Picture this, the year is 1974 and you are getting into the early disco and funk music scene, listening to it on the radio, getting together with your friends, dancing along and just enjoying the music.

Then you realize it’s that funky bass line that is making you move and groove and even though you may try to resist, you can’t. Your body just moves to the groove. Then it hits you “Hey, I wanna make that funky bass groove and make every one dance too!” So, you go down to your local music store, and there it is, that beautiful thing hanging on the wall that everyone calls a bass, and it’s calling your name. So you get little jobs like mowing yards, delivering newspapers, bagging groceries, and save up enough money to get your dream machine.

Now fast-forward to today, that dream is still alive with the release of the Fender American Original ‘70s Jazz Bass from Fender®.

How does it perform?

Just like the original classic, it’s a lot of fun to play and brings back great memories right down to the thumb rest on the upper part of the body right, and I really miss that thumb rest on some of the newer modern basses. It sounds and plays just like the original classic, the only difference I noticed was that the pickup hum is no longer present, and that is a great thing!

The Fender American Original ‘70s Jazz Bass is a 4-string bass and everything is either as period-correct as it can be or authentic.

If you have played a Fender bass from the 70s, then you know what a classic is and it has been brought back successfully. I would have to say that the only noticeable, visual difference to me is the fact that as opposed to one from the 70s, this bass looks new and shiny, just as it did that day you saw it in your local music store.

The bass that I had the honor of reviewing had a solid Ash body with a one piece maple neck complete with a 20, vintage-tall fret, maple fingerboard with pearloid block inlays. The neck had the U shape neck profile and in the 70’s it had a 7.25” fingerboard radius, whereas the new model has a 9.25” radius. The pickups are 1974 Jazz Bass single coils with alnico V magnets that even have the enamel coated coil wire right down to the cloth covered output wires and fiber bobbins. All of the hardware is vintage-style as well, including the bridge and tuners. It comes complete with a vintage style hardshell case.

The Fender American Original ‘70s Jazz Bass is available in 3 color sunburst, natural and black.

Be sure to check out the new Fender American Original ‘70s Jazz Bass and take your groove back to the 70s where it all started.

Visit online at Fender.com