Pawnshop find, is it worth it?

PaulJ

Hi Guys, just looking for some advice if possible.

I came across this fretless jazz bass in a pawn shop today, some guy sanded the shit into it!

It has the Fender tuning heads, but couldn't find any other identifying marks, any other way of identifying of it's a Fender or not? The headstock seems to be the correct shape.

Thought it might make a nice restoration project.

G-Man

How much are they asking?

Looks like a lot of work

Big-G

I can tell you for sure that the body is not a Fender body, and whilst I see the Fender stamped tuners, I doubt the neck is actually a Fender neck, although it could be a possibility, so I would expect that its a homemade job with a cheap neck fitted. If it is a Fender neck then there should be a serial or stamp under the neck joint, but you'd have to remove the neck to see this.

With regards as to whether its worth bothering with, and restoring, the first thing I would look at is whether or not it plays ok, as it is? I'd particularly be looking at the neck to see if its warped or twisted, and as to whether or not it has a truss rod (do not assume that if there is a truss cover, that there is a truss rod under it - old trick that has caught many out!)?

If the neck is fairly straight and it actually does have a truss rod, then it could be a nice project if the asking price is under R1k. Anything more, and I'd feel it would be a waste of time , money and effort.

Regards
G!

PaulJ

Thanks Big G, the guy's asking 2K, so I'll offer 1K and see if he takes it.

I played it a little and neck looked very straight. I'll make another trip out and check the serial number stamp.

AlanRatcliffe

Not a Fender, or even a Squier. Not a Jazz, not a Precision either - body wood, shape, contours, cavities and the six bolt neck are all wrong. Probably a 70's Japanese cheapy. Looks like it originally had a humbucker.

I'd probably not even take it at R1K...

Chabenda

It would look good being smashed on stage at the end of the show. ?

The-Gear-Junkie

Offer R500 and you have some parts :?