Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $3,994
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Fender Jazz Bass '68". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The Fender Jazz Bass '68 is a harmonious blend of vintage allure and modern craftsmanship, designed to satiate the desires of both collectors and performers alike. Emerging from the iconic CBS-era, this bass guitar encapsulates the spirit of the late '60s with its timeless aesthetics and robust build. Its block inlays and fretboard binding offer a sophisticated touch, ensuring that it not only sounds phenomenal but looks the part on any stage. Musicians are drawn to its versatile tonal range, making it an excellent choice for those who play across genres—from smooth jazz to punchy rock.
Under the hood, the Fender Jazz Bass '68 is equipped with a pair of single-coil pickups that deliver the classic, articulate voice it's known for. Its narrow neck profile provides comfortable playability, allowing for fast, intricate fingerwork. Whether you're laying down the groove in a studio session or performing live, this bass ensures clarity and depth with every note.
Key Features:
- CBS-era design with vintage aesthetics
- Fretboard binding and block inlays for added elegance
- Dual single-coil pickups for versatile tone
- Narrow neck profile for enhanced playability
- Ideal for a wide range of music genres
Product specs
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | Jazz Bass |
| Finish | Black, Blonde, Candy Apple Red, Charcoal Frost Metallic, Daphne Blue, Fiesta Red, Lake Placid Blue, Olympic White, Shoreline Gold, Sonic Blue, Sunburst |
| Year | 1965 - 1969 |
| 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 | Black, Blue, Brown, Gold, Grey, Red, 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 CBS Era |
FAQs
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What kind of tone can I expect from the Fender Jazz Bass '68 pickups?
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The Fender Jazz Bass '68 features passive pickups known for their warm, smooth, and versatile tone, making it suitable for genres like jazz, rock, and funk. The dual single-coil pickups offer a balanced sound with clear highs and punchy lows.
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Is the Fender Jazz Bass '68 suitable for beginners?
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The Fender Jazz Bass '68 is an iconic model with a rich tonal palette and comfortable playability, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced players. Its classic design and quality craftsmanship provide an excellent foundation for learning and performance.
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What is the neck profile of the Fender Jazz Bass '68 like?
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The Fender Jazz Bass '68 typically features a slim "C" neck profile, offering a comfortable and fast-playing experience. This makes it ideal for players who prefer a thinner neck for easier finger movement and access across the fretboard.
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How does the body material of the Fender Jazz Bass '68 affect its sound?
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The Fender Jazz Bass '68 is made from alder or ash, both of which contribute to its balanced tone. Alder provides a rich, full-bodied sound with pronounced mids, while ash offers a brighter tone with more pronounced highs and increased sustain.
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Does the Fender Jazz Bass '68 have an active preamp?
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No, the Fender Jazz Bass '68 does not have an active preamp. It features passive pickups, which deliver a classic and natural bass tone without the need for onboard electronics.
Videos
Normans Rare Guitars
1968 Fender Jazz Bass Sunburst | Guitar of the Day
Reviews
PROS
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Effortless smooth yet punchy tone reminiscent of late 60s Jazz Basses
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Classic look with pearl block fret markers and paddle tuners
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Warm and vibey sound that stands out
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High-quality construction with reliable playability
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Unique reissue focus on late 60s models, unlike many pre-CBS reissues
CONS
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Quality may vary between individual units
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Jazz Bass '68.
User experience
Features and functionality
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The presence of lollipop tuners aligns with the era's design, confirming period accuracy for that component.
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The neck is frequently cited as the 'soul' of the instrument, and possessing an original neck is deemed crucial for preserving any vintage value.
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It's noted that heavy modifications like additional strap button holes and non-original necks or pickups drastically reduce the vintage value of the instrument.
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The headstock logo can distinguish between early and late '68 models, with early ones having a different logo before the switch to the TV logo.
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Mods and upgrades
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Tropical fish capacitors are rare in Fenders and typically indicate a non-original replacement for the stock ceramic capacitors.
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Seymour Duncan pickups, specifically their bass lines, are mentioned as a decent alternative for those looking to upgrade sound quality.
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Some owners recommend replacing the body with a period-accurate replica or a Warmoth Jazz Bass body to improve aesthetics and maintain vintage appeal.
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Build quality
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The neck pickup cavity is notably wide, potentially affecting fit for certain pickups and indicating possible non-original body parts.
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Issues with neck dive are commonly reported, especially when heavy weights are added to the body to counterbalance modifications.
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The headstock often retains a nitro finish, aging differently than the poly-coated body from '68 models.
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Use cases and applications
Comparisons
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Owners note that poly finishes from this era don't age like earlier nitro finishes, leading to different aging patterns.
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Setup and maintenance
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Pot codes from 1966 are commonly found in late '60s Fender basses due to large stock purchases at that time.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating
Artist usage
Add artist
In an Instagram post by Sean Hurley (@seanehurley), he shares an image of his Fender Jazz Bass '68, highlighting its use with Labella strings.
This Instagram post shows two of Ians Fender Jazz Basses. One of these is a 68 Sunburst which he bought in 2008. The finish is aged, rosewood fretboard with block inlays and tort scratchplate. It wears flats exclusuievly.
"It’s hard to improve on the classics, and that’s exactly what Taka has in his 1968 Jazz Bass. “Before a gig one day I was in second-hand music shop, and tried this Jazz Bass,” he tells us. “It was so nice and so good – but I didn’t have time to buy it because I had to go back to the venue to do a soundcheck, and I never got it! “So from then on I’m thinking, ‘I wish I’d bought that’. Then when me and Grant went down to Denmark Street after Comfort In Sound was a success, I was determined that I was going to find a Jazz Bass! So I found this 1968 model that was in great condition. I love everything about it!"
Album Usage
The Fender Jazz Bass '68 has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
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