The Fender Jazz Bass: A Short History

I’m always learning things I never knew I wanted to know about my favorite bass. Thanks Hypes!!

My dad was offered the 1959 Jazz bass prototype for £2400 in the mid 80s but turned it down as it was too expensive. That bass is now on reverb for £65,000 what a appreciation.

Mate, your Short History series are top-notch.

the jazz bass sound is the funkiest and most aggressive element of our tribal urge to dance, groove and feel whole in humanity ever.

When I got my hands on a Jazz Bass I actually wanted to play it ALL the time because it has a really vocal 'bark' that I loved so much.

Dont forget ASTON FAMILYMAN BARRETT!!!. Probably the most heard Jazzbass recordings of all time. All over the world. Then, now and forever. A true genius. Listen to any of Bob recording and be blown away by the basslines. Surreal.

Would love to see a history of G&L

"Ok, remember we're dealing with Jazz Bassists here, so it has to be a simple name."

Thanks for having me Keith! Much love to your channel and what you do! 🙏

I simply cannot get enough of these videos. Please do not stop making them.

Watching this video again I am reminded that Herbie Flowers played his Jazz bass when he created the portmanteau bass line for Lou Reed's "Walk On The Wild Side". He used a double bass and his Jazz bass so that he would be paid two player's fees.

I became a bass player in 1975 when I was 15 because my older brother turned me on to Grand Funk Railroad in its power trio days. Mel Schacher was playing wonderful, thunderous bass lines on his Jazz Bass, played through deliberately overdriven West bass amps. I played classical and pop piano for nine years, starting when I was age 6. By that point, I started listening to AM radio and my introduction to the explosion of great rock music that began with the British Invasion began. My earliest influences were the Beatles cartoon show, The Monkees, and Three Dog Night; in particular, Chip Douglas' great bright, melodic lines on his albums with the Monkees. They really stood out because the primitive radios and record players of the time, as well as the recording techniques, made most bass lines difficult to hear clearly. As the technologies improved and bass lines became more prominent I was subconsciously gravitating toward the instrument. But Mel's work hit me square in the forehead and it didn't take me long to figure out that I was meant to be a bass player and make the switch. I've never looked back and am still gigging 47 years later. Thanks, Leo and Mel!!

I just bought a jazz bass yesterday I started playing and I just couldn’t put it down It felt to natural slapped to perfect Everything about it was just so clean

could you imagine if Jaco and Jimi Hendrix got on the same stage 🤩

I'm a drummer by design, but I absolutely LOVE these history videos! They are so well curated and presented. I love guitars and own several, and its great to know all the nuances and things that make iconic guitars and basses so cool. I'm also very surprised it took Fender so long to offer a fretless Jazz! They probably missed out on a bunch of sales because of their lack of forethought.

Had MIM Jazz from 2003-2008. Yesterday I jumped back in and bought a Player Jazz. Terrific instrument. I also looked at a Precision, but I couldn't make my fingers go where I wanted. The J-Bass is just so natural to me. I'm really falling in love with the bass again.

Great video. I think these are the sorts or videos that while not getting a million views straight away will be watched for years to come for their informative and to the point delivery, and used as great reference tools when looking for further knowledge about the subject matter. Keep up the great work Keith.

One I was disappointed not to see in this or the P-Bass video is the 80s Jazz Bass Special, used by Duff McKagan of GnR. Precision body, Jazz neck, and PJ pickup set.

What a great presentation. Thank you for producing and posting this.