Franken '51/Likely '69 Tele Bass is Back!

Top_Ten · #1 09-19-2009, 07:13 AM

Please see these two threads for the complete story on this bass and many photos:

The Continuing Saga of the Franken '51!

Franken '51 P-bass with a Back Story!

As described in those threads, what I think I have here is an original '69 Telecaster Bass body with a Warmoth neck and other replacement parts. However, I cannot absolutely guarantee that this is a '69 Telecaster Bass body -- in fact, I'm not sure anyone could say what the body is with absolute, 100% certainty. I can provide as much info and as many photos as necessary so that any potential buyers can come to their own conclusions.

OK, with the disclaimers out of the way, I'm going to offer this up for $1000. I've struggled a little to figure out a fair price for this, and that is the best I can do. If it is not reasonable, then I'll guess I'll find out b/c nobody will buy it!

I should mention that I disassembled the bass to take the photos. I can either leave it disassmembled for shipping or put it back together, but in either case, it will probably need a set up.

fretwear · #2 09-19-2009, 07:36 AM

What ever became of Fatdog and Subway Guitars? Just wondering, free bump.

the art guy · #3 09-19-2009, 08:39 AM

Hmm......still just as cool, but now way out of my price range. Too bad for me - good luck though and free bump.

jarrod cunningham · #4 09-19-2009, 10:24 AM

now you have me wanting to sell my number one bass - spector euro 5 ....

Top_Ten · #5 09-19-2009, 10:26 AM

Folks at the Fender Forum have provided more info indicating that this is, indeed, very likely a '69 Tele Bass body: http://www.fenderforum.com/forum.htm...-09-1910:16:15. Of course, that doesn't mean that anyone wants to buy it for $1000, but at least I feel more comfortable that the price is justified by its being the real thing!

Johnny Alien · #6 09-19-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CelinderMotoMan

So you can't garentee, and it's "likely" a '69 tele body? So the only thing that's for certain is that you doubled the asking price on speculation and that the sacred body was still once cracked. I'll pass.

Everyone on the Fender Forum said it was a tele body. So while there is no "confirmation" those guys know what they are talking about and I would not doubt that this is what they say it is.

Top_Ten · #7 09-19-2009, 11:35 AM

Just to be absolutely clear, I fully acknowledge -- and I think I have been clear in all of my posts -- that the provenance on this body leaves something to be desired. And obviously the condition is not great.

But it still seems like there is a lot of interest in this bass, I don't really play it much, and if someone wants it I am willing to sell. My initial price of $500 was based almost entirely on the value of the neck, pickup, tuners, bridge, and pickguard, with not much added for the body. This was due to the fact that I thought the body was just some no-name knockoff.

Now it looks like the body is an actual '69 Tele Bass body, although admittedly (as noted above) in not great condition and without 100% rock-solid confirmation. I don't know that 100% confirmation is possible, given that there are no serial numbers, but it seems that all indications point to it being authentic. The only reason I don't want to offer any "guarantee" is because I am not myself an expert, so I am relying on the info provided by others (all of which is right there for anyone to evaluate).

Based on all of the above, it seems that the body is probably worth $800-$1000 or maybe more on a good day. So I decided that I would take my original asking price of $500 (which, again, did not really allocate much value to the body), and add another $500 based on the newly-discovered value of the body. That seemed reasonable to me, but if it does not seem reasonable to others there is an easy solution -- don't buy it!

Again, I'm trying to be fair and reasonable, and I think the only thing that maybe I did wrong was posting this bass the first time without really knowing what it was. If that caused anyone any inconvenience or disappointment, I apologize.

Cheers,

Aaron

Top_Ten · #8 09-19-2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CelinderMotoMan

So I guess the question you have to ask is, "would you pay $500 for a '69 Tele body that was cracked but had been reglued?

Yes, I think you have hit the nail on the head. And your answer may very well be "NO WAY!" That is fine. I'm doing my best to be fair but at the same time I don't want to essentially give away something that could be pretty valuable. That is the beauty of the free market -- if my price is too high, I'll find out soon enough b/c nobody will buy it!

J. Crawford · #9 09-19-2009, 11:38 AM

I think you should try to get a hold of Mike Dirnt, and see if he wants it. Seriously.

Johnny Alien · #10 09-19-2009, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CelinderMotoMan

So I guess the question you have to ask is, "would you pay $500 for a '69 Tele body that was cracked but had been reglued?

Two things:

1. Yes a late 60's tele body is probably worth $500 in this condition
2. Per the FAQ's available in a link at the top of the forum. "Also, do NOT question a seller's price in a For Sale thread."

CelinderMotoMan · #11 09-19-2009, 11:59 AM

I'm just mad because I wanted it for $500. Hahaha. Seriously thought, best of luck with your sale.

Top_Ten · #12 09-19-2009, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CelinderMotoMan

I'm just mad because I wanted it for $500. Hahaha. Seriously thought, best of luck with your sale.

OK, cool -- no hard feelings! I do apologize for the tease with my first post and any resulting disappointment. Next time I will get my facts straight before I post something for sale.

Johnny Alien · #13 09-19-2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CelinderMotoMan

I'm just mad because I wanted it for $500. Hahaha. Seriously thought, best of luck with your sale.

the art guy · #14 09-19-2009, 01:26 PM

If you guys have a problem with the asking price, quit cluttering up the thread and deal with it via PMs. Read the rules.

Believe me, I wish I had grabbed it for 500, but if I were the seller I'd be trying to get what it's worth to someone who likes old beat-up Fenders. Someone like me.

**john turner** · #15 09-19-2009, 01:39 PM

just a reminder. the seller is entitled to ask whatever they wish for their sale, and to do so without harrassment or negativity in their sale thread.

if you have an issue with a seller's price, take that issue to private message, but do not post it in their forsale thread.

CelinderMotoMan · #16 09-19-2009, 01:49 PM

Moderator, I tried to edit my posts but can't via my phone so if you can delete my posts for me I'd appreciate it. Like I said earlier, I was half heartedly joking. Best of luck to Big Ten

jarrod cunningham · #17 09-19-2009, 02:12 PM

i would give a grand right now if i had it .....

Top_Ten · #18 09-19-2009, 02:25 PM

Geez, I was really not trying to cause such strife with this bass! As far as I am concerned, Celinder and I are totally cool. As far as this bass is concerned, if someone on here thinks they would enjoy it, please make me a reasonable offer based on all the info that has been provided. If not, that's cool -- I'll just keep it or put it on Ebay or whatever. Thanks everyone for the interest, and sorry again for any hassle caused by my initial premature offer at the lower price.

Crockettnj · #19 09-19-2009, 06:06 PM

I'd explore the Dirnt angle as well. Give it a month to send a few emails/links to the fender forum thread, and pics. Send to him, manager, etc.

Top_Ten · #20 09-19-2009, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crockettnj

I'd explore the Dirnt angle as well. Give it a month to send a few emails/links to the fender forum thread, and pics. Send to him, manager, etc.

Yeah, thanks for the suggestion, but I haven't really seen Mike in years, and it would be sort of awkward to pop out of the woodwork and try to sell him a bass. I don't really need to sell this bass bad enough to try to exploit that connection.

Honestly, at this point, I'd really be equally happy if this thing sells or if it doesn't. The only reason I was thinking of selling it is b/c I am not crazy about the chunky Warmoth neck. If it doesn't sell, I'll get a neck I like better and keep it.