1971 FENDER JAZZ BASS

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The bridge pickup moved slightly closer to the bridge.
Other 1971 Jazz bass characteristics: Large two piece "C" logo including four individual patent numbers and an ® mark applied under the finish, Fender name imprinted non-reverse clover tuners with no rivet and sometimes with an ® mark, no strapholder on headstock back, rosewood fretboard or one piece maple neck with skunk stripe, white or black plastic neck binding, pearloid or black block inlay fret markers, medium jumbo fret wire, neck butt date etc. ink stamps, fifth hole on neck butt for hanging while painting, F Series neck plate, neck pocket paint stick etc., extra body hole in neck pocket for hanging while painting, tortoise shell/white/black/white vinyl pickguard or white/black/white vinyl pickguard on custom colors, thumb rest under G string, date ink stamped grey bobbin pickups, ground shields under pickups, chrome pickup cover and bridge cover with foam rubber string mute, heptagonal shaped knobs, Stackpole or CTS potentiometers (sometimes with overstocked 1966 codes), ground shield under pots assembly, small silver with red stripe or cylindrical blue tone capacitor, plastic wiring, Switchcraft input jack, oval ground wire route underneath bridge, single groove bridge saddles (often with longer G string intonation screw), black Tolex case with plastic "fishtail" logo and orange interior.
Serial numbers ranged from roughly 300000 to 350000 although there are many overlapping exceptions. For more precise dating, cross reference the serial number with the instrument's neck butt stamp, pickup stamp and potentiometer codes.