yes, without it the neck would look like a bent stick
Firewood
Owning both basses, I can tell you that the Fender Jazz does have a thinner neck than the Precision. I don't know the exact difference (measurement wise) but it's definitely a noticeable difference.
three
Some Jazz copies aren't exactly built to Fender's specifications. Measure the existing neck and compare it with the specifications on the page linked below. If your existing neck is warped, broken, or just poorly designed, it may improve playability. You'd have to play a real Jazz and compare the feel of the neck with your existing neck to see if there would be any advantage.
You can date the bass by removing the neck... there should be a date stamp on the butt end.hfw9d
http://www.fender.com/support/usa_instruments.php according to fender that will most likely date to the late 90's sometime. for an exact date the neck must be removed but the link above will provide some information.
Either 1964 or 1965, next time you have it serviced, ask the engineer to check the date on the base of the neck.
Pretty sure you cant, the bronco is a short scale
I think you need to check the serial number is V and not U. The V series means US Vintage and should have the date stamped on the neck. Have your engineer check this the next time your have your bass serviced.
According to the Fender website, the serial number 369229, was made somewhere between 1970 and 1973. I have a 1964 Fender Jazz, the date is stamped on the neck. I suggest if you want to take your bass apart, you have an expert do it, or find out the next time you have it serviced.
if you are a beginner on the bass a good bass would be a squier affinity series jazz bass or precision bass. the jazz bass has a slimmer neck than the p bass but the p bass is a better bass for crunchy tone . i got the pbass.
Firewood