Fender Jazz Bass Late 1973 Lake Placid Blue

Here’s a really rare bird. This late 1973 Fender Jazz Bass in Lake Placid Blue is a real gem. Fender’s custom colors were most prevalent in the 1960s, and by the 1970s, custom finishes like Lake Placid Blue were far less common, making this bass especially unique.

With its original finish fading slightly, the wear has developed a beautiful patina, giving the instrument a vintage charm while retaining the striking brilliance of the blue. The original frets are in excellent condition, and with pots dating to 1973 and the thumb rest positioned in the later 1974 position, it’s likely this bass was produced late in 1973.

Weighing in at 4.2 kg, this instrument is in very good condition, with normal signs of use for its age, and comes with the original case.

The Fender Jazz Bass was first introduced in 1960 as a follow-up to the Precision Bass, offering a narrower neck and a more contoured body, making it popular for its playability. Its twin single-coil pickups offered a tonal variety ideal for jazz, funk, rock, and beyond. Over the years, the Jazz Bass evolved, with changes in pickup placement, electronics, and neck shape. In the early 1970s, CBS-era Fenders saw the introduction of block inlays and binding on the neck.

Famous Jazz Bass players include legends like Jaco Pastorius, Marcus Miller, and Geddy Lee, all of whom have made the instrument iconic across genres.

SPECIFICATIONS

Model: Late 1973 Fender Jazz Bass
Finish: Lake Placid Blue (custom color, rare in the 1970s)
Body: Alder
Neck: Maple, bolt-on
Fingerboard: Rosewood with pearl block inlays and binding (introduced in the late ’60s)
Scale length: 34 inches
Pickups: Two single-coil pickups
Controls: Two volume controls, one tone control
Bridge: 4-saddle adjustable bridge
Weight: 4.2 kg (4200g)
Other Features: Thumb rest in ’74 position, original frets in excellent shape, original case.