMG!!!

Well, it has "#" in front of it instead of the "$" dollar sign. That number looks like it refers to stock number.

 

[StereoPlayer]

Nothing look out of the ordinary to me. Nice bass!

 

[Grinderman]

Has anybody generously offered to help this poor guy out yet by having the bass in question shipped to their private forensic laboratory for further deep analysis?

 

[cnltb]

Hi all — just received a beautiful 8/60 Jazz bass but a bit worried about the decal here. Why is it wrinkled? Is this definitely the sign of overspray? Some parts of the neck perhaps a little darker but who’s to say that isn’t just lacquer changing over time.

I snapped some pics to share and would love to hear from those in the know. Not my first vintage but always more to learn with this stuff. Black light in the mail as we speak. Thanks!

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Is teh P bass in the background of similar age?

 

[funkinbottom]

I snapped some pics to share and would love to hear from those in the know.

I'm not sure how much I'm "in the know", but I do own a '60 jazz bass.(bought it in '70) Here's a couple pics of my headstock if that helps. Also I think someone mentioned removing the neck and check for a date stamp on the heel of the neck. Have you done that yet?

 

[dan1952]

The neck grain looks too clean for a '60 in relation to the wear on the back of the body despite having checking. Could be a replacement neck dressed up to look original. Either that or it is an original with a funky looking decal. I've seen lots of vintage Fenders and this is the first decal I've seen like that one.

You are incorrect. This neck is completely consistent with the dozens of vintage Fender necks I have held in my hands.

 

[Dynacord]

I'm not sure how much I'm "in the know", but I do own a '60 jazz bass.(bought it in '70) Here's a couple pics of my headstock if that helps. Also I think someone mentioned removing the neck and check for a date stamp on the heel of the neck. Have you done that yet?

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Very nice bass!

Of course, on a '60 the neck date will be in pencil (just month and year) as the stamps didn't start until '62.

 

[Rabidhamster]

Hi all — just received a beautiful 8/60 Jazz bass but a bit worried about the decal here. Why is it wrinkled? Is this definitely the sign of overspray? Some parts of the neck perhaps a little darker but who’s to say that isn’t just lacquer changing over time.

I snapped some pics to share and would love to hear from those in the know. Not my first vintage but always more to learn with this stuff. Black light in the mail as we speak. Thanks!

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That decal is probably gonna flake off of anything touches it, so just try not to do that. I don't see any issues with it, looks good to me. Happy New old bass day! I hope you love it, its in really excellent shape, really doesn't look like it was carried into a bar even once.

 

[magnaton]

Thanks again all -- neck butt attached. Neck seems legit to my eyes. Finish around headstock and back of neck was more the thing that was raising question marks but perhaps these are helpful for the collective sleuthing

@cnltb eagle eyes Bass in the background is a 1/58 P. Decal blacklights the same which was encouraging

 

[Admiral Akbar]

Gosh, look at that beautiful rosewood. Who cares about the damn sticker!