1960 Fender Jazz Bass (Stack Knob)
When Leo Fender introduced the Jazz Bass in 1960, he was not just releasing a new product. He was inventing the modern electric bass guitar as we know it. The Precision Bass, introduced in 1951, had proven that the electric bass was viable. The Jazz Bass proved it could be beautiful. With its sleek offset body, dual-pickup configuration, and narrower neck profile, the Jazz Bass became the instrument that would define bass guitar tone for the next six decades and counting.
The very first Jazz Basses, produced in 1960 and early 1961, featured a distinctive "stack knob" control layout that was quickly replaced with a simpler three-knob arrangement. These stack-knob models represent the first year of production and are among the most coveted instruments in the entire vintage guitar market.
The Stack Knob Configuration
The original Jazz Bass control layout used two concentric (stacked) potentiometers, each controlling volume on top and tone on the bottom for its respective pickup. This gave players independent volume and tone control for each pickup, offering tremendous tonal flexibility but requiring some dexterity to adjust on the fly.
| Control | Function |
|---|---|
| Neck Stack (Top) | Neck pickup volume |
| Neck Stack (Bottom) | Neck pickup tone |
| Bridge Stack (Top) | Bridge pickup volume |
| Bridge Stack (Bottom) | Bridge pickup tone |
By 1961-1962, Fender simplified the layout to three standard knobs: neck volume, bridge volume, and a single master tone. This became the standard Jazz Bass configuration that persists to this day. The stack-knob models thus represent a brief and distinctive chapter in the instrument's history.
Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model | Fender Jazz Bass |
| Year | 1960 |
| Body | Alder (some early examples in ash) |
| Finish | Nitrocellulose lacquer |
| Standard Colors | Sunburst (three-tone); custom colors available |
| Neck | Maple with rosewood fingerboard (slab board) |
| Scale Length | 34 inches |
| Frets | 20 |
| Nut Width | 1.5 inches (narrower than Precision Bass) |
| Pickups | Two single-coil Jazz Bass pickups |
| Controls | Two concentric (stack) knobs |
| Bridge | Fender threaded-saddle bridge |
| Tuners | Fender/Kluson reverse-wind |
| Pickguard | Tortoiseshell celluloid (early) or anodized gold |
| Weight | Typically 8.5-9.5 lbs |
| Case | Brown Tolex with orange plush lining |
The Slab Rosewood Fingerboard
Early Jazz Basses featured "slab" rosewood fingerboards, meaning the rosewood was cut as a flat slab and glued to the maple neck without contouring. Around 1962, Fender switched to "veneer" rosewood boards, which used a thinner piece of rosewood shaped to match the neck's radius.
The slab board is widely considered to contribute a warmer, richer tone than the later veneer boards, though opinions on this vary. What is not debatable is that the slab board serves as a reliable dating indicator and a feature that adds significant collector premium.
Condition Guide and Value Table
| Condition | Description | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent (All Original) | Clean, original finish and parts | $30,000 - $50,000 |
| Very Good (All Original) | Playing wear, original components | $22,000 - $35,000 |
| Good (Minor Repairs) | Light modifications, mostly original | $15,000 - $25,000 |
| Fair (Significant Mods) | Refinished or major parts replaced | $8,000 - $15,000 |
| Custom Color (Original) | Factory custom color, documented | $50,000 - $100,000+ |
Condition Grades Explained
Excellent: The bass retains its original finish, pickups, electronics, hardware, and case. Wear is limited to light playing evidence. The neck remains straight with good fret life. Original solder joints are undisturbed.
Very Good: Obvious playing wear including finish checking, fret wear, and buckle rash, but all components are original. The bass has been played professionally but maintained carefully.
Good: One or two non-original components such as a replaced pickguard, refretted fingerboard, or replaced tuners. Electronics may have been serviced. Still substantially original.
Fair: Major modifications or repairs. May include a refinish, replaced pickups, routed body, or structural repairs. The bass is playable and identifiable as a 1960 model but substantially altered.
Custom Colors: The Holy Grail
Fender offered custom colors on the Jazz Bass from its introduction, but very few buyers ordered them. A 1960 Jazz Bass in an original custom color like Olympic White, Fiesta Red, Lake Placid Blue, or Shoreline Gold is extraordinarily rare and commands prices that dwarf standard sunburst examples.
Documentation is critical for custom color instruments. Fender's records from this era are incomplete, so provenance typically relies on the original receipt, case candy, and expert evaluation of the finish.
Market Trends and Investment Outlook
The 1960 Jazz Bass has appreciated steadily for decades:
First-year premium: Collectors pay significant premiums for first-year production of any classic instrument. The 1960 Jazz Bass is the ultimate first-year bass guitar.
Professional demand: Unlike many vintage instruments that are primarily display pieces, Jazz Basses are actively sought by professional musicians. The tone and playability of original 1960 models is considered reference-standard.
Cultural significance: The Jazz Bass has been used by everyone from Jaco Pastorius to Flea to Geddy Lee. Its place in music history is unassailable.
Finite supply: The total number of 1960 stack-knob Jazz Basses produced was small. Each year, the available supply shrinks as instruments enter permanent collections.
What to Watch Out For
Neck stamps and dates: Verify the neck date stamp is consistent with 1960 production. Neck dates should fall within a few months of the expected production period.
Potentiometer dates: The stack knob pots should carry date codes consistent with 1960. Replaced pots indicate electronic work and reduce value.
Body routing: The stack-knob control cavity is different from the later three-knob routing. Examine the control cavity for evidence of modification.
Refinishes: Many vintage Fenders have been refinished over the decades. A refinish dramatically reduces value. Black-light examination can reveal refinish work that is invisible under normal lighting.
Why the 1960 Jazz Bass Belongs in a Serious Collection
The Fender Jazz Bass is the most important bass guitar ever designed. The 1960 stack-knob model is the first production year of that design. There is no more direct way to own a piece of electric bass guitar history than to hold one of these instruments. The stack-knob control layout adds both historical distinctiveness and tonal versatility that make these first-year models uniquely desirable among players and collectors alike.
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