Photo of 1960 Fender Jazz Bass in a guitar and bass

Fender 1960 Fender Jazz Bass

$26,804.50 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (2)

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

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Price

$26,804.50 5 available Used

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Average Price: $26,805

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Electric Basses category, 1960 Fender Jazz Bass is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

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Standard

High-end

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Description

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Step into the realm of timeless tone and iconic style with the 1960 Fender Jazz Bass, a revered classic that has etched its mark in the annals of music history. Born in the golden era of rock and roll, this bass guitar represents a harmonious blend of form and function, offering a superior playing experience that has captivated musicians across genres. Its sleek design and distinctive sound have made it a favorite among legends, embodying the spirit of innovation that Fender is known for. Whether you're laying down grooves in the studio or commanding the stage, the 1960 Fender Jazz Bass brings a piece of musical heritage to your fingertips.

Key Features:

Dual single-coil pickups for that signature bright, punchy tone
Narrower neck profile for comfortable, effortless playability
Iconic body design inspired by the Jazzmaster
Close string spacing conducive to a variety of playing styles
Crafted during the first year of Jazz Bass production, enhancing its collectability

Product specs

Brand	Fender
Model	Jazz Bass
Finish	Blonde, Olympic White, Sunburst
Year	1960 - 1961
Made In	United States
Categories	4-String Basses
Active / Passive Pickups	Passive Pickups
Active Preamp	No Preamp
Body Material	Alder, Ash
Body Shape	J-Style
Color Family	Brown, White, Yellow
Finish Pattern	Sunburst
Fretboard Material	Rosewood
Model Family	Fender Jazz Bass
Neck Material	Maple
Number of Frets	20
Number of Strings	4-String
Offset Body	Offset Body
Pickup Configuration	SS
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Series	Fender Vintage Pre-CBS Era

FAQs

What makes the 1960 Fender Jazz Bass unique compared to other basses?: The 1960 Fender Jazz Bass features a slimmer neck profile and offset body shape, which offers enhanced playability and comfort. Its dual single-coil pickups provide a versatile tonal range, making it a favorite for jazz, rock, and funk genres.
Is the 1960 Fender Jazz Bass suitable for beginners?: While the 1960 Fender Jazz Bass is a classic instrument with historical significance, its playability and tonal versatility make it suitable for both beginners and experienced players. However, it may be more appealing to collectors and enthusiasts due to its vintage status.
What kind of wood is used in the construction of the 1960 Fender Jazz Bass?: The 1960 Fender Jazz Bass typically features an alder or ash body, a maple neck, and a rosewood fretboard, contributing to its rich and balanced sound.
How does the 1960 Fender Jazz Bass perform for different music genres?: The 1960 Fender Jazz Bass is renowned for its versatility, delivering warm, punchy tones suitable for jazz, rock, funk, and more. Its dual single-coil pickups allow for a wide range of tonal possibilities.
What is the neck profile of the 1960 Fender Jazz Bass like?: The 1960 Fender Jazz Bass features a narrower and more rounded neck profile compared to the Precision Bass, providing a comfortable grip and ease of play, especially favored by jazz musicians.

Videos

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Normans Rare Guitars

1960 Fender Stack Knob Jazz Bass | Guitar of the Day

Normans Rare Guitars

1960 Fender Jazz Bass Tone Review and Demo

MusicStoreLive.com

Norm playing a 1960 Fender Jazz Bass here at Norman's Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

"Pick of the Day" - 1960 Fender Jazz Bass and Rumble 150

Emerald City Guitars

1960 Fender "Stack Knob" Jazz Bass, Sunburst

Andy Baxter Bass & Guitars

1960 Fender JazzBass

HolyOneMusic

1960 Fender Jazz Bass

HolyOneMusic

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about 1960 Fender Jazz Bass.

Build quality

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CBS-era Jazz Basses often have inconsistent quality control, impacting demand and pricing.
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Pre-CBS Jazz Basses are noted to have a substantial amount of Rosewood on the neck, which is preferred over the laminate used in later models.
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Features and functionality

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Pre-CBS Jazz Basses are rare, with only five years of production before CBS acquisition.
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Early Jazz Basses from 1960-1962 originally featured stacked/concentric knobs, but this design was quickly abandoned in favor of a VVT setup.
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Value and pricing

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Refinishing a vintage bass can significantly reduce its value, sometimes by half or more.
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Mods and upgrades

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Original solder joints are highly valued, as they confirm no component changes.
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It's common for owners to swap out original knobs and pots due to poor performance, such as humming, to improve playability and sound.
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Some players replaced tuners due to issues like drooping or misalignment, opting for 70s style tuners that offer better stability and tuning accuracy.
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User experience

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Vintage basses, despite being heavy, are often more collectible than playable, influencing buyer decisions.
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Setup and maintenance

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Original reverse-gear Kluson tuners were used until 1965, identifiable by a longer shaft and smaller clover, differing from later standard-gear tuners with larger clovers.
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Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings

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Artist usage

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Geddy Lee

Singer, Bassist

Rush

Verified via Photo

Geddy Lee uses a 1960 Fender Jazz Bass, as highlighted in an Instagram post by geddyimages, featuring hashtags like #jazzbassheaven and #finevintages during the R40 Live tour.

Jaco Pastorius

Bassist, Keyboardist

Pat Metheny Group

Verified via Photo

"A bass owned by classically trained bassist and concert promoter Rod Glaubman and played by Jaco Pastorius is being offered up at auction. We’re not sure we buy the whole story, but from what we’ve gathered, Jaco borrowed this bass frequently, and possibly modified it. As the story goes, Glaubman allowed some modifications, but stopped short of letting Jaco de-fret the bass.

The bass is a 1960 Fender Jazz bass, purchased by Glaubman for $300 in 1970."

http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2009/04/24/bass-played-by-jaco-pastorius-at-auction/

Bob Babbitt

Bassist

MFSB

Verified via Low End Nation

Bob Babbitt is confirmed to use a 1960 Fender Jazz Bass, as listed under "Essential gear" by Cameron Dougall on Low End Nation.

Rutger Gunnarsson

Guitarist, Bassist

ABBA

Verified via YouTube

In the famous clip of Rutger playing the Dancing Queen bassline, he is using a 1960s Olympic White Fender Jazz. He also used this bass on many of Abba's albums.