Fender Jazz bass. Image taken from the 1970 Fender catalogue

The Fender Jazz Bass (or J-Bass) is a classical instrument, known and played today like any other bass. It found favor with players in many of the legends as Noel Redding of Jimi Hendrix Experience and Jaco Pastorius (who is now his signature models) a small time artist who just love the thin neck and a bright sound.

The Jazz Bass was launched in 1960, a two-pickup companion to the Fender Precision.

In the late 50s, the buyers were still wary of the solid-body basses, and is used in upright acoustic basses, and thus string muted were defualt until 1962, allowing a more 'upright bass' sound.

In the 60s, the time elapsed, it became less relevant, and the Jazz Bass was accepted for what it was.

The bass went from strength to strength and has since done, with only minor changes in a half of the century industry. Vintage Jazz Basses change hands for large sums, not only highly collectible, players also desirable instruments, particularly among funk and jazz musicians.