“Fender always presented these options in a very low-key way – it was added in very small print in the corner of one page”: Meet the vintage Jazz Bass that's a true Fender unicorn

1965 Fender Jazz Bass with a maple cap fingerboard: the slab board was a very rare feature at the time.

“They made them later on, but it’s not something I’ve ever seen this early. I can’t say for certain that it’s the only maple-cap Jazz Bass Fender made in 1965, but we have asked around online with all the guitar-based communities and so far nobody has reported seeing another one.

“It has a regular alder body construction and inside everything is as it should be. There’s a transition logo and the ‘A’ neck is on the narrow side, but it’s very well balanced and doesn’t dip at the headstock or lean into your body too much when you’re playing it on a strap. It’s in the mid-8lb range, so not super light or heavy by bass standards.