Fender Custom Shop Truetone Tortoise Set 1966 Jazz Bass Closet Classic Olympic White

 

Introduced in 1960 as Fender’s new “deluxe” bass guitar model, the Jazz Bass featured a sleek offset body, a notably slim neck, two pickups and controls that provided a wealth of tonal options. Gorgeous and versatile, it was an immediate bass hit. The Jazz Bass has continued to change over the years, but for many, stepping back to how it was done in the mid-60's is the way to go.  The Fender Custom Shop excels at recreating the look, feel and sound of these instruments, often with special tweaks.  That's where we decided to go with this one.  

As part of a close partnership with the Fender Custom Shop, Truetone Music cooked up an exclusive run of instruments, known as "Truetone Color Sets".  It's where we do a quartet of instruments - Strat, Tele, Jazzmaster and Jazz bass - all in the same color, as a matching set.  For the aesthetics, we picked unique styles that are rarely ever seen.  For the color on this one, we chose a classic: Olympic White.  Then we started to get creative.  We've done a lot of Custom Shop builds over the years, but this stands out as one of the more unique - this is the first Jazz Bass to exist like it.
 
The reason we can say that is the customization of the block inlays on the maple neck: they're tortoiseshell.  It really catches your eye and matches the neck binding perfectly.  The idea came to us when cooking up basses with the goal of making players stop in their tracks.  The result is actually better than what we imagined.  Tortoiseshell blocks have never been done on a Teambuilt Jazz Bass, until now.  They match the tortoiseshell binding and pickguard nicely.  This, along with the Olympic White body, creates an all around beautiful vibe.

This Custom Shop '66 Jazz Bass is a testament to their ability to pull off vintage recreations with modern playability.  It features a period correct 60 "U" neck shape, classic vintage-voiced pickups, and a mostly otherwise traditional design.  We went with a 9.5" radius and Narrow Tall (6105) frets - this is one of the most common and popular modifications to vintage-styled instruments out of the Custom Shop.  The rock solid, quartersawn maple neck is super comfortable and easy to play.  We love how the Custom nailed the neck. The two-piece alder body  wears a Closet Classic lacquer finish.  This gives it the look and feel of a bass that has been hidden for years, not being played at all, and just re-emerged after decades.  The finish checking is super cool -  the Custom Shop really did this one in a perfect manner.

For the pickups, we kept it real, going with the base model Custom Shop Vintage Jazz Bass pickup set.  These recreate the sound of a classic mid-60's Jazz bass and are versatile enough for a variety of styles of playing.  There's just something magical in how a Custom Shop bass sounds, and this '66 Jazz Bass nails it.

We also went with a vintage bridge, and it's topped off with vintage tuning machines, bone nut and of course a tortoise shell pickguard. Also includes a Custom Shop hardshell case, strap and certificate of authenticity.

This is a special Jazz bass, as part of a Truetone-exclusive color set.  Come to Truetone Music to check it out, or order right here to have it shipped to your home.

• Serial # R142143
• Part # 9231015464
• Weight: 9.3 lbs
• Finish Package: Closet Classic
• Finish: Nitro Lacquer
• Color: Olympic White
• Pickguard: Tortoise Shell
• Neck Pickup: Vintage Jazz Bass
• Bridge Pickup: Vintage Jazz Bass
• Body: Alder
• Neck: Quartersawn Maple
• Tint: Medium
• Binding: Custom Tortoise Shell
• Inlay: Custom Tortoise Shell Block
  
• Neck Shape: 60 J-Bass "U"
• Frets: 20
• Fretwire: Narrow Tall / 6105
• Radius: 9.5"
• Neck Nut Width: 1.500"
• Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: .790"
• Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: .990"
• Neck Butt Width: 2.500"
• Tuners: Vintage Oval
• Nut: Bone
• Bridge: Vintage
• Neckplate: Vintage
• Case: Custom Shop Deluxe