The Fender Jazz Bass was introduced in 1960. It has remained the standard for
all bassists, and even now, more than 60 years after its debut, it continues to be played on the front lines of the music scene while retaining its original shape and basic construction.
While Fender’s reissue models recreate instruments from many different eras, there is one specific era that is spoken of with special reverence in the vintage market as the “ultimate embodiment.”
That is the 1964 model.
1. The Final Glory of the “Pre-CBS Era”
Why is the year 1964 held in such high regard?
One major reason lies in Fender’s historical background.
In 1965, Fender was acquired by CBS, a major media conglomerate. As the company entered the so-called “CBS era” following the acquisition, mass production accelerated in response to the global electric guitar boom, leading to cost-cutting measures, streamlining of manufacturing processes, and various specification changes.
Consequently, instruments from the “Pre-CBS era” (1960–1964)—into which founder Leo Fender’s design philosophy and the passion of skilled artisans were poured without reserve—reign supreme in the vintage market as the “Golden Age.” And
1964 marks the “final year of the Golden Age” within that Pre-CBS era.
2. Evolution Since 1960
In the history of the Jazz Bass, the early models produced from 1960 to 1962 are also extremely popular.
Let’s take a look at the differences in their sound and specifications.
・1960–1961: Featured
double-stacked “stack knobs.” The fingerboard used a “slab board,” made of rosewood laminated flat.
・In 1962
, the design shifted to a “3-knob” configuration with 2 volume and 1 tone controls. Characterized by the thick, sticky, and viscous low end produced by the slab fingerboard and “black bobbin” pickups, this era is also extremely popular among reissue models.
・In 1963, the “round-veneer” method was adopted, in which a thin layer of rosewood was applied to follow the curve of the
neck.
・In 1964, the
body-mounted mute was discontinued. “Gray bobbin”
pickups were adopted.
“Clay dot inlays” (changed to pearloid the following year, in 1965) are also a signature feature of the Pre-CBS era.
If
the 1962 model is characterized by a rich, resonant tone, the 1964 model features improved high-end definition and response.
The 1964 model blends naturally into any ensemble and offers a well-balanced sound that even modern players find “the easiest to handle.”
3. Changes in the Popular Music Landscape
In the mid-1960s, the world of record production was undergoing drastic changes driven by advances in multitrack recording technology.
Band ensembles became more complex, and it was an era marked by louder electric guitar sounds and the creation of dense tracks with multiple layers of strings and horn sections.
This presented a challenge: the thick, heavy bass tones of the past tended to get lost in these crowded ensembles.
It’s easy to imagine that the 1964 model, with its “high-frequency definition and overwhelming response,” was perfectly suited to the music scene of that era.
It’s no exaggeration to say that the “pleasing bass sound” we hear in popular music every day was created by the pre-CBS Jazz Bass.
It makes perfect sense, then, that 1964—the final year of the pre-CBS era—is referred to as the “perfect form of the Jazz Bass.”
To be honest, when it comes to the ’60s reissue models Fender has released so far, the 1962 model is by far the most common (such as the Fender USA/American Vintage ’62 Jazz Bass and the Fender Japan/JB62).
In the vintage market as well, there’s a long history of models with slab fingerboards—particularly those from around 1962 or earlier—being highly valued, including in terms of price. Their iconic look, featuring a generous use of rosewood on the fingerboard, combined with a solid, rich bass tone, has naturally led to the slab fingerboard era being favored as the “origin of the Jazz Bass.”
However, when we step back from historical evaluations and focus on the practical experience of players, there is something about the round-fret models from 1963 onward that simply cannot be overlooked.
In contrast to the resilient low end of the slab fingerboard, the round fingerboard produces a sharp attack that rises instantly upon plucking and a tonal contour that cuts cleanly through the clutter of an ensemble.
Given that later models have continued to adopt the rounded fingerboard, it’s clear that the rounded fingerboard is by no means merely a “follow-up” to the slab—rather, it represents the “optimal specification for a practical jazz bass” that evolved in response to the musical demands of the live performance environment.
Now, the instrument we’ve just received at our store is precisely that 1964 model.
Fender 1964 Jazz Bass![]()
The sunburst finish has faded very little, and with only a few spots of paint chipping, this instrument remains in exceptionally good condition.
While it shows some wear commensurate with its age, it comes with a rare original hard case. Furthermore, the pickup fence and bridge cover (without the mute sponge) are still intact.
This instrument is not merely a collector’s item to be admired. Our in-house repair technician has performed a setup to ensure it plays effortlessly.
It is a truly exceptional instrument that exudes an overwhelming presence as an “active instrument” ready to produce the ultimate sound on stage or in the studio.
After nearly 60 years, this is a special bass that allows modern players to experience the “Golden Age of Fender.” The moment you play the open 4th string, you’ll feel the fast-moving low end—a sound unique to vintage basses—right in your bones.
Why not come experience this sublime tone for yourself?
Available for trial in-store!
Feel free to contact us via email or chat!
Oda