Just bought an early 70's Jazz from a local music store at a GREAT price.
Music store tells me it's a 73 Jazz. But, they really don't have any proof or history on the bass. The back pickup was dead so they threw it away (died a little bit inside when they said that) and replaced it with some super weird sideways coiled see thru pickup. Sounds cool, just not original.
I get it home and tear it apart to start investigating to figure out the date.
Neck plate has the serial number "305251"
I pulled the neck off and the first thing I noticed is the giant green "SPECIAL" stamp on it. Any idea what that means? Never seen it before and can't find any other examples of it.
The date stamp at the butt of the neck is almost completely worn off. The only number you can make out are the first two. Which, to me, looks like a 7 and either a 0 or O. Any ideas on that?
Here's the rest of the neck
On to the body. Neck heel was inspected by CHAMBERS and TORRES. Has a "NATURAL" stamp on it.
Now, I was looking to learn the most information through the pots. I pull the electronics plate and what do I find? Freaking gigantic 750k pots. I'm pretty sure they are not original, but please correct me if I'm wrong.
Lastly, I pulled the neck pickup and it is 100% original.
So the only solid evidence I have is the neckplate. I read that they started the 300,000's in 1970. If it goes sequentially, it has to be fairly early then, right? 5,200 units after the 300,000's began? I have no idea how many instruments they were selling per year.
Anyways. I'm most curious about the special neck. Any ideas about that?
Music store tells me it's a 73 Jazz. But, they really don't have any proof or history on the bass. The back pickup was dead so they threw it away (died a little bit inside when they said that) and replaced it with some super weird sideways coiled see thru pickup. Sounds cool, just not original.
I get it home and tear it apart to start investigating to figure out the date.
Neck plate has the serial number "305251"
I pulled the neck off and the first thing I noticed is the giant green "SPECIAL" stamp on it. Any idea what that means? Never seen it before and can't find any other examples of it.
The date stamp at the butt of the neck is almost completely worn off. The only number you can make out are the first two. Which, to me, looks like a 7 and either a 0 or O. Any ideas on that?
Here's the rest of the neck
On to the body. Neck heel was inspected by CHAMBERS and TORRES. Has a "NATURAL" stamp on it.
Now, I was looking to learn the most information through the pots. I pull the electronics plate and what do I find? Freaking gigantic 750k pots. I'm pretty sure they are not original, but please correct me if I'm wrong.
Lastly, I pulled the neck pickup and it is 100% original.
So the only solid evidence I have is the neckplate. I read that they started the 300,000's in 1970. If it goes sequentially, it has to be fairly early then, right? 5,200 units after the 300,000's began? I have no idea how many instruments they were selling per year.
Anyways. I'm most curious about the special neck. Any ideas about that?
