When Fender launched the Custom Shop in 1987, the goal was to bring about a higher level of Fender craftsmanship. While the modern-day Custom Shop largely focuses on "Relic" reissues of pre-CBS designs, many Custom Shop offerings celebrate Fender's innovations with cutting-edge features and top-level craftsmanship.
The Custom Classic Jazz Bass is a great example of the more innovative side of the Custom Shop. This 2012 Custom Classic Jazz Bass has been played-in—used, but not abused—and it still has a plenty left in the tank. Built with the highest level of attention to detail, this bass features a matching Lake Placid Blue headstock. It's important to note that the lighting rig in our photo studio makes this bass appear a bluer than it does with the naked eye under natural lighting conditions. Also- the headstock is a sharp match to the body, so if it doesn't appear to match in any of the photos, the lighting is playing tricks on you.
This Custom Classic jazz Bass starts with the classic offset Jazz body and a perfectly quarter-sawn Maple neck. The neck and fingerboard are totally solid (one-piece instead of Maple veneer), and it has pearloid block inlays and pearloid side markers. For electronics, it's hotrodded with Nosieless Jazz Bass pickups and an active on-board EQ. The bridge can be strung through the body for maximum sustain, or it can be set up as top-loader if you want a more straightforward sound. All in all, this Jazz Bass design is carefully thought out and geared toward delivering versatility and reliability. This is a player's instrument that can deliver set after set, night after night, tour after tour.
This 2012 Custom Classic Jazz Bass is in nice condition, but it does show play wear all around (various minor dings, wear along the edges of the neck—see photos). A lot of folks pay extra $$$ for the Custom Shop to replicate wear like this, but this is the authentic mojo of a seasoned instrument. The headstock finish is beautifully checked, and the body shows some checking from the right angles as well. Three of the tuners are missing set screws, but it doesn't affect tuning stability. The setup is low, fast and playable, and this bass balances well on a strap. The original case is included, but the paperwork and case candy have been misplaced along the way.