1973 FENDER JAZZ BASS
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During 1973 the thumb rest began to move above the E string. However, many 1973 basses still had the thumb rest located under the G string. Black/white/black vinyl pickguards began to be introduced, along with tortoise shell/white/black/white, and white/black/white on custom colors. By late year, pearloid block fret markers and white plastic neck binding were introduced on maple necks.
Other 1973 Jazz bass characteristics: Large two piece "C" logo including four individual patent numbers and an ® mark applied under the finish, Fender name imprinted clover tuners with an ® mark and no rivet, 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, black plastic gasket under F Series neck plate, neck pocket paint stick etc., extra body hole in neck pocket for hanging while painting, body nail holes (for paint drying), date ink stamped grey bobbin pickups, ground shields under pickups, chrome pickup cover and bridge cover with foam rubber string mute, heptagonal shaped knobs, CTS or Stackpole potentiometers, ground shield under pots assembly, small silver or "blue drop" tone capacitor with red stripe, plastic wiring, Switchcraft input jack, oval ground wire route underneath bridge, single groove bridge saddles (occasionally with longer G string intonation screw), black tolex Fender logo case.
Serial numbers ranged from roughly 370000 to 520000 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.