1960 Fender Jazz Bass
The inaugural Jazz Bass — Fender's most versatile bass design. The two-pickup, narrow-neck formula created an instrument that would rival and often surpass the P-Bass in popularity. Slab rosewood board 1960 examples are rare and historically significant.
Current Market Value
* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology
Specifications
| Body Wood | Alder (offset body — narrower at waist than P-Bass) |
| Neck Wood | Maple |
| Fingerboard | Brazilian Rosewood (slab) |
| Scale Length | 34.000" |
| Frets | 20 |
| Pickup Config | SS |
| Bridge | Jazz Bass bridge (four saddles, closer together than P-Bass) |
| Tuners | Kluson Deluxe (bass) |
| Finish Options | Sunburst, Custom colors, Natural |
| Est. Production | 600 |
Pickups & Electronics
Two stacked single-coil pickups (hum-cancelling). Originally called 'Deluxe Model.' Independent volume controls for each pickup. Very narrow nut width (1.5 inches vs P-Bass 1.625 inches).
What Changed in 1960
First year of the Jazz Bass — designed as a deluxe, higher-end alternative to the P-Bass. Offset body (like Jazzmaster for guitar), narrower neck, and two pickups. Originally called the 'Deluxe Model' before the Jazz Bass name.
Notable Examples
Jaco Pastorius played a heavily modified late 1960s Jazz Bass. Marcus Miller, Geddy Lee, Noel Redding — the Jazz Bass defines modern bass playing.
Collector's Notes
Slab rosewood board (1960-1962) vs veneer board — same distinction as on guitars. 1960 and 1961 examples with slab boards are the most valuable early Jazz Basses. Verify pickup originality — the stacked single-coils are unique to early J-Basses.