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Fly Guitars Interview: Jack Casady - part 2: Fender Jazz bass

Intro | Fender Jazz | Guild basses | Alembic & Modulus | Epiphone Jack Casady Signature | Amps | Other guitars


Fender Jazz bass

FlyGuitars What was your first bass?

Jack Casady One of my pals was Danny Gatton who was a very, very fine guitarist who's since passed on. Danny was a 16 or 15 year old wonder kid when I turned 16. We played in each others bands on the circuit from time to time and his bass player got sick and I filled in for him for a two week gig. I really enjoyed the instrument and went out and brought a 1960 concentric pot Jazz bass, that was my first bass. The Precision is a little tough for the size of my hands but the Jazz bass with that more narrow neck at the top was little easier for me to get around on.

FlyGuitars Can you remember what it cost for the Jazz bass at the time when you bought it?

Jack Casady I remember that the 58 Tele was $115 dollars. I'm sure that the Jazz bass at the time was a little bit more. I bought it in 1960 the first year the Jazz bass came out. I'm sure that's a matter of record, you know you didn't get deals on instruments then. You paid what they charged.

FlyGuitars By today's standards it would be quite cheap but unfortunately back then it was expensive I guess?

Jack Casady Well you know gasoline or as you call it petrol was 19 cents a gallon so it's all scaled down. The dollar was a lot harder to make in those days and I worked six nights a week in a club. When we had a steady gig we got a $115 dollars a week, that was a lot of money. It was enough money for me to go out and get my own apartment when I was 17 but if you paid $300 dollars for an instrument or $500 dollars for an instrument that was a lot of money.

FlyGuitars So when you first joined Jefferson Airplane you were using Fender basses?

Jack Casady Yeah the first three albums are recorded with a Fender Jazz bass, and I customised that by adding a P pickup right butted up against the neck. So in essence I had on the very bassy end of the speaking length of the string an offset P pickup and then two bar pickups of the Jazz bass.

FlyGuitars And how did that the P pickup work?

Jack Casady I took the concentric pots that were used and later on dropped by Fender for there Jazz bass line. You would have a volume and a tone stacked up on top of each other, so that's the configuration I used. I used a volume/tone, volume/tone, volume/tone for each pick up and blended them together. That was my '60 Jazz bass, it got stolen just before I came out to California in 1965.

When I arrived out there I bought a brand new 1965 Jazz bass. That bass originally came with the two volumes and one tone. I took those controls out and put in concentric pots and added a p bass pickup.

Video Clips: Jack Casady with Fender Jazz bass guitars - click the images to view clips

Jefferson Airplane - White Rabbit Jefferson Airplane - High Flyin Bird

Two clips from 1967 in which Jack plays the Fender Jazz bass. The first mimingWhite Rabbit, on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, and the second High Flyin' Bird live at the Monterey Pop festival.



Thanks to Graham Fieldhouse and Jack Casady

Further reading: JackCasady.com | HotTuna.com

Fender Jazz bass guitars for sale

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1961 Fender Jazz Bass 1 owner 100% untouched an incredible 1 of a kind Slab !

1961 Fender Jazz Bass 1 owner 100% untouched an incredible 1 of a kind Slab !

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$34995

This is the rarest all original & perhaps 1 of the the very 1st production Pre-CBS ??3 knob?? Jazz Basses w / all the 1st issue features in untouched original condition. It was owned by its original family from new & sold to Mr. Greg Zukowsky for $200. by his Cousin in 1969 who got it new somewhere in Philadelphia. It has its stunning rich original Sunburst finish that??s unfaded over a grainy Alder body. These 1st 3 knob Jazz Basses started to replace the infamous Stack Knob Basses by ... view on ebay
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1961 Fender Jazz Bass "Stack Knob" an original 1st issue its investment grade !

1961 Fender Jazz Bass "Stack Knob" an original 1st issue it's investment grade !

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 333**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$32495

This is the ultimate find its 1 of the very earliest production Pre-CBS ??Stacked Pot?? Jazz Bass w / all the 1st issue features in all original condition, it has its original Sunburst finish over a very lightweight Alder body & weighing in at a scant 8 lbs. 10 oz; these Jazz Basses are ridiculously rare as we have not seen many from 1961 made only thru June 1961, its ??Unbound?? Slab Rosewood Clay Dot neck is super slim as only the earliest ones were & has an all in one logo w / the ... view on ebay
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1962 Fender Jazz Bass Custom Color OLYMPIC WHITE Original Unrestored with Case

1962 Fender Jazz Bass Custom Color OLYMPIC WHITE Original Unrestored with Case

Bridgeport, Ohio, 439**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$27500

1962 Fender Jazz Bass Custom Color OLYMPIC WHITE Original Unrestored with Case Brand:... view on ebay
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1962 Fender Jazz Bass Vintage Pre-CBS Slab Board, Sunburst w /  Case

1962 Fender Jazz Bass Vintage Pre-CBS Slab Board, Sunburst w / Case

Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$21000

Up for sale, a 1962 Fender Jazz Bass, complete with the original hardshell case and 100% original save for the ??ashtray?? bridge cover. Produced early in ?62 and retaining the slab rosewood fretboard seen early in the year, this Jazz Bass has the kind of natural playwear that would make any "heavy relic" green with envy. One of the very first Jazz Basses to feature the three knob configuration (evolving from the Stack Knob design seen just a few months prior), this Pre-CBS instrument is ... view on ebay
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Fender Jazz Bass 1966

Fender Jazz Bass 1966

Hendersonville, Tennessee, 370**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$15999

1966 Fender Jazz bass
3tone burst
Rare plastic body cover
All original
Paperwork from original purchase
Hard shell case
350 00 international shipping... view on ebay
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1968 Fender Jazz Bass Black

1968 Fender Jazz Bass Black

Antioch, Tennessee, 370**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$15499

Very good condition 1968 Fender Jazz Bass in a rare original black finish. No breaks or significant repairs to speak of. August 1968 neck date. Bound and blocked rosewood veneer neck. Transition logo. Original gray-bottom pickups. Original CTS electronics date to 1967 with the tone pot and cap changed. 4-bolt neck. Action is playable with a slight swell near the 14th fret and heel. Original bridge and pickup covers are in excellent condition. No scratchy pots etc. Neck plays smoothly and fits ... view on ebay
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1965 Fender Jazz Bass

1965 Fender Jazz Bass

Loveland, Ohio, 451**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$13995

1965 Fender Jazz Bass, Sunburst, Tortoise guard, Pearl dotinlays, Unbound neck, L-plate, Blemishes on the back from laying on guitar cables, Solid player, Sought after instrument, Original hard case
International buyers pay all import taxes
... view on ebay
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1966 Fender Jazz Bass Sunburst Padauk Fretboard Binding + Dots w /  Case

1966 Fender Jazz Bass Sunburst Padauk Fretboard Binding + Dots w / Case

Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$11300

Up for sale, a 1966 Fender Jazz Bass in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. This Jazz Bass was produced early in '66, heavily played and extremely resonant, featuring an alder body, maple neck, and rare padauk fretboard, as Fender was experimenting with alternatives to rosewood on select examples from 1965-66
At 9lbs 2oz, this Jazz Bass has a balanced and deep-sounding natural acoustic tone channeled faithfully through the pickup pair. The gray bobbin pickups ... view on ebay
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Fender Jazz Bass Matching Headstock 1970 - Olympic White

Fender Jazz Bass Matching Headstock 1970 - Olympic White

Utica, New York, 135**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$11000

Incredible and rare matching headstock jazz bass. All original parts. The finish has faded into a beautiful cream color. It sounds amazing and plays well with a medium action. I have included a demo video embedded into the listing of this bass in action
Pots are stackpole and date to 1970
Grey bottom pickups
Fender no reg tuners
Original bridge and neck pickup covers
The original bridge is reinstalled on the bass. The previous owner installed a different bridge but kept the ... view on ebay
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1964 Fender Jazz Bass Black Refin Pre-CBS w / HSC

1964 Fender Jazz Bass Black Refin Pre-CBS w / HSC

San Diego, California, 921**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$10995

1964 Fender Jazz Bass In Black Finish
Located At IVG Sherman Oaks
In Good Overall Condition (Please See Photos)
Professionally Refinished In Black Nitrocellulose Lacquer And Hand-Aged, Complete With Checking, Various Dings And Wear Marks As Shown
Pro Repaired Headstock Crack Is Solid And Does Not Impact Tuning Or Overall Playability
Original Frets Show Heavy Play Wear, Currently Playable As-Is, Will Benefit From Fret Job In The Future
Made In Fullerton, CA
Solid Alder... view on ebay
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1967 Fender Jazz Bass Vintage Electric Bass Guitar Sunburst 100% Original

1967 Fender Jazz Bass Vintage Electric Bass Guitar Sunburst 100% Original

Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$10500

Up for sale, a 1967 Fender Jazz Bass in excellent, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. This Jazz Bass was produced in the second quarter of ?67, with original winds on the gray bobbin pickups, cloth-covered pickup leads, untouched solder and ??lollipop?? tuners. This bass also hails from the last full year where Fender used nitro lacquer for their bodies / necks before the transition to poly finishes in '68
Weighing 9lbs 5oz with ... view on ebay
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1962 Fender Jazz Bass Black / Reverb. In Excellent Condition.

1962 Fender Jazz Bass Black / Reverb. In Excellent Condition.

Oroville, California, 959**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$10000

Fender Jazz Bass-Electric Bass guitar, 1962
Made in Mexico. Well kept guitar. It??s black and has the Reverb feature. A real Classic piece
... view on ebay
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1968 Fender Jazz Bass (All Original) With OHSC

1968 Fender Jazz Bass (All Original) With OHSC

Lake Havasu City, Arizona, 864**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$9500

1968 Fender Jazz Bass (All Original) With OHSC

Totally original and ready to roll! A true closet classic. Original paint, original covers, pickups, case, etc!

This bass is being sold as-is due to the nature of its age
... view on ebay
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Fender Vintage Jazz Bass 1968 Great Condition Sunburst G & G Case Thomastik incl

Fender Vintage Jazz Bass 1968 Great Condition Sunburst G & G Case Thomastik incl

Garland, Texas, 750**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$9500

Fender Jazz Bass 1968
Purchased from a women I know, who inherited it from an Uncle. He played joints in Louisiana, and his band would play on a home built stage on his property, when the joints were closed and the crowds still wanted to party. Played in Louisiana for most its life.
This well cared for bass is vintage. Neck removed shows 8 for 1968 in pencil done at the factory. Brazilian Rosewood fret board later discontinued due to expense. Includes strings from Vienna in the package ... view on ebay
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Fender ?? 1966 Vintage Jazz Bass Custom Color Olympic White Matching Headstock w /

Fender ?? 1966 Vintage Jazz Bass Custom Color Olympic White Matching Headstock w /

Brookfield, Connecticut, 068**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$9500

Here was have a one owner 1966 Olympic White Fender Jazz bass! The only this I see that has been changed is the knobs. All electronics are original. When we got the bass in, there was a short in the back pickup that we had repaired by Tom Brandtley. Other than that it has remained untouched. There is a very small piece of neck binding missing by the nut and it looks like the thumb rest has been reangled. There has been a Fender body guard protector on the bass since it was bought which is very ... view on ebay
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left-handed. 1962 fender jazz bass, old reunion, blues gig bag

left-handed. 1962 fender jazz bass, old reunion, blues gig bag

Wallingford, Connecticut, 064**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$9000

left-handed. 1962 fender jazz bass, old reunion, blues gig bag. Condition is Used. Shipped with USPS Ground Advantage.... view on ebay
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1972 Fender Jazz Bass - Brown with Pearl Inlay + Original Case

1972 Fender Jazz Bass - Brown with Pearl Inlay + Original Case

Seabrook, Texas, 775**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$7895

Used Fender Jazz Bass - Brown with Pearl Inlay + Original Case. This was my dad's base, one owner. It has been Well taken care of and rarely played. The wear you see was made by my dad in the 70s In and around Houston TX. Everything is original as far as I know.... view on ebay
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1964 Fender Jazz bass pre-CBS - black

1964 Fender Jazz bass pre-CBS - black

Clarksville, Tennessee, 370**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$7775

Fender Jazz Bass ?? 1964 Pre-CBS
Fullerton, California | L-Series Serial | Player??s Vintage Instrument
This is a genuine pre-CBS 1964 Fender Jazz Bass, made in Fullerton, California, serial number L36022. While not fully original, it retains extensive 1964 components and has evolved into a superb player??s bass with classic feel, tone, and lightweight balance
The bass features an alder body that has been roughly refinished in black, a maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, and includes... view on ebay
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Fender Jazz Bass 1974 Vintage All Original

Fender Jazz Bass 1974 Vintage All Original

Beverly Hills, California, 902**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$7690

Fender Jazz Bass 1974 Vintage All Original
Great Condition
Original Hard Case
I am the second owner.
Kept in a smoke free environment.
... view on ebay
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1969 Fender Jazz Bass Sunburst Faux Burst Vintage 100% Original w /  Case

1969 Fender Jazz Bass Sunburst Faux Burst Vintage 100% Original w / Case

Seattle, Washington, 981**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$7500

Up for sale, a 1969 Fender Jazz Bass in 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. This soulful Jazz Bass, clearly well-loved over the years, has Fender??s infamous ??faux burst, ?? with an Olympic White base and sealer coat obscuring the actual wood grain, and simulated grain added below the Sunburst gloss. The aging of this faux burst is common for this particular finish application, presenting with an authenticity that??ll make any heavy ... view on ebay
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