The Fender Jazz Bass was the second bass guitar put out by Fender, after the Precision. It has a brighter tone and a richer midrange compared to its predeccesor. Because of this, the Jazz Bass is often favored by players who either want or need to be heard more clearly, like in power trios, for instance.
The Fender Jazz Bass first came out in 1960. It was intended to entice upright bass players to switch to electric bass guitar. The earliest models had four control knobs — a volume and tone control for each of the two pickups. By 1961 most models only had three knobs — two volume controls and one tone control. The earlier four-knob versions are highly sought after by vintage instrument collectors today.
When the Fender company was bought by CBS in 1965, there were some changes made to the Fender Jazz Bass. Rosewood fingerboards with pearl dot position inlays were added that year, while the 1967 models had a maple fingerboard. White pickup covers and a pickguard/control plate were added in 1983.
Although the original Jazz Bass is made by Fender, ’boutique’ bass manufacturers also make bass guitars with many of the same features and some of the design sensibilities of the Fender Jazz Bass.
